Sample Performance Standards for Information Technology Jobs

The following are sample performance standards for Administrative and Managerial, Professional, Supervisory, and Confidential positions in the Information Technology job family.

Unit Computing Administrators (Grades 3-6)

• Provides desktop and network support to the department. Determines users and department needs and prioritizes tasks appropriately.
• Oversees server administration, desktop support, user support, and training for the department.
• Actively participates in resource planning for departmental computing. Uses resources in the Office of Information Technology in this regard.
• Recruits, selects, hires, orients, and supervises full-time and student staff. Develops clear and measurable performance standards, provides verbal feedback on a regular, and consistent basis.
• Is responsive to the supervisor and direction of supervisor. Actively encourages two-way communication with immediate supervisor and seeks assistance when needed.
• Keeps supervisor informed of project status, emergent issues, problems resolved, and general plans.
• Demonstrates a working knowledge of desktop software and operating systems. Is aware of system and software updates and coordinates installations as needed.
• Provides directions, and coordination of, the development of the unit’s web page, enrollment and course databases, spreadsheets, and reporting.
• Develops and manages unit IT budget. Budget is well managed according to university policies and regulations.

System Administrators (Grades 4-8)

• Identifies new technology and develops systems to support departmental research and project planning. Technology reflects the expressed needs of faculty and research staff.
• Communicates information technology changes and enhancements verbally and in writing to unit faculty and staff.
• Responds to question and inquiries in a timely and service-oriented manner.
• Handles daily administration of department server and server-based services. Develops scripts to automate tasks, web systems with a database back end. Tests all functions with end users to ensure stability and usability.
• Is responsive to the supervisor and direction of supervisor. Actively encourages two-way communication with immediate supervisor and seeks assistance when needed.
• Keeps supervisor informed of project status, emergent issues, problems resolved, and general plans.
• Conducts thorough research on the implementation of new systems. Prepares information for the director in a clear and concise manner.
• Provides sound leadership to the IT unit. Sets clear and achievable goals with the IT Team. Demonstrates collaboration, excellent communication, and vision in this regard.

IT Managers (Grades 7-9)

• Provides leadership for the department IT staff and resources. Sets clear and achievable goals with IT Team. Demonstrates collaboration, excellent communication, and vision in this regard.
• Develops, communicates, and enforces IT policies and procedures and prepare records necessary to safeguard information and technological assets. Prepares accurate and timely information for clients and users.
• Takes an active role in the development and meeting of planning strategies, and works independently to meet objectives with minimal supervision. Accomplishes IT goals and objectives for the division.
• Coordinates the annual budget planning and preparation process for IT unit. Works cooperatively with unit faculty and staff in this effort.
• Recruits, selects, hires, orients, and supervises IT unit staff. Provides clear and achievable standards. Maintains open lines of communication with staff and provides regularly and timely feedback on performance.

Application Developers (Grades 4-7)

• Coordinates unit-specific application development, regardless of platform, including web, UNIX, client-server, LAN-based, etc. Analyzes, designs, codes, tests and implements all applications. Works cooperatively with unit co-workers in this regard.
• Coordinates the design of the department’s website. Work cooperatively with departmental manager sin collecting accurate information and updating information on a regular basis. Ensures page design is consistent with university standards.
• Works with other IT staff on projects of moderate complexity doing significant design and analysis. Design will often need to account for the impact on other complex systems; therefore, the employee must demonstrate a strong knowledge base of all departmental systems.
• Makes technology decisions and/or recommendations regarding advanced tools, platforms, etc. of an innovative nature.
• Responsible for the entire life cycle of an application to include analysis, design, coding, testing, and documentation. Is viewed as the subject matter expert in such processes.

Scientific Programmers (Grades 4–7)

• Responsible for programming and technology development and support for the research unit. Works cooperatively with faculty and research staff in this regard.
• Provides general support and planning assistance for unit IT systems.
• Demonstrates a working knowledge of the science and how it relates to programming and technological support.
• Is responsive to faculty needs. Ensures open communication regarding technology needs and innovative approaches.
• Supports the research unit through programming, data analysis, statistical software methods, and technology used in conducting experiments. Is able to work independently on moderately complex tasks in support of research projects.
• Effectively manages multiple projects for the unit. Keep supervisor abreast of all work, timeframes for completion, and potential delays.

Telecommunications Analysts (Grades 4-8)

• Manages routers, VLAN design, and hardware evaluation and recommendations.
• Responsible for the daily administration of telecommunications equipment and services. Works cooperatively with co-workers and clients in this regard.
• Responsible for straightforward implementation of telecommunications systems from common guidelines. Installs, maintains, and repair network systems and related hardware in a timely fashion, as indicated by supervisor.
• Responsible for development of monitoring and installation tools.
• Coordinates network design, and/or development of tools. Responsible for evaluating equipment and making recommendations to management for improvement.
• Provides leadership in the integration of technologies, and new approaches to solve technical problems. Plans and implements complex hardware and software projects using expertise.
• Responsible for creating/developing new technology and being innovative in the use of technology. Responsible for extremely large implementations of complex hardware and software projects that require significant expertise.

Database Administrator (Grades 6–8)

• Designs, implements, maintains, and optimizes database management systems such as Oracle, Sybase, Microsoft Sequel Server, DB2, Informix and desktop databases such as Access, Dbase, FoxPro, etc.
• Periodically updates database management system software. Creates a schedule for updates and communicates such updates to those impacted.
• Ensures security of all information and systems. Follows security protocols as indicated by the Office of Information Technology.
• Installs, designs, and optimizes database software as directed by supervisor.
• Demonstrates a working knowledge of principles and practices of database management. Seek opportunities to expand knowledge base of relevant applications.
• Installs, designs, and optimizes database software with emphasis on configuring complex storage systems, performance tuning, allocating and managing space, and managing backup and point-in-time recovery.