Information Technology Spec 5 - Senior Windows System Admin

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities; Saint Paul (MN); Hybrid; USD 84,000 - 144,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension plan

Paid vacation

12 holidays per year

Life insurance

Job summary

Minnesota State in Saint Paul, MN seeks an Information Technology Specialist 5 - Senior Windows System Admin to lead enterprise Windows Server environments. You will provide architecture guidance, advanced administration, lifecycle planning, and problem resolution for complex systems across on-premises and cloud platforms.

The role requires strong collaboration with infrastructure teams, vendors, and campus partners, and includes serving as Lead Worker for the Windows Server team.

Qualifications

• Six (6) years of advanced IT experience administering enterprise server environments.
• Expert knowledge of enterprise systems architecture, lifecycle planning, capacity planning, availability, recoverability, and secure systems administration.
• Advanced ability to analyze, design, and recommend enterprise technical solutions that align with business needs, standards, risk, and long-range service goals.
• Ability to resolve highly complex technical problems involving multiple systems, services, platforms, and stakeholders under significant operational constraints.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and recommend technical standards, operational controls, recovery approaches, documentation, and process improvements.
• Ability to provide technical guidance, coaching, and consultation to experienced IT professionals, project teams, vendors, and business partners.
• Strong written and verbal communication and interpersonal relationship skills, sufficient to working with business partners to understand the organizational needs and to explain technical issues in plain language.

Responsibilities

• Serve as senior technical authority supporting enterprise server environments and mission-critical services.
• Provide architecture guidance, design direction, and expert-level administration across physical, virtual, hosted, and cloud systems.
• Develop and recommend technical standards, evaluate emerging technologies, and support long-range planning.
• Collaborate with infrastructure teams, project teams, vendors, and campus partners to ensure stable, secure, recoverable enterprise services.
• Act as Lead Worker for the Windows Server team and mentor IT staff.

Skills

Enterprise server administration

Systems architecture

Lifecycle planning

Capacity planning

Security administration

Technical guidance

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field

Advanced certifications in systems administration/ virtualization/ security

Job description

• Telework Eligible: Yes

Working Title: Information Technology Spec 5 - Senior Windows System Admin Job Class: Information Technology Specialist 5 Agency: Minnesota State

• Job ID: 98359
• Location: St. Paul
• Telework Eligible: Yes
• Full/Part Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Unlimited
• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 11/13/2026
• Closing Date: 11/30/2026
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: MN St Colleges & Universities / MNSCU Central Office-MAPE
• Division/Unit: MnSCU System Office / MNSCU OOC Classified A - E
• Appointment Type: Unlimited, Full-time
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: No
• Salary Range: $40.43 - $69.11 / hourly; $84,417 - $144,301 / annually
• Job Class Option: Systems Software
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE
• FLSA Status: Exempt - Professional
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes
  

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

Job Description

This position serves as a senior technical authority supporting enterprise server environments that deliver mission-critical services across Minnesota State. The role provides architecture guidance, design direction, advanced administration, lifecycle planning, and expert-level problem resolution for complex physical, virtual, hosted, and cloud-based systems. The incumbent develops and recommends technical standards, evaluates emerging technologies, supports long-range planning, and collaborates with infrastructure teams, project teams, vendors, and campus partners to ensure stable, secure, recoverable, and scalable enterprise services. This position also serves as a Lead Worker for the Windows Server team.

Minimum Qualifications

• Six (6) years of advanced IT experience administering enterprise server environments that support mission-critical services across complex, multi-platform environments.
• Expert knowledge of enterprise systems architecture, lifecycle planning, capacity planning, availability, recoverability, and secure systems administration.
• Advanced ability to analyze, design, and recommend enterprise technical solutions that align with business needs, standards, risk, and long-range service goals.
• Ability to resolve highly complex technical problems involving multiple systems, services, platforms, and stakeholders under significant operational constraints.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and recommend technical standards, operational controls, recovery approaches, documentation, and process improvements.
• Ability to provide technical guidance, coaching, and consultation to experienced IT professionals, project teams, vendors, and business partners.
• Strong written and verbal communication and interpersonal relationship skills, sufficient to working with business partners to understand the organizational needs and to explain technical issues in plain language.

Preferred Qualification

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related field, or a combination of equivalent education and experience.
• Advanced industry-recognized certifications related to systems administration, virtualization, security, architecture, project management, or related technical disciplines.
• Experience leading architecture, design, modernization, or lifecycle planning efforts for major enterprise systems.
• Experience evaluating emerging technologies and recommending solutions for enterprise or statewide use.
• Experience developing technical standards, recovery plans, operational controls, or security-related procedures.
• Ability to present complex technical concepts, recommendations, risks, and alternatives to ITS staff, campus partners, managers, and system leadership.

Contact

If you have questions about this position, contact Shane Moore at [e-mail] or 651-273-3967.

To receive consideration as a Connect 700 Program applicant, apply online, email the Job ID#, the Working Title and your valid Proof of Eligibility Certificate by the closing date to Shane Moore at [e-mail].

About Minnesota State

Minnesota State is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing talented employees who serve our 200,000 students each year throughout the state. We have a vibrant and diverse system of 33 colleges and universities with 14,444 dedicated faculty and staff focused on student success.

Working together to improve the state we love.

What do Minnesota's State employees have in common?

• A sense of purpose in their work
• Connection with their coworkers and communities
• Opportunities for personal and professional growth

Benefits

As an employee, you'll have access to one of the most affordable health insurance plans in Minnesota, along with other benefits to help you and your family be well.

Your benefits may include:

• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 12 paid holidays each year
• Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans
  • Fertility care, including IVF
  • Diabetes care
  • Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children
• 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children
• Pension plan that provides income when you retire (after working at least three years)
• Employer paid life insurance to provide support for your family in the event of death
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance that can provide income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury
• Tax-free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care
• Resources that provide support and promote physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being

Support to help you reach your career goals:

• Training, classes, and professional development
• Tuition reimbursement
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid website at studentaid.gov)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for work/life support:

• A voluntary confidential program that helps employees and their families with life challenges that may impact overall health, personal well-being, or job performance
• Common sources of stress can be addressed through the EAP: mental health, relationship challenges (personal and work), grief and loss, finances, and legal issues
• Daily Living/Convenience Services: Chore services, home repair, trip planning, child/elder care

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.

Other Information

Employment information for this position can be found in its collective bargaining agreement or its plan document at http://mn.gov/mmb/employee-relations/labor-relations/Labor/.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota State is an equal opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.