JOB DESCRIPTION
DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY
Current Class: Operating Systems Analysis
Department/Work Unit: Department of Geography
Incumbent : David E. McKinsey
Supervisor: Ed Aguado , Department
Chair
FUNCTION
OF THE EMPLOYING UNIT
The primary function of the Department of
Geography is teaching of geography to both under-graduate and graduate
students. Faculty also conduct research in their areas of specialization and
involve as many qualified students in their projects as possible. Degrees
offered by Geography are as follows:
1) Joint
Ph.D. (with U.C.-Santa Barbara).
2) Master
of Arts.
3) BA
in Liberal Arts & Sciences.
Minor in Geography.
Certificate in Geographic Information Systems. Prepares a
student to carry out
mapping activities and cartographic analyses in the
public/private sectors.
Faculty: The Department of
Geography consists of 21 tenured/tenure-track faculty, 1 full-time Lecturer, 3 Adjunct Professors, 3-4
part-time faculty, 16 Ph.D. Teaching Associates, 4 Graduate Teaching
Assistants, and approximately 30 Graduate/Research Assistants.
Staff: Support staff consists
of 2 Operating System Analysis; 3 full time Research Analysis (Foundation
position); 1 Clerical Assistant IIIA; 1 Department Secretary IA and 1
Department Secretary IIIA. These staff members are supervised by the Department
Chair. Additionally, several Graduate Research Assistants are assigned to CESAR
activities and are supervised by the Operating System Analysis (Dave McKinsey).
DUTIES
AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Center
for Earth Systems Analysis Research (CESAR)
The
Center for Earth Systems Analysis Research (CESAR) is a computer-based research
and instructional facility administered by the Department of Geography (see
attached sheets). Operation of CESAR is directed by the Department Chair, Dr.
Douglas Stow. The purpose of the Center is to apply state of the art technology
in image processing, remote sensing, geographic information systems, automated
cartography and numerical modeling to problems with a spatial dimension.
Incumbent
manages the day-to-day operations of the CESAR laboratory. Responsible for
installing, maintaining and evaluating computer system software (operating
systems, compilers, communications software, image processing software,
geographic information systems (GIS) and data base software, complex utilities,
etc.). Maintains currency in state of the art image processing and GIS
software; evaluates these software needs and pressures on both hardware and
operating systems. Maintains and installs network Unix and NT file servers,
workstations, PCs and Macs.
A. Installation and Maintenance of Computer
Equipment (65%)
Independently installs, maintains, and evaluates computer systems
software. Is responsible for the operation of Unix and NT servers and
workstations, as well as MS-DOS, Windows and Macintosh systems and general
network support.
1. Monitors
and supervises the overall day-to-day functioning of the operating systems
software on all workstations and servers.
2. Maintains,
develops, evaluates and modifies operating systems to meet changing
requirements. Includes maintaining currency in computing security, user
interfaces computing concepts, techniques, applications software advances
3. Problem
Solving. Trouble shoots and identifies all problems related to Department
e-mail and printing. Debugs and
corrects problems of all faculty, staff, and graduate assistant workstations
when necessary (which is often). Solves problems dealing with image processing
and GIS software and associated data files in CESAR.
4. Installs
upgrades to the operating system, data base, image processing, geographic
information system software.
5. Supervises
lower level staff when they are performing systems software work. Also
supervises/assists students working on projects and special assignments in
CESAR
6. Maintains
computer programs and libraries in operational condition. Maintains currency
and evaluates new computer systems and software capabilities.
7. Coordinates,
configures, tests and installs hardware upgrades.
8. Identifies
and corrects system and application software failures in a timely manner.
B. Programming (20%)
1. Writes
complex programs and menu driven user interfaces for data conversion projects.
2. Services
as project manager for data conversion projects.
3. Assists
in designing and writing complex programs that are used by the instructional
and research user community
4. Networking
support. Integrates thick, thin, and twisted pair Ethernet as well as AppleTalk
on Unix, PC, and Macintosh systems.
5. Writes
scripts for system and data backups and maintains hardware.
C. Operations (10%)
1. Acts
as consultant on software and hardware procurement matters.
2. Acts
as a consultant to other technical personnel to solve computer system software
problems and to achieve the best use of available resources.
3. Works
with users to identify and resolve operating system and software problems.
D. Miscellaneous (5%)
1. Instructs
faculty, staff and students in the use of computer hardware and software.
2. Orders
supplies and data (i.e., disks, tapes, data cartridges, printer supplies,
digital data, etc.).
3. Prepares
documentation for users and technical staff when upgrades or changes to
software or hardware are needed.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
REQUIRED:
1. Incumbent has been in
this position for 14 years. The responsibilities have changed significantly
over that time to include more sophisticated programming activities: Maintains,
installs, and upgrades complex operating systems, servers, department wide
printing e-mail and web services.
(See above description of duties and responsibilities and
curriculum vitae.)
2. Hands on experience
and knowledge of the Unix operating system, both BSD and System V, programming
experience on Unix and DOS based systems, working knowledge of FORTRAN, Pascal,
C, C++, Unix Shell programming, HTML, Database Systems, Awk, and appropriate
debuggers. Able to write programs and work with existing code.
3. Hands on experience
and knowledge of operating VMS, UNIX, NT, DOS and Mac system software design.
Knowledge of data processing equipment and its capabilities to interface
between hardware and software.
4. Ability to write
complex programs, analyzes data, data conversion; reason logically and
creatively; identify problems and draw valid conclusions; works with graduate/research
assistants and faculty in developing methods of processing and presenting data;
networking equipment; establishes and maintains cooperative working
relationships with those contacted in the course of work; ability to work under
pressure; speak effectively and prepare effective reports.
5. Thoroughly familiar
with Unix workstations, internet services, SCSI interfaces, PC interfaces and
assorted Ethernet and AppleTalk hardware and software.
6. Knowledge of and
working experience with geographic data sets and the unique problems, need and
handling procedures for these data types. Incumbent has particular expertise in
wildlife fire management and application of geographic technologies to this
area.
7. Knowledge of the campus infrastructure
important.
EDUCATION
M.A. 1988 Geography San Diego State University
B.A. 1985 Geography San Diego State University
Additional classes in
Unix, Unix system administration, C, C++, FORTRAN, Pascal, programming
languages and algorithms.
Training courses in image processing and
Geographic Information System software.
Ten years of experience working with
researchers, processing data and developing new techniques of processing image
and cartographic data.
Six years experience in maintaining, upgrading,
installing and evaluating operating systems on VAX and main frame, SUN and IBM
workstations.
Ten years of experience on PCs and Macs in
maintaining, upgrading, installing and evaluating operating systems, etc.