System Administrator

University of Hawaii system; Honolulu (HI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Hawai'i invites applications for a System Administrator as a Full Time Temporary position. The role covers IT operations, security, asset management, and compliance across LOCF sites in Hawai'i, with collaboration across ESC, OVPRI, and federal partners.

You will drive system reliability, incident response, and SOP development in alignment with NIST SP 800-171, DoD requirements, and UH policies, while mentoring IT staff and ensuring ongoing operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or related field (or equivalent) and 3–5 years IT experience with admin, security, assets, or systems analysis.
• Fluency in Python, Bash, or Unix command line.

Responsibilities

• Oversee technology operations, hardware asset lifecycles, and network readiness and security across distributed sites in Hawai'i.
• Serve as primary admin liaison between ESC, OVPRI, UH ITS, and DoD partners.
• Maintain centralized inventory of hardware, software, licenses, and peripherals.
• Coordinate procurement, deployment, maintenance, and secure decommissioning of IT equipment.
• Ensure physical security controls, labeling, and site locks at all sites.
• Participate in incident response, disaster recovery, and after-hours support as needed.
• Draft and follow SOPs aligned with NIST SP 800-171 and DoD guidelines.
• Lead minimal security and governance activities and staff mentoring.
• Ensure compliance with UH ITS security policies and data governance.

Skills

IT administration

Security

Systems analysis

Python Bash Unix

Communication skills

Education

Baccalaureate in IT/CS/Cybersecurity

Tools

Intune

Jamf

Active Directory

Entra ID

Okta

Job description

System Administrator (0097002T) | University of Hawai'i page has loaded.

Full-Time Temporary

Job Number

2026-02328

Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation - Land and Ocean Conservation Futures

Division

10/29/2026

Closing Date

11/20/2026 11:59 PM Hawaii

Position Number:

0097002T

Description

Title: System Administrator

Position Number: 0097002T

Hiring Unit: Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation (OVPRI), Office of Land and Ocean Conservation Futures (LOCF), Environmental Stewardship Center (ESC)

Date Posted:October 29, 2026

Closing Date:November, 20, 2026, 11:59 PM HST

Additional Salary Information: Commensurate with education and experience

Full Time/Part Time: Full Time

Temporary/Permanent: Temporary

Duties and Responsibilities

(**Denotes Essential Functions)

• Oversee technology operations, hardware asset lifecycles, and network readiness and security across distributed operational sites throughout Hawai'i.
• Serve as the primary administrative point of contact and liaison between the Environmental Stewardship Center (ESC) and its programs, central UH ITS, and federal IT partners, including the Department of Defense.
• Maintain a centralized, real-time inventory of hardware, software, licenses, and peripheral assets.
• Coordinate procurement, configuration, deployment, maintenance, hardware logistics, shipping, and secure decommissioning of IT equipment with program data coordinators and specialists.
• Ensure physical security controls, equipment labeling, and site locks are maintained across all operational sites.
• Participate in IT aspects of emergency incident response, disaster recovery exercises, and system outage remediations, including occasional after-hours support during critical security events or site deployments.
• Follows and implements directives and guidance related to best practices from University of Hawai'i System Information Technology Services.
• Ensures the consistent adoption, implementation, and enforcement of recommendations issued through University of Hawai'i System Information Technology Service.
• Keeps abreast of recommendations issued through University of Hawai'i System Information Technology Service, and takes timely action as needed.
• Continuously monitor and lead initiatives to enhance system reliability, security, and operational efficiency. Supervise and mentor IT staff to assure that administrative directives and industry best practices are understood and followed.
• Draft, maintain, and support programmatic implementation of SOPs aligned with NIST SP 800-171 controls to safeguard Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and Federal Contract Information (FCI).
• Create and maintain System Security Plans (SSP) and Plan Of Action and Milestones (POAM) as part of as required by the DFARS 252.204-7019 clause.
• Lead the end-to-end creation, calculation, and maintenance of Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS) scores for all active programs and projects, ensuring precise alignment with Department of Defense (DoD) assessment methodologies.
• Conduct local self-audits and continuous monitoring checks (endpoint protection, patch management, drive encryption, MFA) to maintain audit readiness.
• Provide tier-1/tier-2 technical support, handle access management workflows, and collaborate with UH ITS on complex technical issues or security incidents.
• Oversee remote network readiness, field internet connectivity, secure VPN access, and encrypted communications protocols.
• Deliver onboarding and security awareness training covering CMMC compliance procedures, password security, mobile device policies, and safe CUI handling.
• Support program and ESC compliance with the principle of least privilege and role-based permissions to restrict access to critical databases and upcoming organizational plans.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable Information and Systems security policies including UH ITS Information Security Office policies and DoD policies, maintain data governance, and evaluate procedures for data backup, recovery, and PII protection.
• Perform systems and data analysis and support program units in LOCF and ESC to develop technology solutions aligned with operational objectives.
• Support program unit data management and storage requirements and process improvements that increase work efficiency.
• Propose, design, implement, and maintain document management initiatives and technology solutions.
• Assess, design, and implement software and database solutions, collaborating with 3rd-party vendors for timely maintenance and support.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Professional Work Experience:

Possession of a pertinent baccalaureate educational degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or a related field (or equivalent experience) and three to five (3–5) years of progressively responsible professional information technology experience with responsibilities for IT administration, support, asset management, security, or systems analysis, including fluency in at least one computing language such as Python, Bash, or Unix command line, of which two (2) years of the experience must have been comparable in scope and complexity to the next lower pay band in the University of Hawai‘i broadband system; or any equivalent combination of education and/or professional work experience which provides the required education, knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Considerable working knowledge of IT administration, support, asset management, security, and systems analysis as demonstrated by the broad knowledge and understanding of the full range of pertinent standard and evolving information technology concepts, principles and methodologies.
• Considerable working knowledge and understanding of the broad technology, systems, hardware and software associated with IT administration, support, asset management, security, and systems analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to recognize a wide range of intricate problems, use reasoning and logic to determine accurate causes, and apply principles and practices to determine, evaluate, integrate, and implement practical and thorough solutions in an effective and timely manner.
• Proven ability to comprehend, interpret and implement administrative directives and guidance to ensure IT operations align with organizational standards and industry best practices.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and present information and ideas clearly and accurately in writing, verbally and by preparation of reports and other materials.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external organizations, groups, team leaders and members, and individuals.
• If applicable, for supervisory work, demonstrated ability to lead subordinates, manage work priorities and projects, and manage employee relations.

Supplemental Minimum Qualifications

• Familiarity with cybersecurity frameworks (e.g., CMMC, NIST SP 800-171, ISO 27001, SOC 2, SPRS, and DFARS 252.204-7012, 7019, and 7020).
• Experience with MDM solutions (e.g., Intune, Jamf) for asset tracking and endpoint management.
• Experience with enterprise identity management (Active Directory, Entra ID, Okta).
• Understanding of network security fundamentals (VPNs, firewalls, zero-trust, MFA, BitLocker).
• Ability to document IT processes, write technical SOPs, and maintain compliance records.
• Strong problem-solving, organizational, and cross-functional communication skills.
• Strong understanding of IT service management, cybersecurity principles, risk management, and compliance requirements. Demonstrated experience implementing and maintaining IT best practices, standards, and governance.
• Experience handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and Federal Contract Information (FCI).
• Practical IT project management and system implementation experience.
• Strong skills to gather user requirements and translate them into IT solutions that maintain or improve programmatic operations
• Experience with data integration, conversion, validation, and database querying.
• Working knowledge of Software Development Life Cycle methodologies.
• General knowledge of network and infrastructure considerations for web deployments.
• Considerable knowledge of limitations, capabilities, uses, and service requirements of electronic computers, operating systems, platforms, and peripheral equipment.
• Ability to travel throughout the Hawai'i including air travel. Must have a car to drive to sites to implement IT needs at program locations.
• Ability to pass a background check and maintain suitability/clearance required to access federal program data and military partner networks and facilities.
• Ability to lift, transport, and install IT hardware and equipment up to 40 lbs across various site conditions.
• Ability to obtain all necessary Security Clearance or previous DoD/Federal suitability determination.

Desirable Qualifications

• Experience with management of ecological and/or spatial data.
• Knowledge of native Hawaiian ecosystems.
• CompTIA Security+, CySA+, Network+, CISSP, or CMMC Registered Practitioner (RP) certification.
• Experience with University of Hawai'i (UH) ITS infrastructure, procurement, and data governance policies.
• Experience in the design and maintenance of relational databases.

The University of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment, including on the basis of veteran and disability status. For more information, visit: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/policies/

Employment is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions, criminal history record checks.

In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, annual campus crime statistics for the University of Hawai'i may be viewed at: https://www.hawaii.edu/titleix/help/campus-security/ , or a paper copy may be obtained upon request from the respective UH Campus Security or Administrative Services Office.

In accordance with Article 10 of the unit 08 collective bargaining agreement, bargaining unit members receive priority consideration for APT job vacancies. As a result, external or non BU 08 applicants may not be considered for some APT vacancies. BU 08 members with re‑employment rights or priority status are responsible for informing the hiring unit of their status.

Accommodation Request: The University of Hawai'i complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the EEO coordinator directly. Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case‑by‑case basis. For further information, please refer to the following link: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/accommodation-request/