About UMass Amherst
UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.
Job Summary
The IT Systems Analyst consults with end users and stakeholders (Project Managers, Utilities & Maintenance Managers, Office of Information Technology, vendors, etc.) and conducts technical analysis of systems and network communications to design, build, configure, implement, test and maintain systems. Investigates problems with existing systems and delivers solutions while maintaining system compatibility and enabling integration.
Essential Functions
- Analyzes system workflows to identify potential points of failure, especially those with possible life safety impacts. Recommend and implement systems, system configurations and procedures which mitigate operational and security risks.
- Works on multiple projects as a project leader to research, propose and implement strategies in the migration and consolidation of complex distributed systems to a more centralized enterprise model. This may entail converting physical servers to virtual servers, facilitating the reconfiguration of networks and firewalls, migration of users and computers to campus Microsoft Active Directory and Microsoft Exchange, migration of applications to centrally supported Microsoft SQL server database cluster, migration of file server data, etc.
- Ensures appropriate system availability, manageability, scalability and security by designing, implementing, maintaining, tuning and auditing
- Analyzes system dependencies and develop and execute plans to migrate systems to new infrastructure such as virtual environments (VMware), hardware firewalls, authentication systems (Active Directory, Shibboleth), etc.
- Keeps current with established and emerging computing technologies and techniques in order to recommend and utilize improvements to system manageability and uptime, such as virtualization and clustering.
- Manages system security by enrolling and monitoring systems in Vulnerability Management Software. Evaluates security risks and take appropriate measures to mitigate.
Other Functions
Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- A bachelor’s degree and 4 years of experience, in a broad range of computer technologies or associate's degree and 6 years experience, in a broad range of computer technologies, or 8 years relevant experience without an education degree.
- Expertise in a broad array of computing platforms and systems within a distributed computing environment, including, but not limited to: workstation software/applications, particularly those which run under MS-Windows; physical and virtual guest server operating systems, particularly Windows 2008. Experience with other operating systems such as Linux is preferred.
- Must have experience working with TCP/IP networking and an understanding of network firewalls.
- Demonstrated strong interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain harmonious relationships with co-workers and with a broad range of clients; ability to work well in a leadership role with peers.
- Some off-hour/weekend work will be required to respond to critical services problems and modifications. Personal pagers (or phones with SMS) will be provided for off-hour contact consistent with departmental policies.
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively, in a highly organized manner, paying close attention to detail; accountability and reliability in meeting project deadlines and requirements.
- Excellent oral and written communications skills, especially as consultation and accurate communication with non-technical individuals on technical matters are a requirement for this staff member.
- Willingness to take on new and challenging tasks as they arise.
- Ability to pass Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) background check
Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
- Comfort working in a law enforcement workplace.
- Demonstrate understanding that the working environment is one involving life safety where staff work under pressure dealing with real time emergency situations.
- Understanding that events of an emergency or planned nature may interfere with daily duties.
- Knowledge of Massachusetts Law Enforcement specific systems such as CJIS/CORI, record management and public safety communications systems, body-worn camera and vehicle cameras.
- Experience with Microsoft Active Directory Group Policies and scripting languages.
Physical Demands/Working Conditions
Typical office environment.
Work Schedule
- 8:30-5:00 M-F, some nights and weekends may be required as business needs dictate.
- This position has the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule, which is defined by the University as an arrangement where an employee’s work is regularly performed at a location other than the campus workspace for a portion of the week. As this position falls within the Professional Staff Union, it is subject to the terms and conditions of the Professional Staff Union collective bargaining agreement.
Salary Information
Level 27
PSU Hiring Ranges
Special Instructions to Applicants
Along with the application, please submit a resume (and cover letter / optional). References will be checked at the finalist stage, please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references.
UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.