SENIOR COMPUTER SPECIALIST
Req #: | 171753 |
Department: | COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING |
Job Location: | Seattle Campus |
Posting Date: | 09/06/2019 |
Closing Info: | Open Until Filled |
Salary: | Salary is commensurate with experience and education |
Shift: | First Shift |
Notes: | As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For detailed information on Benefits for this position, click here. |
UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. All of which has allowed the UW to be nationally recognized as a “Great College to Work For” for five consecutive years.
The Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics has an outstanding opportunity for a Senior Computer Specialist.
We are looking for someone with a solid IT background to provide a full spectrum of computer resources and services to approximately 20 faculty, 20 staff and 400 students. This position offers a variety of responsibilities that include: technology management and coordination, educational support, training and user education, systems administration, technology design and planning, and research support. There will be professional development opportunities to expand your technical savvy and to grow into the position.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
TECHNOLOGY MANAGEMENT AND COORDINATION (40%)
Provide oversight for new computer and software purchases. Give recommendations as to what is appropriate to ensure the state-of-the-art computing capabilities necessary for the department. Select, design, configure and maintain department backbone computing services including network connectivity, mail server, backups, and authentication servers. Manage domains and set-up policy. Maintain system documentation, and department technological equipment used in support of education. Design and implement the department’s databases, data availability, and security measures. Maintain inventory of department computing and audio visual equipment. Oversee the scheduling of department technological resources that are available on loan to students, staff, and faculty. Maintain accurate records of department’s network address space. Keep inventory of department’s software and support licenses, and renew them as necessary. Seek out and prepare proposals to acquire needed and desired computing equipment and services. Plan and manage the department’s computing budgets.
SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATION (20%)
Maintain and provide technical support for various Windows, Macintosh, and UNIX-like operating system desktop computers primarily for the staff but also for the faculty as requested. Provide minor equipment repair, troubleshoot issues, and install, remove, and update software packages. Purchase, configure, and deploy computing equipment and supplies for department educational computer labs, staff, and faculty. Maintain department listserv, active directories, and critical generic accounts. Work with UW-IT to provide network and security services.
TRAINING AND USER EDUCATION (15%)
Provide technical support for the students in the computer labs. Provide training to staff and faculty on systems, computing services, and applications available from the UW, the College of Engineering, and the department. Provide training on available and/or new technologies/equipment and technical issues. This includes topics such as safe computing, imminent security threats, best practices, and department and UW computing policy, procedures, and regulations. Advise students, staff, and faculty on hardware and software purchases and finding proper computing tools to accomplish their tasks. This position is responsible for offering the department more efficient and effective ways to accomplish tasks with the aid of technology.
TECHNOLOGY DESIGN AND PLANNING (10%)
Implement the long-term strategic vision set forth by department leadership. Formulate computing and technology policy and planning for the department, design methods and processes to meet existing and future computing needs. Be aware of UW, College of Engineering (CoE), and department policy, practices and resources. Design practices and procedures that complement them, but tailor them so they provide a better fit for the department. Continually re-evaluate the department’s existing policies, procedures, and services, and suggest changes to them as needed to best perform in what is an ever-changing environment.
EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT (10%)
Maintain and support the department’s educational computing lab. Provide systems administration to the equipment and computers in the labs leveraging UW Information Technology Services (UW-IT), where appropriate. Manage a remote computing solution so students can access departmental operated software on their personal laptops.
RESEARCH SUPPORT, WIND TUNNEL SUPPORT & OTHER (5%)
Provide technical and administrative support to research groups. Provide technical support to the Kirsten Wind Tunnel computing and technology needs. Create student technology fee proposals. Other duties as assigned.
Professional Growth
Professional development is a very important to the culture of the department and it is essential that employees demonstrate accountability for their own professional growth and competency by seeking opportunities and activities that improve skills to support the department. The Senior Computer Specialist will stay current on emerging technologies by reading industry publications, attending seminars and classes, developing relationships with vendors and peers, evaluating software and products. Share information with colleagues so all can benefit and incorporate into new solutions and plans.
REQUIREMENTS:
• BS in Computer Science, or related field, or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum of 2-4 years’ experience managing a heterogeneous computing environment.
• Ability to quickly learn and apply new or unfamiliar technologies.
• Excellent written/oral communication skills, technical documentation skills, user liaison skills, and personal interaction abilities. Demonstrated ability to communicate complex technical information effectively with less- or non-technical users.
• Demonstrated excellent customer service skills driven by a desire to empower customer success and strong problem ownership orientation.
• Ability to collaborate with diverse groups of people.
• Ability to deal professionally, ethically and legally with confidential data.
• Proven ability to work as a productive, contributing member of a team who is creative, self-motivated and a problem-solver.
• Demonstrated experience working independently, and as both a member and leader of a team.
• Strong organizational, task-management and prioritization skills.
• Must be able to independently prepare equipment and budgetary proposals.
• Ability to provide education software support and copier machine support.
• Familiarity with network wiring.
• Experience managing a Windows Domain environment.
• Proficient with PC, Macintosh, and UNIX like operating systems.
• Ability to work in, at times, high stress, short deadline situations with the ability to remain professional and level-headed as well as being able to handle difficult clients in a professional manner.
• Requires minimal supervision/support.
• Ability to work outside normal business hours to accommodate business needs and deadlines.
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.
DESIRED EXPERIENCE
• Master’s degree in Computer Science or MIS or related field or equivalent work experience
• Experience working in academic environment and a service-oriented organization.
• Knowledge of hard disk imaging procedures/software.
Application Process:
The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Workforce Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.
Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.
The University of Washington is a leader in environmental stewardship & sustainability, and committed to becoming climate neutral.
The University of Washington is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 / 206-543-6452 (tty) or dso@uw.edu.