Systems Administrator I

Job Category

Job Profile

Job Title

Department

Compensation Range

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Posting End Date

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Summary

The Systems Administrator I consults with users and analyzes their systems hardware and software problems, and contributes to the design, provisioning and configuration of systems based on user needs.

As a member of the architecture and development team within Desktop Services, the Incumbent will participate in implementing UBC's endpoint management strategy and ensures the operation and maintenance of the standard endpoint operating environment. With a focus on automation of process in support of a large fleet of endpoint devices used inside and outside the UBC network, the position requires experience in device management best practices, operating system specifics, scripting, automation, security best practices, software licensing, as well as knowledge of cloud solutions and industry standards. The Incumbent must have excellent problem-solving and communication skills, as well as the ability to navigate a broad community of needs whilst adhering to standards

Organizational Status

Reports to the Manager and/or Team Lead of Architecture & Development Team. Consults with stakeholders throughout administrative and academic offices on campuses. Collaborates with staff from all sections of Information Technology, other administrative and academic offices, and faculty to coordinate application support. Interacts directly with other technology professionals across the University.

Work Performed

Specific Duties:

• Develops and implements complex sequences of scripted automation packages and workflows to maintain operating systems, compliance policies and settings, software, and security updates.

• Analyzes emerging requirements and assesses options to develop features or solve process issues, adhering to institutional standards and industry best practices.
• Consult with stakeholders to identify current issues and upcoming needs related to the endpoint computing environment or in support of department-based workflows.

• Collaborates closely with Desktop Operations, clients and other IT teams to identify manual processes and implement automated solutions at scale to introduce new functionality and/or gain efficiencies.

• Collaborates with other IT Teams to solve complex technical issues impacting user experience or access to technology resources.

• Develops and customizes analytics and visualized reports for stakeholders and senior leadership as needed for security compliance, project work, asset management, and related proactive problem-solving insights.

• Ensures the collection of data and telemetry from the endpoint environment and executes the translation and loading into data warehouses based on UBC's data standards.

• Implements and works within asset management solutions to support procurement and life-cycling of hardware assets.

• Provides consultation to clients on the approach and selection of software licenses and supports the procurement process alongside UBC supply management.

• Supports the implementation and maintenance of software licensing service solutions and the usage monitoring with native and third-party tools to support renewal requirements and ensure license compliance.

• Maintains and audits endpoint security profiles and role-based access controls (RBAC) for campus wide systems in accordance with UBC's information security standards and cybersecurity compliance requirements.

• Collaborates with Cybersecurity teams to apply endpoint security standards and methods for implementation.

• Completes privacy impact assessments and security risk assessments for enterprise endpoint management systems, operating systems and services.

• Develops processes and procedures aligned to IT Service Management frameworks and supports the execution of work within defined parameters.

• Provides training and mentoring for other IT teams, including onboarding new client groups and launching new service offerings.

• Researches vendor applications, proposes recommendations, and participates in the solution design and implementation.

• Assists in integrating vendor supplied applications with existing infrastructure and applications through standard interfaces and protocols.

• Supports application lifecycle and applies and follows appropriate change management methodologies and best practices.

Core Duties:

• Consults with users on present or proposed business procedures, problems, and requirements in order to define systems needs and streamline system work flow.

• Supports the monitoring and analysis of systems issues and contributes to recommendations for all systems supported infrastructure as part of regular operations.

• Contributes to the design, provisioning and configuration of systems.

• Acts as a liaison between technical groups and stakeholders to coordinate the system's installation and ensure technical compatibility and satisfaction.

• Contributes to the preparation of documentation and definition of system specific dependencies to assist in problem analysis including user and technical manuals for review by senior Systems Analysts.

• Contributes to the development of best practices, standards, procedures and quality objectives across systems infrastructure or platforms.

• Maintains appropriate professional designations and up-to-date knowledge of current information technology techniques and tools.

• Performs other related duties as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

Errors in the implementation and administration of solutions could cause significant financial losses, and losses in productivity, teaching, learning and research time, and could impact the timely delivery of services to clients [e.g. students, faculty, researchers, staff and the general public].

Poorly developed technology and automation solutions can directly affect the ability of Support Analysts to rapidly resolve incidents and provide effective support for end users, leading to a substantial increase in administrative overhead.

Additionally, errors in the administration of enterprise endpoint management solutions and errors in scoping role-based access controls could cause catastrophic data loss, loss in productivity, reputational damage, and could create risks related to security and data breaches.

Supervision Received
Works with considerable latitude under the general direction of the Manager, Desktop Services, Information Technology and under the daily direction of the Team Lead of Architecture & Development Team as well as takes functional direction on services from IT Management and Enterprise Architecture from UBC IT. Must be able to work independently and carry out work to completion. Keeps supervisor informed of the status of respective work in progress. Works to deadlines and tasks on projects. Work is reviewed in terms of achievement of broad project objectives and goals.

Supervision Given

This Incumbent works as a member of the Architecture and Development Team overseeing the work of less experienced IT professionals and is required to mentor and train staff on solutions designed and implemented by the Architecture and Development Team.

Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of three years of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one's own

- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one's own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

Skills:

• In-depth knowledge of Microsoft Windows (Server and Client OS), Apple macOS and Apple iOS is required. Linux knowledge is an asset. In addition, this Incumbent is required to have a comprehensive understanding of hardware, software, and TCP/IP diagnostics and troubleshooting.
• Appropriate professional certifications such as MCSE, MS 365 Endpoint Administrator (Azure), MCP, A+, Network+, Security+ are preferred.

• Extensive experience with enterprise endpoint management solutions managing dynamic OS deployments, software deployments, configuration settings, role-based access controls (RBAC), monitoring and reporting, security baselines and patching in a complex environment.

• Experience using systems and toolsets such as Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (MECM), Microsoft Endpoint Management (Intune), JAMF Pro (MacOS and IOS), Apple DEP, MDT, PXE, WDS, and Active Directory/Azure AD/LDAP is required for this position. In addition, strong abilities to conceptualize, understand and build logic needed in scripted or programmable solutions in languages and data formats such as PowerShell, SQL Query, WQL, .NET framework, C#, Visual Basic, Graph API (Azure/Intune), PowerBI, PowerQuery, Data Analysis Expressions, XML, YAML, SAML, Python, JSON, and API integrations are desired.

• In-depth knowledge of current hardware and software solutions is required, and the Incumbent must demonstrate commitment to the ongoing research of emerging technologies.

• This Incumbent is expected to plan and carry out multiple tasks and projects, to prioritize and organize effectively, to work under pressure and to meet established deadlines. To be successful, the Incumbent must possess the ability to work independently and in a team environment with minimal supervision.

• The Incumbent must demonstrate the ability to impart technical information to clients and colleagues with mixed levels of technical ability. Duties involve leading conversations with colleagues, stakeholders and customers both in person and remotely. The Incumbent is expected to provide the highest possible standards in customer service excellence, always displaying supportive and respectful behavior in the conduct of business.

Competency Proficiency:

Core Competencies:

Collaboration (Basic - B):

Takes initiative to actively participate in team interactions. Without waiting to be asked, constructively expresses own point of view or concerns, even when it may be unpopular. Ensures that the limited time available for collaboration adds significant customer value and business results.

Communicating for Results (Basic - B):

Converses with, and writes to, peers in ways that support transactional and administrative activities. Seeks and shares information and opinions. Explains the immediate context of the situation, asks questions with follow-ups, and solicits advice prior to taking action.

Problem Solving (Basic - B):

Investigates defined issues with uncertain cause. Solicits input in gathering data that help identify and differentiate the symptoms and root causes of defined problems. Suggests alternative approaches that meet the needs of the organization, the situation, and those involved. Resolves problems and escalates issues with suggestions for further investigation and options for consideration as required.

Role Based Competencies:

Accountability (Basic - B):

Checks assumptions about mutual expectations and clarifies standards of overall performance. Checks the scope of responsibilities of self and others. Monitors day-to-day performance and takes corrective action when needed to ensure desired performance is achieved.

Information Systems Knowledge (Basic - B):

Possesses a basic understanding of the strategy, structures, processes, and procedures of the enterprise in its relationship with the business and its activities. Troubleshoots in response to requests for technical support. Identifies problems and needs. Escalates problems to appropriate technical experts.

Initiative (Basic - B):

Volunteers to undertake tasks that stretch his or her capability. Identifies who can provide support and procures their input. Identifies problems and acts to prevent and solve them.