Systems Administrator

at  Northwestern Polytechnic

BACKGROUND

Northwestern Polytechnic, Canada’s newest polytechnic, aspires to be the most entrepreneurial polytechnic in Canada by 2034. We are recruiting individuals who spark creativity, drive innovation, are highly engaged and are eager to embrace our core values: innovation & responsiveness. If you have an entrepreneurial spirit, one who is willing to turn risk into opportunity, Northwestern is your employer of choice. A recently aligned strategic plan identifies 1, 3, 5, and 10-year goals, tactics and actions that will ensure Canada’s newest polytechnic will be the most entrepreneurial in Canada.

THE ROLE

The Systems Administrator position is primarily responsible for the design, implementation, and support of a client-server environment. Working with the Manager, IT Systems when necessary, this position will be responsible for the operations and maintenance for all IT infrastructure. It is responsible for securing access to systems via the internal and external network. It assists with developing/maintaining a departmental disaster recovery plan and develop a long- range strategy on how NWP will expand the IT infrastructure to support future upgrades.
The position ensures that all IT systems are protected by applicable maintenance agreements, licenses, and warranties, and that all NWP data on the servers is protected both by redundant equipment and by a regular backup schedule.

Specific duties include:

• Develop procedures to maintain backups of data and system configuration in accordance with the IT Disaster Recovery Plan. Test recovery plan to ensure its success.
• Monitor applications and systems in order to optimize performance and to initiate recovery action after system failures if necessary. Solve problems on NWP devices as they relate to the server environment.
• Perform updates and upgrades to systems as required.
• Maintain a position operation’s manual.
• Research and design IT systems for NWP. This includes network devices, desktops, servers, software, printers, telephony and cloud.
• Research and test upgrades to systems to ensure NWP remains up to date and relevant.
• Participate in creating and awarding RFP/RFQs for hardware and software for NWP.
• Install software and hardware adhering to industry best practices and NWP IT policy and procedures.
• Implement and maintain a distributed infrastructure with redundant systems at physically separate locations, where feasible.
• Secure systems preventing unauthorized access from external and internal threats.
• Manage licensing for systems ensuring NWP stay compliant with all vendor requirements.
• Participate in discovery sessions for departmental guiding policies, procedures and strategic plan in conjunction with the Manager, IT Systems.
• Participate in GOA audit of IT systems by providing documentation as required to the auditor.
• Provide advice to other functional units in NWP on how to best utilize and build on existing systems.
• Provide institution specific training to IT Support staff and end users on system usage as required.
• This position may also be required to assist with desktop support, computer lab support, and other tasks as assigned the Manager, IT Systems or by the Director, Information Technology.

The successful candidate will have a two-year diploma in Computer System Technology and 2 years directly related experience. An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered. Necessary skills and attributes to be successful in this role include:

• Microsoft courses for Windows Server, Office 365 and Networking are desired.
• CCNA/CCNP and VMware Vsphere ICM are preferred.
• Knowledge of:
• Microsoft Windows Desktop (All Versions)
• Microsoft Windows Server (All versions)
• Microsoft Active Directory Tools and Schemas
• Microsoft Exchange Servers and Office 365
• Microsoft Office Packages including Visio
• AntiVirus Packages
• Scripting (VBScript) / Batch Programming Languages / PowerShell
• VMWare vSphere Environment
• Microsoft Hyper-V
• Networks and Virtual Network Technologies
• Microsoft Systems Centre Configuration Manager
• Microsoft Systems Update Server
• Microsoft Remote Desktop Services
• Windows Deployment Services
• Anti-Spam Filtering Software
• Server Hardware (Dell PowerEdge, HP/Compaq)
• Hyper-Converged server infrastructures
• Disk Farms/iSCSI (Dell PowerVault)
• Uninterruptable Power Supply (UPS) Systems
• KVM Switches
• Strong organizational and multi-tasking skills.
• An entrepreneurial spirit, specifically one who is willing to take a risk to create opportunities.
• Keen attention to detail and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to build strong relationships across the organization.
• A high level of integrity, professionalism and accountability