Information Technology Specialist 5 - Unified Communications & Collaboration Architect

Teachers Retirement Association (TRA) has been administering pension coverage to Minnesota educators for decades, with a mission to help members and their beneficiaries plan for an independent and financially secure retirement. We are currently seeking candidates with a strong background in Information Technology (IT) unified communications, exceptional technical abilities, and excellent interpersonal skills for our Unified Communications & Collaboration Architect role.

Our Unified Communications & Collaboration (UC&C) Architect serves as the agency’s highest-level technical authority for the end-to-end design, implementation, optimization, and governance of TRA’s enterprise communications and collaboration ecosystem. The position is the primary technical owner of the Cisco Webex platform suite, as well as workforce and quality management through Calabrio ONE and enterprise mass notification through Singlewire InformaCast. In addition, the position provides architectural guidance, interoperability oversight, and user-experience stewardship for the universal collaboration platforms used across TRA, including Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet, while providing expert-level network and infrastructure integration for real-time voice and video traffic. Working independently, the incumbent establishes agency-wide technical standards, develops migration roadmaps, directs the technical work of vendors, and serves as the final internal escalation point for the communications systems on which TRA members, employers, the Board of Trustees, and staff depend daily. The position works cross-functionally across the agency to ensure reliable, secure, accessible, and scalable communications services that support agency productivity, business continuity, and member service objectives.

This position is located in our St. Paul, Minnesota office and requires a schedule that includes regular in-person work. Additionally, the incumbent must be able to secure their own transportation for in-state business travel. Travel may be required up to 10% of the time for this role., * A voluntary confidential program that helps employees and their families with life challenges that may impact overall health, personal well-being, or job performance

• Common sources of stress can be addressed through the EAP: mental health, relationship challenges (personal and work), grief and loss, finances, and legal issues
• Daily Living/Convenience Services: Chore services, home repair, trip planning, child/elder care

Five years of progressive experience in enterprise unified communications and collaboration, including at least four years in a senior technical or architect-level role.

A Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology (IT), Software Engineering, Management Information Systems, or a closely related field can substitute for one (1) year of experience.

The following technical knowledge, abilities, and experience must further be demonstrated:

• Experience designing and delivering unified communications and collaboration solutions in a complex enterprise environment, including migration from legacy on-premises telephony to cloud calling and cloud contact center platforms.
• Experience implementing secure communications standards, including encryption, certificate management, and identity federation (Single Sign On (SSO)/Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML)).
• Ability to communicate clearly with technical and non-technical audiences, manage multiple concurrent projects, and provide lead work direction to staff, contractors, and vendors.
• Working knowledge of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), quality of service (QoS) design, and network readiness for real-time voice and video, including Domain Name System (DNS), Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP), firewalls, Network Address Translation (NAT) traversal, and Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN).
• Exposure to artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning features in unified communications, such as the Webex AI Assistant and speech analytics.
• Ability to diagnose problems, complex system failures, security vulnerabilities, in order to recommend cost-effective and/or alternative solutions.
• Strong interpersonal skills necessary to lead and collaborate on enterprise projects; train a variety of stakeholders; and influence others to resolve conflicting viewpoints.

Successful candidates must also possess the ability to secure their own transportation for in-state business travel and/or conferences. Travel may be required up to 10% of the time for this role., A bachelor’s degree or higher in Computer Science, Information Technology, Software Engineering, Management Information Systems, or a closely related field.

Possession of an industry-standard certification (or willingness to obtain in 1 year), such as Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert - Collaboration (CCIE Collaboration), Webex Contact Center Enterprise certification or equivalent training, and/or Calabrio Certified Administrator (WFM/QM).

Proven experience architecting and maintaining emergency mass notification systems (e.g., Singlewire Informa Cast) and enterprise digital signage platforms integrated with notification workflows.

Administration of Webex room systems and DeskPros, including RoomOS configuration and macro scripting.

Calabrio ONE workforce and quality management configuration and administration.

Enhanced 911 (E911) design and compliance for cloud calling, including dispatchable location.

Administration and interoperability of Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet, including Cloud Video Interop (CVI).

Experience running Webex, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet in a virtual desktop environment.

API integrations (REST, webhooks, JSON), especially integrating a contact center with line-of-business applications.

Server, virtualization, and storage platforms that support on-premises communications components., Successful candidates must pass past-employer reference checks and a criminal background check.

It is the policy of TRA that all finalist(s) submit to a background check prior to employment. The background check may consist of the following components:

• State of Minnesota state government employment records check (applies to current and past State of Minnesota state government employees only)
• Criminal History Check
• Employment Reference Check
• Social Security and Address Verification
• Education Verification
• Driver’s License Check

As an employee, you’ll have access to one of the most affordable health insurance plans in Minnesota, along with other benefits to help you and your family be well.

Your benefits may include:

• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 12 paid holidays each year
• Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans
• Fertility care, including IVF
• Diabetes care
• Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children
• 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children
• Pension plan that provides income when you retire (after working at least three years)
• Employer paid life insurance to provide support for your family in the event of death
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance that can provide income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury
• Tax-free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care
• Resources that provide support and promote physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being