03/30/2007 01983

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY POLICY SPECIALIST 2

DEFINITION: This is highly advanced professional work in information technology (IT) policy analysis, development, and technical consulting for Commonwealth enterprise, interagency or agency IT resource management.

An employee in this job serves as a project manager or an IT policy team leader supervising lower level specialists and associates, and is responsible for the broadest, most complex assignments. An employee in this job also works independently on complex, sensitive IT policy issues. Work is characterized by special projects that focus on analyzing, planning, and implementing IT initiatives, which are consistent with the IT strategic direction of the Commonwealth enterprise. An employee in this job develops IT strategies, policies, and plans for the Commonwealth enterprise. At the agency level, work involves the strategic integration of agency business objectives and technology planning as an extension of the Chief Information Officer. Assignments involve delegating tasks and providing guidance to lower level specialists or associates; ascertaining the feasibility of project proposals; reporting on the progress of IT projects; facilitating cooperation and support from agency staff and contractors; and managing project implementations. Assignments involve meeting with agency executives and IT managers, and presenting findings, recommendations and status reports orally and in the form of executive summaries. Work is performed with considerable latitude and is distinguished from the next lower job by its accountability, independence, and leadership role for projects of unusual complexity, sensitivity, and impact on a continuing basis, and the concurrent management of multiple complex projects. Employees in this job receive general instructions as to the scope of assignments, objectives to be met, and results and output to be achieved. Work is reviewed for results through discussion, written reports and evaluation of analysis techniques by an IT Policy Manager or Chief Information Officer.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Develops, designs, and conducts analytical studies of complex policy issues, problems, trends, and resource needs, which have significant impact on enterprise IT resource management and agency practices.

Reviews agency IT plans/requests to determine their feasibility, the efficient use of resources, and consistency with statewide initiatives.

Develops, coordinates, implements, and reports strategic plans.

Drafts policies, legislation, regulations, directives, and program proposals required to implement IT policies.

Researches IT issues, identifies potential policy conflicts, prepares/presents summary reports, and identifies IT opportunities throughout the organization.

Develops, plans and prioritizes agency IT strategic direction and activities based on agency business requirements.

Develops, negotiates acceptance, and provides specialized expertise and direction to agencies for the implementation of IT policy, strategic plans, and program proposals, and coordinates and reports on the progress of program implementations.

Serves as lead analyst on selected projects and is responsible for project results.

Supervises lower level specialists and associates.

Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

Manages outsourced contracts and vendors to implement IT programs and policy.

Employees in this job may participate in their subordinates work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

Performs related duties as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the basic principles and methodologies used to collect, analyze, and present statistical, technical, or administrative data, including the use of tables and graphs.

Knowledge of available data sources, trends, and current developments in IT management.

Knowledge of basic methods and techniques of a technical specialty associated with IT management such as client-server computing, telecommunications systems, imaging, video conferencing, geographic information systems, CASE tools, disaster recover/security, local/wide and metropolitan area networks, radio, telecommuting, application development, electronic document management, and electronic commerce.

Ability to apply information technology in automating, streamlining, or expanding services for agency or Commonwealth business applications.

Ability to review basic policies and technical issues, conduct research, and develop IT recommendations.

Ability to interpret and apply Commonwealth procedures for procuring IT commodities and services.

Ability to perform work measurement, quantitative analysis, critical path, distribution analysis, and other analytical techniques used in program analysis and planning.

Ability to plan, coordinate, and manage multiple projects concurrently, and which may involve managing teams of specialists comprised of Commonwealth employees and/or vendors.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Ability to plan, assign, and manage the work of subordinates.

Ability to evaluate complex technological or management problems, identify key issues, develop policy options, assess impacts, and develop clear, concise recommendations for executive management.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: One (1) year as an IT Policy Specialist 1;

                                                                                                                                                                                or

Four (4) years of technical experience in IT resource management or policy analysis work and a bachelor's degree in public or business administration, policy analysis and planning, or a related field, which included or was supplemented by 6 college level credits in information technology;

                                                                                                                                                                                or

Three (3) years of technical experience in IT resource management or policy analysis work and a master's degree in public or business administration, policy analysis and planning, or a related field, which included or was supplemented by 6 college level credits in information technology;

                                                                                                                                                                                or

An equivalent combination of experience and training.