Cyber System Administrator

Gannon University•Erie, PA

11d

About The Position

The Cyber System Administrator provides operational and technical support for computing systems, instructional spaces, and academic activities within the Institute for Health and Cyber Knowledge (I-Hack). The role recommends procedural changes to enhance course delivery and academic projects, helps academic leadership ensure priorities are followed, manages the High-Performance Computing Center (HPC), and supports the Center for Manufacturing and Technology (CMT). The position designs, implements, configures, and manages physical and virtual enterprise server and storage systems, and provides primary support for network management systems and network operating systems serving cybersecurity programs, HPC, and CMT. It manages network and system operations, works to prevent security incidents, plans upgrades, and responds to technical issues. The administrator also supports cyber faculty and staff, academic and outreach activities, and student projects. The position coordinates work for student and departmental projects and manages undergraduate and graduate student workers.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a computer-related field, more than five years of equivalent experience, or relevant cybersecurity certifications.
At least two years of experience administering Linux-based server infrastructure in a production environment.
Experience administering production data networks, including switches, routers, firewalls, and physical and virtual systems.
Experience with virtualization, enterprise storage, and technologies including Proxmox VE, Ceph, OPNsense or pfSense, OpenVPN or WireGuard, Linux containers (LXC/Docker), Authentik or an equivalent identity provider, Nginx or reverse proxies, Cloudflare or equivalent CDN/DNS management, and infrastructure-as-code or automation tools such as Ansible, shell scripting, or Python.
Experience with Windows domains, Active Directory, and SQL.
Working knowledge and experience with TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, 802.11 technologies, Windows Server, Linux operating systems, and cloud computing.
Experience installing and supporting client, server, and web applications in networked physical and virtual environments.
Experience using network and server management and analysis tools, both hardware and software.
Ability to understand the principles of new technologies and products.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to communicate clearly with computing users individually, in groups, and in writing.
Problem-solving experience and ability to pursue problems through defined channels until resolved.
Ability to work cooperatively in a team, organize materials, oversee inventory, and maintain records.
Ability to adapt to new computing environments and situations, identify emerging problem areas, and propose solutions.
Ability to lift up to 20 pounds and to reach with hands and arms, bend, kneel, crouch, and climb ladders.

Nice To Haves

Experience with virtualization platforms such as Proxmox or VMware, network administration, and enterprise storage systems.
Experience in an academic or research computing environment.
Project management experience.
Experience in an academic environment.
CompTIA Security+, Linux+/LPIC, Microsoft, networking, or cybersecurity certifications.

Responsibilities

Administer core systems, Active Directory, Microsoft SQL, cloud computing, and patch management in coordination with other team members.
Administer network security infrastructure and maintain firewall rules, NAT policies, and access control lists.
Manage the student lab environment each semester by deploying and configuring course virtual machine environments from approved templates, supporting classroom workstation imaging and software deployment, and decommissioning student resources at semester end.
Manage external cloud services, maintain service subscriptions, and coordinate renewals.
Administer backup infrastructure, define and maintain backup schedules and retention policies by system tier, and verify and test restore procedures.
Provide high-level technical support for server and desktop applications, including advice, training, and assistance for the cybersecurity program.
Consult academic program leadership on hardware acquisitions and recommend configurations that meet program standards and reflect current technology.
Implement major projects and provide leadership and guidance for them.
Create and maintain system documentation, operational procedures, architectural documentation, and hardware and software inventories.
Collaborate with institutional IT personnel and ensure managed systems and infrastructure align with institutional IT commitments.
Propose and implement enhancements to improve system and service performance and reliability using industry best practices.
Develop, recommend, and implement network standards and policies and monitor compliance.
Assist with evaluating, recommending, and purchasing hardware, software, and services that improve IT delivery to the program.
Maintain and improve knowledge of emerging technologies.
Manage the High-Performance Computing Cluster, including provisioning and maintaining compute resources, virtualized lab environments, and storage capacity for coursework and faculty needs.
Support hardware and software needs of I-Hack faculty and staff.
Coordinate Open House activities and camps and support outreach activities, including Cyberpatriot and GUBotDev.
Support senior design projects.
Coordinate work for student and departmental projects and manage undergraduate and graduate student workers.
Perform other duties assigned within the scope and requirements of the position.