Department of Human Resources
OPSEU Job Description
Job Title:
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Network & Systems Integration Specialist
C-070
2281
11
Information Technology
Manager, Digital Services Delivery and Administration
Last Reviewed:
September 28, 2011
Job Purpose
Reporting to the Manager, Digital Services Delivery and Administration, the Network & Systems
Integration Specialist is a member of a team responsible for server to desktop delivery of
converged voice and data applications to the university community. This position requires a
senior level technical subject matter expert, operating with minimal supervision and a wide
latitude for independent judgment.
The Network & Systems Integration Specialist’s primary focus is the integration of web based
applications into the university’s infrastructure. This requires solid knowledge of the “LAMP
stack” used to deliver these web applications and of the protocols and services used to connect
them. Researching and implementing industry best practices, evolving software platforms,
managing performance and availability, and ensuring the security of deployed applications are
all in scope for this position.
Key Activities
1. Perform network, server, operating system, and application integration, analysis,
optimization, and problem resolution within an enterprise-wide network services
context where faults or errors can have very large impact to users throughout the
university.
2. Maintain network devices including software configuration of servers, switches, routers,
firewalls, printers, wireless access points, virtual private network equipment and
associated data centre support equipment.
3. Plan, develop, maintain and operate server and network-based monitoring systems,
automate network monitoring through scripts or software routines, and develop
schemes for notification of faults for after-hours operational requirements.
4. Maintain servers used to deliver web based services both on campus and externally.
Proactively monitor
5. Integrate web based services into supporting network infrastructure, authentication
systems, and access control systems. Work with other workgroups within of IT to
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6.
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integrate web applications into back end systems, and to incorporate those applications
into the web services framework.
Create and maintain utility programs for internal use as required for system integration.
Plan, maintain and evolve security architecture for web services at both the application
and network layers. Analyze risk, and design and implement solutions to mitigate
against identified threats. Develop protocols for managing and enforcing authentication,
authorization, and access policies.
Prepare and maintain design documents, specifications, work plans, and records of
system configuration.
Coordinate change control on network systems, analyze change risk, and develop
procedures following industry best practices to minimize risk. Ensure plans are
communicated with all members of the extended IT team and with the rest of the
university community.
Maintain an awareness of industry best practices, liaise with vendors, access support
systems and other third party providers to stay abreast of technology evolution,
software revisions, bug fixes, and to obtain product information.
Share specialized knowledge of systems operations and technology with all members of
the IT team. Mentor others as required.
Participate in a weekly 24x7 on-call rotation for after-hours/weekend IT operational
support. While on call (normally 1 week out of 5), operate independently and assume
primary operational responsibility for the university data centre, network, and services.
This includes responding to critical outages, determining the appropriate response, and
restoring services with limited assistance from others, and occasionally escalating to
management for large impact events.
Receive, have access to, and control access to confidential, personal, and proprietary
information using sound judgment to remain in compliance with all university policies
and privacy legislation applicable to the situation.
Analytical Reasoning
Indicate degree of complexity or difficulty of thinking and reasoning required by the job. Provide a
relevant work example that is typical of roles and responsibilities of the job (i.e. not an occasional duty).
Decision Making
Indicate the degree of freedom to exercise initiative or act independently in making day- to-day decisions.
Provide a relevant work example that is typical of roles and responsibilities of the job (i.e. not an
occasional duty).
Impact
Indicate the impact or consequence to the department or University of typical actions or decisions taken by
the job incumbent. Provide a relevant work example that is typical of roles and responsibilities of the job
(i.e. not an occasional duty).
Education
Honours University Degree (3 year) in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or similar field of
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technological study.
Experience Required
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A minimum of 3, but ideally 5 or more years of direct system and network operations
experience in an enterprise network services environment with prior experience being
on-call and operating in a self-directed mode.
Ability to work independently within a dynamic team, organize time among multiple
tasks and to work on complex problems where analysis requires in-depth evaluation of
various factors, to determine methods and procedures on new assignments, modify
established guides, apply existing criteria in new manners, devise new approaches and
draw conclusions from comparative situations.
Ability to work from assigned objectives, relative priorities and critical areas that
impinge on work of other units, to plan work around a schedule, and to self-direct their
activities with minimal direct supervision.
Strong analytical ability in translating technology capabilities to meet stated service
requirements.
Proven track record of optimizing technological designs to meet business and economic
requirements.
Excellent organizational skills and an effective communicator both verbally and in
writing, with the ability to frame technology issues in business terms and vice versa, and
to effectively manage and confront conflicts and issues.
Highly adaptive and flexible to changing environments and priorities.
Well-versed in the latest technology offering, capabilities and trends.
Able to routinely work outside of normal business hours, and to accommodate other
flexible scheduling to allow for extended shift coverage.
Demonstrated skills in, and commitment to, customer service and continuous
improvement.
Specific Technical Competencies: Demonstrated technical skills and hands-on
experience in implementation, maintenance, and problem resolution with the following
core areas:
1. Red Hat and/or SUSE Enterprise Linux. A Red Hat or SUSE certification is
desirable.
2. MySQL and/or Microsoft SQL database administration. Experience with UniData
is an asset.
3. Web application development using the LAMP stack. Experience with Microsoft
IIS is an asset.
4. Securing web applications and web servers in a Linux environment. Similar
experience with Microsoft servers is an asset.
5. Automating system tasks in a Linux environment using Perl, Expect, and shell
scripting.
6. Performance analysis, tuning and capacity planning of web based applications
and services.
7. Revision control and change control procedures in systems administration.
8. Maintaining highly available web services.
9. Implementing backup and disaster recovery procedures.
10. Authentication systems such as eDirectory, Active Directory, LDAP, and RADIUS.
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11. Identity management systems, such as Novell Identity Manager.
12. Secure proxy systems such as Novell Access Manager.
Responsibility for the Work of Others
Indicate whether the incumbent is directly or indirectly responsible for the work of others. Provide the title
of the position(s) as well as an example of how the incumbent is responsible for the work of others on a
daily basis. Specifically, indicate whether the position has responsibility for hiring and supervision of
student workers.
Direct Responsibility
N/A
Indirect Responsibility
N/A
Communication
Indicate the title(s) of individuals internal and external to the University that the incumbent communicates
with on a regular basis. Provide a brief description of the purpose for communicating with these
individuals.
Internal
External
Motor/ Sensory Skills
Indicate the level of proficiency or precision in motor or sensory skills required by the job. Examples
include but are not limited to: small/large movement to operate machinery; coordinated movement;
equilibrium to maintain balance; dexterity to grasp, move, assemble objects or operate equipment;
hearing, sight, touch, smell, taste. Provide a brief description of tasks performed that require
motor/sensory skills.
Effort
Indicate the physical and/or mental demands of the position in the ordinary course of performing the role.
Examples include but are not limited to: lifting, moving, carrying, pushing/pulling, reaching, kneeling,
remaining motionless, sustained concentration or focus. Provide a brief description of the tasks
performed that are physically and/or mentally demanding.
Mental
Physical
Working Conditions
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Indicate any physical and psychological conditions of the position that make the job unpleasant,
disagreeable and/or hazardous to health and well-being. Describe the nature, frequency and duration of
exposure.
Physical
Psychological
Job Description Approved by Human Resources (as per Article 17.1):
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Incumbent
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Department Head/ Dean:
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Job Number: C-070
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Last updated: October 18, 2011