Peter J. Allen
Livonia
Summary
This Resume provides the reader with an overview of my skills in a wide variety of positions within the IT field of a large organization. Through the 36 years my work covers a wide range of skills with each new position I selected. My goal is to expand my knowledge base while providing my employer with results, great work ethic and accomplishments toward the organization's mission. At the same time my personal growth was rewarded as I served my employer and taxpayers.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
Work History
IT Specialist (Policy & Planning)
Internal Revenue Service
01.2021 - 09.2025
- The Policy and Planning IT professional is responsible for the management of programs identified by management or specifically designed within the OSB to address automation goals and priorities for Operations and Filing Season readiness. These programs may also affect and enhance the needs of our external customers. These programs are designed to ensure compliance with management, agency goals and priorities.
- The programs are monitored and reviewed to ensure consistent alignment with management and agency policies and procedures. Where necessary internal policies and procedures are developed to further strengthen compliance objectives to ensure efficient operations of existing programs within OSB.
- The Policy and Planning IT professional identifies, coordinates with the Branch staff and reviews new or improved automation processes to existing programs which include ensuring that the proposed solution is consistent with management, agency goals and priorities.
- Specific duties include: In this position I focus on special projects within the Operations Scheduling Branch (OSB). Current duties include: 1) OSB IRM documentation work as the IRM Author, 2) OSB Policy Creation/Review, 3) SharePoint Online, 4) Actual Reimbursements and 5) Documentation of "How To" guide for navigation of the OSB sections and resources for customers.
- Working with IRMs is important to establish and maintain the framework for how OSB operates regarding policies and procedures with respect to tax processing operations. As the IRM Author it is important to follow a set process (SOP) to ensure proper IRM updates. I created an IRM SOP Update policy which outlines the process.
- The SOP covers all steps in the creation, edit, update and storage of source files for two IRMs; 1) IRM 2.7.6 which documents procedures that Schedulers perform and 2) IRM 2.7.9 Processing timelines for jobs on the Mainframe.
- Notable work on the OSB SharePoint Site: I am one of the Administrators of the OSB SharePoint site. I worked to prepare for the upgrade of SharePoint on premise to SharePoint Online (cloud based). That was in 2023 and 2024. In 2025 I was requested to re-design the site with a coherent and consistent Landing Page structure with streamlined web pages to access the existing content. The project had two main phases; 1) Re-design Landing Pages with a consistent menu structure, and 2) Review content within each section: a) Mainframe Scheduling, b) Server Scheduling, and 3) File Transfer. I was able to complete the first phase. I did not complete the second phase.
- Notable work with How To Guides: The "How To" guides section on the OSB SharePoint site is contained within a "Customer Relations". This section covers Mainframe Scheduling section, Server Scheduling section and File Transfer section within OSB. These guides are available for both OSB Employees and General users.
- I created an OSB policy that will provide for quarterly review of IRM, SOP and How To Guides to ensure that the information is current and relevant to operations.
Information Technology Specialist
Internal Revenue Service
08.2021 - 12.2021
- In my 120-day Detail my primary goal was as a Project Manager to oversee the re-implementation of Auto-Ticket which was suspended a third time. Auto-Ticket as a process was setup on the Control-M Job monitoring software for the Tier I and Tier II job processing environments.
- Control-M was upgraded from the Solaris to Windows operating system. The Windows environment requires additional security. We had to establish security permissions both on paper and within the Control-M software. Help Desk tickets were created to create the necessary Windows security profiles, folder structure, file permissions and files on Windows Server.
- A new script was created using Windows PowerShell for processing of the data from Control-M abended jobs. Testing was performed on both the Tier I and Tier II platform to ensure the proper log file format. A SHOUT destination profile was created within Control-M to allow for executing of the script needed to write to the log file.
- When testing and validation was completed the next phase was to coordinate with Schedulers for both Tier I and Tier II. Projects on both platforms were identified. Training was conducted with the Schedulers selected by Mainframe Scheduling management. A workbook was used to track the progress of updating jobs using Presets(templates) within Control-M to add the ON/DO Action instruction which tells Control-M to write variable information to the log file when the selected job abends.
- This is a time-limited appointment or temporary promotion
- Note: An “abend” is a job failure on the Mainframe
IT Specialist (Policy and Planning)
Internal Revenue Service
07.2018 - 07.2021
- I work in the Operations Scheduling Branch. This branch is responsible for maintaining the operations of tax processing on Mainframe and Tier II systems for IRS Tax Processing. OSB utilizes two off-the-shelf software packages to monitor job processing; Control-M developed by BMC Corporation supports the IBM Mainframe and Tier II Windows based Servers, and the other called OpCon developed by SMA Corporation which supports the Unisys Mainframe.
- My role within the Operations Scheduling Branch is to review existing processes within the Branch for ways to recommend and/or implement technology focused enhancements to reduce or eliminate repetitive tasks. I may also receive new projects for review and implementation of existing or new technology to aid the mission of OSB.
- Once such project is called Auto-Ticket. This project is a process that utilizes the existing infrastructure Control-M, the IBM Mainframe and Tier II Servers monitored via Control-M to generate an electronic KISAM Help Desk ticket. A one-line text message consisting of sixteen (16) variables separated by a pipe (|) symbol that written to a log file for each abended job (a job that has stopped working). The log file is parsed which contains the information necessary to create a KISAM electronic Help Desk ticket in under 5 minutes.
- I was tasked with assisting in management of the OSB SharePoint site. My first major goal was to initiate using Security Groups for the site as opposed to individual user access. A second goal was to upgrade the Mainframe Scheduling pages to better support the needs of IBM Mainframe Scheduling.
- Other projects incorporate gathering of information to provide management with the necessary analytics for various goals within the organization which directly relate to Scheduling, existing or new tax processing tasks.
- This is a federal job
IT Specialist (Computer Systems Analyst)
Internal Revenue Service
03.2008 - 06.2018
- As a Computer Systems Analyst working in Enterprise Operations for IRS Information Technology at the Detroit Enterprise Computing Center with Unit A of the Masterfile Support Section. I work the day shift reviewing and monitoring jobs on the IBM Mainframe environment using software called Control-M. Some of the jobs pertain to nationwide projects such as CBRS (Currency and Banking), AFS/IFS (Automated Financial System), IMF(Individual Master File), and BMF (Business Master File). I also work with the CADE/CADE2 (Customer Account Data Engine) projects.
- When jobs abend (stop) there can be several factors as to why. Help Desk tickets are opened and assigned. I work closely with fellow coworkers, programmers, developers, and Scheduling to determine, correct, and implement changes to the JCL and/or to re-run/re-start jobs according to the programmers' instructions to resolve issues. Once the abend is resolved I update, annotate, and close the ticket and then notify all involved participants of the resolution.
- I participate in team discussions, meetings, training, and other job relevant activities. I have participated on some special projects such as CADE2 DI (Database Initialization) in which we prepare new versions of the CADDE2 application for the Production environment.
- Note: An “abend” is a job failure on the Mainframe
IT Specialist (Computer Equipment Analyst)
Internal Revenue Service
10.2003 - 03.2008
- As the CEA (Computer Equipment Analyst) in the Detroit Integrated Equipment Group my duties included the procurement of Equipment, Components, Consumables (Toner for Network printers and approved desktop printers), Supplies and special case items for four sites in the Detroit Territory in the Northeast Area. The Detroit Territory covers; 1) the Michigan Headquarters 2) the Detroit Enterprise Computing Center, 3) the Indiana Headquarters and 4) the Ohio Headquarters. The Posts-of-Duty and Large Case sites are also supported. The Detroit Territory does cover some sites in Kentucky as well. Each major site had a SPIF employee (GS-2210-07to GS-2210-11) responsible for that location and its Post-of-Duty locations.
- As the CEA I reviewed policies and procedures which change based upon current management business practices and as Business Unit requirements change to facilitate a seamless cohesion and make recommendations to management as necessary. I reviewed daily, Help Desk tickets assigned to IEG from customers directly or other groups for appropriate action. As needed, I updated, procured or re-assigned tickets contacting customers to keep them up to date on the status of their request via E-Mail and phone communications.
- I provided training and guidance to inventory personnel on new and existing technologies, techniques and policies pertaining to asset record additions, updates, deletion, and excess. I conducted CPE (Continuing Professional Education) sessions for inventory employees. Periodic Physical (Annual) reviews were performed using a Barcode Reader. The results were analyzed and reviewed for accuracy by inventory personnel or me to ensure that equipment is properly assigned in AssetCenter.
- I am familiar with the BOE universe and a few of the database systems such as ServiceManager and AssetManager. To facilitate an accurate assessment of Toner for network printers I created the Toner Log application to track ALL printers within the territory. Once I had created the initial database, I expanded it to include Components and other items IEG needed to track to help create a deep dive database of information for management to make informed decisions. The ultimate Microsoft Access application was known as ICMTS (Integrated Components and Maintenance Tracking System).
- The application initially tracked Toner and Maintenance items for network printers but had been built so that additional features can be added for Service Calls and Components. The application has several support tables which utilize live data from AssetCenter The IRS inventory control system. VBA code is used in modules to provide Import/Export of data via Text Files generated from views in AssetCenter. The official version was released October 12, 2007. I have been tracking several bug and feature requests in an Application History module.
- The ICMTS application provided IEG with the ability to control inventories of Toner, Components, Service Calls and requisition receipt and verification. In February of 2008 two additional modules will provide the automated inventory control for each site in the Detroit Territory and Shipping Manager which will provide the SPIF the ability to print labels for affixing to packages and then be signed and sent out.
- ICMTS gives the CEA and IEG manager an overall view of inventories for toner, what they cost and how much is available at any given site. The inventory module will reduce to a minimum shortage, increase efficiency in getting supplies to the customer where needed and increase overall efficiency of IEG resources across the Territory. IEG dealt with many toner and maintenance tickets in their ticket buckets. ICMTS allowed IEG to know exactly where resources (toner or maintenance items) were needed and when to re-order other components.
- Service calls and component provisioning are two additional aspects that were tracked from within ICMTS. Service calls for printers and laptops will help to identify equipment that should be replaced or changed due to usage history within the application as calls/tickets come in. IEG will be able to address problem equipment and provide a means for management to gather the type of numbers they have been requesting from IEG groups more readily.
Information Technology Specialist
Internal Revenue Service
04.2003 - 10.2003
- As an IT Specialist I worked for Customer Support in the Detroit Computing Center. My duties were somewhat like those in the Detroit Field office, but in a Computing Center (processing) environment. Help Desk tickets are how assignments were distributed. I moved, installed, upgraded hardware, software, and peripherals. I was considered the Adaptive technologies specialist at DCC so many of the tickets from these customers were handled by me. I also procured supplies and components via a Purchase Card.
- I developed a system to track movement of equipment and software for Disaster Recovery purposes and to update into the ITAMS inventory database. Each time any move was completed I received a new copy and updated the spreadsheet accordingly. I updated the inventory based upon information provided from the Workstation Information Sheets (WIS). These were kept sequentially on file should any questions arise.
Computer Specialist (Equipment Analyst)
Internal Revenue Service
10.1997 - 10.2003
- My duties as a Computer Specialist in this position involved inventory work. I was called a SPIF (Single Point Inventory Function) person. INVENTORY WORK: As a SPIF (Single Point Inventory Function) I maintained a portion of the ITAMS database which covered the state of Michigan totaling some 7,100+ records/assets. The Michigan Territory consisted of 17 Post-of-Duty locations including the headquarters in downtown Detroit. The Detroit Computing Center was not included in the portion of the ITAMS database I managed at the time.
- I used a form called the, “MAC” (Moves, Adds and Changes) to facilitate updates to the ITAMS database. As equipment was moved in and out of stock to and from various locations, I updated the status using the MAC form. Along with the annual physical review I conducted sample reviews of areas that required additional verification when analyzing spreadsheets showing asset data. As standards changed so did the information contained in the inventory database. With the introduction of ITAMS data was converted from the older system known at the time as INOMS.
- I was part of a group in the Northeast area of SPIFS who were tasked with a project to standardize ALL records. This was an eight-month project. There have been several instances when equipment has arrived without proper documentation or knowledge of who it was intended for. This is where I put on my investigator’s hat to locate the documentation or end user contact. Barcodes were not supplied on assets that arrived at the time nor were those assets batch added as they are today.
- DATA ANALYSIS: An important part of the inventory review process involved analysis of the “numbers” using database and spreadsheet analysis techniques to determine the accuracy of the physical or electronic touches of equipment. Using this approach, I could identify areas of the database (locations) by POD which warrant further attention. Management provided statistics I used to aid in the analysis process of inventory verification. Additionally, my duties included periodic reviews of problem areas and a yearly physical review of the entire state of Michigan. To aid in this area I worked with other Computer Specialists to coordinate reviews of ALL PODs (satellite offices). There were several major projects that I participated on to convert the inventory database from one system to another. As this was done, I had to go through each record and assign it to a table entry.
Computer Specialist
Internal Revenue Service
02.1991 - 09.1997
- As a Computer Specialist my primary duties were to address Help Desk Tickets for a wide range of hardware and software issues. I installed, configured, upgraded, repaired, or replaced systems nd peripheral equipment. I also installed, upgraded, modified, or removed software installed on workstations as necessary. Three specialties I had were BBS operations, Desktop Publishing/Scanning and Adaptive technologies. BBS operations used to spread over four BBS systems (FidoNet, Wildcat BBS, AES BBS (Automated Exam System)and the Detroit District BBS.
- The project took about six months. The new system was called the ConsolidatedBBS which utilized Worldgroup BBS software, a Galactibox multi-modem box and Serial connections via a CDN (Consolidated Data Network secured system).
- I was the Systems Administrator for this system which had about 1000 users. Various documents and files were available for download. As the Desktop Publishing/Scanning expert I was given tickets relating to Aldus PageMaker or scanning issues. I used WordScan and OmniPage for OCR and would advise the Functions within IRS how best to tackle scanning of text or graphics.
- I participated on a task force to revamp the AMT Form 6251 Alternative Minimum Tax form. The presentation involved heavy use of WordPerfect for Windows to incorporate Form examples and related text. The final document was almost 60 pages in size. It was presented to a board for review but was turned down in favor of another alternative. I was known as the Adaptive Device Coordinator with my unique skill of learning how specialized keyboards, speech and printers worked. All tickets relating to these peripherals were given to me to address.
- From 1993 to 1995 as a Customer Support Specialist I focused on procurement contracts for the Detroit District. My experience with software and hardware helped to determine what types of equipment the District purchased. I reviewed and prepared requisitions for equipment. Once approved the orders were placed in a system called GENSTAR. IRS had three different contracts to procure from: 1) DMAC, TMAC and DESAC. The DMAC and TMAC contracts dealt with microcomputer and Mini-computer equipment, DESAC dealt with Adaptive technology products. Along with these three contracts open source purchases were also allowed. These were sometimes called "Sole Source" purchases. The Sole Source justification was used when an established contract could not provide the equipment or software tailored for a specific need. These purchases required very detailed specifications of what was being requested.
Computer Specialist
Internal Revenue Service
02.1991 - 09.1997
- As a Computer Specialist one of my major responsibilities is to work Help Desk tickets that deal with a wide range of tasks such as hardware installation, configuration and troubleshooting, Software installation, upgrades, configuration, and troubleshooting. I install new systems to replace/refresh outdated, damaged or defective hardware and/or software on an ongoing basis. Some Help Desk tickets involve service by outside vendors. I coordinate the calls and replacement of defective components.
- Some Help Desk calls deal with training and familiarization with IRS licensed software such as Microsoft Office, Windows XP Professional, Windows NT Workstation, or Windows 2000 Professional. I also deal with Adaptive hardware and software, Word Processing, Desktop Publishing, and scanning software. I routinely assist customers with disk space and optimization/fragmentation issues and basic system troubleshooting.
- I have worked with networks and workstations from MS-DOS to Windows 3.1 all the way through today’s software, Windows XP, and Windows Vista. I was a Systems administrator for a few years on the BBS and know Windows NT/2000/2003 Server as well. I use Microsoft Office 2003. I have developed presentations, spreadsheet, and databases to handle a wide range of tasks. I am a programmer at heart and have worked with VisualBasic, VBA, JCL, COBOL, C++, C Shell, Informix, and dBase. My current expertise is with VBA andVisualBasic, but I am now also learning VisualC# as it will be the IRS standard.
- HARDWARE KNOWLEDGE: While working as a Computer Specialist I became familiar with various “Brands” of equipment. I was in a unique position to be able to recommend equipment to the Detroit District should procure. I learned which brands performed better through personal experience and the contacts that I was establishing through the IRS to better assist with superior equipment purchases while ensuring IRS paid a fair price. I have built PCs, installed, and configured a wide range of adapters for video, scanner, and specialized serial cables. I have worked with IDE, Serial, USB, and SCSI devices. I have also worked with a wide range of adaptive technologies including speech, Brail input and output devices.
Student Trainee (Co-op)
Internal Revenue Service
09.1988 - 01.1991
- As a co-op I came on board with the Internal Revenue Service for a total of three six-month periods while in attending Madonna Collage completing my BA degree in Computer Information Systems. Three of my specialties are Desktop Publishing, Scanning and Adaptive Technologies. My experience with Desktop Publishing early with the IRS as the editor of a quarterly newsletter known as “DISC” (Detroit Information Systems Circular) involved working with Aldus PageMaker to come up with a uniform format for the newsletter, scanning text and images as needed and word processing skills.
- I was responsible for developing, soliciting, editing, and publishing with management approval articles from the IT Specialists. I developed the initial template. I used WordPerfect and WordScan to capture article text and graphics to be placed in the newsletter template. I had timelines and outlines which were followed to ensure that all articles were in on time to be incorporated into the newsletter. Working with Desktop Publishing software brought me to work more with scanners for bot hthe text and graphics. Numerous tickets from the Help Desk dealt with customer issues that required older documents to be scanned and saved to disk which were never in electronic format previously. Packages such asWordScan and OmniPage were used to re-create the documents which were exported to WordPerfect and Wordstar. I educated the customer on
- ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT: In 1992 I was appointed to work as the Adaptive Device Coordinator for the Detroit District. All tickets relating to adaptive technologies were assigned to me. I worked with both DOS and Windows software such as JAWS, DecTalk Express and LPDOS. These packages were known as screen readers and required very specific steps for installation. I also installed and used book reading software from Kurzweil and Arkenstone (OpenBook).how to complete this process once I was able to retrieve most of the original documents.
- I have installed and configured adaptive hardware such as Braille keyboards, printers and external speech hardware products. JAWS was originally known as Job Access with Speech but is now referred to as Job Access for Windows as Windows became the standard operating system replacing DOS. I also worked with vendors to coordinate installation of new adaptive hardware and software as it was received in the District Office.
- DATABASE PROGRAMMING: In 1988 I came on board with the IRS in the ADP Department developing database applications for the Minicomputers (Zilog) which were UNIX based. I learned Unix C Shell and Informix SQL and 4GL and helped to design customer database applications for the customer base in Detroit. I was assigned projects to develop new or modify existing database applications for customers. To facilitate this, I conducted an interview to develop an outline of requirements. I designed skeleton screens and reports confirming the customer requirements and then provided an estimated date of completion with progress reports submitted everyone to two weeks based upon the project size and scope.
- With C Shell I completed menus which ran scripts in the background to complete the application and then provided documentation and initial training to the customers. Informix was Unix based. When I was reassigned to the micro-computer group I worked with DBASE III and IV. I developed a Telephone Directory in DbdBase IV for the Detroit District. The application was used by all functions in the district. The database could be updated by specific users and viewed by any customer. The application was installed on the LAN to provide customer’s easy access.
- The user could search by name, POD, Phone Number or Function. Reports providing a Post-of-Duty List or Phone number list were incorporated. The application was originally developed in dBase III and IV for DOS but was converted to dBase for Windows. HELP DESK:
Education
Bachelor's degree - Computer Information Systems, Business Administration Specialization
Madonna College
Livonia, MI05.1991
Skills
- IT Troubleshooting
- IT Documentation
- Information Security
- Analytical Skills with Data
- Creating Innovative Solutions
- Work with Adaptive Technologies
Accomplishments
Two major accomplishments I am proud to mention are the work with Project Auto-Ticket. This project created a process to automate ticketing of jobs that abend monitored through Control-M. I have included technical documentation on the process. The second project is the Janus 2020d Barcode Reader. The project took a device that was used for inventory control from a multi-step to a single-pass process by enabling downloading of equipment records from the inventory database to the Barcode Reader and then performing a physical inventory. Once completed the results were uploaded back to the database and reconciled.
Timeline
Information Technology Specialist
Internal Revenue Service
08.2021 - 12.2021
IT Specialist (Policy & Planning)
Internal Revenue Service
01.2021 - 09.2025
IT Specialist (Policy and Planning)
Internal Revenue Service
07.2018 - 07.2021
IT Specialist (Computer Systems Analyst)
Internal Revenue Service
03.2008 - 06.2018
IT Specialist (Computer Equipment Analyst)
Internal Revenue Service
10.2003 - 03.2008
Information Technology Specialist
Internal Revenue Service
04.2003 - 10.2003
Computer Specialist (Equipment Analyst)
Internal Revenue Service
10.1997 - 10.2003
Computer Specialist
Internal Revenue Service
02.1991 - 09.1997
Computer Specialist
Internal Revenue Service
02.1991 - 09.1997
Student Trainee (Co-op)
Internal Revenue Service
09.1988 - 01.1991
Bachelor's degree - Computer Information Systems, Business Administration Specialization
Madonna College
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