State of Maryland

A Computer Operator, Lead is the lead level of work operating multipurpose, multi-tasking computers.  Employees in this classification assign, review and approve the work of and train lower-level Computer Operators.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from a Computer Operator Supervisor.  Employees in this classification may be required to work on evenings, weekends and holidays.  Work is normally performed in a computer room and involves exposure to moderate levels of noise and to a climate controlled environment necessary to keep the computer from overheating.  The work requires careful observance of safety procedures related to fire extinguishing systems for computers.  The work requires moving boxes of paper weighing up to forty pounds.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

The Computer Operator, Lead is differentiated from a Computer Operator II in that the Computer Operator, Lead assigns, reviews and approves the work of and trains lower-level Computer Operators while the Computer Operator II performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.  The Computer Operator, Lead is differentiated from the Computer Operator Supervisor in that the Computer Operator Supervisor has supervisory responsibility for lower-level Computer Operators.

Assigns, reviews and approves the work of lower-level Computer Operators;

Trains lower-level Computer Operators;

Provides advice and guidance to lower-level Computer Operators on the resolution of complex scheduling conflicts, computer malfunctions, program and system malfunctions and other irregularities;

Powers the computer system up or down by following operating procedures and entering commands on the control console;

Reads production schedules, job request forms and job documentation to determine what jobs to run, what procedures to follow and what input data to obtain;

Adjusts the production schedule and manipulates job streams in order to make the most efficient use of the computer and peripheral equipment and to allow for the processing of special and emergency jobs;

Enters commands on the control console to open and close files as required to process specific jobs and to activate batch, backup and test jobs;

Loads paper and forms in printers, activates printers in response to computer messages and removes printouts from printers;

Hangs and loads tapes and activates tape drives and disk drives in response to computer messages;

Monitors the processing of jobs by observing the control console and correcting processing errors according to operating policies, procedures and job documentation;

Verifies that complete and correct output has been produced for each job and maintains control counts of numbered forms, checks and other negotiable documents;

Enters commands on the control console to bring up and take down on-line systems;

Observes the control console and responds to on-line system messages to keep the system up;

Responds to calls from on-line system users regarding system problems and follows procedures in systems and device manuals to restore system access;

Monitors on-line systems by entering simulated data, determining if valid responses are received and maintaining a record of response times;

Notifies programmers, technical support staff and users of program and system problems;

Places service calls to vendors to explain the nature of equipment and line malfunctions;

Maintains records of computer and system downtime;

Cleans, adjusts and makes minor repairs to computer equipment;

May perform production control duties such as scheduling, input and output control and tape library management;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of the functions and capabilities of multipurpose, multi-tasking computers and peripheral equipment;

Knowledge of computer operating systems and the commands necessary to operate multipurpose, multi-tasking computers;

Knowledge of job streaming and multi-tasking concepts;

Skill in following directions in technical documents such as computer operating manuals, equipment manuals and job documentation;

Skill in following emergency, disaster recovery and security procedures related to computer operations;

Skill in interpreting computer messages to identify the cause of computer malfunctions;

Skill in adjusting production schedules and manipulating job streams to make the most efficient use of computer systems;

Skill in calculating mathematical totals and percentages and maintaining logs of computer downtime, computer output and similar records;

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with and communicate technical information to users, vendors, programmers and technical support staff;

Ability to assign, review and approve the work of lower-level Computer Operators;

Ability to train lower-level Computer Operators.

Education:   Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.

Experience: Three years of experience operating multipurpose, multi-tasking computer systems.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute additional experience operating computer equipment for the purpose of data entry, word processing or maintaining information on a year-for-year basis for the required education.

2. Candidates may substitute fifteen credit hours in computer operation at an accredited college or university for one year of the required experience.

3. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a non-commissioned officer in Computer System Operations classifications or Computer System Operations specialty codes in the Information Technology field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit B, Administrative, Technical and Clerical classes.  As provided by the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.

Employees in this classification are eligible to receive overtime compensation.  An employee who works more than the normal workweek is entitled to be compensated for that overtime, as provided by the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 8-305.