University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Job Description Summary

The IT Systems Administrator Sr is responsible for developing the short and long-term strategy for maintaining and enhancing Weitzman’s technical infrastructure and developing plans for future innovation. The Sys Admin Sr. works closely with the Director of IT to implement the strategic direction for the School’s cloud technology, virtual infrastructure and IT security which affects more than 700 students, nearly 200 faculty and lecturers, and 60 staff. The Sys Admin Sr makes independent decisions regarding
technology, including evaluating the budgetary implications and making financial decisions, working in collaboration with the ITDirector. This position oversees all technical projects, backup solutions and applications and server systems maintained by the
Weitzman School of Design including student, staff and faculty file servers, utility servers that include print services and softwarelicensing, as well as a Filemaker Database instance. The Sys Admin Sr. meets directly with faculty and staff to gather requirements
for new server systems and application services that support technology needs including research and storage either on prem or in acloud solution. The position specifies infrastructure or virtual/cloud technology in support of these initiatives, and implements
recommended solutions or works closely with ISC on any centrally managed services that can be provisioned. Develops andimplements policies and technical solutions to protect Penn data and adhere to the University’s security policies and procedures. Is
primary security liaison for the Weitzman School to ISC. Implements and plans operating system upgrade strategy and managessystem performance in response to changing environment and usage patterns. Develops scripts for use across systems, and modifies
and improves change management processes. Responds to problems and is available on call to resolve any issues related to serverand technology services that are maintained by The Weitzman School. Leads system supported projects, serves as subject matter
expert on multiple technologies, and mentors more junior staff. The IT Systems Administrator oversees all of the school’s technicalprojects (including deployment of new systems, hardware, software and any new technologies), and provides second tier support for problems that cannot be solved after a first-tier response.

Job Description

Responsibilities:

• Act as the liaison for security for the Weitzman School and oversee the annual SPIA Assessment. Develop Weitzman Security and Privacy Policies in compliance with the University’s Security & Privacy policies. Design system security and incident response procedures.
• Work closely with the IT Director to develop and monitor the School’s network infrastructure budget, including making financial decisions regarding technology and configurations.
• Work with ISC on PennDesign dependent services, and external vendors to track application and service trends, provide recommendations and coordinate implementation of solutions to optimize services and infrastructure.
• Be available on call to respond to and resolve any issues related to the Weitzman Schools server and technology services, functioning as an escalation point for problems that cannot be solved after a first- tier response.
• Help develop and implement the strategic direction for the School’s technical infrastructure, including cloud technology, virtual server environment, and security. Research, implement and maintain the network infrastructure for the Weitzman School. Comply with all University Policies overseeing server infrastructure, including complying with critical host policies. Make independent decisions about purchasing new and retiring old technology and ensure seamless transitions for faculty, staff, and students
• Provide maintenance and upgrades to Weitzman's main IT hardware, virtual infrastructure, and servers. Specify hardware and cloud computing technologies and other initiatives
• Lead and oversee all of the school’s technical projects (including deployment of new systems, hardware, software and any new technologies); assign and manage project work, serving as mentor for more junior staff; serve as subject matter expert on multiple technologies.
• Perform additional duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and a minimum of three years of operating systems maintenance and analysis experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience

Working Conditions

• Alternative work schedules or on-call, Office, Library, Computer room
• Typically sitting at a desk or table, Occasional lifting 25 lbs. or less

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

School of Design

Pay Range

$59,703.00 - $168,837.00

Affirmative Action Statement 

Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.

Special Requirements 

Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.