Systems Administrator II, ARC (2 positions)

Staff - Non Union

Job Category M&P - AAPS Job Profile AAPS Salaried - Information Systems and Technology, Level D Job Title Systems Administrator II, ARC (2 positions) Department Research Systems | Advanced Research Computing Compensation Range $8,305.08 - $12,952.33 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 March 6, 2025

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

Job End Date

There are two (2) vacancies open for this full-time, ongoing position.

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 II, ARC designs and implements digital research infrastructure (DRI) systems hardware and software solutions, defines systems scope, and provides recommendations for all systems support infrastructure as part of regular operations.

The Systems Administrator II, ARC consults with the research community, analyzes their systems hardware and software requirements, makes recommendations and provides services and solutions to meet their needs.

Organizational Status

The Systems Administrator II, ARC reports to the Manager, Research Infrastructure and Operations. This position works within a team with likely overlap with similar portfolios and works independently on specific files. This position requires extensive contact with faculty, staff, and students system-wide as well as partner organizations.

This position works with other UBC departments at all campuses, research institutes, and partner organizations nationally and internationally; to provide researchers with access to state-of-the-art DRI system services required for computationally- and data-intensive research.

This position may be responsible for supervising staff directly and indirectly in relation to the delivery of research projects, services, platforms, and systems.

Work Performed

Specific Duties:

• Designs and implements hardware and software solutions
• Provides incident resolution related to hardware and software solutions
• Implements, manages and maintains industry standard infrastructure and services, often with automation and self-provisioning technologies
• Manages, monitors and analyzes technologies and services to continually improve alignment with academic research needs
• Consults with academic researchers regarding system design and workflow recommendations
• Maintains services in accordance with university standards and policies pertaining to system security and privacy
• Configures, installs and maintains server and storage, virtualization/cloud, disaster recovery infrastructure
• Provides subject matter expertise and guidance to staff and stakeholders where appropriate
• Creates and maintains systems and services documentation
• Performs assessments, diagnostics and issue resolution
• Develops end-user training materials and documentation and participates in training activities
• Serves as subject matter expert on national, regional, provincial, and institutional committees and advisory panels where appropriate
• Works with DRI services providers nationally, regionally, provincially, and institutionally in the development of and access to secure state-of-the-art DRI resources
• Engages with local communities at UBC to benefit UBC researchers through communication and coordination between relevant groups and departments on campus
• Works in a collaborative and inclusive manner to foster equitable experience for the UBC community

Core Duties:

• Designs solutions to resolve system related business problems, meet user requirements, and streamline system workflows.
• Formulates and defines system scope and objectives and recommends a strategy, potential solution, or "work-around".
• Monitors and analyzes systems issues and provides recommendations for all systems supported infrastructure as part of regular operations.
• Provides guidance and training to less experienced administrators.
• Writes and maintains systems documentation including user and technical manuals.
• Designs, provisions and configures systems.
• Acts as a liaison between technical groups and stakeholders to coordinate the system's installation and ensure technical compatibility and satisfaction.
• Prepares documentation and defines system specific dependencies to assist in problem analysis.
• Provides recommendations for improving procedures and coordinating system implementation.
• Integrates 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
Errors in the implementation and support of advanced research computing systems could cost the University many hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost productivity in research time and could impact the timely delivery of services to research community (e.g. faculty, staff, students, and the public). Poor management or improper decisions could compromise the success of Advanced Research Computing efficiencies and have a negative impact on the credibility of the portfolio and the reputation of the university. Errors in implementation and support leading to breaches of security involving research systems or data could compromise the privacy and confidentiality of research subjects as well cause severe reputational damage to the University and could also feasibly terminate all existing and future data sharing agreements and research partnerships with collaborators and providers locally, nationally, and internationally.

Supervision Received
Works under the general direction of the Manager, Research Infrastructure and Operations. Must be able to work independently and carry out work to completion. Keeps the Manager, Research Systems informed of the status of work in progress. Works on tasks to meet deadlines on various projects. Work is reviewed in terms of achievement of desired results.

Supervision Given
This position works as a member of the Advanced Research Computing team. This position may require the training of newly hired staff on advanced research computing services resources. This position may be responsible for supervising staff directly and indirectly in relation to the delivery of research projects, services, platforms, and systems.

Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. In-depth knowledge of applications and the business requirements supporting them. Minimum of five 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

• Proficiency at navigating ambiguity, complexity and change
• In-depth knowledge of applications and the business requirements supporting them or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to navigate difficult and complex conversations with students, faculty, and staff.
• Ability to collaborate across difference and work through conflict
• Strong technical, analytical, and problem-solving skills to design, install, troubleshoot, and maintain DRI infrastructure.
• Advanced knowledge of the Linux Operating Systems and High-Performance Computing. Strong knowledge of computer networks and system monitoring.
• Familiarity with data storage, backup and recovery, virtualization and cloud technologies.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the job. Must be able to move and lift a wide assortment of equipment.
• Ability to plan and carry out multiple tasks and projects, prioritize and organize effectively, work under pressure and meet established timelines.
• Ability to work independently and in a team environment with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated willingness to learn and continually upgrade skills.
• Excellent written and verbal English communication skills are critical. A proven ability to document complex technical details is considered an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate and interact with empathy, understanding and respect of diverse and divergent perspectives and behaviours.