Information Technology (IT) Systems Specialist - Level III

The IT Systems Specialist - Level III is a senior technical position responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining enterprise-level systems for internal and client environments. This role serves as a technical lead, contributes to strategic infrastructure planning, and builds and promotes solutions that support our customers. The Level III Specialist mentors junior staff and leads complex systems initiatives from concept through execution., * Design, implement, and maintain secure, scalable, and resilient systems architectures for internal and client environments, including virtualization platforms, storage systems, identity management, and cloud infrastructure.

• Lead major infrastructure projects such as server migrations, virtualization upgrades, storage expansions, and cloud implementations, overseeing planning, documentation, testing, deployment, and fiscal oversight to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget.
• Serve as project manager for assigned initiatives, ensuring deliverables are met, stakeholders are kept informed, and documentation is maintained with in-person coordination as needed
• Provide Tier III support for escalated issues involving server infrastructure, storage platforms, virtualization, Active Directory, and core system services.
• Design and test backup and recovery systems, and participate in disaster recovery planning and execution for critical systems.
• Develop and enforce systems documentation standards, including architecture diagrams, configuration repositories, and operational procedures.
• Research and evaluate emerging systems and cloud technologies, recommending improvements for performance, security, or efficiency.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to Level I and II Systems Specialists, leading training and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
• Collaborate with vendors, service providers, and district technology leads for systems-related procurement, licensing, and support.
• Support compliance initiatives, enforce security policies, and recommend risk mitigation strategies to ensure uptime and data protection.
• Participate in after-hours support rotations and emergency response as needed.
• Conduct site audits, performance assessments, and capacity planning to ensure optimal system performance.
• Maintain a valid driver’s license and access to reliable transportation for scheduled and unscheduled travel.
• Stay current with industry trends and maintain professional certifications.
• Strong interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, and communication skills (written and verbal)
• Explores, identifies, and develops entrepreneurial/alternative revenue generation inside and outside of BLaST IU region.
• Lift and carry equipment weighing up to 50 pounds as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned

An Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field, with a minimum of 3 years of experience in systems administration, design, and support. Industry certifications such as Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator, VCP-DCV, or equivalent are preferred. Demonstrated experience in leading infrastructure projects and designing secure, scalable system architectures. The ability to obtain an entry-level project management certification within one year of the position start date is required., * Proven leadership in guiding IT teams, delegating tasks, and ensuring the successful completion of complex systems projects.

• Strong project management skills, including planning, prioritizing, and tracking progress on multiple initiatives, with the expectation of earning a recognized project management certification within one year of hire.
• Ability to translate technical requirements into actionable plans for both technical staff and non-technical stakeholders.
• Advanced knowledge of Windows Server and Linux/Unix operating systems, with the ability to oversee installation, configuration, optimization, and lifecycle management.
• Expertise in virtualization platforms (VMware, Hyper-V), including advanced resource management, clustering, and performance tuning.
• Deep understanding of Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS, DHCP, and related enterprise services.
• Proficiency in enterprise storage solutions (SAN, NAS) and related protocols (iSCSI, NFS, SMB).
• Experience designing, implementing, and managing enterprise backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity strategies.
• Advanced knowledge of cloud platforms (Microsoft 365, Azure, Google Workspace) and hybrid integrations.
• Strong grasp of security best practices, including systems hardening, patch management, access control, and multi-factor authentication.
• Ability to oversee scripting and automation initiatives for operational efficiency.
• Familiarity with monitoring, alerting, and capacity planning tools for maintaining high system performance and availability.
• Knowledge of compliance requirements and technology planning specific to educational environments.
• Skilled in fostering collaboration between IT staff, administrators, and end-users to improve processes and user experience.