Systems Specialist

High Point University is seeking a Systems Specialist of Information Technology. This position is responsible for the administration, configuration, maintenance, and optimization of enterprise level applications that support critical university operations and instructional services. The Specialist will be required to support or implement multiple applications and data integrations while maintaining a highly available environment and conforming to established change management protocol. Documenting known issues, solutions, configuration items, data integrations, and system information will also be required. The System Specialist will work within the Enterprise Application Services Team and is charged with actively supporting each team member and their initiatives.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology or related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience

• 2-5 years of progressive experience supporting enterprise level applications and services (ex. ERP, HRM, LMS, CMS, etc.)

• 1-3 years’ experience with Database, Web, or Application programming

• Experience with one or more computer languages (C#, PHP, SQL, SSIS, etc.)

• Experience with Colleague, Blackboard Learn, Blackboard Transact highly desirable

• Experience creating ETL packages and XML transforms

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

• Ability to work creatively in a problem-solving environment

• Excellent verbal and written communication; technical writing

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

• Systems Administration/Support

• Serves as Primary System Administrator for university Student Self-Service and Business Intelligence (Reporting) systems.

• Serves as Secondary System Administrator for university ERP and Portal.

• Analyzes system logs to detect/prevent performance issues.

• Performs annual audits of system access.

• Provides level 2 technical support for enterprise systems.

• Monitors, tracks, schedules, and performs system upgrades/patches in accordance with OIT Change Management Process.

• Manages and monitors SQL Server and MySQL database backups.

• Performs quarterly SQL Server and MySQL database backup restore tests.

• Documents all system configurations and data integrations using defined standards within 3 business days of approved changes.

• Develops and maintains data flow diagrams and system inventories.

Development

• Designs, develops, tests, and implements well-formed, sustainable, and documented code structures that support defined business requirements.

• Designs, develops, tests, and deploys system data integrations to automate manual/repetitive processes in accordance with EAS team and OIT department standards.

Consultancy/Customer Service

• Works with users and OIT teams in problem analysis, solution identification, implementation, and delivery activities.

• Works closely with OIT teams and end users to understand project requirements and recommend sustainable solutions that meet defined business and academic needs.

• Serves as technical contact for ERP and CRM data systems and enterprise applications.

• Responds to assigned user support requests within 1 business day.

• Diagnoses and resolves at least 90% of assigned Help Desk tickets within 3 business days.

• Achieves and maintains a 99.9% user satisfaction rating on follow-up surveys.

Information Processing & Decision Making

• Prioritizes allocation of time and resources in accordance with defined priorities as communicated by Manager.

• Actively look to maximize existing university investments and leverage existing systems to solve identified business problems.

• Actively look to eliminate repetitive manual processes.

• Identifies potential impacts of new systems/processes or changes to existing systems/processes and guide implementation to ensure operational reliability.

• Coordinates with other OIT staff, functional users, and appropriate vendors to account for security (physical and logical), sustainability, disaster recovery, and business continuity measures in all solutions.

Communication

• Interprets meaning and importance of information.  Determine appropriate need and method for keeping team members, users, stakeholders, and management informed.

• Utilizes plain language in all verbal and written communication.

• Keep systems, process, testing, and training documentation updated using defined standards within 3 business days of approved changes.

• Documents systems and processes in accordance with defined standards.

• Be engaged and participates in individual discussions, project and team meetings.

Planning and Organizing

• Works with OIT Management and teams to establish appropriate project timelines to deliver sustainable solutions within approved time and budget parameters.

• Independently manages assigned tasks and project components.

• Demonstrates attention to detail in all phases of the system lifecycle and application management.

Problem Solving

• Establishes working partnerships with business units and OIT teams to coordinate problem resolution for operational issues and analyze root cause issues to address underlying system/process problems.

• Works with the OIT User Support Services team to identify common issues and develops appropriate documentation, training, and/or tip sheets for campus users.

• Coordinates with users, OIT teams, and vendors to resolve system and/or operational issues.

For more information about this position, please contact Jonathan Luther, Director for Data Center Services at jluther@highpoint.edu.