System Administrator

REPORTS TO:          Assistant-Vice President

SUMMARY:

The System Administrator serves as liaison between departments in all technology issues. Coordinates systems with the user group and system vendor, train staff members on system usage, troubleshoot, perform accuracy audits, maintain historical logs and system backup files, establishes the system’s tracking and reporting capabilities, and performs standard maintenance and upkeep on user’s computers. Also, responsible for staying current on improvements in agency management systems and making recommendations on appropriate updates to hardware, software, technical, and floor plan configurations. Coordinates and conducts training for the agency.

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

  • Responsible for the communication, interpretation, and administration of automation policies and procedures.
  • Deal directly with managers and employees on issues concerning procedure formulation, training and development.
  • In collaboration with department managers, develop formal training programs designed to provide employees with the skills, knowledge and tools necessary to attain both department and agency goals.
  • Responsible for the management and administration of agency training programs.
  • Develop with management, staff involvement and agency underwriting standards – workflows and procedures to ensure high quality service and compliance to agency standards; continuously refining standards, work flows and procedures.
  • Ensure agency efficiency through continuous process improvement efforts and effective utilization of automation implementation.
  • Understand and maintain the agency’s hardware and software, working to keep user down time to a minimum.
  • Provide continuous support and training of office staff relative to in‑house computer systems.
  • Provide technical support and service for users as problems arise and recognize trends for which agency-wide solutions may need implementing.
  • Develop and maintain system administration procedures manual for servers and related systems.
  • Determine ongoing equipment and software requirements and make recommendations to management
  • Responsible for plans regarding the installation of new servers and the  maintenance of existing servers as well as the configuration of hardware, peripherals, services, settings, directories, storage, etc in accordance with standards and project/operational requirements as approved by management.
  • Perform daily system monitoring which includes but not limited to, verifying the integrity and availability of all hardware, server resources, systems and key processes, reviewing system and application logs, and verifying completion of scheduled jobs such as backups.
  • Perform daily backup operations, ensuring all required file systems and system data are successfully backed up to the appropriate media, recovery tapes or disks are created and media is recycled and sent off site as necessary.
  • Maintain all electronic equipment including user computers, printers, and all other electronic data equipment.
  • Develop and coordinate use of computer system with departments.
  • Provide management reports as required by management to monitor performance and profit centers.
  • In conjunction with management, develop internal procedures for maintaining hard copy files in accordance with state requirements.
  • Work directly with system vendors and/or contractors to solve problems as they occur.
  • Determine each employee’s office and equipment requirements and fulfill the requirements within the limits established by management.
  • Maintain an awareness of hardware and software products that could impact and enhance the agency operation.
  • Perform all actions relating to the public, customers and companies in a manner that will avoid potential errors and omissions.
  • Participate in automation seminars and classes for knowledge and skill development including active membership in system’s user group.
  • Implement third‑party software where appropriate.
  • Purchase computer supplies and establish inventory control systems.
  • Customize the agency management system when necessary to conform best with the agency’s information needs.
  • Develop reports and programs related to the system for supervisors, managers, and others as requested.
  • Provide accurate statistics (both special request and routine information) for managers and supervisors to utilize in managing their departments.
  • Perform other duties as requested.

 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

  • Ability to become proficient in the knowledge of agency management software and hardware.
  • Ability to gain a working knowledge of how current areas of research and development will impact the agency.
  • Ability to troubleshoot, repair, and install individual user’s systems.
  • Ability to listen to requests from agency users and translate the request into a solution which best fits the agency’s needs.
  • Ability to develop a deep understanding of agency workflow and processes.
  • Ability to instruct staff members on appropriate system usage.
  • Ability and flexibility to understand new system capabilities and appropriate applications.
  • High degree of organization skills required to effectively administer the automation system.
  • Ability to motivate staff and management in maintaining high technical skill levels.

 

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

  • Two years of hands‑on experience with Windows and Windows Server environment – knowledge of RS600 and virtual servers a plus.  
  • A basic understanding of database, word processing and spreadsheet technology. Ability to manipulate data between various software packages.
  • Ability to listen to a question, and analyze the system’s ability to respond, and work through the problem and explain the solution to the inquiring person so that he/she is confident in his/her ability to complete the task on their own. (i.e. teach the user how to do the task in the future, where applicable).
  • Ability to perform 80% sedentary work exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and negligible force frequently.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

  • Fast-paced multi-tasking, high interruption environment.
  • As all systems must be available to the employees by 7 am Central time, some evening and weekend hours may be required –sometimes with little advanced notice.

 

JOB PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:

This job description is intended to describe the level of work required of the person performing the job, and the physical requirements normal to the position. Essential functions are outlined; other duties may be assigned as needs arise or as required to support the essential functions. A ninety day probationary period will begin at the start of employment at the end of which an evaluation will be made by management. Specific performance objectives will be developed each year to measure performance.