PROJECT MANAGER

The work involves responsibility for planning, directing and supervising the development, installation and support of Information Systems and technologies for k-12 educational or administrative needs in the region. The Project Manager is the lead contact responsible for developing and implementing short and long-range goals and objectives, budget preparation, management, marketing and administrative reporting required by local, state, and federal agencies. The incumbent is expected to exercise considerable initiative and independent judgment in analyzing the needs of systems users and implementing functional, efficient, and cost effective solutions that maintain the educational or administrative goals of the application. This position does not require a thorough knowledge and background in technical systems analysis or programming. The primary emphasis of the Project Manager position is the overall coordination of the application support and development by managing a team of technical, training, and support personnel. The position is expected to utilize industry best practices and management techniques to provide a high quality, marketable, consistent service. General Supervision is received by an Assistant Director of the Regional Information Center or the Chief Technology Officer. Does related work as required. TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES Prepares, plans and develops annual project goals, objectives and activities for management review and approval related to IT supported services and applications. Prepares and implements a detailed operating budget for the project/service by analysis and review of personnel, equipment, software and supply requirements. Determines cost effectiveness and economic feasibility by review of the scope of capabilities of the system against the established goals and objectives. Reports project progress, problems and output to users, management and in State reports as required. Establishes and coordinates effective communications with educational institutions concerned with potential project/service to evaluate their needs and potential use of application features in relation to the developmental design and system configuration. Coordinates users training during development, testing and installation of the system, to research underdeveloped components and enhance the application features based on needs of the user and system potential. Supervises, assigns and reviews the work of staff assigned to the project. Assists in the recruitment, screening, evaluation and discipline of technical and clerical employees assigned to the computer project. Works with other employees of the information center concerning the planning, workloads and schedules during developmental testing of the system. Develops procedures necessary to insure proper implementation, use and ongoing support of the service. Implements full use of the system/applications in school districts. FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS Thorough knowledge of the principles and best practices of Information Technology project management and supervisory techniques. Good knowledge of the organization and functioning of school systems relating to their Informational Technology needs and requirements. Good knowledge of Informational Technology operations and application and their utilization and potential in an educational environment. Good knowledge of systems testing methods and procedures. Good knowledge of data gathering and collection techniques. Ability to apply Informational Technology data processing methods to resolve educational needs and support in both educational and administrative environments within a k-12 school district. Ability to prepare project plans, schedules and a detailed operating budget. Ability to prepare complex, detailed written reports relating to the goals, objectives, feasibility and viability of the project and financial accountability. Ability to organize and present thoughts and procedures in a clear, concise and thorough manner. Ability to gather and analyze information and draw logical conclusions. Ability to train user personnel in the set-up, operation, capabilities and maintenance of an IT project/service. Ability to establish and maintain effective and productive working relationships with management, school district representatives, personnel from other regional information centers and co-workers. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Promotion: Two (2) years of permanent competitive class status in the position of Director of Technology; or, Four (4) years of permanent competitive class status in the position of Project Coordinator, Systems Consultant-Student Services, Systems Consultant-Financial Services, Systems Consultant-Testing and Evaluation, Systems Consultant-Computer Networks, Systems Consultant-Computer Assisted Instruction, or Senior Network Administrator. (note: A combination of time served in either title in (B) above, sufficient to meet the maximum period of required service, would also qualify.) Open-Competitive: Graduation from a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university with a baccalaureate degree or higher and four (4) years of professional level work experience in public administration, business administration, educational administration, computer science, education or accounting, of which one (1) year must have been work experience involved with educational data processing applications or systems utilization in a school district or similar educational setting or in a data processing facility providing services for educational institutions; or, Eight (8) years of paraprofessional or professional work experience of which three (3) years must have been professional level work experience as defined in (A) above; or, An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the limits of (A) and (B) above. #J-18808-Ljbffr