Systems Administrator I

University Corporation for Atmospheric Research; Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 63,000 - 79,000; Full time

Job summary

University Corporation for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, CO, seeks a Research Computing Facilitator to remove barriers for scientists and staff. You will provide hands-on support across Windows and Mac environments, deliver high-touch customer service, and assist with AI tooling like Claude and Gemini.

Responsibilities include maintaining workstations, scripting for automation, creating guides, and representing NRIT in collaborative committees.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a computer-related field; or equivalent combination of education and relevant customer-facing IT experience.
• Experience in IT support with emphasis on customer service and clear communication.

Responsibilities

• Serve as liaison for NCAR labs, helping end users overcome IT obstacles.
• Maintain Windows and Mac workstation environments; write scripts to automate tasks.
• Provide guidance on AI workflows using Claude and Gemini for scientific tasks.
• Create self-help guides and maintain technical documentation.
• Attend NRIT meetings and represent IT support in focus groups.
• Manage workstation assets and lifecycle, including inventory tracking.

Skills

Customer service

Strong communication

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

Application Closes at 11:59 pm Mountain Time on: 2026-11-16

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