State of Maryland

An Information Technology (IT) Functional Analyst Trainee is the beginning level of work providing problem analysis and ongoing user support, coordinating system development and implementation, and training users on the functionality of applications for agency or statewide systems housed on mainframe computers or large client server platforms.  Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions.

Employees in this classification receive close supervision from an IT Functional Analyst Supervisor, other 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 classification specification.

The IT Functional Analyst Trainee, IT Functional Analyst I and IT Functional Analyst II are differentiated on the basis of degree of supervisory control exercised by the supervisor over these employees.  The IT Functional Analyst Trainee learns to perform duties under close supervision.  The IT Functional Analyst 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 IT Functional Analyst II performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.

Learns to perform problem analysis to provide appropriate and timely corrective action when agency user operations are adversely impacted by application system’s malfunction or error;

Learns to review error codes generated by the application system to determine the appropriate course of action for correction;

Learns to assist technical programmer analysts in the design, development and testing of application system corrections or enhancements by analyzing modifications recommended, determining system impact and estimating effort and resources required to perform modification;

Learns to monitor migration of new and revised applications through user acceptance and production regions to ensure adequate pre-production test planning and execution in coordination with established quality assurance policies and procedures;

Learns to create, review and update application documentation and training material to ensure that information is accurate, relevant, current and user friendly;

Learns to conduct multiple programs of on- and off-site training and support for all levels of users on the functions and capabilities of complex applications by using established training techniques and state-of-the-art software;

Learns to manage, coordinate and support permanent and ad hoc user groups for the advancement of the system application and the users’ operating knowledge;

Learns to participate in the management of changes to applications based on input from individual system users, user groups and control agencies who identify requirements relating to application deficiencies or enhancements;

Performs other related duties.

Ability to learn the functions and uses of mainframe or large client server-based application systems;

Ability to learn the functions and capabilities of automated business systems;

Ability to learn the functions and capabilities of computer systems and peripheral equipment as related to the functionality of applications;

Ability to learn the principles and practices of training users of automated application systems;

Ability to learn to provide problem analysis and ongoing user support, coordinate system development and implementation, and train users on the functionality of applications for agency or statewide systems housed on mainframe computers or large client server platforms;

Ability to learn to create, review and update application documentation and training materials;

Ability to learn to conduct classroom and one-on-one training on the functionality of complex computer applications;

Ability to learn to use mainframe and PC-based software for problem diagnosis, analysis, correction and end user training on the functionality of applications;

Ability to learn to apply inductive and deductive reasoning to reach logical solutions to complex application system problems;

Ability to communicate effectively and establish and maintain effective working relationships with system users, user groups, vendors, computer operations personnel, IT Programmer Analysts, and technical support staff.

Experience: Four years of 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, database or other applications.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources Management, Public Administration, Information Technology or other related field with specific coursework in the structure and use of automated information systems for the required experience.

2. Candidates may substitute 30 credit hours from an accredited college or university in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, Human Resources Management, Public Administration, Information Technology or other related field with specific coursework in the structure and use of automated information systems for each year up to four years of the required experience.

3. Candidates may substitute graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate and two years of 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, database or other applications for the required experience.

4. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in the Cyber and Information Systems classifications or Cyber and Information 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.

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.

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.