Systems Administrator

Job Description
Department:
System Administration
Pay Rate Type:
Salary
Employee Type:
Job Summary:The systems administrator has a technical role in the management of numerous enterprise systems, integrated with other hardware and software (especially VMWare/Nutanix) in a networked environment. They will monitor the operations and security of server operating systems, databases, applications, and network related functions and server system performance to maintain high levels of reliability. The systems administrator has a role in the planning, design, implementation, and administration of enterprise IT systems and solutions while taking human and environmental variables into account. The systems administrator works closely on a combined team of system, service, and security administrators while also collaborating with the broader ITS staff to collectively achieve successful technology outcomes.

Success in this role requires close collaboration among stakeholders to understand the enterprise technology needs of the campus, staying abreast of technology trends and working with potential vendors, providers and partners to arrive at appropriate solutions. The systems administrator will provide technical support (consulting, analysis, troubleshooting, and documentation) on enterprise systems, services, and solutions to the IT department and key campus stakeholders. This position works in high performance teams and cross-departmentally - taking a lead role in areas of specialty knowledge. Participation in workshops and training to improve technical skills and professional development is encouraged.

Colby College is committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment where every member of the community feels a sense of respect and belonging.

Essential Functions

To perform successfully in this position, an individual must be able to perform essential duties satisfactorily as well as possess education/experience, employ the knowledge, skills, and abilities as listed in representative fashion. Colby College actively supports the Americans with Disabilities Act and will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position. This listing of essential duties is not all-inclusive, but representative; other duties may be assigned.

• Ensure that the system and server environment is properly configured, including monitoring, accessibility, and overall reliability of central IT systems and services.
  
  
• Participate in the determination of new servers, services, and technologies and working with vendors to obtain the best prices and service needed to maintain new computing systems.
  
  
• Provide back-end technical support (consulting, troubleshooting, and documentation) on the servers, and storage to front-line personnel within ITS and to the College as a whole.
  
  
• Plan and implement systems/service upgrades and maintenance to provide continuity of operations while participating in established change management processes to communicate and review tasks and outcomes.
  
  
• Participate in the planning, design, implementation and administration of new enterprise IT systems; systems and services may include physical and virtual servers, network storage arrays, cloud services, applications, databases, backups and associated account and directory services (Active Directory and Okta)
  
  
• Coordinate server and application architectures with the Change Advisory Board and Information Security, regularly reviewing processes, procedures, vulnerability and security events.
  
  
• Maintain and monitor Colby’s data centers including systems lifecycle management, power and cooling requirements as well as physical access; provide a high level of technical support as needed.
  
  
• Establish and maintain documented procedures for system and service administration.
  
  
• Oncall coverage is required outside of the hours of 8am to 5pm.
  
  
• Perform additional duties as assigned; duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
  
  

Position Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher, preferably in a computer science or related field. Equivalent experience may be substituted.
  
  
• 3+ years of experience in operating system support (i.e. Microsoft Windows, Unix/Linux).
  
  
• Effective verbal communication skills in various contexts with a commitment to team participation, information sharing and mutual/shared support
  
  
• Effective written and verbal communication skills to audiences of all technical levels.
  
  
• Demonstrated commitment to information systems service excellence with an ability to work effectively under pressure.
  
  
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills with a high level of motivation, initiative and attention to detail.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience:

• Experience managing both Windows and/or Unix/Linux server operating systems in an enterprise environment.
  
  
• Experience with Hyper Converged Infrastructures and server virtualization.
  
  
• Experience with Microsoft Active Directory, LDAP, Microsoft SQL and MySQL databases.
  
  
• Experience managing application authentication and access with an IAM platform; SAML SSO preferred.
  
  
• Experience with shared storage and distributed file systems, especially Dell EMC.
  
  
• Working knowledge of web server administration, including Apache, PHP, IIS and similar services.
  
  
• Experience with cloud services and integration between private and public cloud resources with Azure, Google, and AWS preferred.
  
  
• Google workspace management and administration of users, groups, and applications.
  
  
• Experience with DNS, DHCP and IPAM administration.
  
  
• Systems and network security knowledge, including experience with firewalls, security vulnerability assessment and remediation and related technologies and processes.
  
  
• Knowledge of scripting and programming languages.
  
  
• Knowledge of data networking concepts, TCP/IP and OSI reference model.
  
  

Physical/Mental Demands

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform essential functions of this position and/or may be encountered while performing essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• To successfully perform the essential functions of this position, an employee must be able to maintain appropriate confidentiality with regard to employee data, documents, issues, etc., and respect privacy needs of employees and past employees with regard to the same.
  
  
• The ability to comply with highly inflexible deadlines is required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position; there will be multiple occurrences of sudden, urgent task completion required.
  
  
• There may be occurrences of employees, past employees, members of the general public, and others who express opinions, may exhibit strong emotions, which will require the employee to interact professionally, diplomatically, and appropriately in such situations.
  
  
• While performing the essential duties of this position, an employee would frequently be required to move around the office space as well as within hallways, meeting rooms, and other parts of the campus facilities.
  
  
• There may be multiple/daily instances of prolonged personal computer use which would include keyboard and/or mouse usage as well as viewing a computer monitor.
  
  
• An employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds to perform essential position functions.
  
  
• Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.
  
  
• The overall work environment requires the mental ability to shift focus quickly due to interruptions; an employee must be able to mentally track multiple projects and tasks as well.
  
  
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate; however, there may be unexpected instances of somewhat loud sounds.
  
  
• Regular working hours are Monday through Friday with the occasional evening or weekend shifts as needed for special events or emergencies.
  
  

To Apply:

Interested candidates should apply electronically by clicking the “Apply Now” button on the Colby College website. Please upload a cover letter and resume to your application.