Systems Administrator 1 or 2

University of Connecticut; Storrs (CT); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Connecticut (UConn) Information Technology Services (ITS) seeks a Systems Administrator 1 or 2 to support and coordinate system operations for the College of Engineering. You will develop PowerShell scripts, automate Office 365 tasks, and assist with vulnerability management while splitting time between ITS and Engineering to maintain secure IT services.

Responsibilities include monitoring Windows/Linux servers, collaborating with faculty, documenting procedures, and guiding

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience with PowerShell scripting for routine admin tasks and updating existing scripts.
• Demonstrated understanding of Microsoft 365 services including Teams, SharePoint, Exchange Online, and distribution lists.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with College of Engineering faculty and ITS to resolve technical issues and meet project objectives.
• Maintain accurate technical documentation and standard operating procedures.
• Provide Tier 1 technical support for faculty and staff and escalate complex issues as needed.
• Assist with vulnerability management and ensure reliable and secure IT services.

Skills

PowerShell basics

Microsoft 365 administration

Windows Server administration

Linux system maintenance

Documentation

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field

Associate’s degree plus 4 years of related experience

Tools

Office 365 administration tools

Windows Server management tools

Linux package managers (Yum/Apt)

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

The University of Connecticut (UConn) Information Technology Services (ITS) is seeking a Systems Administrator 1 or 2 to support and coordinate system operations for the College of Engineering. This position is responsible for PowerShell development, Office 365 scripting, vulnerability management, and assisting faculty with technology needs. While the role reports to ITS, the Systems Administrator will split time between ITS and the College of Engineering, working closely with both teams to ensure reliable and secure IT services. The successful candidate will help manage Microsoft 365 services, automate business processes, support data integrations, and assist with ongoing cloud and service migrations.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES FOR BOTH LEVELS

• Collaboration: Work closely with College of Engineering faculty, researchers, and ITS colleagues to resolve technical issues and meet project objectives.
• Documentation: Maintain accurate technical documentation and standard operating procedures.
• Professional Development: Stay current with emerging technologies and best practices in systems administration.
• Shared Support: Perform other related tasks to support the broader enterprise systems as assigned.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR 1 LEVEL

• Operational Maintenance: Assist with the routine patching, software installation, and hardware maintenance of Windows and Linux servers.
• Script Execution: Run and perform minor updates to existing PowerShell scripts to maintain operational workflows for Engineering services.
• M365 Support: Assist with the administration of Office 365 user services, including basic troubleshooting of Teams sites and the management of distribution lists.
• Monitoring & Remediation: Monitor system health and security alerts; follow established protocols to remediate common vulnerabilities.
• End-User Assistance: Provide Tier 1 technical support for faculty and staff, escalating complex issues to senior administrators.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR 2 LEVEL

• Automation Development: Design, author, and maintain advanced PowerShell code and automation modules for Engineering and Office 365 services (e.g., automated Teams provisioning).
• Security & Policy Leadership: Lead vulnerability management efforts for the college; develop and enforce local security policies in alignment with university-wide standards.
• Strategic Analysis: Review and analyze existing departmental services for potential centralization or migration to cloud-based infrastructure.
• Project Leadership: Lead small-to-medium IT projects from conception to completion, ensuring system reliability and high-level performance for critical infrastructure.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR 1 LEVEL

1. Education & Experience
   1. Six (6) years of directly related IT experience, OR
   2. Associate’s degree plus four (4) years of related experience, OR
   3. Bachelor’s degree plus two (2) years of related experience.
2. PowerShell Basics: Demonstrated ability to use PowerShell for routine administrative tasks and the capacity to read and update existing scripts to maintain operational workflows.
3. Demonstrated understanding of Microsoft 365 services including Teams, SharePoint, Exchange Online, Distribution Lists, or related technologies.
4. Systems Knowledge: Demonstrated understanding of how systems and applications interact and stated interest in learning system workflows and assisting with the implementation of pre-designed solutions.

ADDITIONAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR 2 LEVEL

1. Education & Experience
   1. Eight (8) years of directly related IT experience, OR
   2. Associate’s degree in a relevant field plus six (6) years of related experience, OR
   3. Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field plus four (4) years of related experience.
2. PowerShell expertise: Demonstrated ability to manage existing code and create new scripts as needed.
3. Microsoft 365 Administration: Experience administering Microsoft Teams, SharePoint Online, Exchange Online, distribution lists, shared mailboxes, room resources, or related cloud services.
4. Microsoft 365 Administration: Experience administering Microsoft Teams, SharePoint Online, Exchange Online, distribution lists, shared mailboxes, room resources, or related cloud services.
5. Windows Server Administration: Experience administering Windows-based systems including installation, patching, upgrades, performance monitoring, and troubleshooting.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR 1 LEVEL

1. Database Fundamentals: Demonstrated familiarity with SQL concepts, such as running basic queries or understanding the structure of a relational database.
2. Version Control Awareness: Exposure to version control concepts (like Git) or an understanding of the basic software development lifecycle (SDLC).
3. Linux System Maintenance: Demonstrated familiarity with Linux package management and configuration (e.g., using Yum/Apt) or exposure to centralized management tools.
4. Foundational Security & Networking: Demonstrated understanding of networking protocols (TCP/IP, DNS), firewalls, and the importance of security practices like Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA).
5. Institutional Experience: Previous experience working in a structured office environment, customer service role, or a student-worker position within an IT department.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR 2 LEVEL

1. Experience with Data management and reporting.
2. Windows / Linux server expertise: Experience fully managing Windows and Linux servers.
3. Demonstrated knowledge of Microsoft SQL database management.
4. Experience with CI/CD pipelines and repositories.
5. Experience with RedHat Satellite or puppet.
6. Demonstrated knowledge of intermediate/advanced infrastructure and security topics including networking, firewalls, threat detection, configuration management, vulnerability analysis, and multifactor authentication.
7. Experience with Ansible or Ansible Automation Platform.
8. Higher Education Experience: Previous experience in a higher education IT environment.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a full-time, permanent position. The University offers a competitive salary, and outstanding benefits, including employee and dependent tuition waivers at UConn, and a highly desirable work environment.

Other rights, terms, and conditions of employment are contained in the collective bargaining agreement between the University of Connecticut and the University of Connecticut Professional Employees Association (UCPEA).

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics.

All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community.

The University of Connecticut aspires to create a community built on collaboration and belonging and has actively sought to create an inclusive culture within the workforce. The success of the University is dependent on the willingness of our diverse employee and student populations to share their rich perspectives and backgrounds in a respectful manner. This makes it essential for each member of our community to feel secure and welcomed and to thoroughly understand and believe that their ideas are respected by all. We strongly respect each individual employee’s unique experiences and perspectives and encourage all members of the community to do the same. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, age, sex, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disabilities, veteran’s status, status as a victim of domestic violence and/or sexual assault and/or trafficking in persons as defined by Connecticut law, prior conviction of a crime, workplace hazards to the reproductive systems, or gender identity or expression.

The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO employer including for Disability and Veteran status.