Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To provide systems analysis, design, programming, and testing expertise in support of the design, development, implementation and maintenance of cost effective systems solutions for a variety of projects.

To provide system testing expertise to ensure all systems and applications are tested and that all systems meet functional specifications of the client before being promoted into production.

To ensure the integrity and reliability of production databases and recommend modifications to system testing activities.

Duties / Responsibilities :

Job requires:

1)Performing programming tasks using various industry standard programming languages and operating systems for the more complex programs in a business application.

2)Performing assigned unit, system, and user acceptance testing tasks including documenting expected and actual
test results and creating test data to support testing strategies.

3)Reviewing clients' Business Requirements documents and preparing software requirements documents and detailed design documents which satisfy these requirements.

4)Writing, editing, and maintaining program, systems, user, and operational documentation for assigned portions of a system.

5)Leading or assisting with the implementation of new and enhanced systems including ensuring the promotion of all system components into the appropriate staging areas, performing setup and configuration of Ministry applications arid training or arranging for the training of end users of Ministry applications.

6)Providing technical support to end users by identifying and debugging problems encountered with hardware, software, communications, and Ministry applications including providing on site expertise to end
users.

7)Maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of testing tools, environments and databases.

8)This position provides a considerable level of assistance to clients including clarifying needs, deciding on the nature of the assistance required, and providing practical instructions and advice. This position provides expertise in deciding and carrying out a course of action which will help the client meet their needs or objectives. This position provides advice on how to change operations, programs, or services to meet client objectives or specific legislative requirements.

Staffing and Licencing :

N/A

Knowledge :

1)This position requires knowledge of industry standard systems development life cycles, methodologies and techniques in order to participate in the development of information systems using a standard, systematic approach.

2)This position requires knowledge of a variety of industry standard systems analysis methods and techniques in order to:
- establish business, information, and system testing needs;
- analyze and create test data to support the systems testing strategy;
- review client business and information requirements and design and develop applications which satisfy these
requirements;
- evaluate costs and benefits of various application options and recommend appropriate, cost effective solutions;
- assist clients in identifying information requirements and collecting data;
- asist and review client requirements in order to determine the possible integration with, or use of, an existing system;
- interview users regarding business, information, and system testing needs and documenting these needs to fit within established divisional standards;
- investigate and recommend alternative solutions to meet business and systems requirements;
- assess information technology, data, and systems requirements in order to design and develop applications which satisfy these requirements;
- conduct and provide technical expertise in all aspects of systems analysis and design for large complex systems;
- develop recommendations and identify opportunities for maximizing technology to improve the efficiency of the clients' business or system testing practices;
- gather information on programs, services and business objectives and design systems or testing specifications to meet these objectives;
- identify and evaluate the feasibility of various options and assess the impact of options on service delivery, resources, costs, and the production and testing environments;-participate in the development of
complex data and process models;
- prepare and document a wide variety of requirements including: business, systems, software, and systems testing;
- evaluate vendors system design solutions and proposals to ensure business requirements are met;
- review system requirements and software requirements documents in order to prepare detailed design documents that satisfy these requirements;
- develop detailed programming and system testing specifications for large, complex programs.

3) This position requires knowledge of a variety of industry standard systems design methods and
techniques in order to:
-review system and software requirements documents in order to prepare detailed design documents which satisfy these requirements;
- participate in the development of complete system specifications;
- develop detailed programming specifications for large, complex programs.

4) This position requires knowledge of various methods, techniques and practices for data and process modeling in order to participate in the development of models which adhere to the information and applications architectures.

5) This position requires knowledge of various mainframe, midrange, and personal computer systems technologies (including operating systems, networks, and applications development software) in order to:
- code and test business applications for deployment on any of the Ministry's environments; - coordinate and assist with the implementation of new and enhanced systems;
- coordinate and perform setup and configuration of Ministry applications;
- train or arrange for the training of end users on Ministry applications;
- test and evaluate system designs and solutions in any of the Ministry's computing environments.

6)This position requires knowledge of a variety of industry standard programming concepts, languages, and testing protocols and tools in order to:
- perform assigned programming and testing tasks for large, complex business applications;
- provide recommendations to project leader as to the acceptance or rejection of system components;
- provide advice to branch and program area staff with regards to the ease of use of applications;
- conduct system testing by executing online and batch test scripts, and manual online and batch jobs

7) This position requires knowledge of commonly used business software (e.g. word processing, spreadsheet, database management) in order to:
- prepare various systems documentation including feasibility studies, business requirements, software requirements, detailed design documents and programming specifications, and user and operations documentation;
- coordinate and/or develop complete testing documentation including detailed test cases, expected and actual results, automated test scripts, and comprehensive audit materials.

8) This position requires knowledge of various industry standard relational database management systems and query tools in order to:
- confirm testing results throughout the development of a business application;
- examine test databases to ensure that the integrity of the production databases will be maintained after implementation of a new or modified application;
- monitor for problems to ensure ongoing availability of systems.

9) This position requires knowledge of various industry standard debugging and testing methods, techniques and tools in order to:

-identify and debug problems encountered with software usage;-provide hardware, communications, applications, and network support including providing on site expertise to end users;
-install, support and maintain computer hardware and software;
- track problems using an automated problem logging system and ensuring accuracy and completeness of problem documentation for follow-up or corrective action;
- act as a resource on the resolution of complex technical problems;
- provide advice to branch and program staff on appropriate use and efficient application of information technology;
-provide experienced application knowledge to requirements and development teams in walkthroughs and design consensus meetings;
-provide input to business and systems analysts as required for problem resolution.

10) This position requires knowledge of client/server, and Internet/Intranet technology in order to:
- identify and evaluate information technology options for clients;-evaluate the appropriateness of the suggested technology for a given business application;
-Design, code, and test business applications in a client/server or Internet/Intranet environment.

11)This position requires knowledge of Ministry policies, procedures and system standards in order to ensure system designs that fit within these standards.

12)This position requires knowledge of testing and implementation processes in order to:
- design and develop system testing processes;
-participate in system testing activities by leading the review of expected and actual results with users and other members of the systems team.
-coordinate and assist with the implementation of new and enhanced systems;-review and recommend changes to existing testing and implementation processes.

13) This position requires knowledge of planning techniques and practices in order to:
- plan and direct implementation of new and enhanced systems;
- plan, direct, and perform setup and configuration of Ministry applications;
- plan and direct the activities of more junior members of the programming team.

14) This position requires knowledge of the clients' business in order to:
- collect and document information on business requirements;-analyze information and system needs to
ensure adherence with stated program area objectives;
- analyze system testing needs to ensure adequate testing of all systems prior to recommending
promotion into production;
- analyze information and system needs and participate in developing recommendations on appropriate solutions.

Skills :

This position requires significant analysis to determine the nature of issues or problems, including researching and isolating all elements and determining how they interact. Selecting, interpreting and integrating pertinent information is required.

This position responds to issues or problems by evaluating exiting alternatives and making modifications or adaptations or combining options to develop a solution.

This position requires writing and speaking skills to convey, fully grasp and explain detailed information which may involve specialized information technology terminology and to present, discuss, and explain highly complex information and arguments in a field of expertise where precise language is critical.

This position requires interpersonal skills to provide clarification and explanation to deal problems or complaints and to assist with others' understanding of computer hardware and software.

This position also requires the skills necessary to encourage compliance, promote acceptance and secure cooperation for a course of action, recommendation or proposal.

Freedom of Action :

This position works within; ministry and government policies, guidelines and directives for the use and development of information technology and within established practices and procedures for computer systems design, development and management. Work is performed with some latitude in making decisions in the application of methods, procedures, and practices. Work is reviewed for progress and results. Only unusual situations are referred to the supervisor or manager.