NETWORK SYSTEMS AND DATA COMMUNICATIONS ANALYST

Job Definition:

Job Description:

• Analyze, design, test, and evaluate network systems, such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), Internet, intranet, and other data communications systems. Perform network modeling, analysis, and planning. Research and recommend network and data communications hardware and software. Includes telecommunications specialists who deal with the interfacing of computer and communications equipment. May supervise computer programmers.

Duties and Tasks:

• 1) Maintain needed files by adding and deleting files on the network server and backing up files to guarantee their safety in the event of problems with the network.
• 2) Monitor system performance and provide security measures, troubleshooting and maintenance as needed.
• 3) Assist users to diagnose and solve data communication problems.
• 4) Set up user accounts, regulating and monitoring file access to ensure confidentiality and proper use.
• 5) Design and implement network configurations, network architecture (including hardware and software technology, site locations, and integration of technologies), and systems.
• 6) Maintain the peripherals, such as printers, that are connected to the network.
• 7) Identify areas of operation that need upgraded equipment such as modems, fiber optic cables, and telephone wires.
• 8) Train users in use of equipment.
• 9) Develop and write procedures for installation, use, and troubleshooting of communications hardware and software.
• 10) Adapt and modify existing software to meet specific needs.
• 11) Work with other engineers, systems analysts, programmers, technicians, scientists and top-level managers in the design, testing and evaluation of systems.
• 12) Test and evaluate hardware and software to determine efficiency, reliability, and compatibility with existing system, and make purchase recommendations.
• 13) Read technical manuals and brochures to determine which equipment meets establishment requirements.
• 14) Consult customers, visit workplaces or conduct surveys to determine present and future user needs.
• 15) Visit vendors, attend conferences or training and study technical journals to keep up with changes in technology.

Activities:

• 1) Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• 2) Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• 3) Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• 4) Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• 5) Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• 6) Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• 7) Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• 8) Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• 9) Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• 10) Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• 11) Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• 12) Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• 13) Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• 14) Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• 15) Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• 16) Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• 17) Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• 18) Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• 19) Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• 20) Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• 21) Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment — Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• 22) Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• 23) Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• 24) Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• 25) Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• 26) Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• 27) Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
• 28) Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• 29) Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• 30) Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• 31) Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment — Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• 32) Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

Abilities:

• 1) Near Vision — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• 2) Written Comprehension — The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
• 3) Deductive Reasoning — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
• 4) Problem Sensitivity — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
• 5) Inductive Reasoning — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
• 6) Information Ordering — The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
• 7) Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• 8) Category Flexibility — The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
• 9) Oral Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• 10) Originality — The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
• 11) Number Facility — The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
• 12) Selective Attention — The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
• 13) Finger Dexterity — The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
• 14) Written Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
• 15) Speech Recognition — The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
• 16) Speech Clarity — The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
• 17) Fluency of Ideas — The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
• 18) Mathematical Reasoning — The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
• 19) Flexibility of Closure — The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.

Knowledge

• 1) Customer and Personal Service — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• 2) Computers and Electronics — Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
• 3) Telecommunications — Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
• 4) Administration and Management — Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
• 5) Education and Training — Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.