State of Maryland

A Computer Network Specialist Lead is the lead level of work planning, integrating and maintaining software and hardware for local or wide area computer networks to include operating systems software and network communications software.  Employees in this classification assign, review, trains and approve the work of and train lower-level Computer Network Specialists.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from a Computer Network Specialist Supervisor or other data processing administrator.  The work is performed in normal office settings and at users' work sites in offices.  When at users' sites, the work may involve running cables through ceilings and floors resulting in moderate amounts of dust, dirt and insulation.  When performing these duties, employees in this classification wear specialized safety equipment including hard hats, goggles and masks.  When at users' sites, the work may involve exposure to electrical wires and outlets and safety procedures must be strictly followed.  The work may require moving computers and printers weighing up to 80 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 Network Specialist Lead is differentiated from the Computer Network Specialist II in that the Computer Network Specialist Lead assigns, reviews and approves the work of and trains lower-level Computer Network Specialists while the Computer Network Specialist II performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.  The Computer Network Specialist Lead is differentiated from the Computer Network Specialist Supervisor in that the Computer Network Specialist Supervisor has supervisory responsibility for lower-level Computer Network Specialists.

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

Trains lower-level Computer Network Specialists;

Provides advice and guidance to lower-level Computer Network Specialists on the resolution of complex problems in planning, integrating and maintaining software and hardware for local or wide area computer networks, including operating systems software and network communications software issues;

Consults with users to discuss local or wide area computer network software and hardware needs, to assess existing software and hardware and to survey the locations of new network sites;

Designs the structure of local or wide area computer networks and prepares plans, reports and diagrams documenting the type and location of software and hardware;

Installs operating system software and network communications software for computer networks;

Installs applications software and customizes as required;

Configures network software and hardware to provide for efficient and effective network performance and data security;

Prepares and assembles technical documentation and user documentation for network software and hardware;

Monitors the performance of the network software and hardware through network management and diagnostic programs and utilities;

Adjusts the network for maximum efficiency, maintains and analyzes records of network activity, and recommends and implements network software and hardware upgrades;

Diagnoses network software and hardware problems and makes repairs and adjustments or obtains service from software and hardware vendors and maintenance vendors;

Runs backups of network data, archives data as required and develops and maintains disaster recovery plans;

Enters users and their network privileges onto the network and provides ongoing user support;

Oversees the installation of network hardware;

Reviews technical manuals and other technical literature and attends workshops, seminars and training classes to learn various network systems used by the agency and to keep abreast of the latest developments in computer network technology;

May train users in computer network software and hardware;

May develop and program applications software;

May install and maintain network hardware such as printers, scanners or other networked devices;

May install and maintain communications links to mainframe computers;

May direct support staff responsible for user support, hardware installation, data entry and other support functions;

Performs other related duties.

Class Descriptions 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.

Class Descriptions provide information about the Nature of Work, Examples of Work, General Requirements and Acknowledgements.  The Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities; Minimum Education and Experience Requirements; Special Requirements; and recruitment and testing procedures are set by the using agency.

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 not assigned to a bargaining unit, as indicated by the designation of S (Supervisor), M (Manager), T (Agency Head), U (Board or Commission Member), W (Student), X (Used by Agency or Excluded by Executive Order), or Z (Confidential).  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.