ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

                                                    Date:  October 19, 1995

   TO:        Vancouver City Council

   FROM:      General Manager, Corporate Services

   SUBJECT:   Information  Services  -  Microcomputer   Support  Specialist
              Position


   RECOMMENDATION

        That a Microcomputer Support  Specialist position be established at
        an estimated annual cost of $44,000, to  be funded by conversion of
        temporary   help  funding  from  within  the  existing  Information
        Services operating budget.

   COUNCIL POLICY

   Council on  February  4,  1992 resolved  that  any  recommendations  for
   increased   staff  or   enhanced   programs  must   be  accompanied   by
   recommendations   for  matching   cost  decreases  or   related  revenue
   increases.

   PURPOSE

   This  report   recommends  that  Council  create   a  regular  full-time
   Microcomputer Support Specialist position in Information Services.

   DISCUSSION

   In each of the past  several years, the City  has purchased 300 or  more
   microcomputer systems  for use  in City  departments.     The number  of
   microcomputers in use has grown from 99  in 1987 to more than 1,500 this
   year.  In order to minimize the demands on Information Systems staff, we
   require  the vendor  to deliver  and install  all new  computer systems,
   however, inevitably  there  is additional  hardware  or software  to  be
   installed by skilled support staff.

   The increase in the use  of computers in the business activities  of all
   departments  has resulted  in  an  increase  in  the  level  of  support
   necessary  from  Information  Services.   The  Help  Centre  receives an
   average of  48 requests per  day for  microcomputer support.    Many  of
   these requests are referred to the  vendor responsible for microcomputer
   equipment  maintenance, however,  many others  must be  investigated and
   resolved by Information Services staff.Since 1991,  Information Services
   has hired staff on a temporary full-time  basis to meet these needs.  We
   do not anticipate any decrease in requirements, and the demand is likely
   to continue to grow.  We, therefore, recommend that Council  approve one
   new regular full-time position in Information Services for microcomputer
   support.

   Classification of the position will be subject to  review by the General
   Manager of Human Resource Services.

   FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

   Salary and fringe benefit costs for the Microcomputer Support Specialist
   position will be $44,000, based on the current salary and benefit scale.
   Funding  can  be provided  by a  reduction  in the  Information Services
   budget for temporary help (60/12/1234/032).

   A copy of this report has been sent for information to CUPE Local 15.

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