06/29/1999 08040

MANAGEMENT TECHNICIAN

DEFINITION: This is limited technical program support work involving the application of some of the basic principles and practices of a management discipline while participating in a state program or activity.

An employee in this class performs work within one or more of the various management disciplines such as management methods, fiscal control, grants management, or other program support activities which require the employee to develop program recommendations within a framework of clear policy but limited procedural guidance. Work usually involves performing review work preparatory to other organization staff performing professional analysis of the same data. In addition to work in these management disciplines work may also include limited support to the state program or activity staff in the use of available information technology resources by assessing and coordinating information technology requests with systems personnel in the agency or organization, developing automated reports, or providing assistance to users on the use of software to generate specialized reports, data analysis, and the automation of simple office systems. Work may also involve performing program control activities applying rules and regulations to the processing of applications, grants, contracts, and plans where data and/or requests must meet a circumscribed technical standard. Work requires the limited application of one or more technical disciplines by identifying and applying pertinent policy and program guidelines. Employees are required to identify problems and analyze data or processes, recognize appropriate solutions and formulate basic recommendations. Assignments include person-to-person communication with employees, program officials, grant applicants, and the public. Work is distinguished from the clerical classes by the requirement to apply program logic and the technical principles of a management discipline or disciplines to data analysis where there is clear policy and limited procedural guidance, to draft procedures for program processes, to interpret program rules and policy to meet the needs of a study or data collection. Work is distinguished from the information technology classes based on the emphasis of information technology assignments to be in support of the program duties for which the position exists, and does not involve the full range of limited technical duties in the installation, operation, and maintenance of information technology hardware and software and/or in the provision of technical assistance to information technology hardware and software users. Work is usually assigned on a project basis and generally does not involve the recurring or repetitive review of data. Work is assigned by a professional or administrative supervisor through specific project assignments and reviewed for the adherence to instructions, plans, and standards.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Reviews descriptions, records, charts, layouts, and diagrams to determine the propriety of the organization structure, processing flow, or space utilization by applying information content against appropriate standards.

Provides training and limited support to organization's staff on the use and capabilities of available information technology resources, coordinates data needs and requirements between the program staff and IT professionals, and assists program staff in developing requests for information technology equipment, software, or data processing support.

Conducts surveys of limited scope where the situations and organizations reviewed are relatively stable and where the objectives, procedures, documents, and data collection techniques are defined and provided for the employee.

Determines data requirements, sources, and parameters, and schedules data collection within a prescribed time frame.

Designs forms and simple questionnaires to solicit information; and interviews, discusses, or confers with employees, program officials, or applicants to collect needed information.

Prepares documentation to summarize the existing elements of the information source under review; and, edits compilations, tabulations, and source documents for reasonableness, consistency, reliability and comparability with parameters of the study or research design.

Contacts appropriate personnel to secure explanations for atypical situations, incomplete information, or inaccurate data.

Prepares reports of findings by presenting alternative approaches and recommending the most appropriate course of action.

Conducts training for Commonwealth employees inside and outside the work unit in the use of information technology equipment and software to access data such as procurement contracts, budget files, or other data base files used in administration of agency programs.

Prepares and proposes standards based on analysis of data, and prepares documentation necessary for implementation of findings.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the basic principles and practices and the respective standards of measurement applied within a management discipline.

Knowledge of modern office practices and equipment.

Knowledge of basic PC hardware and standard software.

Ability to use a PC to collect, compile, and assemble data and reports for use in the conduct of studies.

Ability to analyze varied data by applying the information against interpretive standards in the formulation of recommended action.

Ability to perform detailed work involving written information by preparing reports of finding according to the appropriate standards of content, clarity, grammar, and format.

Ability to identify problems and recognize appropriate solutions as a result of the analysis of data.

Ability to communicate effectively with employees, programs officials, job applicants and the public by relating the purpose of the contact and collecting all the necessary information required for the analysis.

Ability to apply and adapt established procedures to the preparation and formulation of study findings.

Ability to learn the basic principles and practices of public administration.

Ability to read, write, and communicate orally in English.

Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with associates in the performance of work.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Three years of advanced clerical or para-professional work which included the collection, recording, compilation, and presentation of office management or program related information,

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Any equivalent combination of experience and training. An Associate's Degree may be substituted for two years of required experience.