Systems Administrator I

UCAR - The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research; Boulder (CO); Hybrid; USD 63,000 - 79,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Retirement plan contributions

Paid time off

Parental leave

Tuition assistance

Job summary

UCAR - The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, CO, seeks a Research Computing Facilitation & User Support specialist. You will assist NCAR labs with Windows/Mac environments, provide high-touch user support, and help researchers adopt AI tools like Claude and Gemini.

You will engage across NRIT workflows, automate routines, document tasks, and partner with network and multimedia teams to deliver user-centric IT solutions that advance UCAR's scientific mission.

Qualifications

• Customer service skills in IT support with a helpful attitude.
• Strong written and verbal communication across audiences.
• Familiarity with enterprise AI tools such as Claude and Gemini.
• Workstation administration in Windows and/or macOS environments.
• Understanding of OS, networking, storage, and component interoperability.
• Hardware knowledge of PCs and peripherals.

Responsibilities

• Serve as liaison for NCAR labs, helping users overcome IT obstacles to enable research workflow.
• Provide high-touch in-person, online, and phone support with clear communication.
• Follow NRIT workflows to resolve issues via Service Desk and direct channels.
• Collaborate with network engineers and multimedia teams for user-centric solutions.
• Assist in maintenance and optimization of Windows and Mac workstations.
• Write utility scripts to automate tasks and keep systems updated.
• Consult on AI workflows and provide onboarding for Claude and Gemini environments.
• Create self-help guides and documentation for end users.
• Participate in meetings and represent NRIT in focus groups.

Skills

Customer service IT

Communication skills

AI tools familiarity

Workstation administration

OS/network/storage basics

Hardware knowledge

Task prioritization

Troubleshooting

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in a computer-related field

Job description

Position Type

Regular

Visa Sponsored Job

No

Relocation Assistance Eligible

No

Hiring Range

63,290.00 USD - 79,120.00 USD

Application Closes

2026-11-16

Final salary and rates are based on education, experience, and skills relevant to the role.

About The Role

Works as part of the Research Computing Facilitation group within NCAR Research IT, serving as a key partner dedicated to removing technical barriers so that scientists, researchers, and staff can focus on their research. This role provides hands‑on facilitation, system administration, maintenance, and troubleshooting for Microsoft Windows and Apple Macintosh environments across NCAR labs. While technical aptitude is essential, outstanding customer service, empathy, interpersonal communication, and a passion for enabling scientific workflows are paramount for this position—at times taking priority over purely technical depth. The position is also expected to assist end users with minor AI facilitation, providing foundational guidance and troubleshooting within enterprise AI tools like Claude and Gemini. The successful candidate will excel at building strong relationships with lab personnel, understanding their unique computing needs, and advocating for customer‑focused solutions that advance NCAR's scientific mission within a supportive team environment.

The salary range for this position is $63,290 - $79,120.

Job Description

Education Requirement

Bachelor's degree in a computer‑related field; or equivalent combination of education and relevant customer‑facing IT experience (e.g., Associate's degree and four years of hands‑on technical support experience).

Research Computing Facilitation & User Support

Serves as a primary liaison and direct point of contact for NCAR labs and employees, helping end users overcome IT obstacles to advance their scientific work. Delivers high‑touch in‑person, online, and telephone assistance using active listening, patience, and clear communication. Follows NRIT workflows to resolve issues reported through Service Desk and direct channels. Collaborates with partner technical teams (network engineers, multimedia support) to advocate for and deliver seamless user‑centric solutions.

Systems Maintenance & Automation

Assists in the ongoing maintenance and optimization of NRIT‑managed Windows and Mac workstation environments. Tasks include writing utility scripts to automate routine tasks, installing and upgrading operating systems and software, monitoring system performance to ensure dependable daily operations for lab personnel, maintaining pools of loaner equipment, organizing and maintaining our supply closets, viewing backend reports, and working with end users to ensure that our systems are up to date and backed up.

Scientific & AI Workflow Consultation

Partners directly with lab staff and researchers to understand their computing challenges, research new hardware/software tools, and define custom workstation setups tailored to their scientific requirements. Provides minor AI assistance to users, guiding them through basic onboarding, usage, and troubleshooting within organizational Claude and Gemini AI environments to support productivity and scientific tasks.

User Empowerment & Documentation

Empowers end users through ad‑hoc coaching and guidance on NRIT‑managed hardware, software, AI tools, and services. Creates and maintains accessible self‑help guides, documentation, and internal technical knowledge bases.

Meetings & Collaborative Committees

Attends check‑ins, technology demonstrations, and internal NRIT meetings. Represents NRIT and the Research Computing Facilitation group on org‑wide focus groups and committees, ensuring user needs are represented and bringing relevant insights back to the team.

Asset & Lifecycle Management

Assists with workstation hardware and software lifecycle management. Maintains accurate inventory records and collaborates with property administrators on equipment tracking to ensure smooth onboarding and offboarding for lab personnel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Operates with a facilitation mindset, prioritizing user success, obstacle removal, and clear communication alongside technical problem resolution.
• Works with moderate supervision and manages multiple support requests and tasks effectively.
• Independently resolves individual software and hardware issues of moderate scope and complexity, escalating to senior team members when appropriate.
• Proposes enhancements to improve user experience, system efficiency, security, and performance across NRIT environments. Conducts testing and coordinates implementation steps with the team.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Customer service skills in all areas of IT support, with a responsive and helpful attitude toward assisting scientific, administrative, and technical staff.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including gathering details from issue reporters, creating clear technical documentation, and explaining technical concepts to non‑technical users in an accessible manner.
• Familiarity with enterprise AI tools (such as Claude and Gemini) to assist users with basic access, everyday usage questions, and routine troubleshooting.
• Knowledge of workstation administration in a Windows and/or Apple Macintosh environment.
• Foundational understanding of operating systems, networking, storage, and system component interoperability.
• Basic understanding of PC and/or Apple hardware, peripherals, and local storage, with the ability to set up, test, and troubleshoot workstation equipment.
• Ability to prioritize tasks, manage work queues, and meet deadlines within project plans.
• Good problem‑solving skills with a methodical approach to troubleshooting software and hardware issues.
• Ability to work effectively within a team environment, collaborating with colleagues across functional areas to support shared goals.

The successful candidate cannot be affiliated with the Chinese government or a Chinese‑owned company. For more information on this requirement, please see NASA PRC's FAQ for ROSES, appropriation law (Section 1340 of Public Law 112-10 and Section 539 of Public Law 112-55).

Application Requirements

Cover Letter, Questionnaire, Resume/CV

Submit all required application materials by 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time on the deadline. Only candidates with complete applications (including questionnaires, when required) will be considered.

We recognize that no candidate will meet 100% of the listed qualifications. If you believe your background has prepared you for success in this role, we encourage you to apply.

Candidates selected for hire will complete background checks and/or federal screenings.

Benefits Overview

UCAR offers a comprehensive benefits package: health insurance, dental, retirement plan, leave plans, tuition assistance, and employee assistance programs:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Short & Long Term Disability Insurance
• Generous retirement plan - UCAR contributes of 10% of base salary
• Time Off Plans
  • Minimum 20 days of annual PTO
  • 10 paid holidays
  • 12 weeks of paid parental leave
  • FAMLI Leave
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible employer

Additional Information

UCAR is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes all applicants. We do not discriminate based on race, age, sex, gender identity, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic. You don't need to include age‑related information, such as birth or graduation dates, in your initial application.

Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act, or local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the way things are normally done which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on an employee. Please inform your Recruiter if you need assistance completing this application or to otherwise participate in the application process.

Visa Sponsorship: UCAR can sponsor H‑1B status only for candidates already in the U.S. who hold H‑1B status or another status that allows a change to H‑1B within the country. We cannot sponsor new H‑1B visas that require consular processing abroad.

Compliance and Location: All roles must comply with U.S. export control regulations and work location requirements. Hybrid staff work on‑site 3 days per week or equivalent, based on their flexible work arrangement. UCAR requires ALL positions to be performed within the U.S., excluding U.S. Territories.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use: AI tools are permitted, but we strongly encourage candidates to submit primarily original work.