Civil Service Enforcement/Research Department

TO:                 Roger E. Benson         

FROM:          Thomas E. Cetrino

DATE:            November 8, 2004

RE:                 Information Technology Specialist Title Series

            On September 30, 2004 the Department of Civil Service (DCS) implemented a title-structure change for the Computer Programmer Analyst (SG-14) and Senior Computer Programmer Analyst (SG-18) titles which are now classified as Information Technology Specialist 1 (Programmer - SG14) and Information Technology Specialist 2 (Programmer –SG18).  Employees in the Computer Programmer Analyst title were automatically moved into the Information Technology Specialist 1 (Programmer) title and employees in the Senior Computer Programmer Analyst title were automatically moved in to the Information Technology Specialist 2 (Programmer) title.  In addition the titles of Information Technology Specialist 1 and Information Technology Specialist 2 were created.  We have attached the new classification standards for these four titles which were reviewed and approved by PEF members and leaders who either serve in the Information Technology Specialist titles, which have been in existence in the Office for Technology since 2003, or are familiar with their use in State agencies (see Attachment 1).

            At some point in the future agency management will identify employees in the   Information Technology Specialist 1 (Programmer) and Information Technology Specialist 2 (Programmer) who do not program or perform the other duties identified in the classification standards and will ask these employees to voluntarily transfer into the appropriate Information Technology Specialist 1 or Information Technology Specialist 2 title.  Employees do not have to transfer into the Information Technology Specialist 1 and 2 titles. Employees should not voluntarily transfer into these titles if they believe they currently perform programming duties and responsibilities or other primary duties and responsibilities more consistent with those contained in the Information Technology Specialist 1 and 2 (Programming) classification standards.  According to the Department of Civil Service employees who do not transfer into the Information Technology Specialist 1 and 2 titles will have their titles earmarked and when they leave State service these items will be converted into the appropriate Information Technology Specialist 1 and 2 items.  I have attached a “Q and A” prepared by DCS for Directors of Information Technology units.  This “Q and A” addresses many of the issues raised by our members concerning this title structure change (See Attachment 2). If you have any further questions on this issue or need further clarification please contact Mike Marinello, ext. 280, in my department.

Promotion to the Associate Computer Programmer Analyst (SG-23)

            DCS is currently reviewing with all agency IT Directors several options for a promotion exam that is tentatively scheduled for March 5, 2005.  It is important for PEF members to evaluate these options in light of the last promotion examination that was held for Associate Computer Programmer Analyst which contained four “options”: Generalist 1(no supervision), Generalist 2 (supervision), Applications Development Specialist, and Project Manager (see Attachment 3).  These options were in essence treated like specialties as separate eligible lists were generated for each option and different combinations of questions were used and weighted differently in order to establish separate eligible lists.  The only difference in treatment from “regularly” used specialties was that DCS could not lay off people as if these options were specialties; layoffs could only be done as if all employees were in the Associate Computer Programmer Analyst title.

            In order to determine the proper examination for the next promotion exam in June 2004 DCS conducted a job analysis survey which was completed by 468 employees in the Associate Computer Programmer Analyst, Computer Systems Programmer 1, Data Base Programmer Analyst 1, and Data Communications Specialist 1 titles (there are currently 1,179 employees in these SG-23 titles).  Based on this survey, DCS has proposed that these four titles become an Information Technology Specialist 3 (SG-23) title with eight parenthetics: Programming, Programming Supervisor, Project Management, Web Design, Database, Data Communications, Network Systems Programming, and Mainframe Systems Programming.  No final decisions have been made in regard to whether these titles will be implemented.

            DCS has proposed minimum qualifications for the new Information Technogy Specialist 3 titles that would make all employees who have three months or more permanent competitive or 55-b/55-c service in Senior Computer Programmer Analyst, Information Technology Specialist 2 (Programming) and Information Technology Specialist 2 titles eligible to take all the examinations. For some examinations employees in the Information Technology Specialist 2 title would be on a “B” list which means they could not be hired until the “A” list is exhausted.  DCS’ proposal is summarized on page 4 of Attachment 4.  As required by Civil Service Law lists would be certified first by promotion unit, then by department and then interdepartmental.  No final decisions have been on the minimum qualifications for this exam. 

            DCS has proposed several options for the promotion examinations for the Information Technology Specialist 3 title and its eight parenthetics.  They are discussed on pages 8 -14 of Attachment 4.  In essence the options involve different combinations and weightings of the Specialist Promotion Test Battery or the Supervisors Promotion Test Battery with a second technical written test.  No final decisions have been made on what type of promotion examinations will be held for the SG-23 Information Technology titles.

Conversion of the Associate Computer Programmer Analyst title to Information Technology Specialist 3

            DCS has proposed current Associate Computer Programmer Analysts be placed in the Information Technology Specialist 3 (Programming) title through a title structure change.  Agencies would then move employees into the other parenthetic titles based on their current duties.  It is anticipated that such movement would be accomplished through voluntary transfers as will occur with the employees currently in the Information Technology Specialist 2 (Programming) title.  DCS has not determined whether or on what date these title structure changes may occur.

The Possibility of Having an Open Competitive Examination for the Associate Computer Programmer Analyst and Other SG-23 Information Technology Titles

            In 1981, 1985, and 1987 an open competitive examination was held for the Associate Computer Programmer Analyst title in addition to the promotion examination.  It is important to remember that under Civil Service Law all promotion lists must be exhausted before an open competitive list can be used to fill a vacancy.  According to various IT Directors the Office for Technology may want to have an open competitive examination in March 2005 instead of the promotion examinations proposed by DCS.  Section 51.1 of Civil Service Law gives DCS the discretion to hold an open competitive examination for filling vacancies instead of a promotion exam “upon the written request of the appointing officer stating reasons therefore, or on its own initiative”.  To date DCS has not received such a written request.  If DCS does receive such a written request the request must be posted for 15 days and employees who believe that a promotion examination should be held may submit specific reasons why they believe a promotion exam to be practicable and in the public interest.  Generally open competitive examinations are only held when there are insufficient candidates in the promotion field to fill anticipated vacancies, which is not the case with the SG-23 Information Technology titles.  PEF would vigorously oppose any request to hold an open competitive examination instead of a promotion examination for the SG-23 Information Technology titles.  

              No final decisions have been made as to whether an open competitive examination should be given instead of or in addition to the proposed promotion examinations for the SG-23 Information Technology titles.  PEF will continue to monitor this issue closely.

Meeting on IT issues Scheduled for November 18 at PEF Headquarters in Latham

            A number of PEF leaders in IT titles would like to have of meeting of interested PEF members in these IT titles to get their input on the open issues surrounding the Associate Computer Programmer Analyst title.  The meeting will be held as part of the Region 8 Civil Service Committee meeting scheduled for 6PM in meeting rooms C&D at PEF headquarters in Latham. No other issue is on the agenda for this meeting.  We will continue to closely monitor the open issues concerning the Associate Computer Programmer Analyst and other Information Technology titles and will report to you on any significant developments.

            I would suggest that members call or e-mail Mike Marinello at mmarinello@pef.org or 518-785-1900, ext 280, if they have any questions regarding the issues discussed in this memo.  I would also suggest that they distribute this memo to their members in IT titles.  The memo has also been posted on the PEF website under Latest News.