State of Maryland

A Computer Information Services Specialist II is the full performance level of work evaluating, implementing and maintaining personal computer hardware and software.  Employees in this classification do not supervise.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from a Computer Information Services Specialist Supervisor, an information technology administrator or other administrator.

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 Information Services Specialist I and the Computer Information Services Specialist II are differentiated on the basis of degree of supervisory control exercised by the supervisor over these employees.  The Computer Information Services Specialist I performs duties under close supervision at times and under general supervision at other times depending on the complexity of the specific duty being performed.  The Computer Information Services Specialist II performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.  The Computer Information Services Specialist II is differentiated from the Computer Information Services Specialist Supervisor in that the Computer Information Services Specialist Supervisor has supervisory responsibility for lower-level Computer Information Services Specialists.

Reviews user needs and requests for automation, evaluates personal computer hardware and software to provide solutions to user needs and recommends acquisition of appropriate personal computer hardware, software and services;

Assists users in developing the conceptual design of personal computer systems and coordinates the development of personal computer systems applications with IT Programmer Analysts;

Plans, coordinates and conducts formal and informal training programs for personal computer users;

Develops user manuals for personal computer hardware operation and software applications;

Manages and controls inventory of personal computer hardware and software, supplies and equipment;

Administers service contracts and purchase agreements for personal computer hardware, software and equipment;

Uses generally accepted computer programming languages to customize packaged personal computer software applications and to create special purpose office applications and databases;

Reviews personal computer literature and attends workshops, seminars and training classes to learn the personal computer hardware and software used by the agency and to keep abreast of the latest developments in personal computer information services;

May assist users in preparing procurement documents for personal computer hardware, software, services and equipment;

May provide input into the departmental information processing plan and budget;

May act as security representative to administer security issues related to computer connections and computer networks;

May coordinate the maintenance and modification of computer system applications;

May monitor processing of data by computer systems and coordinate the resolution of production problems;

May install and troubleshoot personal computer hardware and software;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of the functions and capabilities of personal computers;

Knowledge of personal computer operating systems and software packages for word processing, spreadsheet, communications, graphics, data base and other applications;

Knowledge of generally accepted computer programming language tools used to customize software applications and create special purpose applications and data bases;

Knowledge of personal computer training methodologies;

Skill in evaluating personal computer hardware, software and services to resolve user needs;

Skill in training personal computer users in software applications and operation of the hardware;

Skill in diagnosing and resolving personal computer hardware and software problems for users;

Skill in customizing software applications and databases for users and for generating reports;

Skill in administering contracts and purchase agreements for personal computer hardware and software;

Ability to prepare budgets, manage expenditures and to follow procurement policies and procedures related to personal computers;

Ability to coordinate data processing projects and issues with users and information technology personnel;

Ability to install personal computer hardware and software;

Ability to communicate effectively and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with users, vendors, installers, consultants, Computer Network Specialists, IT Programmer Analysts, Computer Operators, other information technology personnel, Budget Analysts, fiscal officers and program administrators.

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

Experience: One year of experience evaluating, implementing and maintaining personal computer hardware and software.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute experience responding to and resolving help desk calls from users of computers, or operating computer equipment for the purpose of data entry, word processing, spreadsheet, graphics, data base or other applications on a year-for-year basis for the required education.

2. Candidates may substitute nine credit hours in personal computer applications at an accredited college, university or institution for one year of the required experience.

3. Candidates may substitute the completion of a certification program in computer repair, such as Microsoft A+ or an   equivalent program for one year of the required experience.

4. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a non-commissioned officer in Cyber and Information Systems classifications or Cyber and Information Systems 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 G, Engineering, Scientific and Administrative Professionals 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.

This classification is one level in a Non-Competitive Promotion (NCP) series.  NCP promotions are promotions by which employees may advance in grade and class level from trainee to full performance level in a classification series. In order to be non-competitively promoted to the next level in a NCP series, an employee must: 1) perform the main purpose of the class, as defined by the Nature of Work section of the class specification; 2) receive the type of supervision defined in the class specification and 3) meet the minimum qualifications of the classification.