04/27/2001 01984

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY POLICY AND PLANNING MANAGER

DEFINITION: This is highly advanced, responsible professional and administrative work directing information technology strategic planning, policy analysis and development, and technical consulting for information technology (IT) resource management for a large Commonwealth agency.

An employee in this class is responsible for information technology strategic planning, policy development, standards development, resource management, and the implementation of policies, plans, and procedures for the effective and efficient management and use of IT resources in large Commonwealth agencies where there are extremely diverse and complex information technology resources supporting agency business operations. Work involves strategically evaluating agency-wide IT needs and developing the agency-wide strategic plan and policies to address current and future IT needs; developing, implementing, and enforcing IT standards; compiling and monitoring the agency's IT budget; monitoring contracts and IT purchases; and providing support to agency program areas in the development of contracted project specifications and in the management of outsourced projects. Assignments involve meeting with high-level executives and program management personnel to discuss, provide guidance, and resolve program planning and policy conflicts. Supervision is exercised over professional and technical staff normally involved in administrative and consultative information technology work, department-wide planning and policy development work, and advanced technical work in budget administration. Work is performed with considerable independence under the direction of an administrative superior responsible for the management of agency information technology resources and is reviewed through conferences and project reports.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Supervises a staff in the planning, development, and implementation of policies, plans, and procedures for the effective, efficient management and use of IT resources.

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.

Evaluates IT needs and develops the agency-wide information technology strategic plan.

Develops and implements information technology standards.

Ensures IT project requests and proposals are consistent with the information technology strategic plan.

Coordinates and manages overall agency IT budget.

Monitors contracts and IT purchases and provides support to agency program areas in the development of contracted project specifications and in the management of outsourced projects.

Employees in this class may participate in the performance of their subordinates' work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

Performs related duties as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of principles and methodologies used in policy analysis and IT management, including relevant aspects of areas such as management analysis, operations research, economic analysis, performance assessment, cost estimating, strategic planning, and fiscal management and budgeting.

Knowledge of the principles and methodologies of business process reengineering.

Knowledge of the current and emerging methods and developments in the field of IT resource management.

Knowledge of the concepts, characteristics, and capabilities of information technology and telecommunications equipment and systems.

Knowledge of the principles and methodologies used in the collection, analysis, and presentation of statistical, economic, or administrative data.

Ability to conceive, identify, and analyze highly complex policy issues, supervise the design/conduct of research studies, and develop/negotiate policy recommendations within various program areas.

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

Ability to plan strategically within the context of information technology issues and practices and to lead others toward achieving agreed upon goals and objectives.

Ability to establish work objectives and performance standards, evaluate employee performance, prepare performance reports, and discuss performance standards and reports with subordinates.

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

Ability to conduct formal presentations and to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Ability to provide leadership and guidance and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with various levels of employees including executive management, agency program managers, staff, and contractors.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in IT resource management consulting, policy analysis, or project management, which included one (1) year in a supervisory or managerial capacity and one (1) year performing agency-wide business process engineering 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;

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An equivalent combination of experience and training.