Job Description

MANAGER, APPLICATIONS SUPPORT AND PROGRAMMING

SUMMARY: Manages the applications support and programming unit of the Regional Technology Center; develops and recommends unit policies and procedures; resolves complex application business issues; provides technical expertise related to research, analysis, design, development, enhancement, and testing of major business systems to ensure user satisfaction; supervises, monitors, trains, and evaluates assigned staff; and performs all other related duties.

ACTIVITIES:

40% APPLICATIONS SUPPORT AND PROGRAMMING MANAGEMENT

Allocates staff resources for development and support of automated business services; establishes procedures and policies to ensure customers receive timely and effective service and resolution to problems; evaluates, recommends, and implements integrated business systems including software, applications programs, and functional enhancements; oversees the implementation and enhancement of organizational wide information systems including, but not limited to, accounts payable, accounts receivable, budget development, fixed assets, general ledger, human resources, purchasing, payroll, position control, pupil and stores systems; ensures MIS programming and documentation standards are current and adhered to by applications support and programming staff; establishes policies and procedures to ensure an effective training program for customers; develops customer feedback systems to measure user satisfaction with products, services, training, and support; establishes and maintains strong relationships with county office and school district personnel, users, and vendors to ensure high quality service.

30% PROGRAM COORDINATION

Provides the County Office of Education with technical information and expertise relating to systems analysis, design, programming, and maintenance. Ensures business processes, data integrity and effective operations. Develops short and long-term customer service plans for the Office's technology services; manages project development and implementation for business products; develops plans for marketing technology services; assists with marketing efforts; researches trends technology to ensure that services remain current and competitive.

20% SUPERVISION

Selects, monitors, trains, and evaluates support staff; approves training programs for assigned staff.

5% BUDGET

Assists in budget development and monitors budget allocations and related requests.

5% RELATED ACTIVITIES

Develops pricing structure for services and products; develops contracts for use of services and products; establishes procedures for contract administration and billing; develops income projections for the department; and performs all other related duties.

DECISION-MAKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING: Uses non-traditional approaches to problem-solving; determines the technical approach to development and maintenance of applications and business systems; analyzes user needs; develops and implements short and long-term plans; provides data for long-term planning in own branch; requires independence and autonomy in decision making within framework of broadly stated policy guidelines, precedents, specialized knowledge, and prior research; situations are varied and frequently highly complex; and participates in decisions that frequently have major impact across Office branches.

REQUIRED MINIMUM SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of operating systems, networking, relational data bases, software development and other components of a client server environment. Knowledge of proper methodologies and principles related to technical business applications, systems design, user support, and programming. Skill in applications support and programming management. Advanced skill in communicating in critical situations, orally and in writing with business, education, and community leaders; advanced skill in budget preparation and control; advanced skill in program building, operations, funding, and maintenance; advanced skill in managing personnel through subordinate professional, management, or supervisory staff; and advanced skill in adapting style to divergent situations with groups on a frequent basis.

REQUIRED MINIMUM TRAINING, EDUCATION, AND LICENSING: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in computer science, business administration, or technology; a Master’s degree is desirable; and a valid California Driver's License.

REQUIRED MINIMUM PRIOR WORK EXPERIENCE: Five years of job-related experience in the design, development, implementation, and enhancement of computer systems and programs with demonstrated competence.

REQUIRED INTERACTION (NON-AUTHORITY): Contacts are usually unstructured, and are primarily with high-level individuals inside and outside the Office. Contacts require planning, promotion, strategy development, decision-making and problem solving.

SUPERVISION: Supervises Professionals/specialists and other support staff.

ENVIRONMENT: While performing the duties of this class, the incumbent regularly works in inside environmental conditions. The employee frequently works with a video display terminal for prolonged periods. The employee may be required to use an automobile in the course of employment, and may be required to attend evening meetings and travel. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

PHYSICAL ABILITIES: While performing the duties of this class, the incumbent is regularly required to speak and hear. The employee frequently is required to sit and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this class include close vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.

Approval by Personnel Commission: March 26, 1998
Revised: April 22, 1999; September 23, 1999; June 8, 2005