What are the responsibilities and job description for the Systems Administrator I position at UCAR - The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research?
Job Description Summary:
This position is part of a team responsible for installing, deploying, maintaining, administering, troubleshooting, and optimizing Microsoft Windows, Apple, and Linux workstations and mobile devices. The role ensures the consistent and reliable operation of NRIT (NCAR Research IT) computing environments. The successful candidate will respond to end-user requests and contribute to platform- or discipline-specific SME (Subject Matter Expert) teams, as determined by organizational needs and in consultation with NRIT leadership.
The candidate will join a collaborative team of administrative and IT professionals in an environment that values teamwork, psychological safety, innovation, and professional growth.
Position Details:
Visa Sponsored Job:
No
Relocation Assistance Eligible:
No
Job Location:
Boulder, Colorado
Position Type & Term:
Full time, Regular
Compensation Range:
Annual hiring Range: $60,852 - $76,067
Job Location: Boulder, CO
Position Type & Term: Full-time, Regular
Job Type: Hybrid (at least a minimum of 3 days a week is required to be on-site and as needed)
Application Deadline: 2/21/2025
Required application materials:
What You Will Do
Here is a brief summary of what one would expect to be generally responsible for in this role.
Key Responsibilities:
Successful candidates will ensure their application materials speak to the following criteria:
Education & Experience REQUIRED:
UCAR affirms its commitment to employees through competitive benefits. In addition to medical, dental, vision, retirement, and life insurance, UCAR offers a variety of programs focused on work-life balance and professional, and personal development. These include:
Applicants are not required to provide age or age-related information and may redact information related to age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution from any submissions during the initial application process.
Some Final Considerations
At UCAR|NCAR|UCP, you will work alongside a dedicated team of professionals conducting critical research and community outreach to solve complex Earth system science problems including climate change, air pollution, extreme weather, floods, drought, wildfires, and space weather, all with the goal of improving human life and reducing economic loss. Each of us, from scientists to the professionals who support their work, serves the public and a collaborative community of scientists in our mission to understand the complex processes that make up the Earth system, from the ocean floor to the Sun’s core.
Flexible Work
At UCAR, we are committed to supporting our mission by giving staff the flexibility to find the schedule and location that works best to maintain their own work-life circumstances and reach their full potential as professionals. Many positions within our organization are eligible for fully on-site, hybrid (three days per week) and/or flexible work hours.
Equal Opportunity Employer
UCAR is committed to providing equal opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or pregnancy. Whatever your intersection of identities, you are welcome at UCAR.
Export Control
All positions are required to comply with U.S. export compliance regulations work location requirements regarding access to facilities and research systems.
Visa Wait Times
Please consider the length of visa procurement when applying for this posting, understanding that you will not be able to begin employment until you are able to get a visa and enter the U.S.
Work Location
UCAR requires ALL positions to be performed within the U.S., excluding U.S. Territories.
This position is part of a team responsible for installing, deploying, maintaining, administering, troubleshooting, and optimizing Microsoft Windows, Apple, and Linux workstations and mobile devices. The role ensures the consistent and reliable operation of NRIT (NCAR Research IT) computing environments. The successful candidate will respond to end-user requests and contribute to platform- or discipline-specific SME (Subject Matter Expert) teams, as determined by organizational needs and in consultation with NRIT leadership.
The candidate will join a collaborative team of administrative and IT professionals in an environment that values teamwork, psychological safety, innovation, and professional growth.
Position Details:
Visa Sponsored Job:
No
Relocation Assistance Eligible:
No
Job Location:
Boulder, Colorado
Position Type & Term:
Full time, Regular
Compensation Range:
Annual hiring Range: $60,852 - $76,067
- Final salary and rates are based on education, experience, skills relevant to the role.*
Job Location: Boulder, CO
Position Type & Term: Full-time, Regular
Job Type: Hybrid (at least a minimum of 3 days a week is required to be on-site and as needed)
Application Deadline: 2/21/2025
Required application materials:
- Resume
- Questionnaire: You will be asked to complete a questionnaire as part of your application. Please ensure you provide complete and thorough answers to all questions. Incomplete questionnaires will result in an incomplete application and may disqualify you from further consideration.
- What specifically appeals to you about this organization and this opportunity?
- How do you approach providing professional and effective IT support to users with varying levels of technical knowledge?
- What strategies do you use to ensure effective communication and shared problem-solving within a team?
- What are your biggest technical strengths?
What You Will Do
Here is a brief summary of what one would expect to be generally responsible for in this role.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide in-person, online, and telephone support to end-users of hardware, software, and services. Follow NRIT workflows to troubleshoot and resolve bugs, errors, failures, outages, and access issues reported through ServiceDesk and other channels. Assist with the setup and testing of equipment for workshops and seminars and provide support to coordinators and attendees. Collaborate with technical staff outside of NRIT (e.g., network engineers, and multimedia support staff) to resolve complex issues.
- Support the maintenance of NRIT-managed computer systems (Windows, Mac, Linux). Tasks include developing general utility scripts to automate system tasks, installing and maintaining operating systems and applications, upgrading software, monitoring system performance, and gathering system statistics for analysis and recommendations.
- Conduct problem-solving research on hardware and software products to enhance end-user computing and systems administration. Assist users in defining and implementing special applications or hardware requirements. Provide informed recommendations on solutions and best practices.
- Offer ad-hoc user education on NRIT-managed hardware, software, and services. Develop and maintain technical documentation for end-users and systems administrators.
- Attend internal check-ins, technology demonstrations, and NRIT-coordinated meetings. As determined by need and consultation with NRIT leadership, represent NRIT on organization-wide focus groups and committees. Provide updates to NRIT colleagues on relevant discussions and decisions.
- Assist with hardware and software lifecycle management, including maintaining inventory lists and collaborating with property administrators to implement evolving inventory practices.
- Participate in workshops and training sessions to stay informed on system administration techniques, cybersecurity policies, industry trends, mitigation strategies, and emerging technologies. Develop new skills and areas of expertise to enhance performance and adaptability.
Successful candidates will ensure their application materials speak to the following criteria:
Education & Experience REQUIRED:
- Bachelor’s degree in computer-related field; or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience (e.g. Associate’s degree and four years experience).
- Customer service skills in all areas of IT support, ensuring effective and professional assistance.
- Foundational understanding of operating systems, networking, storage, and the interoperability of system components.
- Demonstrated an ability to follow project plans, prioritize tasks effectively, and meet deadlines consistently.
- Proficient in tools and platforms for remote desktop access, screen sharing, and virtual collaboration, enabling effective support for both on-site and remote staff.
- Knowledge of PC hardware OR Apple hardware, peripherals such as monitors, printers, docking stations, input devices, and external storage devices. Adept at performing deployments and upgrades, testing compatibility between components and accessories to ensure seamless integration.
- Works well within the framework of a team, fostering open communication, mutual support, and shared problem-solving. Experienced in collaborating with team members from various functional areas and expertise to achieve common goals, leveraging individual strengths while focusing on collective success.
- Strong written and oral communication skills, including gathering information from issue reporters, creating clear and concise technical documentation, reviewing and editing existing materials, and delivering informal training presentations to staff. Skilled in translating complex technical information into accessible language, using examples and analogies tailored to the audience.
- Ability to approach complex problems methodically, employing structured troubleshooting techniques to isolate root causes and identify practical solutions. Skilled in breaking down issues into manageable components, analyzing contributing factors, and systematically testing hypotheses to resolve challenges efficiently and accurately.
- Basic understanding of scripting and programming, with experience in one or more of the following: PowerShell, C#, VB, DOS, WMI, AppleScript, bash/csh, Python, Perl, or C
UCAR affirms its commitment to employees through competitive benefits. In addition to medical, dental, vision, retirement, and life insurance, UCAR offers a variety of programs focused on work-life balance and professional, and personal development. These include:
- Tuition Assistance, time off allowance to attend classes, and other professional development opportunities
- UCAR contributes 10% of your eligible pay into your retirement account; 100% fully vested on day one
- Starting minimum accrual of 20 days of personal time off each year (prorated for less than full-time positions)
- 10 paid holidays
- 10 days of sick leave each year
- 12 weeks of paid parental leave
- Short-term medical leave paid at 100% of your regular salary
- EcoPass for local Colorado residents to use the Denver and Boulder-area transit system at no cost
Applicants are not required to provide age or age-related information and may redact information related to age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution from any submissions during the initial application process.
Some Final Considerations
At UCAR|NCAR|UCP, you will work alongside a dedicated team of professionals conducting critical research and community outreach to solve complex Earth system science problems including climate change, air pollution, extreme weather, floods, drought, wildfires, and space weather, all with the goal of improving human life and reducing economic loss. Each of us, from scientists to the professionals who support their work, serves the public and a collaborative community of scientists in our mission to understand the complex processes that make up the Earth system, from the ocean floor to the Sun’s core.
Flexible Work
At UCAR, we are committed to supporting our mission by giving staff the flexibility to find the schedule and location that works best to maintain their own work-life circumstances and reach their full potential as professionals. Many positions within our organization are eligible for fully on-site, hybrid (three days per week) and/or flexible work hours.
Equal Opportunity Employer
UCAR is committed to providing equal opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or pregnancy. Whatever your intersection of identities, you are welcome at UCAR.
Export Control
All positions are required to comply with U.S. export compliance regulations work location requirements regarding access to facilities and research systems.
Visa Wait Times
Please consider the length of visa procurement when applying for this posting, understanding that you will not be able to begin employment until you are able to get a visa and enter the U.S.
Work Location
UCAR requires ALL positions to be performed within the U.S., excluding U.S. Territories.
Salary : $60,852 - $76,067
