Junior System Administrator

The Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Junior System Administrator (JSA) to join our IT team, with an anticipated start date in January 2025. The JSA will play a key role in planning and developing system integration solutions to meet the needs of our college community. This position offers a unique opportunity to collaborate with our IT team to enhance operations, reduce downtime, streamline processes, and ensure the scalability of applications and databases.

The JSA will report to the Director of Technology and work closely with the Managing Director of IT Operations.

Responsibilities include, but not are limited to:

1. Oversee efforts to maintain and update the college’s databases in collaboration with stakeholders.
2. Evaluate and recommend new solutions based on research, analysis of department needs, procedures, and operations.
3. Manage the life cycle of user accounts across all campus systems.
4. Support Mobile Device Management (MDM) systems for software patches and security updates.
5. Monitor user database access for security, maintaining accurate documentation for audits.
6. Collaborate with the IT team to implement applications and ensure secure data integration between systems.
7. Ensure backup integrity through regular recoverability testing.
8. Create scripts and process automation to improve efficiency.
9. Maintain comprehensive documentation of system and database structures and procedures.
10. Manage and partner with IT consultants and contractors and effectively communicate with internal customers.  Oversee contract work to ensure project and services meet the needs of MIAD as defined in the scope of the contract.  This includes cloud vendor contracts.
11. Collaborate and align with the Network/Systems Manager to improve operations, decrease downtimes, streamline work processes, and ensure scalability of databases and applications.
12. Diagnose issues, follow up with stakeholders, and document solutions.
13. Serve on MIAD committees and task forces as requested, sharing information with the IT team.
14. Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Information Technology.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree required in Computer Science or a related field.
• 2-3 years of experience in a similar role is preferred.

• Solid exposure to technologies including Microsoft SQL Server, Linux-based systems (Debian, CentOS), Azure, Microsoft Office 365, PowerShell, Bash, and Python.
• Experience with Helpdesk/Ticketing Systems; familiarity with Jenzabar is preferred.
• Experience in higher education is a plus.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

• Strong problem-solving abilities and sound judgement for decision-making with ability to appropriately escalate matters.
• Ability to recognize and protect confidential information in accordance with federal and state law with judgment, tact, and diplomacy in handling sensitive information and situations.
• Demonstrated experience maintaining a high level of integrity and discretion in handling confidential and sensitive information.

• Proven ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team environment.
• Strong project management skills are essential.