Programmer & System Administrator, Faculty of Engineering

at  McMaster University

EDUCATION LEVEL

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field.

UNIT / PROJECT DESCRIPTION

As Programmer and System Administrator, you will report to the Associate Director of I.T. Services for the Faculty of Engineering, and play a pivotal role in designing, implementing, and maintaining technology solutions to enable the teaching, learning, and research goals of the Faculty.
This role will be responsible for tehnology support related to various hardware and software used within the Faculty. In addition to day-to-day responsibilities, you will contribute to the technical support of the Faculty’s key infrastructure and user support.

JOB SUMMARY

Responsible for designing, coding and supporting complex computer websites and applications in accordance with established policies and standards. Take ownership of technical issues by identifying underlying problems, analyzing potential solutions and implementing system resolutions, including workarounds. Implement and perform continuous improvement strategies in the areas of website and applications branding, user interface refinement, and development operations.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field.
• Requires 4 years of relevant experience.

EMPLOYMENT EQUITY STATEMENT

McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement.
The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity.
The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) peoples, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.
As part of McMaster’s commitment, all applicants are invited to complete a confidential Applicant Diversity Survey through the online application submission process. The Survey questionnaire requests voluntary self-identification in relation to equity-seeking groups that have historically faced and continue to face barriers in employment. Please refer to the Applicant Diversity Survey - Statement of Collection for additional information.

Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact:

• Human Resources Service Centre at 905-525-9140 ext. 222-HR (22247), or
• Faculty of Health Sciences HR Office at ext. 22207, or
• School of Graduate Studies at ext. 23679

to communicate accommodation needs.

INTERVIEW EXPERIENCE

At McMaster University, we believe in a comprehensive and inclusive interview process. Our interview methods encompass a variety of approaches that allow our hiring teams to provide a flexible and accessible experience for engaging with our candidates. Throughout your recruitment process at McMaster, you may be requested to participate in a variety of formats, that may include in-person, virtual or recorded interviews. If you have any questions as you move through the hiring process, please reach out to talent@mcmaster.ca or the HR contact associated with your position of interest.

• Develop software and applications to support technical infrastructure.
• Complete the technical design, detailed specifications, programming system components, and system and integration testing for new applications.
• Define, develop, and perform application testing procedures.
• Develop and modify interfaces for existing applications and systems while maintaining the integrity of data and processes.
• Write complex computer code using various computing and scripting languages.
• Review processing requirements and utilize complex data models and databases for effective and efficient organization of data.
• Create database environments.
• Develop applications for data mining and information dissemination.
• Provide website, server and workstation system administration.
• Provide advice to customers on alternative and recommended approaches to computing system solutions for meeting their business requirements.
• Review, develop and modify best practices and technical solutions.
• Provide escalated technical user support.
• Perform load and stress testing to anticipate the impact of application usage on the production service environment.
• Write a variety of documents, including, but not limited to, project plans, general correspondence and reports.
• Analyze, define, and document requirements for data, work-flow, logical processes, hardware and operating system environments, interfaces with other systems, internal and external checks and controls, and outputs.
• Develop documentation and tutorials such as end-user and technical documentation.
• Conduct literature and web searches for programming and system administration techniques.
• Identify, troubleshoot and resolve hardware, software, system, network and interface problems.
• Provide technical advice to clients and insight into technical design decisions for a variety of projects.
• Scrutinize code changes in order to debug, design, and document results.
• Develop project plan timelines and deliverables. Provide estimates of time and resources required to complete projects.
• Deliver system and application needs that match defined client specifications and follows internal design and external service quality standards.
• Complete various analyses and statistical calculations pertaining to system loads, network loads, and capacity forecasts.
• Design and manage data-protection and data-continuity procedures.
• Remain current with frequent changes to technology, programming languages, security policies and procedures.
• Implement and perform continuous improvement strategies in the areas of website and applications branding, user interface refinement, and development operations.