Manager of System Administration

Full time, Regular, Exempt Position

 

 

The University of Maine System is seeking to fill the position of Manager of System Administration.  This position, ideally will reside on the Orono campus of the University of Maine, however, an internal candidate may continue to work from their current campus.

 

 

 

Primary Purpose of Position:

 

Lead a group of system administrators who manage and administer server environments for all parts of UMS ranging from servers supporting narrowly focused solutions to complex server systems in load balanced and high availability environments. Responsibilities include creating and maintaining an environment of excellence and adopting processes, practice, and standards to ensure the best security and value for the university. Work includes planning and overseeing the design of server systems, deployments and upgrades, security, monitoring, and performance tuning. The incumbent supervises and directs system administrators and assigns tasks to them.

 

Essential Duties:

 

Lead a team of system administrators designing, architecting, building, and maintaining server environments.

Collaboratively plan, develop, and adopt best practices, tools, methodology, and standards to ensure a reliable, consistent, efficient, secure, and high quality system administration result. Maintain currency through periodic review and assessment.

Ensure that the System Administration follows project, service and other processes as prescribed by US:IT leadership. Work with the Project Management office to develop project plans, milestones and schedules, including requirements, tasks, timelines, and work assignments.

Assign tasks to staff and direct, monitor, evaluate and supervise their work. Assure adequate and appropriate progress is being made on all assignments and take necessary actions to ensure team success.

Monitor, track, and oversee problems escalated to the System Administration group for resolution. Assure that proper priority and attention are applied to provide a timely resolution.

Communicate regularly with peers and colleagues in IT. Foster relationships and partnerships inside and outside UMS. Provide status updates to IT leadership as requested. Seek feedback and share it with the System Administration team.

Report regularly to management regarding technical progress, problems, and the need for changes.

Ensure that all work and documentation meet the standards of the department and US:IT.

Supervise professional staff. Hire, train, coach, evaluate and develop staff members.  Assign work responsibilities and organize teams. Assist staff in growing professionally.

 

Supervisory Responsibilities:

 

Directly supervises technical professionals

 

Reporting Relationship:

 

Reports to the Director of Enterprise Computing and Application services

Makes salary recommendations during hiring and promotion processes.

Recommends investments and expenditures for products and tools to improve system administration success.

 

 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

 

Required:

 

Demonstrated ability to organize, lead, and direct a team of technical professionals.

Ability to set priorities, meet project timelines, and achieve project goals.

Knowledge of key concepts and details regarding system administration of critical and complex server and software systems.

Strong analytical logic and troubleshooting skills in support of complex technical computer systems and resolution performance problems.

Ability to research and investigate issues, as well as formulate and recommend solutions using vendor documentation, external technical support groups, support sites and other sources.

Ability and willingness to mentor and train technical staff.

Proficiency in one or more of the following:

• Linux/Unix operating system
• Windows Server operating system
• Storage systems, NAS or SAN
• One or more scripting languages, e.g. Bash, Python, Powershell
• Active Directory/ GPO management
• Automation and orchestration tools, e.g. Ansible, chef, puppet
• Backup and restore operations and software
• Server monitoring

 

Preferred:

 

Knowledge of project planning and implementation practices.

Knowledge of information security concepts, hardening systems, intrusion detection.

 

 

 

Qualifications:

Required:

 

Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science or a related field, or a combination of education and relevant experience.

Eight (8) years or more in system administration/management in a technical environment.

Experience in implementation and maintenance of complex systems for multiple functional areas in a complex organization.

 

Preferred:

 

Knowledge of operations and organization of higher education.

Experience as a group leader for technical projects.

 

 

Other Information:

The salary range is low $50's to high $70's based on the qualifications and experience of the successful applicant. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, and tuition waiver programs for employees and dependents.  In addition, the UMS retirement program provides a 10% employer contribution.   The UMS is a recipient of the Wellness Councils of America’s Well Workplace Award and offers wellness programs.

 

Review of applications begins immediately.  To ensure full consideration, materials should be submitted by April 18, 2017.   Materials received after that date will be considered at the discretion of the University. Materials must be submitted via “Apply For Position.”  You will need to create an applicant profile, complete an application (which includes contact information for three professional references), and upload a cover letter and a resume/curriculum vitae which fully describes your qualifications and experiences with specific reference to the required and preferred qualifications.  You will also need to complete the affirmative action survey, the self-identification of disability form, and the self-identification of veteran status form.

 

The successful applicant is subject to background screening.

 

All UMS employees are required to comply with applicable policies and procedures, as well as to complete applicable workplace related screenings, and required employee trainings, such as Information Security, Safety Training, Workplace Violence and Sexual Harassment.

 

The University of Maine System is an EEO/AA employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.