CIRES/ NSIDC Systems Administrator

Job Summary

The National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) within the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) at the University of Colorado Boulder encourages applications for a full-time Systems Administrator to join the Technical Services group. The Systems Administrator plays a key role in the research mission of NSIDC by developing and managing information technology systems You will join a group of professionals that help maintain essential IT operations, such as operating systems, monitoring tools, business applications, functional servers, email systems, laptops, desktops, productivity software, and related hardware. Success in this role means you can support computer systems in a mixed operating system environment and work efficiently with internal technology providers as well as other operations groups.

The Systems Administration Team is part of NSIDC’s Technical Services Group, one of three service groups that support the center’s mission to be the authoritative data management and science center for cryospheric data and research. This role provides the successful candidate the opportunity to support the research occurring within the center and its broader impacts within our community.

The University of Colorado Boulder is committed to building a culturally diverse community of faculty, staff, and students dedicated to contributing to an inclusive campus environment. We are an Equal Opportunity employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Who We Are

At CIRES , more than 950 environmental science professionals work to understand the dynamic Earth system, including people’s relationship with the planet. CIRES has partnered with NOAA since 1967, and our areas of expertise include weather and climate, changes at Earth’s poles, air quality and atmospheric chemistry, water resources, solid Earth sciences, and more. Our vision is to be instrumental in ensuring a sustainable future environment by advancing scientific and societal understanding of the Earth system.

The National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC), part of the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) at the University of Colorado at Boulder, serves as a national information and referral center in support of snow and ice research. NSIDC is a trusted source of cryospheric data and services, and is a leader in research and development within this field.

https://nsidc.org

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Systems Administration 35%

• Monitor computer systems; proactively address or escalate issues before service is impacted.
• Install, configure and maintain hardware/software components for operations in an enterprise data center environment. This specific data center is the NSIDC DAAC (National Snow and Ice Data Center Distributed Active Archive Center), which distributes cryosphere and related geophysical data from NASA Earth-observing satellite missions, airborne campaigns, and field observations.
• Apply knowledge of Linux, MacOS, MS Windows and related systems to maintain and enhance NSIDC and science data operations, the majority of this in support of research data, scientist’s processes and the DAAC data storage and computer systems.
• Ensure that research data handling practices comply with relevant regulations and standards.
• Assist in administration of user accounts and department-based server/cloud services.
• Work closely with NSIDC scientists, researchers, and other stakeholders to understand data requirements and provide technical support.

Desktop and printer support 30%

• Hardware support for desktops and printer.
• Help with Installing and maintaining software.
• User desktop/printer/accessories help requests.

Maintain security best practices 30%

• Perform security related tasks as needed.

Other Duties as Necessary 5%
What You Should Know

• Please note that those applicants requiring visa sponsorship now or in the future will not be considered for this position. Applicants must be currently authorized to legally work in the United States on a full-time basis.
• Due to NASA funding restrictions, candidates who have paid or unpaid appointments or positions with Chinese Government organizations, Chinese Government controlled organizations, Chinese-owned companies, or any company incorporated under the laws of the People’s Republic of China are ineligible for hire.
• This is an on-site position with the option for a hybrid work modality. CIRES and NSIDC are currently supporting a high degree of work location flexibility. Hybrid work arrangements will follow current CIRES and university guidance and policies.
• For questions about the job, please contact Jay Patel, hiring supervisor, at jpatel@colorado.edu.

What We Can Offer

• CIRES can offer a generous compensation package.
• The annual hiring salary range for this position is $57,942 - $100,000. Salary is commensurate with education and experience and determined based on our CIRES internal career track classification.
• Relocation expenses are available for this position following CIRES and the University of Colorado’s relocation processes and procedures.
• Boulder is a vibrant community with access to mountain parks, dog parks, miles of trails, rivers, lakes, cafes, restaurants, boutiques, theaters, museums, and sports venues. Boulder was recently ranked as one of the top places to live in the U.S. by U.S. News.
• As an employee at CU Boulder, you receive a pass allowing free access to the regional public transit system, which is an outstanding network of buses and light rail systems that provide service within Boulder and connect to Denver, the Denver airport, and surrounding communities.

Benefits

The University of Colorado offers excellent benefits , including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO Pass. The University of Colorado Boulder is one of the largest employers in Boulder County and offers an inspiring higher education environment. Learn more about the University of Colorado Boulder .
Be Statements

Be engaged. Be unique. Be Boulder.
What We Require

• Bachelor’s degree with at least 1 year of relevant experience as a Systems Administrator.
• Experience providing system administration for Linux, Windows, and Mac OS operating systems.
• Applicants must be currently authorized to legally work in the United States on a full-time basis.

What You Will Need

• Track record of successful troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to effectively communicate with staff; software developers, data management operators, customer/user representatives, and office administrators.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, to include resources, priorities, and timelines.
• Customer service orientation toward problem solving and troubleshooting.
• Ability to be self-directed; to take ownership of issues and inefficiencies and be proactive about seeking better solutions.
• Ability to contribute to a diverse and inclusive environment as part of the CU Boulder Inclusive Excellence vision.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a cross-team environment supporting a variety of users.
• Initiative to learn quickly and to apply your knowledge to daily challenges.
• Ability to apply relevant IT security directives.

What We Would Like You to Have

Please note that while the position details both required and preferred skills and experience, we invite applicants to apply even if they do not have the preferred skills and experience outlined in this section. If you meet the requirements and have passion for the work, you are encouraged to apply. We encourage on the job training for any additional skills or knowledge that become relevant to the position.

• 2-3 years of relevant experience as a Systems Administrator.
• Experience with virtualization technologies such as VMware/vSphere.
• Experience with container technologies such as Docker and Kubernetes.
• Experience with deployment and configuration management tools – Ex. Vagrant, Docker, Puppet, Ansible.
• Experience with system monitoring tools – Ex. Prometheus, Grafana, Sensu, Nagios, Cacti.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

1. Resume or CV.
2. Cover letter addressed to the Search Committee briefly describing your qualifications, professional goals, and specific interest in this position.
3. List of contact information for 3 professional references (name, title, professional relationship, email, and phone number) who may be contacted on your behalf for a professional reference [uploaded as a document at the time of application].
4. Additionally, if you are selected as a finalist for this role, the search committee will request a SkillSurvey questionnaire. SkillSurvey is an online automated reference check solution. Please be prepared to submit a list of 5 professional references (2 of whom must be/must have been supervisors or professors). This information will be kept confidential and viewable only by the search committee.

If you are selected as the finalist, your degree will be verified by the CU Boulder Campus Human Resources department using an approved online vendor. If your degree was obtained outside of the United States, please submit a translated version as an optional attachment.

Please apply by August 23, 2024 for consideration. Applications will be reviewed as they are received.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs .

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

Posting Contact Information

Posting Contact Name: Jay Patel

Posting Contact Email: jpatel@colorado.edu