Linux Systems Analyst - Research Computing Systems

• JOB NUMBER: 519795

• CLASSIFICATION: Information Systems Professional 4A

• GRADE: Grade 81

• WORK TYPE: Hybrid, On Campus, Staff Full-time

• ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT: University of Alaska Fairbanks

• SCHOOL/BUSINESS UNIT: UAF Geophysical Institute

• LOCATION: Fairbanks

• CATEGORIES:Information Systems/Technology, Engineering/Computer Science, Research/Science/Grants

Position Summary:

The Research Computing Systems (RCS) group at the UAF Geophysical Institute (GI) is looking for a Linux Systems Analyst to join our team of research cyberinfrastructure analysts and engineers. This position will have opportunities to use and build skills in Linux system administration, scientific computing, x86 hardware maintenance, configuration automation, and operating systems security. As an RCS team member, you will support the two high-performance computing clusters, maintain the Lustre high-performance filesystem, operate a small OpenStack cluster, and administer multiple Linux VMs and stand-alone servers used by RCS, the GI, and various research projects. You will be communicating directly with researchers to support research from a variety of science domains. If you want to develop your Linux administration skills, and you want to work with a dedicated, inclusive team of IT Professionals, this is the position for you and we look forward to receiving your application! ***US CITIZENSHIP IS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION. TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION, PLEASE LIST YOUR CURRENT CITIZENSHIP STATUS IN EITHER YOUR COVER LETTER OR RESUME***

Duties:

Documentation: Maintain up-to-date system procedures that can be followed by system, storage and network staff as required. Utilize the RT ticketing system for documenting system updates/issues.

System Analysis Research and develop tools for the collection and analysis of system performance data. Examine, document and report on profiles of system utilization. Monitor system performance and make recommendations for improvements. Develop and utilize capacity planning tools to anticipate future needs and make recommendations concerning future upgrades.

System Upgrades and Modernization: Develop utilities and problem solving tools. Perform analysis, and develop/modify software and systems to circumvent problems and enhance access. Develop regression test cases to solve problems, to implement robust systems and to validate system changes. Support faculty and staff in programming projects as needed. Follow industry hardware and software releases to determine when upgrades are advantageous. Provide procurement support as part of a team. Develop requirements and identify potential recipients for RFPs. Evaluate proposals and make product recommendations.

Consulting Support: Provide consulting for staff and users. Assist, or provide guidance to, users and staff with system questions/issues including problem diagnosis. Ensure that staff are notified in advance of system downtime. Alert services staff to potential system and user issues observed in performance of duties. Follow and enhance internal change management and project management standards and practices. Provide input, guidance, and review on system and usage policies. Provide direct support as required to other units on campus sharing infrastructure. Provide staff support for linux workstations.

Maintain Availability and Functionality of Systems: Perform day-to-day system status reviews and troubleshooting; work with vendors as necessary, to ensure fully functioning systems. Develop and maintain baseline of expertise required to support systems and participate in on-call rotation. Maintain technical currency and awareness of technological advances relating to HPC and server technologies and operating systems. Participate in machine room power outages. Install, inventory, modify, maintain, test and integrate system hardware and software to provide access to systems and software tools with minimal negative impact to users by making effective use of downtime. Install and update user software as requested by staff. Take a leading role in overall system responsibility or particular system roles or tasks.

Security: Ensure systems are operated, managed, secured and used in accordance with organizational policies and procedures. Serve as, or support, the Systems Security Officer. Monitor system security advisories and respond appropriately. Monitor system logs and take appropriate action when anomalies are detected. Perform system security scans, analyze results and correct deficiencies.

Center/Professional Development: Maintain professional security certification as appropriate. Achieve and maintain technical professional certification. Author and present papers/posters at professional conferences. Participate in funding/grant writing activities as appropriate. Represent organization at campus, local, state, national and international meetings.

Research and Planning: Track industry trends and share information concerning new technologies of interest. Evaluate and report on new technologies of interest. Work with organization and other units on research and/or implementation of new technologies.

This position is located at the UAF campus in Fairbanks, Alaska. Hybrid work agreements will be considered for this position, but the finalist will need to be willing to relocate or currently live in the Fairbanks area.

Additional Department Information

The Research Computing Systems (RCS) group is located within the Geophysical Institute (GI). Founded in 1948, the GI is a world-renowned center for the study of geophysics from the sun to the center of the Earth. RCS provides advanced computing, storage, data sharing solutions, and research IT support to UAF research communities, collaborators, and supporters. RCS is a dynamic team of IT professionals developing and maintaining the GI’s cyberinfrastructure and a core set of cyberinfrastructure services for a wide variety of UAF research projects. We collaborate with multiple groups throughout the GI, UAF research, and UA’s Office of Information Technology. Our goal is to work together and independently to ensure researchers have high-performing and adaptable network, storage, compute, web, and hosted systems services they can depend on to conduct their research. We have a very flexible office environment including opportunities for employees to work from home and periodically work remotely. 

Geophysical Institute

The Geophysical Institute is a research-driven organization at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The university offers an attractive work environment and strong benefits including retirement and health insurance, generous leave policies, and tuition waivers for UAF courses. The Geophysical Institute is committed to equity, inclusion, and accountability and values the open sharing of different perspectives. We support a respectful and welcoming environment and a commitment to serving Alaska and Alaskans with strong applied science. Career growth and professional development are expected and encouraged.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

Advanced knowledge of information technologies including hardware and software, network configuration, system administration, database development and administration, data and network security, programming, and system analysis and integration.

Expert level knowledge of analysis, database administration, security, systems administration, and engineering.

Knowledge of multiple systems and ability to understand how systems relate to one another.

Knowledge of, and ability to combine inter-relationships between disparate problems and formulate situations.

Ability to formulate problem resolution.

Ability to analyze unusual, non-routine or complex situations and problems and devise alternate strategies for solutions.

Advanced knowledge of a specialized area.

Advanced knowledge of managing enterprise level technology.

Ability to understand needs of end users.

Ability to deliver results for the organization.

Ability to extrapolate abstract business problems into a successful targeted architecture benefiting UA.

Ability to guide and mentor peers on tasks related to their area of expertise.

Ability to make decisions on matters of significance and implement these decisions on behalf of the University.

Advanced knowledge of policies, standards and the computing environment. Project management skills.

Ability to work in a team environment with developers, testers and analysts.

Effective verbal and technical writing communication skills.

Prioritization and organization skills.

Ability to write and maintain good technical documentation.

Ability to lead a deployment or troubleshooting team.

Ability to work scheduled periods of 24x7 on-call support.

Experience troubleshooting and deploying computer hardware and software.

Technical skills to include advanced computer system design and testing.

Advanced system administration skills.

Experience implementing or training with IT security best practices and methods.

Experience writing basic shell scripts.

Experience troubleshooting and deploying peripheral hardware systems.

Demonstrate programming (C, C++, Fortran, etc.) and/or scripting (bash, awk/sed, Perl, etc.) experience.

Required Education and Experience:

A Bachelor's degree in an information technology, software development, or science research field, or equivalent experience.

Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) certification or equivalent is preferred.

A minimum of 4 years of professional Linux Systems Administration experience is required.

U.S. Citizenship is required for this position.

As a public, regional, comprehensive university, UAF is committed to building a culturally diverse and inclusive organization and strongly encourages women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply.

Salary Information:

This position is full-time, Grade 81 term-funded,exempt,12-month position complete with a competitive salary and UA employee benefits package.

Application Process:

To ensure consideration, please apply prior to the review date. ***US CITIZENSHIP IS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION. TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION, PLEASE LIST YOUR CURRENT CITIZENSHIP STATUS IN EITHER YOUR COVER LETTER OR RESUME***

To apply for this position, please provide a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references with your application. Please include references to or examples of any projects you’ve supported or code you’ve worked on in your cover letter. Please submit your application no later than 7/10/2022 at 11:55 PM Alaska Time.  The review of this posting will start on 7/11/2022. This posting will be closed once it is filled.

If you need assistance applying to this posting, please contact GI - Office of Human Resources at 907-474-6498. 

Applicants needing a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application and screening process should contact the UA Human Resources office at 907-450-8200.

Term Position:

This position is a term-funded position and is reviewed annually for contract renewal at the University's discretion.

Affirmative Action Statement:

UA is an AA/EO employer and educational institution and prohibits illegal discrimination against any individual: www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination

Background Check:

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

UAF COVID Requirements

Effective immediately, all new UAF hires, whose job function or work location results in the employee being subject to the UAF vaccine requirements guided by the Federal Contractor Employee vaccine mandate*, must be fully vaccinated with an FDA- or WHO- authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine or have obtained a university-approved disability/medical or religious exemption no later than six weeks from the new hire's start date.

Proof of vaccination does not need to be provided to apply. If offered the position, the successful applicant will be contacted for proof of vaccination.

*Employees based on UAF’s Troth Yeddha’ (Fairbanks) campus, regardless of university affiliation and remote work status; Employees based in UAF research units outside Fairbanks (including Seward Marine Center, Kodiak Seafood and Marine Science Center, HAARP, Poker Flat, Lena Point, and Toolik Field Station); and Employees, regardless of their work location, paid by or directly working on impacted UAF federal contract.

Probationary Period:

Pursuant to University Regulation 04.07.020, new employees of the University are employed in an at-will probationary status for the first six months of employment. During the probationary period, employment may be terminated for no reason or any reason. Promoted employees also serve a probationary period with limited rights of retreat.

Public Disclosure Statement:

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

University of Alaska is a Drug Free Workplace. University of Alaska is a Drug Free Workplace.

Training Policy:

It is the policy of the University of Alaska (UA) that all employees are required to complete training to meet the requirements of the positions they hold, and to complete the required training within a specified period to remain employed at the UA.

Contact Information:

If you have any questions regarding this position, please contact GI HR at 907-474-6498.