Senior Systems Administrator

Mandate Reporting to the Associate Director, Data Centre Services, the Senior Systems Administrator works as part of a team to design, build, and ensure the operational effectiveness and security of the university’s servers, storage and data centres. Members of this team maintain administrative, teaching and learning systems essential to the operation of the entire university. These systems are required to be in operation 24 hours per day, 365 days of the year. Objectives Design, install, configure, and maintain server hardware and software, ensuring performance, availability, and security. Troubleshoot and resolve complex server software and hardware issues and automate administrative tasks. Specialize in multiple domains such as storage, backup, virtualization, security, and applications. Provide expert guidance on Linux or Windows systems and lead decisions on adopting and deploying new technologies. Lead infrastructure projects, communicate technical impacts, and advise on system maintenance and cybersecurity. System maintenance is usually required to be performed off-hours and major issues are responded to on a 24/7 basis. This role may require working outside of normal work hours on an emergency or pre-scheduled basis. This position requires a bachelor’s degree in computer science or other relevant discipline plus at least five years of experience in system administration in a large enterprise or academic environment. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. Windows Specialist Knowledge, skills, and abilities include: Expert knowledge of Microsoft Windows Server and client operating systems, features and roles. In-depth experience with administrating multiple Windows server applications (e.g., Active Directory, Exchange, SharePoint, SQL Server, etc.). Proficiency with scripting and revision control (e.g., PowerShell scripting, Git). Expert experience installing and administrating enterprise virtualization, storage and backup environments (e.g., VMware, NetApp, Veeam, etc.). Unix Specialist Expert knowledge of RedHat Enterprise and/or Ubuntu Linux. In-depth experience administrating multiple Linux server applications (e.g., Apache, Tomcat, Gitlab, JupyterHub, MySQL, LDAP, etc.). Proficiency with scripting and revision control (e.g., PERL, Bash and/or Python, Git). Working knowledge of provisioning and configuration management tools (e.g. Ansible, Puppet, Chef, etc.) and building packages and maintaining repositories (e.g., RPM). Expert experience installing and administrating enterprise virtualization, storage and backup environments (e.g., VMware, OpenStack, containers and/or Kubernetes, NetApp, TSM, Veeam, etc.). In Addition, This Position Requires High degree of attention to detail, the ability to understand complex technical concepts and the need to maintain broad and in-depth technical knowledge of all aspects of servers and server operating systems. Expert level of problem-solving abilities; must be able to effectively identify and resolve unique, unusual and highly complex technical problems. Ability to effectively manage multiple tasks and priorities and work under pressure to meet time sensitive and mission critical deadlines in a complex environment. Ability to take initiative and work with limited direction. Ability to mentor, coach, and train technical staff and teams and act as a resource. Ability to successfully contribute to complex projects: developing project work plans; monitoring and directing the activities of a project team. Excellent communications skills, both written and verbal. Ability to collaborate, build and maintain positive relationships with diverse individuals and work effectively in a team environment. Commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive and respectful working and learning environment. Ability to work outside of normal working hours on an emergency or pre-scheduled basis. Experience in an academic environment will be considered an asset. #J-18808-Ljbffr