Systems Architect

Central Electric Power Cooperative Inc•Columbia, SC

8d•Onsite

About The Position

Central Electric Power Cooperative provides wholesale electric service to the state’s 19 electric cooperatives, delivering reliable power through more than 900 miles of transmission lines. More than 2 million South Carolinians depend on electricity secured by Central, making our work essential to the communities we serve. Central is proud to be recognized by the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce as one of the Best Places to Work for 10 consecutive years. We value our employees and offer competitive compensation and benefits packages that include medical, dental, and vision insurance; long-term disability and life insurance; paid time off; a 401(k); and a Retirement Security Plan.

Requirements

Possess knowledge in the areas of: cyber security, network design and management; server hypervisors, server and PC operating systems; office automation software; computer hardware installation, configuration and repair; server and network security systems; firewalls; identity and access management; and backup systems.
Have an understanding of the complexities of Central’s interconnected systems and how changes can impact those systems.
Plan project timing, sequence, and scope to minimize negative impact on users and affected systems.
Ability to prioritize and organize multiple tasks and assignments, ability to conduct work efficiently in an independent, self-directed manner.
Must be able to keep up to date with technology changes and apply new knowledge to the job.
Requires the ability to visit each computer station; lift computer equipment up to 75 pounds; crawl under desks to connect and disconnect computers; and work with small tools to repair computer equipment and cables.
Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and be able to legally operate a company motor vehicle in accordance with Central’s vehicle use policy.
Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems or a related field. Experience can be substituted for education requirements.
Ten years prior experience managing, installing, configuring, and maintaining: server and workstation hardware; server and workstation operating systems; office automation software; backup systems; local and wide area networks; identity and access; firewalls; windows updates; server and network security systems.
At least three years of experience managing IT-related projects.
Three to six years’ experience with Microsoft 365, Exchange Online, PowerShell scripting, Active Directory, Azure, Entra, and VMware.

Nice To Haves

Prefer certifications such as Security+, Microsoft Certified: Identity and Azure, CISSP, or other related industry-recognized IT certifications.

Responsibilities

Designs, implements and manages server, network, and workstation systems to protect data, software, and hardware from unauthorized access, malicious, or unintentional loss.
Design and administer endpoint configuration, application installation, and device management tools including Group Policy and cloud policy management tools.
Designs, implements and manages data backup systems to ensure that data is safe from unintended loss, and to maintain an appropriate level of disaster recovery readiness.
Designs, implements, and manages identity security controls, including single sign-on, multi-factor authentication, conditional access, password policies, privileged access controls, and access review processes to reduce unauthorized access risks.
Provides IS resources to Central’s users (Purchases, installs, configures, maintains, troubleshoots and repairs server and workstation hardware and software.)
Monitors and analyzes Central's computer systems to detect potential problems and provide changes and adjustments to computer systems to avoid potential problems.
Communicate with vendors.
Accounts for Central’s computer assets.
Assists networking and scada department when needed to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair circuits, firewalls, switches and routers.
Lead design and implementation of network infrastructure security systems to prevent unauthorized access to Central’s networks.
Coordinates identity and authentication integrations with network, cloud, application, and vendor systems to support secure and reliable access.
Answers user questions, provides training, and evaluates user needs to help employees make effective use of company-provided hardware, software, systems, and IT resources.
Troubleshoots hardware and software issues.
Performs other incidental and related duties as required and assigned.