Computer Specialist

Opening:

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is North America's largest transportation network, serving a population of 15.3 million people across a 5,000-square-mile travel area surrounding New York City, Long Island, southeastern New York State, and Connecticut. The MTA network comprises the nation’s largest bus fleet and more subway and commuter rail cars than all other U.S. transit systems combined. MTA strives to provide a safe and reliable commute, excellent customer service, and rewarding opportunities.

Duties and Responsibilities:

This class of positions encompasses highly technical or supervisory responsibilities for thedesign, implementation, enhancement, maintenance, and analysis of software systemsperformed at varying levels of difficulty and with varying degrees of latitude forindependent initiative and judgment. There are four Assignment Levels within this classof positions differing according to the complexity and sophistication of the hardware andsoftware systems and the amount of supervision required. The following are typicalassignments within this class of positions. All personnel perform related work and, whennecessary, perform the duties of lower titles and Assignment Levels.

Assignment Level 1

Under supervision, with considerable latitude for independent action or the exercise ofindependent judgment, is responsible for the design, implementation, enhancement, andmaintenance of either Database Management Systems, Operating Systems, DataCommunications Systems, Applications, and/or related software functions. Maysupervise a unit engaged in work related to the above areas or may independentlyperform related work of a highly complex, technical nature. In the temporary absence ofthe supervisor, may perform the duties of that position.

Assignment Level 2

Under general supervision, with wide latitude for the exercise of independent initiativeand judgment, may supervise a unit engaged in systems development work of greatdifficulty, is responsible for the design, implementation, enhancement, and maintenanceof either Database Management Systems, Operating Systems, Data CommunicationsSystems, Applications and/or related software functions. In a multi-programmingcomputer system, serves as project leader performing complex staff work and the fullrange of computer systems analysis functions utilizing general software and softwaresystems analysis in highly complex systems development projects, or supervises theactivities of a number of applications programming units engaged in work of more thanordinary difficulty, complexity and responsibility in a multi-programming electroniccomputer installation. In the temporary absence of the supervisor, may perform theduties of that position.

Assignment Level 3

Under general supervision, with broad scope for the exercise of independent initiative andjudgment, is responsible for the design, implementation, enhancement, and maintenanceof either Database Management Systems, Operating Systems, Data CommunicationsSystems, Applications and/or related software functions. Supervises the unitsresponsible for systems development and applications programming, instructing,directing and checking the work of subordinates, or is routinely responsible for thecoordination and direction of data processing projects organized to plan and implementcomplex integrated software development projects in a multi-programming computersystem operating in an on-line mode in a communications environment. In the temporaryabsence of the supervisor, may perform the duties of that position.

Assignment Level 4 (See Special Note Under Qualification Requirements)

Under minimum direction, with the broadest scope for the exercise of independentinitiative and judgment, holds senior-level technical responsibility for extremely complexand ongoing software functions related to Systems Analysis, Data Administration,Database Management Systems, Operating Systems, Data Communications Systems, On-Line Applications Programming, contingency planning, evaluation and selection oftelecommunications, local area networks, computer hardware and software products, andquality assurance functions. Routinely serves as in-house expert and authority in theaforementioned extremely complex and highly specialized areas. Coordinates multipleongoing projects of extraordinary technical complexity, encompassing multiple areas ofinformation processing technology. Directs major undertakings that run in a large multi-mainframedata center, and/or an environment of distributed processing systemscombining numerous types of hardware and software. May supervise a unit or unitsengaged in work related to the aforementioned complex software functions. In thetemporary absence of the supervisor, may perform the duties of that position.

Qualification Requirements:

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college, including or supplemented by24 semester credits in computer science or a related computer field and two yearsof satisfactory full-time computer software experience in computer systemsdevelopment and analysis, applications programming, database administration,systems programming, data communications, including one year in a project leadercapacity or as a major contributor on a complex project; or
2. A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent and six years ofsatisfactory full-time computer software experience as described in "1" above,including one year in a project leader capacity or as a major contributor on acomplex project; or
3. Education and/or experience equivalent to "1" or "2" above. College educationmay be substituted for up to two years of the required experience in "2" above onthe basis that 60 semester credits from an accredited college is equated to one yearof experience. A master's degree in computer science or a related computer fieldmay be substituted for one year of the required experience in "1" or "2" above.However, all candidates must have at least a four-year high school diploma or itseducational equivalent and at least one year of satisfactory full-time experience ina project leader capacity or as a major contributor on a complex project.

Special Note:

To be eligible for placement in Assignment Level 4, in addition to the Qualification Requirements stated above, individuals must have one year of satisfactory experience in a project leader capacity or as a major contributor on a complex project in dataadministration, database management systems, operating systems, data communicationssystems, capacity planning, and/or on-line applications programming.

Other Information:

Pursuant to the New York State Public Officers Law & the MTA Code of Ethics, all employees who hold a policymaking position must file an Annual Statement of Financial Disclosure (FDS) with the NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (the “Commission”).

Equal Employment Opportunity:

MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including with respect to veteran status and individuals with disabilities.

The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.