The Academic Systems Administrator leads the technical services supporting academic workstation configuration, implementation, and maintenance supporting students and faculty at the College. This position customizes, maintains, and/or reconfigures academic and administrative related end-user systems to ensure the highest levels of performance, efficiency, and security. This position will also support the installations, replacement, and upgrade of operating systems, and servers as appropriate. Evaluates and recommend technology in support of academic computing including cloud infrastructure, storage, rendering, and remote workstations. This position works closely and coordinates with administrative technical support staff in all shared service and support functions. This position reports directly to the Executive Director of Information Technology and works with the Help Desk Manager and Systems Administrator for day to day tasks. The position is responsible for managing tasks assigned by Chairs of Animation and Game Design in coordination with the Executive Director of Information Technology, to design and build solutions to support the needs of the growing department.
Leads the support of departmental computer labs, multimedia classrooms, and other academic computing hardware and software. Identifies, diagnoses, tests, and resolves computer network and server performance problems.
Installs, configures, tests, and assists users with the implementation of new hardware, software, and applications. Development of custom scripts support the labs.
Configures and tests academic computer hardware, network software, and operating system software for deployment including Windows, Mac OS, and possibly Linux. Monitors academic operating systems and application environments for performance and security. Maintains and administers academic computer networks and related computing environments, including academic computer hardware, systems software, applications software, and all configurations.
Helps maintain integrity of IT-related security systems.
Management of Systems Management Tools including JAMF< SCCM, InTune, Group Policy, licensing servers, and other appropriate tools to support the academic environment.
Provides training and guidance to other technical support staff and student workers. Plans and designs training documentation and conducts hands-on training. Helps develop work schedules, assignment priorities, and system response protocols. Participates in the interviewing and hiring process.
Leads computer lab orientations and workshops for students and faculty.
Develops technology instructional materials for students and faculty to reinforce classroom instruction.
Develops, implements, and documents procedures for all supported hardware and software systems. May write reports and/or summaries (i.e., status reports, problem reports, progress summaries, system utilization reports) as needed.
Recommends changes to improve systems and network configurations, and determines hardware or software requirements related to such changes. Help develop a budget plan in collaboration with supervisor based on acquisition and maintenance recommendations, including designing and building the current and next generation of workstation, server, and network infrastructure supporting academic technology to support our growing programs
Meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment for classroom needs.
Stays informed of new developments and technologies by reading journals and other pertinent publications, maintaining contact with vendors, and participating in professional organizations, meetings, and seminars.
Performs other related duties as assigned. Must be responsive to work-related phone calls and emails during non-business hours on occasion.
Bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer information systems, or related field is required or combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education.
Minimum five (5) years of experience working in a Game, Animation, or similar creative environment in systems engineering or development role, preferably in a higher education environment.
Working knowledge of VFX or Animation pipelines, systems, and tools, such as Shotgun, Foundry Nuke, RV, Maya, and Deadline.
Detailed knowledge of current Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, and Linux
Experience with applications and tools including license servers, JAMF, SCCM, and Group Policy including the creation of custom application install packages.
Strong understanding of Game/Animation technologies/workflows.
Experience in OS systems scripting is required.
Knowledge of existing, evolving, and new technology resources and experience migrating to next-generation technology to improve college performance.
