Job Description
SENIOR SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATOR
SUMMARY: Manages the activities to support system hardware, software, and data center operations of the Regional Technology Center; supervises professional and specialist staff responsible for the production of reports and processes; confers with users to address planning, status, and functional areas; serves as technical liaison to user and other staff members; and performs all other related duties.
ACTIVITIES:
35% SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATION, DEVELOPMENT, AND MAINTENANCE
Maintains systems availability to users through daily monitoring; provides technical guidance and operational support to users in implementation and use of software applications; provides assistance, guidance, parameters and specifications to the applications support unit in the development of customized business applications necessary to meet business needs including identifying data sources and structures; researches, evaluates, and recommends hardware/software solutions to ensure effective systems operations; develops and provides set-up specifications and parameters in the development of interfaces and other automated processes; develops specifications for systems modifications, corrections and testing of these systems prior to implementation; coordinates the installation of new modules, tools, etc. Supervises system and database administration including back-up and restore procedures; analyzes and corrects database growth and performance issues; works with UNIX operating system to complete required tasks for maintaining related computer hardware and software; develops, implements, and monitors the system security plan encompassing network security, operating systems security, file system security, and applications security to ensure data integrity in operations.
20% SYSTEM USER INTERACTION
Supports the Application Support units in providing training to new users as well as follow-up training and assistance; confers with the Senior Systems and Programming Analyst and users regarding current and prospective system changes and future needs. Serves as technical liaison with outside consultants and the applications support and network and technical services units.
20% PRODUCTION AND REPORT GENERATION
Plans, organizes, controls, and maintains production scheduling with applications support staff to ensure smooth operation and delivery of system output; develops and maintains project logs and records, problem logs, and progress of projects in relation to established time schedules and work outlines.
15% SUPERVISION
Selects, trains, coordinates, monitors, and evaluates support staff.
5% BUDGET
Participates in budget preparation; monitors the budget as it relates to systems administration activities.
5% RELATED ACTIVITIES
Assists in the long-term planning with capacity and technology upgrades and performs all other related duties.
DECISION-MAKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING: Determines systems administration, development, implementation, and maintenance activities; determines necessary documentation and specifications; recommends additional standards, procedures, and methods; determines logical solutions to complex system administration and application problems. Develops and implements short-term and long-term plans; provides data for long-term planning in own branch. Requires frequent exercise of discretionary judgment and specialized knowledge in interpreting and applying policies; situations are varied and sometimes highly complex; and participates in decisions that frequently have major impact across Office branches.
REQUIRED MINIMUM SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of UNIX systems, networking, and relational data bases; ability to analyze, design, develop, implement, and maintain complex system applications; ability to remain current with technology and its advances; ability to write technical and end-user documentation, read, interpret, and apply complex concepts from technical publications and manuals. Advanced skill in communicating both orally and in writing, with large and small audiences; skill in collecting and assembling data, preparing reports, monitoring progress and analyzing data; skill in budget preparation; ability to administer programs; skill in personnel management through coordination and cooperation; and skill in adapting style to divergent situations.
REQUIRED MINIMUM TRAINING, EDUCATION, AND LICENSING: Bachelor's degree in computer science, management information systems, technology, or a related field; and a valid California Driver's License.
REQUIRED MINIMUM PRIOR WORK EXPERIENCE: Five years of job-related data center management experience with demonstrated competence in systems administration (UNIX and NT) and relational database administration (Informix preferred).
REQUIRED INTERACTION (NON-AUTHORITY): Contacts are somewhat unstructured, and are frequently with high-level individuals inside and outside the work unit such as county administrative personnel, systems coordinators, staff vendors, and contract service personnel. Contacts require planning, promotion, strategy development, decision-making, and problem solving.
SUPERVISION: Directly supervises professional/specialist and other support staff.
Approved by the Personnel Commission: March 26, 1998