POSITION: Systems Administrator (Full-time continuing appointment) The information package for the above position includes a copy of the Nature and Scope of UAC, the Position Description, a Privacy issues document, and a brief summary of the UAC working conditions and remuneration of this position. If you decide to make an application for this position, would you please provide a written response to each of the selection criteria contained in the position description. Summary of UAC working conditions and remuneration The successful applicant will receive a copy of the UAC Enterprise Agreement 2013-2016, which details all the conditions of employment. Business hours - UAC staff work a 35 hour week. Our business hours are 8:30 to 4:30 Monday to Friday, with an hour lunch break. RDO System - Permanent staff can participate in a Rostered Day Off (RDO) system where staff work an extra 22 minutes per day in order to receive a RDO every four (4) weeks. Probation Period - The probation period for permanent positions is three (3) months. Sick Leave - Permanent staff are entitled to ten (10) days paid sick leave in the first year of employment, and receive fifty (50) days in the following years (with conditions). Annual Leave - Permanent staff receive twenty (20) days annual leave per year. Superannuation - UAC offers permanent staff 20% employer superannuation contributions. Staff have the option of taking a portion of their employer superannuation contribution as a cash component of their salary. However, a minimum 9.50% of employer superannuation contribution is required to meet Superannuation Guarantee obligations. All employer contributions will be paid into your nominated superannuation fund. Remuneration - The salary package for this position at Grade 8, Step 1 is $117,171.04 (includes base salary plus 20% employer superannuation contribution and annual leave loading). ABN 19 070 055 935 ACN 070 055 935 Quad 2, 8 Parkview Drive Sydney Olympic Park NSW post: Locked Bag 112, Silverwater NSW 2128 tel: (02) 9752 0200 website: www.uac.edu.au
Position Description Position title: Systems Administrator (Generic) Position no: 97 061 66 HEW level: Grade 8 Department/unit: Information Technology Supervisor/manager: Systems Manager Written by: Firaz Osman, Systems Manager Date written: May 2003, Updated March 2015 Incumbent: Vacant Approvals: 1. Dudley Collinson Director, Information Technology 2. Firaz Osman Systems Manager 1. Background information The Universities Admissions Centre (NSW & ACT) Pty Ltd (UAC) is the central office that processes applications for undergraduate and postgraduate courses, Educational Access Schemes and Equity Scholarships. UAC also notifies current NSW HSC students of their Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) and administers the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). UAC was created in 1995 as a private not for profit company operated through the New South Wales Vice Chancellors Committee (NSWVCC). The major policies that UAC adopts in fulfilling its role are determined by the UAC Board which reports to the NSWVCC. UAC operates in an environment of ongoing change as it responds to the needs of its participating institutions and to changes generated by external sources including the Australian Government and the NSW Government. As a consequence UAC s role is constantly evolving as it takes on new responsibilities and realigns itself strategically to meet future demands on its services. UAC s current organisational structure consists of the Executive Unit and four departments: Client Services, Corporate Services, Information Services, and Information Technology. The Information Technology Department consists of two units, Systems and Software. The Systems Unit provides information technology resources, systems, services, support, tools, and training to UAC staff and participating universities. The Software Unit develops and maintains software used by UAC, participating institutions and applicants. For information about UAC s structure and functions, see Nature and Scope of Universities Admissions Centre (NSW & ACT) Pty Ltd, available from UAC s Human Resource Unit.
2. Job purpose The Systems Administrator role at UAC involves responsibility for network configuration and administration across a large number of systems in a web based, multi user environment where privacy and the confidentiality of data are essential. This involves ensuring that systems perform in accordance with best practice, that system security is maintained and that problems are diagnosed and resolved in a timely manner. The System Administrator is one in a small team of four and the role requires a broad range of systems administration expertise. In particular this includes knowledge of, and experience with the operating systems and applications that support UAC s business operations, and knowledge of, and exposure to the virtual environment. The role requires a high level of commitment to the goals of the organisation including a willingness to see tasks through so that systems maintain their high availability. The Systems Administrator role also provides support and expertise to new projects and other initiatives and may be required to represent the Systems Unit on project committees and similar working groups. 3. Reporting and other relationships This position is one of three positions that report to the Systems Manager. Under the leadership of the Systems Manager the three positions work closely together to support a large number of different systems. There is often shared responsibility for a range of tasks and one position may be required to provide backup to another. The position communicates and liaises with other IT staff and with staff from other UAC departments on a daily basis with regard to systems support issues and other IT related tasks. The position is also required to build relationships with staff from institutions and various providers. 4. Dimensions There are eleven full time IT staff members and one person who allocates 60% of his time to IT. All production, web hosting, email (Lotus Notes), Ingres database and data warehouse servers are mixed of Windows, Linux and Solaris operating systems, some are physical servers and some are virtual. Ingres is the main database engine used at UAC, there is also a number of Microsoft SQL servers for the Accounting (AccPac) and payroll (Micropay) software. Within UAC, all desktops are DELL running Windows OS. SAS (data warehouse) is used by the institutions for their reporting needs. There are 25 institutions that access UAC systems. There are approximately 120 local users at UAC and 400 remote users at the participating universities. UAS is written in Java using the Wicket/Spring and ibatis frameworks. There are many ancillary systems that sit alongside and within UAS. Web applications are written in Java, Groovy, Grails JSP and Ingres Stored procedure programming languages. Page 2 of 4
5. Major tasks Systems administration, troubleshooting and monitoring. This involves administration of UAC virtual environment, servers, PCs, Cisco Routers, Switches and firewalls. Also this position involves installing and maintaining third party software and monitoring systems logs. Configuring and maintaining servers and workstations. This involves installing and configuring virtual machines, installing security patches and updates, checking the performance of the servers and tuning as required. Administration of the VM environment in the Data Centres (local and disaster recovery site). Performing daily quality assurance of all automated processes to ensure service levels are met. Keeping abreast of UAC business processes, including developing an understanding of the interrelationship between business processes. Participation in projects and other initiatives as required. Liaising with other team members to develop system changes necessary for the business. Running SQL and SAS reports as required. Administration of all systems backups. Regular monitoring of backup logs and restoring files as required. Administration of Windows and Linux servers and workstations. Providing user support (face to face and phone). This involves solving problems immediately or forwarding problems on to the appropriate staff within UAC. Maintaining and updating system procedure manuals and documents. Keeping the System Manager informed on progress of tasks and of any problems arising in a timely manner. Providing support to the System Manager and Director, IT as required. 6. Principal accountabilities The Systems Administrator is accountable for: Demonstrating the level of expertise and commitment necessary to ensure that UAC s internal network operates at the highest level of performance and availability. Ensuring that all technical and system administration support processes are appropriately planned and co ordinated. Ensuring that assigned tasks are delivered in accordance with best practice and are completed and documented within agreed timeframes. Providing high quality advice on the design, implementation and support of new infrastructure projects/initiatives when required. Abiding by UAC confidentiality requirements. Maintaining effective and harmonious working relationships with other UAC staff and external users and suppliers. Proactively maintaining a level of professional expertise commensurate with the requirements of the position Page 3 of 4
7. Challenges and constraints The challenge for the Systems Administrator is to keep abreast of new technologies, and be innovative in utilising these technologies in the practical environment. As a small organisation UAC requires the Systems Administrator to perform a broad range of functions that in a larger organisation would be the role of a number of different specialists. This adds to challenge for the System Administrator when dealing with the rapid rate of technological change and developing expertise in all areas of responsibility. The ability to plan ahead, to identify potential problems and to develop appropriate responses before problems arise is a particular challenge. 8. Education and experience A relevant IT degree at post graduate level and extensive relevant experience OR an equivalent combination of extensive relevant experience, management expertise and/or education/training. 9. Selection criteria Essential 1. A relevant IT degree at post graduate level and extensive relevant experience OR an equivalent combination of extensive relevant experience and/or education/training. 2. Demonstrate ability and good understanding of setting up Windows and Linux operating system. 3. Demonstrate good understanding of virtual environment and the ability to set up such systems. 4. Demonstrate good understanding of centralised VM environment in a data centre. 5. Demonstrate a good understanding of the backup and restore utilities used in a multi platform environment. 6. Demonstrate good understanding of network configuration and security architecture. 7. Demonstrate ability to think critically and analytically to solve user requirement in a systems support environment. 8. Demonstrate ability to set up third party software and tools required for IT systems. 9. Ability to consult with users and resolve problems related to network, software and computing facilities. 10. Demonstrate ability to use sound judgement and effectively solve problems within the scope of the position. 11. High level of initiative and ability to work with minimum supervision. 12. Understanding of, and commitment to, the principles of anti discrimination and equal employment opportunity legislation, and the application of these principles in the workplace on a daily basis. 13. Understanding of, and commitment to, the principles of workplace health and safety legislation and the application of these principles in the workplace on a daily basis. Desirable 1. Ability to work with a diverse group of computer users and clients both locally and remotely. 2. Ability to undertake complex independent systems tasks associated with UAC Information Technology infrastructure and related hardware and software components with minimal supervision. 3. Ability to work under stringent time deadlines and changing priorities. 4. Knowledge of SQL and data reporting 5. Knowledge of shell scripting 6. Knowledge of Microsoft Exchange and Cisco Call Manager 7. An understanding of the role of UAC in the Education Sector Page 4 of 4