"Windows System Administrator"

Job Description Summary

This System Administrator position works with our Windows and Software Operations teams to build, package, and deploy Windows software and operating systems for a large number of systems both on and off campus. You will work with your team to maintain the systems and services related to configuration management, application packaging, licensing, and distribution for a large number of software applications for the campus. You will become part of a culture that empowers employees, treats them with respect, and encourages innovation and open communication.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities (other duties may be assigned)

Operational Responsibilities:

• Responsible for Microsoft Windows desktop software application and operating system packaging and deployment.
• Assist in the administration of the AppsAnywhere server and application streaming environment.
• Responsible for the training, support, and supervision of student technicians and the environment, tools, methods, and utilities used to package software applications for deployment in our environment.
• Assist in administering and managing the Microsoft Windows environment including Active Directory, ADFS, System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM), Endpoint, Autopilot, and Intune.
• Perform administrative tasks in Windows Active Directory and Azure Active Directory, including manipulating objects, disaster recovery planning, and maintenance.
• Responsible for granting, monitoring, and reporting on access.
• Document accurately, timely, and effectively the processes, procedures, and all changes to systems.
• Coordinate the creation of environments for testing and development purposes and ensure production and test/development environments are kept in sync.
• Modify/maintain updates and/or patches of applications using releases and utilities from the manufacturers. Apply and test the technical aspect of product-specific patches and fixes as they are released.
• Provide advanced troubleshooting and support per requests from team members and the campus community.
• Work with other team members on designated systems and projects.
• Work on long-term projects as assigned.
• Apply safety-related knowledge, skills, and practices to everyday work.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Maintenance, Monitoring, and Upkeep:

• Perform daily system monitoring, verifying the integrity and availability of all hardware, server resources, systems, and key processes, reviewing system and application logs, and verifying completion of scheduled jobs such as backups.
• Install, configure, and plan life-cycle replacement, coordinate outages and perform performance tuning for applications and hardware.
• Research and recommend innovative, and where possible, automated approaches for system administration tasks. Identify approaches that leverage our resources and provide economies of scale.
• Commit to learning about continuous improvement strategies and applying them to everyday work. Actively engage in University continuous improvement initiatives.

Security:

• Ensure appropriate security controls are in place that will safeguard digital files and vital electronic infrastructure.
• Maintain a regular schedule for operating system, application, and security patches.
• Coordinate and implement security measures to safeguard information ensuring security requests have proper (system owner) approval (User account verification, maintenance, troubleshooting).
• Assess the effectiveness of safety measures and training and implement necessary changes. Anticipate and recognize problems and potential problems at the individual and system levels.

Required Education, Certifications, Licensures (minimum requirements)

• Bachelor's degree in Applied Computing or a comparable technology-related degree program; or an equivalent combination of education and experience from which required knowledge and abilities can be acquired.

Required Experience (minimum requirements)

• At least 4 years’ experience in system administration and support of workstations and applications in a large (250+ workstation) Microsoft Windows environment required.
• A minimum of two years of information technology-related customer service experience, including experience managing customer requests in a request tracking system.
• Experience working with configuration management systems such as SCCM, Puppet, Ansible, etc.

Desirable Education and/or Experience

• Familiarity with software application streaming or remote delivery software such as AppsAnywhere.
• Familiarity with cloud services: Azure, Microsoft and Office 365, Google Apps, AWS
• Experience with software license management (SLM) providing software application licensing and license server operation with technologies like FlexLM, Sentinel, and physical licensing dongles.
• Knowledge of common network concepts, protocols, and tools.
• Experience with code management systems such as Jira, BitBucket, Subversion, or GIT.
• Experience and ability to work within change management systems.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities (minimum requirements)

• Proficiency in building, packaging, and deployment of Windows operating system and software applications to large environments of heterogeneous Windows PCs.
• Proficiency with Windows Scripting / PowerShell
• Knowledge of authentication, authorization, and identity tools (e.g., LDAP, Active Directory, Kerberos, ADFS).
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively across cultural boundaries and work harmoniously with diverse groups of students, faculty, and staff.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to build solid working relationships with people of diverse personalities and professional backgrounds, with a strong focus on customer service.
• Must be self-directed and able to prioritize work and be able to meet deadlines in a timely manner. In addition, must be able to participate and interact as a team player on many projects.
• Must be able to work some varied hours including late afternoons, nights, weekends, or holidays during scheduled maintenance windows or emergencies, and be accessible via cell phone 24/7 for emergency calls.
• Demonstrated commitment to contributing to a safe work environment.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

• Highly organized and able to adapt quickly to changing priorities.
• Familiar with network architecture and concepts including firewalls, VPN, VLANS, and switches.
• The desire and ability to keep abreast of new technologies including desktop, laptop, and server hardware; Windows operating system and application software.

Work Environment and/or Physical Demands

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Flexible remote work accommodations are available after an initial fully on-campus period of 6 months; however, physical proximity to the Houghton campus is required as this position will have in-person and on-campus responsibilities at least 50% of the time.
• Proximity and max travel time to campus will be negotiated with a successful candidate, not to exceed an hour of travel time to campus.
• Infrequent work (less than 2% of time annually) may be performed in a data center where the use of hearing protection is required.
• Work is performed that requires the use of a computer, input devices, screens, high-speed internet, telephone, and video communications equipment.
• Frequent use of computers and exposure to computer screens where visual strain may occur.
• Frequent repetitive hand/wrist motions and finger manipulation.
• Frequent written, oral, and/or visual communication with students, faculty, and staff.
• Moderate need to physically meet with coworkers, vendors, technicians, or members of the campus community when remote options are not viable or less effective.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):

• Hearing protection (when located in a data center). The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.