Program Systems Analyst Series
California State Personnel Board Specification
Series established December 19, 1995
Scope
Classes in this series are used to perform a variety of analytical activities in support of information technology systems administered by, and located in, California's 58 counties. Incumbents have experience in county social services automated systems operations and maintenance, knowledge of county administration issues, procedures, and operations; and a specialized knowledge of data bases operating in the counties. Incumbents develop plans and procedures for implementation and maintenance of statewide automated systems. Incumbents apply knowledge and experience obtained while working in county departments or with county automated welfare systems to assist in the design, development, and implementation of new and modified information technology systems; develop automated solutions for policy and program changes; test system changes; research and analyze the impact of changes on the system and county operations; analyze and support multi-function office systems; develop information processing standards and procedures; develop and maintain training curriculum; prepare information technology budget and funding documents; communicate, negotiate, and consult with counties, State and Federal agencies; provide oversight for county automated systems; may act as lead person or supervisor in the performance of electronic information processing tasks; and do other related work.
Entry into this series is typically through open testing and hiring into the Program Systems Analyst series. Factors affecting position allocation include the scope and level of responsibility, complexity and magnitude of work, independence of actions and decisions, impact and consequences of decisions, leadership or supervision exercised, and the size and complexity of the information technology system.
This Project Duration Series Specification is valid only for work performed on Systems Integration Projects within the Health and Welfare Agency. This Series Specification is valid so long as the Systems Integration Projects are valid and will be abolished when the Systems Integration Projects are abolished.
Program Systems Analyst Series Specification - Class Titles and Codes
Definition of Series
The Program Systems Analyst series describes the classifications needed to perform analytical work and project management activities to comply with programs mandated by Federal and State legislation related to public assistance, health care, child support, children's services and other social services programs. Experience working in county social services operations is mandatory to effectively perform the work required of this series. Analytical work includes, but is not limited to:
Providing technical assistance to counties in the implementation of automation policies, regulations and procedures.
Responding to State and county design and testing needs and assisting in system implementation.
Applying knowledge of county operations to assist in the modification of existing information technology systems to reflect current law, policy, or regulations.
Developing information technology strategies around each county's business model.
Monitoring information technology systems to ensure county administration and operational needs are met.
Developing and interpreting policy and regulations; identifying impact on the counties' operations, administration, and automated systems.
Providing training and project oversight to county staff.
Interacting with a variety of government agencies and counties, private and pubic interest groups and individuals and private contractors.
Coordinating and leading work groups consisting of State and county participants.
Preparing legislative proposals and reports to enhance county automation strategies.
Facilitating the development of county information systems budgets and staffing needs.
Definition of Levels
Program Systems Analyst
This is the entry and first journey level of the series. Incumbents are assigned duties and responsibilities commensurate with their background and training. Under close supervision, incumbents perform a variety of average, difficult tasks associated with information technology systems. Tasks may include organizing and participating in policy work groups to resolve program issues; maintenance and system testing; determining impact on county operations and systems, issue analyses and recommendations; training county staff in business reengineering; providing technical assistance to counties; interfacing with other information technology systems and programs within the Health and Welfare Agency and with other departments.
Associate Program Systems Analyst
This is the full journey level. Under general supervision, incumbents perform a variety of tasks requiring independent, responsible, and complex analytical work. In addition to tasks listed for the Program Systems Analyst, incumbents' duties may include providing assistance in implementation, technical procurement or administration activities in support of county information technology systems; working cases to determine effectiveness of policy implementation, program compliance and to identify and eliminate potential and existing problem areas, creating and reviewing maintenance change requests; acting as lead for specific work groups charged with analyzing specific problem areas; and developing comprehensive analysis and reports. Incumbents to this class may have lead responsibilities, work on multidisciplinary assignments, and have primary responsibility for a major project or activity.
Staff Program Systems Analyst (Specialist)
Under general supervision, incumbents will perform a variety of highly technical, analytical, and administrative work associated with county business processes for public assistance programs. Tasks are performed in the more complex, sensitive areas of project development, policy, or coordination. Assignments require a high level of expertise in functions critical to the Agency's mission. Incumbents in this class will have demonstrated a broad scope of both program knowledge and county information technology systems. Incumbents will have lead responsibility for analyzing the more complex problems and recommending effective solutions involving information technology issues resulting from changes in law, policy, or regulation; determine and develop data collection methods, instruments, and reports for county system evaluations and accountability; develop or participate in the development of county system specifications and design; review system progress and develop information processing standards and procedures.
Staff Program Systems Analyst (Supervisor)
Under general supervision, supervises a limited number of analysts performing a wide variety of analytical activities in support of the more complex information technology systems administered by and located in California's 58 counties.
Senior Program Systems Analyst (Specialist)
Under general direction, performs a wide variety of the highest technical, complex, and analytical work associated with and in support of county business processes for public assistance programs. Incumbents will have demonstrated the broadest scope of both program knowledge, county operations, and county information technology systems. Works independently on the most complex problems and issues. Incumbents will have lead responsibility for the analysis, development, installation, implementation, procurement, maintenance, or support of information technology system processing activities.
Senior Program Systems Analyst (Supervisor)
This is the full supervisory level. Under general direction, supervises a medium-size multidisciplinary staff performing a wide variety of the most complex analytical and/or technical activities in support of information technology systems and networks located in California's 58 counties.
Minimum Qualifications
Program Systems Analyst
Either I
Education: Equivalent to graduation from college. (Registration as a senior in a recognized institution will admit applicants to the examination, but they must produce evidence of graduation or its equivalent before they can be considered eligible for appointment.) and
Experience: One year of county social services program experience performing analytical or system support to one or a combination of the following county programs: public assistance, health care, child support, children's services and other social services programs. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.) or
Experience: One year of system experience performing a variety of consultative, analytical, or business functionality duties in support of statewide automated social services programs.
Or II
Experience: One year of experience in the Health and Welfare Agency performing the duties of an analyst under a contract, an Interjurisdictional Exchange or Memorandum of Understanding at a level of responsibility equivalent to Program Systems Analyst.
Associate Program Systems Analyst
Either I
Experience: One year of experience performing the duties of a Program Systems Analyst, Range C. (Persons who have completed six months of service performing the duties of the Program Systems Analyst, Range C, will be admitted to the examination but they must satisfactorily complete one year of this experience at this level before they can be eligible for appointment.)
Or II
Education: Equivalent to graduation from college. (Registration as a senior in a recognized institution will admit applicants to the examination, but they must produce evidence of graduation or its equivalent before they can be considered for appointment.) and
Experience: Two years of progressively responsible journey level experience in county social services programs performing analytical work associated with information systems. Experience may include analysis, design, development installation, implementation, procurement, maintenance, or technical duties in connection with county business processes, in support of one or a combination of the following county programs: public assistance, health care, child support, children's services, and other social services programs. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.)
Or III
Education: Equivalent to graduation from college. (Registration as a senior in a recognized institution will admit applicants to the examination, but they must produce evidence of graduation or its equivalent before they can be considered for appointment.) and
Experience: One year of system experience performing a variety of consultative, analytical, or business functionality duties in support of statewide automated social services programs at a level of responsibility equivalent to Associate Program Systems Analyst.
Or IV
Experience: One year of experience in the Health and Welfare Agency performing the duties of an analyst under a contract, an Interjurisdictional Exchange or Memorandum of Understanding at a level of responsibility equivalent to Associate Program Systems Analyst.
Staff Program Systems Analyst (Specialist)
Staff Program Systems Analyst (Supervisor)
Either I
Experience: One year of experience in California state service performing the duties of an Associate Program Systems Analyst. (Applicants who have completed six months of service performing the duties as specified above will be admitted to the examination but they must satisfactorily complete one year of this experience at this level before they can be eligible for appointment.)
Or II
Education: Equivalent to graduation from college. (Registration as a senior in a recognized institution will admit applicants to the examination, but they must produce evidence of graduation or its equivalent before they can be considered eligible for appointment.) and
Experience: Three years of progressively responsible analytical or supervisory experience in county social services performing a variety of information technology systems analysis, design, development, installation, implementation, procurement, maintenance or technical support duties in connection with county business processes, in support of one or a combination of the following county programs: public assistance, health care, child support, children's services and other social services programs. At least two years shall have included responsibility for analyzing county operational methods and designing and/or implementing information technology systems at the county level. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.)
Or III
Education: Equivalent to graduation from college. (Registration as a senior in a recognized institution will admit applicants to the examination, but they must produce evidence of graduation or its equivalent before they can be considered for appointment.) and
Experience: One year of system experience performing a variety of consultative, analytical, or business functionality duties in support of statewide automated social services programs at a level of responsibility equivalent to Staff Program Systems Analyst (Specialist or Supervisor).
Or IV
Experience: One year of experience in the Health and Welfare Agency performing the duties of an analyst under a contract, an Interjurisdictional Exchange or Memorandum of Understanding at a level of responsibility equivalent to Staff Program Systems Analyst (Specialist) or Staff Program Systems Analyst (Supervisor).
Senior Program Systems Analyst (Specialist)
Senior Program Systems Analyst (Supervisor)
Either I
Experience: One year of experience in California state service performing the duties of a Staff Program Systems Analyst (Specialist) or Staff Program Systems Analyst (Supervisor). (Applicants who have completed six months of service performing the duties as specified above will be admitted to the examination but they must satisfactorily complete one year of this experience before they can be eligible for appointment.)
Or II
Education: Equivalent to graduation from college. (Registration as a senior in a recognized institution will admit applicants to the examination, but they must produce evidence of graduation or its equivalent before they can be considered eligible for appointment.) and
Experience: Five years of progressively responsible work of the highest analytical and most complex nature at the county level. The analytical or supervisory experience includes performing a wide variety of information systems analysis, design, development, installation, implementation, procurement, maintenance, or technical support duties in connection with county business processes in support of one or a combination of the following county programs: public assistance, health care, child support, children's services and other social services programs. At least three years shall have included responsibility for analyzing county operational methods and/or designing and implementing information technology systems at the county level. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.)
Or III
Education: Equivalent to graduation from college. (Registration as a senior in a recognized institution will admit applicants to the examination, but they must produce evidence of graduation or its equivalent before they can be considered for appointment.) and
Experience: Two years of system experience performing a variety of consultative, analytical, or business functionality duties in support of statewide automated social services programs at a level of responsibility equivalent to Senior Program Systems Analyst (Specialist or Supervisor).
Or IV
Experience: Two years experience in the Health and Welfare Agency performing the duties of an analyst under a contract, an Interjurisdictional Exchange or Memorandum of Understanding at a level of responsibility equivalent to Senior Program Systems Analyst (Specialist) or Senior Program Systems Analyst (Supervisor).
Knowledge and Abilities
All Levels:
Knowledge of: Strong working knowledge of county business operations and related issues, familiarity with automated systems and program linked data bases operating within California counties; knowledge of California's health and human services programs and objectives.
Ability to: Analyze data and situations; interface policy analysis with county automated systems; identify and solve problems; reason logically and draw valid conclusions and recommendations; develop effective solutions; apply experience and creative thinking in the oversight of county automated systems; establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; apply strong written and verbal skills.
Associate Program Systems Analyst
Knowledge of: Familiarity with complex and sensitive areas of project development, county social services programs, information system techniques and the goals and objectives of the statewide automation of social services programs.
Ability to: Perform a variety of planning and coordination duties required for statewide planning and implementation with county staff and administrators; ability to work independently; identify and solve problems; prepare statistical/analytical reports; facilitate budget estimates and analyses with counties and State staff; lead and/or participate in work group and committee meetings; develop various county case scenarios to aid in system design and testing; develop/participate in the development of system specifications and design; develop effective solutions by utilizing a variety of analytical techniques; consult with and advise management or other interested parties on a wide variety of issues and subject matter.
Staff Program Systems Analyst (Specialist)
Knowledge of: Familiarity and experience with the more complex and sensitive areas of program development, county social services, business processes, administration and policy; a high level of expertise in information system techniques; excellent written, verbal and interpersonal skills.
Ability to: Exercise a high level of expertise in analyzing data and developing administrative policy and procedures; communicate, negotiate, and consult with counties, a variety of State and Federal agencies, and vendor staff; take responsibility for identifying, analyzing, and solving problems; apply experience and creative thinking in the oversight of county automated systems; conduct evaluations impact analyses; prepare statistical/technical reports; monitor and resolve problems with information processing systems hardware, software, and county interfaces; determine and develop data collection methods; provide consultation or develop request for proposal requirements; apply strong written and verbal skills.
Staff Program Systems Analyst (Supervisor)
Senior Program Systems Analyst (Specialist)
Senior Program Systems Analyst (Supervisor)
Knowledge of: Varied extensive expertise, knowledge, and experience with automated systems and program-linked data bases operating within California counties; the broadest scope of knowledge in program policy and information system techniques; principles of personnel management, supervision, and training.
Ability to: Coordinate and supervise the work of staff analysts and/or technical personnel performing a wide variety of the complex analytical duties; plan, organize and direct coordination with counties in defining specifications for project areas, such as: conversion, training, site preparation, county specific functionality, and county interfaces; take responsibility for identifying, analyzing and solving problems at both county and State levels; apply extensive county experience with creative thinking in the design of effective methods for data processing; establish and maintain effective working relationships with county, State and Federal representatives including a variety of public and private sector individuals or entities. Gain and maintain the confidence and cooperation of others; apply advanced skills in verbal and written communication.
Additional Desirable Qualifications
In appraising the relative qualifications of candidates for all levels, consideration will be given to the extent, type, and level of experience with various county automated systems and business processes. Assignments in specified areas require a willingness to travel.
Class History
Program Systems Analyst Series History - Dates Established, Revised, and Title Changed
