Date Submitted - Students' Union

Date Submitted: May 2011
Reason for Submission: (Check One)
Update
Re-evaluation of Position
New Position, Initial Evaluation
on
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Position Title:
Department:
Position Status:
Employment Type:
IT (Information Technology) Systems Administrator
IT
Active
Full-time, Salaried
POSITION SUMMARY (Overview and Purpose)
Reporting to the Manager, IT, the Systems Administrator is responsible for the
implementation and service of computer hardware and software for the Students’ Union
personnel and businesses. The position is a contributor in the implementation of IT
procedures and policies to ensure a secure network, maintenance of hardware and
software, and provide assistance developing database/web applications for internal and
external use.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
• Administrative Duties:
• Provide ongoing documentation of support, troubleshooting, upgrades and
solutions in ticketing tool and email as required. All support will follow a “4+4”
policy of response (4 hour response + 4 day resolution).
• Monitor back-up and maintenance of user accounts, privileges and mail system.
• Troubleshooting/Desktop Service:
• Ability to prioritize service requests and process computer network access,
hardware and software problems.
• Assist with preventative maintenance on hardware and software to ensure future
system usability and reliability.
• Educate users on usage of hardware and software. Also provide orientation for
new employees.

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• Liaise with third party support to solve hardware and software issues. For
instance, Acer, Ceridian etc.
• Liaise with University IT department to solve networking, software and user
issues.
• Provide support and answer questions through ticketing system, email, phone and
instant messaging.
• Security:
• Assist with awareness and instruction on latest security threats to users.
• Protect SU network, data and systems from spyware, viruses, and similar threats.
• Maintain and enhance computer and network security and integrity. Arrange for
user data to be accessible, yet secure from unauthorized use.
• Most Complex and Difficult Duty
• Duties that require quick and decisive action in a time sensitive situation are most
difficult. For example, decisions to pull the plug on a server when any form of
attack is occurring (virus, network intrusion.); or decisions of great impact that
involve a large number of users at a critical time.
• Application Development
• Potential to assist with the development & support of web and desktop based data
driven applications in the Microsoft .NET framework
SCOPE OF INITIATIVE/JUDGEMENT
1. Consequences of Errors/Freedom to Act
Ensure that the SU computing requests are completed in a timely manner. This
includes the privacy and integrity of user data located on the desktop computers, and
various servers (These servers include web, application and database servers).
Prevention, education and timely response should be provided to prevent a
compromise in SU systems due to intrusion (intentional or accidental) or virus
attacks. Such a compromise could result in severe consequences such as exposure of
confidential data, loss of data, or a depletion of resources available to SU staff. This
would result in a loss of time and money to the SU.

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Testing and security audits are required to guarantee data quality. Improper testing of
software implemented may result in incorrect or unreliable data. Furthermore, steps
should be taken to document code and procedures to allow future development of
applications and diagnosis of problems.
2. Confidential Data
The position has access to confidential information regarding the business and operations
of the SU. It is essential that business and affairs of the SU are held in the strictest
confidence, both internally and with those external to the operations of the
WORKING CONDITIONS
The position may require the possibility of evening and weekend hours. Flexibility may
be required with respect to scheduling of hours of work outside of the normal work week
(i.e., 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday).
Hazards: Some chemical interaction: cleaning materials, toner dust and ozone from high
voltage printing devices.
Physical Effort: Heavy lifting is required for the movement of computer hardware,
monitors, etc; repetitive motion in the form of keyboarding and mousing for long periods
of time; viewing LCD monitor for long periods of time.
Mental Effort: Programming and logic is very mentally challenging; problem solving in
application development and troubleshooting also requires large amounts of mental
effort; the ability to juggle many tasks at once is an ongoing necessity.
REQUIRED COMPETENCIES
• Exceptional customer service skills to ensure client satisfaction is exceeded at every
opportunity
• Demonstrated team-orientation with equal ability to work well individually
• Strong organizational and coordination skills to assist with meeting daily deadlines
and manage priorities.
• Effective decision making and problem solving skills, including the ability to take
initiative to identify issues, and evaluate and select alternative courses of action to
solve daily issues and challenges
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively relate to guests, coworkers,
Students’ Union staff, and the Conference and Events Services Team

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EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
A minimum of a diploma or certificate in computer science or a related field along with
5-6 years of directly related work experience (preferably including troubleshooting in a
networked/distributed computing environment) is required.
Experience working with current desktop, web, and server applications, as well as
competencies in decision making and planning is a necessity.
Knowledge of current networking standards and operating systems such as Windows,
Linux and OS X, 2008 Active Directory, group policy and LDAP. Experience with
virtualization will be considered an asset.
Experience developing data driven applications (web & desktop based) using the .NET
framework. (VB or C#) will be considered a strong asset. May also consider equivelant
PHP experience as relevant.
Proven ability to administer, maintain and secure a variety of databases including MS
SQL Server, MySQL and MS Access.
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.