Information Systems Specialist

**Overview**

**Term: 4 Months**

The Interdisciplinary Centre on Climate Change (IC3) provides digital research infrastructure that supports its member organizations, as well as UW faculty and researchers. The Information Systems Specialist manages the implementation, operation, security, and enhancements of the unit’s core infrastructure and associated assets (e.g. servers, databases, virtual machines, software, licenses, domains, staff computers, and office equipment) throughout their entire lifecycle. The responsibilities and assignments of Information Systems Specialists include several key specializations, as described in the following section.

**Responsibilities**

Systems Administration
- Design, test, deploy, monitor, and maintain both physical and virtual Windows and Linux servers
- Implement, monitor, and maintain server hardware, including storage and networking appliances
- Implement, monitor, and maintain strong controls to ensure and mitigate potential security risks
- Perform scheduled server backups to ensure business continuity (disaster recovery)
- Deploy, test, and monitor server patches and updates, in coordination with Waterloo’s central IT
- Assist in the planning and execution of server related maintenance and upgrades
- Develop and archive documentation of activities and processes

Database Administration
- Design, test, deploy, monitor, and maintain all internal and external databases and data stores
- Monitor and optimize database performance, including refactoring internal data models
- Perform scheduled database backups to ensure business continuity (disaster recovery)
- Support data extraction, transformation, and loading (ETL) services
- Provide management reports, client reports, and data extracts
- Assist in the planning and execution of database related maintenance and upgrades
- Develop and archive documentation of activities and processes

Application Support and Administration
- Administer and support all technical activities related to IC3 operations and projects
- Investigate, test, document, and support all new software required for IC3 operations and projects
- Support and maintain staff computers and associated office equipment
- Maintain organizational knowledgebase and ensure proper archiving and secure storage of all documentation related to IC3 processes, policies, and practices

**Qualifications**
- University degree in computer science or engineering, or equivalent industry experience required
- Demonstrated experience working as a Linux systems administrator
- Demonstrated experience working with Enterprise grade database systems, such as PostgreSQL
- Experience with VM creation and management using Hyper-V or VMware
- Experience with OS-level virtualization tools, such as Docker
- Experience with issue tracking tools, like Jira
- Experience supporting a Windows office environment
- Excellent shell scripting and automation skills
- Strong understanding of SQL and RDBMS topics
- Familiarity with procedural programming languages, like Postgres PL/pgSQL
- Familiarity with NoSQL storage paradigms, such as MongoDB
- Familiarity with web technologies and formats, like Drupal, JavaScript, JSON, XML, HTML, CSS
- Strong understanding of server hardware components and ability to assemble hardware
- Strong investigative skills with the ability to identify and diagnose complex technical problems
- Strong organizational skills coupled with proven ability to effectively document work, handle multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and excel in a fast-paced environment characterized by changing priorities
- Demonstrated level of competence, discretion, and professionalism appropriate for interacting articulately and persuasively with a wide range of stakeholders
- Excellent written and oral communication skills

**Equity Statement**

The University of Waterloo is committed to implementing the Calls to Action framed by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We acknowledge that we live and work on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. The University of Waterloo is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River.

**Job Type**: Fixed term contract

**Salary**: $63,737.00-$79,672.00 per year

**Benefits**:

- Work from home

Flexible Language Requirement:

- French not required

Schedule:

- 8 hour shift
- Monday to Friday

Ability to commute/relocate:

- Waterloo, ON N2L 0A7: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Waterloo, ON N2L 0A7