Senior IT Systems Administrator

Palo Alto University•Palo Alto, CA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Palo Alto University (PAU) is a private, nonprofit university located in the heart of Silicon Valley with a singular focus on mental and behavioral health education. For five decades, PAU has been dedicated to addressing pressing and emerging challenges affecting individuals, organizations, and communities, preparing practitioners and scholars to meet the evolving needs of contemporary society. With an enrollment of approximately 1,200 graduate students and a small cohort of undergraduate students, the University offers a comprehensive portfolio of bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and professional programs delivered through innovative online, hybrid, and residential modalities. PAU is distinguished by faculty who are nationally and internationally recognized for their contributions to research, teaching, and clinical practice. Through rigorous academic preparation, applied research, and extensive hands-on clinical training, PAU equips students with the knowledge, skills, and professional judgment required for meaningful impact in the behavioral health fields. Together, these elements define PAU’s mission-driven approach to education and its legacy of preparing confident, competent, and compassionate professionals who make a difference in the communities they serve. Job Title: Senior IT Systems Administrator with IT Security Responsibilities Location: Palo Alto University (On-site/Hybrid) Department: IT Operations Reports To: IT Director / CIO Job Summary:

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
7+ years of experience as an IT Systems Administrator or similar role, with at least 3 years in a leadership position.
Proven experience in managing complex IT infrastructures, including servers, networks, and storage solutions.
Expertise in troubleshooting complex IT issues and providing strategic solutions to optimize systems.
Advanced knowledge of security best practices, with hands-on experience implementing security measures.
Excellent communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills
Exceptional documentation and process development skills.
Proven ability to lead and collaborate in a team environment.
Operating Systems & Software: Expertise in administering various operating systems, including Windows Server, Windows 10/11, macOS, Zendesk, and 2FA.
Networking: Advanced knowledge of networking concepts, protocols, and configurations, including TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VPN, and firewalls.
Virtualization: Extensive experience with virtualization technologies such as VMware.
Cloud Services: Advanced familiarity with cloud platforms like Google Workspace, email platforms, and the ability to manage cloud resources effectively.
Zoom Room & Video Conferencing Management: Expertise in managing, optimizing, and troubleshooting video conferencing systems, including Zoom Rooms and related hardware.

Nice To Haves

Certifications such as CompTIA Security+, Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator, or equivalent.
Experience with cloud platforms (Azure, AWS, Google Cloud).
Knowledge of scripting (PowerShell, Python, Bash).
Experience with SIEM tools, endpoint detection, and response (EDR) solutions.
Deep understanding of compliance frameworks (NIST, ISO 27001, CIS Controls).

Responsibilities

Lead the management and maintenance of servers, workstations, and cloudbased infrastructure, ensuring high availability and performance.
Administer and optimize Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS, DHCP, and other core IT services.
Oversee and direct software and hardware upgrades, patches, and maintenance in line with best practices.
Monitor system performance and lead capacity planning, availability, and optimization efforts.
Architect and manage backup and disaster recovery processes.
Troubleshoot complex IT issues across end users and infrastructure components, taking ownership of high-priority incidents.
Lead the management and support of enterprise applications, ensuring optimal performance and reliability.
Collaborate with business units to guide the deployment and integration of new applications.
Develop and execute plans for application updates, patches, and upgrades.
Provide leadership in troubleshooting complex application-related issues and coordinating with vendors for resolution.
Lead the implementation and continuous improvement of security policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulations.
Oversee endpoint protection solutions, firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and identity management.
Own vulnerability management and remediation processes, coordinating patching and security risk mitigation.
Proactively monitor security logs, incidents, and response activities, providing oversight to security incidents.
Lead security awareness training for staff, faculty, and students.
Drive IAM best practices and work to continuously improve access controls and identity management.
Oversee and maintain corporate network infrastructure, including switches, firewalls, and VPNs, ensuring secure and efficient communication.
Manage and optimize cloud service administration (Azure, AWS, Google Workspace, etc.).
Troubleshoot complex network issues, leading efforts to improve connectivity and network performance.
Design and secure wireless and remote access technologies in line with industry best practices.
Own the management and optimization of Zoom Rooms and video conferencing systems, ensuring seamless integration and user experience.
Provide advanced technical support for video conferencing tools and associated hardware, resolving issues proactively.
Work cross-functionally with departments to design and implement scalable video conferencing solutions for academic and administrative use.
Provide strategic leadership and guidance to IT team members, improving operational efficiency and knowledge sharing.
Maintain thorough documentation for all IT systems, configurations, and processes.
Mentor junior team members, ensuring skill development and growth within the department.
Participate in key IT projects and initiatives that enhance system capabilities and drive technology innovation.
System Maintenance: Lead efforts to monitor, maintain, and optimize all IT systems to ensure high availability and peak performance.
Daily Operations: Oversee the response to system alerts, incidents, and service requests, minimizing downtime and ensuring smooth operations.
Solution Development: Guide the development of innovative, effective IT solutions in collaboration with other teams.
Security: Lead the implementation of comprehensive security measures, ensuring compliance with best practices and regulations.
Documentation: Ensure the maintenance of high-quality documentation for systems, configurations, and IT processes.
End User Support: Provide leadership in resolving complex technical issues for faculty, staff, and students.
Team Collaboration: Work closely with cross-functional teams to align IT solutions with the university's goals and objectives.
System Upgrades: Oversee and lead the planning and execution of system upgrades and patches to minimize disruption to operations.
Disaster Recovery: Own and enhance disaster recovery plans to safeguard data and ensure business continuity.