Systems Administrator

Grade 7

The role of a Systems Administrator is to ensure that the day-to-day running of services that are key to a customer department are as efficient and trouble free as possible. The post holder is expected to support new developments that are appropriate to the continuing development and enhancement of the service, based on customer demand and new technologies. Many of the services are very high profile services for the University.  Always able to seek the advice of other colleagues, their section manager or more senior management on any matters relating to their work, System Administrators work in a wide range of teams, platforms and technologies across Infrastructure Services such as:

  • Managed Network Services
  • Microsoft Platform Services
  • Cloud Services
  • Unix Platform Services
  • Network Development and support
  • Endpoint Device Management Services
  • Service Desk – Oxford Service Manager

Essential selection criteria

  • Educated to degree level or equivalent
  • Proven expertise in systems administration and demonstrable interest in gaining an advanced understanding of the relevant systems
  • Good understanding of TCP/IP networks
  • Understanding of issues of system security, reliability and availability
  • Experience of writing and maintaining tools in a language such as bash, Perl or python
  • The ability to develop and enhanced expertise in relevant fields
  • Good personal communications skills, including the ability to liaise with users at all levels in the University and the production of accurate written documentation
  • Evidence of good personal organisation and time management skills, self-motivation and the ability to work on own initiative

Desirable selection criteria

  • Employment experience in a relevant field, especially within a university environment
  • Demonstrable experience of IT systems design, implementation and management, with knowledge of techniques to ensure scalability, resilience and disaster recovery
  • Experience of maintaining IT systems in a service environment
  • Demonstrable ability to select, install and configure hardware for servers, storage and networking
  • Experience of using virtual infrastructure and/or cloud computing
  • Familiarity with applications development and deployment using Perl, C, Java/J2EE or similar
  • The skills and experience to become an effective member of the department as quickly as possible

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