TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS PLANNER SENIOR 35172

7/1/91 B

This is the second class in the Telecommunications Systems Planner series. Positions are found in agencies or universities that operate and maintain telecommunications systems that supply agency-wide services for voice, data, video and satellite transmissions. Positions in this class plan and direct the implementation of agency-wide voice, data, or video projects by determining the engineering design, cost, procurement, and resources required. This class is distinguished from the Telecommunications Systems Planner by its responsibility for providing agency-wide telecommunications systems planning and for researching advancements to improve telecommunications services.

Complexity of Work: Performs work of considerable difficulty in planning agency-wide voice, data, and video telecommunications projects. Plans and designs new or upgraded telecommunications systems to meet current or future agency objectives by determining the needs of the agency and its clients; analyzing the costs and/or benefits; and determining how future technologies can be integrated into existing systems. Implements and monitors the progress of telecommunications projects to ensure adherence to all tasks, functions, schedules, and budgets. This may include developing engineering designs, developing technical specifications for procurement of services or computer/communications hardware and software; coordinating all technical modifications with the appropriate staff or vendor; obtaining personnel resources; evaluating the conformance of the actual system to the detail design; conducting systems tests; and resolving and documenting problems between contractors, vendors, agency departments, or other state agencies. Develops policies, guidelines, or standards for the maintenance, operation, security and utilization of new telecommunications capabilities. Conducts user training on new or existing techniques of hardware/software utilization and applications. Continually researches major voice, data, or video programs that will enhance the quality of services offered to agency clients.

Supervision Given: May supervise Telecommunications Systems Planners, a Telecommunications Support Services Manager and/or other support staff.

Supervision Received: General direction is received from a higher level administrative position.

Scope: Responsible for planning and implementing telecommunications projects that affect the entire agency.

Impact of Actions: Effective job performance enhances the quality of voice, data, or video communications throughout the agency and has a long term affect on agency resources in terms of cost and efficient utilization of telecommunications systems.

Personal Contacts: Frequent external contact with software and hardware vendors and local telecommunications carriers to evaluate and negotiate for products and services, to obtain information on technological developments and new products or services, or to resolve problems. Frequent internal contact with agency users to outline telecommunications projects and strategies, provide training, resolve problems; and with other state agencies concerning service offerings, state policy and procedures, and legal statutes and regulations.

Knowledges: Considerable knowledge of engineering principles and practices as related to telecommunications systems; data communications hardware and software, project planning and management, and technical research and development methods.

Skills: None identified for this class.

Abilities: Demonstrated ability to analyze telecommunications needs and develop solutions; to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; and to coordinate and prioritize many simultaneous projects.

QUALIFICATIONS GUIDE*

Licenses or Certification: None.

Education or Training: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in engineering, information systems, or related fields.

Level and Type of Experience: Considerable experience in voice, data, or video communications and systems operations.

An equivalent combination of training and experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledges and abilities may substitute for this education and experience.

This is a new class established as a result of the Classification Review/Specification Update Program and replaces some of the positions allocated to the Communi-cations Engineer, Computer Systems Engineer, Computer Systems Senior Engineer and Systems Analyst classes, effective July 1991.