Systems Administrator I

Staff – Non Union

Job Category
M&P – AAPS

Job Profile
AAPS Salaried – Information Systems and Technology, Level C

Job Title
Systems Administrator I

Department
UBC IT tendersglobal.net Collaboration Services

Compensation Range
$6,551.00 – $9,418.83 CAD Monthly

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
February 22, 2024

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

Job End Date

Mar 4, 2025

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.
Organizational Status

UBC IT Communication and Collaboration Services provides a suite of services to the University community including Microsoft 365, SharePoint, FASmail, Email Relaying (Email delivery and spam/virus scanning), Voice Services and Digital Signage.

Reports to the Team Lead, Operations, Communication and Collaboration Services. Works independently and jointly within the Communication and Collaboration Services team.

Collaborates with management and staff from all sections of Information Technology, other administrative and academic offices, and faculty to coordinate application support. Interacts directly with other University technology professionals.

Work Performed

Specific Duties:

• Contributes and provides input on the analysis and review of functional requirements, system features, integration requirements, security requirements, and scalability and performance requirements. Reviews implementation options, discusses approach and recommendations with systems staff and users, and provides input to technology recommendations for new and changing systems requirements.

• Contributes to the ongoing planning and analysis of systems enhancements in support of current or new enterprise services. Collaborates with peers/team members to identify, analyze, recommend and implement appropriate system enhancements that will improve existing information systems and improve business processes and productivity.

• Builds and maintains good working relationships with other IT groups, teams, colleagues and peers. Builds and sustains good working relationships with customers and captures the customer s business needs.

• Participates in end user committees as required on behalf of UBC IT. Maintains communication and develops relationships with the user community in order to develop a sound knowledge of their business and their priorities. Based on client feedback develops recommendations and presents options for improvements and efficiency.

• Investigates and remains current with industry technology trends in the Collaboration Applications field such as: Office collaboration tools (email, calendaring, scheduling), Identity Management, e-commerce, workflow, systems development methodologies, web-services, applications middleware (apache, tomcat, etc.), anti-spam and anti-virus, electronic forms, etc.

• Provides Tier 2 operational support for production systems including troubleshooting system problem reports, resolving issues with production systems, defining operational support processes, patching systems and applications, documenting and reporting problems and providing end user support as required.

• Develops expertise in the functionality of vendor product(s). Works directly with the vendor’s technical support centre in order to resolve product issues.

• Assists in the development of scripts to automate and improve processes, monitor servers, extract and convert data.

• Reviews current support processes and methods of support delivery in order to provide technically accurate solutions to customers and to improve customer satisfaction. Brings recommendations for improvement to the Manager and/or Senior Manager.

• Develops and maintains relevant documentation, including operational procedures and guides for customers, end-users, and application support teams. Assists with development of sound business continuity and disaster recovery plans for applications as part of the project delivery.

• Performs data analysis in preparation for conversion and clean up. Develops and/or prepares conversion programs and procedures; assists with conversion functions.

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

Information Technology plays a key role in enabling the University to achieve its goal of becoming one of the world’s leading universities. The services supported by Information Technology require reliable application systems in order to provide critical functions that support all students, faculty and staff. These systems must be available on a 7×24 basis.

Decisions and actions taken by the Systems Administrator will have a direct impact on how efficiently and effectively the systems will perform and function. Errors in judgment, poor analysis, or failure to act decisively could have a detrimental effect on these systems. Unreliable systems or failure to meet contractual obligations for performance and availability will damage the reputation of Information Technology and UBC. This could adversely impact the University community, including the large majority of students, faculty and staff, and could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost productivity, funding and revenue.

Supervision Received
Receives day-to-day from the Team Lead, Operations and strategic direction from the Manager, Communication and Collaboration Services. The Systems Administrator may also receive daily direction from a Team Lead, Programmer Analyst, Network Analyst, Systems Administrator or Project Manager as assigned and must be able to work independently as well as contribute actively and collaborate openly as a team member.
Supervision Given
May mentor newly hired systems administrators and other resources within the group who assist with application support and maintenance.
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

• Application support experience or equivalent is preferred.

• Knowledge and experience administering and supporting Microsoft Enterprise products (e.g. Microsoft 365, Exchange, Teams, OneDrive, Office Suite 365, etc…)

• Experience supporting SharePoint, Microsoft Active Directory, Windows Server, MS-SQL, Power Automate, Power BI and Power Apps is an asset.

• Experience with desktop and end-user support is an asset.

• In-depth knowledge and ability to effectively use and support client applications, various browsers and endpoints (smart phones, tablets, desktop, etc.) Knowledge of different operating systems including Windows, Mac OS, Unix, Android, iOS

• Knowledge of network standards, protocols and technologies, including but not limited to Ethernet, 802.11x, TCP/IP, VLANs, DHCP, and experience with Cisco FWSM contexts.

• Knowledge of email systems, protocols (MAPI, ActiveSync, EWS, SMTP), and standards, as well as supporting infrastructure, such as DNS and LDAP.

• Knowledge of unified communications systems.

• Familiarity with some of the following current development tools and environments is an asset: PowerShell, JavaScript, Java, Perl, SQL, Oracle, XML, XSL, SOAP, J2EE, Tomcat, Apache, JDK environments.

• Sound knowledge of browser standards, common plugins/helper apps and Internet connectivity.

• Sound knowledge of standard office productivity tools (e.g. Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, etc…).

• Understanding and experience with testing best practices/concepts is an asset.

• Ability to effectively manage multiple tasks and priorities and work under pressure to meet time sensitive and mission critical deadlines.

• Ability to take initiative and work with limited direction.

Collaboration – 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.

Communication for Results – 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 – 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.

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

Information Systems Knowledge – 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 – 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.