Patty Davidson
Web Development Team Leader
Office of Information Technology
Applications Development
Background... Patty started by attending college in business and art education. She joined the DEQ's predecessor agency, the Department of Health and Environmental Services in 1978 and worked her way up from administrative assistant to mainframe computer input/output controller, computer programmer, information systems support specialist, network administrator and finally web site administrator. When the DEQ was formed, Patty joined its Information Services Bureau. Patty says that, "I got into the computer realm by tackling jobs that were tedious and mundane, that no one else had time (or wanted) to do. When I first began working with computers we worked mostly on the state's mainframe. We purchased our first word processor for $15,000, added a couple PCs and now there's a computer on everyone's desk."
Time at the DEQ... Patty has spent 26 years working in the combined departments.
Why the DEQ... Patty says, "Originally I was just looking for work, but the people here are very dedicated and believe in what they do. There are opportunities to grow and expand your horizons, and because of changing technology the work never gets boring or routine. The people in my work group work as a team and support one another. My boss is also very supportive and values my work."
Job duties... Patty administers DEQ's draft Internet and intranet web sites. Her job entails the administration of the draft web server, as well as the development and design of styles, standards and dynamic pages for our web sites. She works with another web developer/designer and a team of department web publishers who are responsible for publishing information and documents to the Internet site. Patty says that, "The Internet is our department's primary way of providing information to the public. We are required to post press releases, environmental assessments, environmental impact statements, technical guidance documents, rule change notices, notice of public meetings and public comment periods, and more to our web site."
Typical day... A typical day for Patty includes working alone or with other developers and web publishers to troubleshoot various problems or accomplish certain tasks; developing and designing new dynamic pages incorporating department and web standards for good design and accessibility. She works with DEQ staff and customers to improve and enhance the web sites so they will become the best tools for providing information about the department. She says, "There's usually lots of research and learning about new technologies and software. There are always a lot of new things to learn, and most of it on your own. Some days there's a lot of coding to do just to convert our pages into the new web standards. Every day is usually different and you work with a variety of people from network and database staff to program staff and public users."
Qualities needed for the job... Patty said that a background in computer technology, administration and programming would be required, as well as the ability to multi-task and work with frequent interruptions; along with knowledge of web page design and development, system analysis, database development.
Job satisfaction... She says, "It's very enjoyable to work with something as dynamic as the web. It's the way of the future and there are many new opportunities and different ways to go."
