SENIOR COMPUTING SPECIALIST - University of Washington

Req #: 239920 Department: COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING Appointing Department Web Address: https://www.engr.washington.edu/ Job Location Detail: Hybrid eligible Posting Date: 10/22/2024 Closing Info: Open Until Filled Salary: $7,400 - $7,800 per month Shift: First Shift Notes: As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website, click here. (https://hr.uw.edu/benefits/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/02/benefits-professional-staff-librarians-academic-staff-20230701\_a11y.pdf) As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills, and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world. UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty. **The College of Engineering has an outstanding opportunity for a Senior Computing Specialist to join their team.** **POSITION PURPOSE** Reporting to the Associate Director of Computing, the Senior Computing Specialist for the CoE Dean's Office plays a collaborative role within the Computing Services team, working closely with colleagues across the College of Engineering (CoE) to manage and enhance various servers and services. This position is dedicated to supporting students, faculty, and staff within the College and the Departments of Human Centered Design & Engineering (HCDE) and Materials Science & Engineering (MSE). Effective communication and partnership with users and staff are vital to ensuring that services and projects meet the evolving needs of the CoE community. The Senior Computing Specialist leads efforts in responding to user requests and resolving technology issues, fostering a collaborative environment that aligns with the College's educational and research missions. **POSITION COMPLEXITIES** This position is central to the collaborative management of computer resources and services that underpin the educational and research missions of the departments. The Senior Computing Specialist partners with departmental stakeholders to manage computer and network equipment, including faculty/staff workstations, software, educational computer labs, and server infrastructure. **POSITION DIMENSIONS AND IMPACT TO THE UNIVERSITY** The CoE Computing Services team supports the staff of the CoE Office of the Dean and the academic departments of HCDE and MSE. This role involves leading the integration of information technology solutions, including desktop and technical support, web services, network management, data center operations, and software licensing. Additionally, the CoE Computing Services team works in close collaboration with UW-IT to represent and advance the College's objectives within the broader IT ecosystem of the University of Washington, ensuring that the College's technology infrastructure aligns with university-wide goals and initiatives. **DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES** Computer Support + Design and maintain critical backbone computing services such as servers, software firewalls, remote access, calendaring, and network connectivity. Ensure these services support the department's operational needs effectively. + Lead the process of equipment maintenance and software management by overseeing troubleshooting, repair, installation, and updates. + Ensure the continuous functionality of all hardware and software resources. + Manage and optimize the department's software inventory and licensing, ensuring all records are up-to-date and renewals are handled proactively to maintain compliance and efficiency. + Implement and sustain robust desktop security protocols, including virus prevention, firewalls, and patch deployment. + Develop strategies to safeguard data from security threats. + Drive the configuration and deployment strategy for computing equipment across faculty, staff, and educational labs. + Ensure that all deployments align with College standards and department educational goals. + Lead the response to security incidents, including virus infections and malicious activities. Develop and maintain a proactive approach to protecting department workstations and research servers. + Oversee A/V equipment support processes, ensuring prompt and effective troubleshooting to maintain seamless operations in educational and departmental settings.Technology Design, Planning, and Policies + Develop comprehensive technology specifications and budget proposals to support the continuous improvement of the department's IT infrastructure, ensuring alignment with future needs. + Lead technical evaluations of computer systems and software, conducting in-depth systems analysis to determine functional specifications and providing data-driven recommendations for hardware, software, or system upgrades. + Oversee the strategic management and optimization of the department's technical infrastructure, including a diverse range of operating systems, desktops, laptops, and devices, as well as Linux, Unix and Windows server infrastructure (Windows 2019, and 2022). + Ensure seamless accessibility of college-wide services while maintaining the efficient performance of key services such as MCM, virtual private networks (VPN), file and print services, aligning with departmental goals. + Design and implement continuous deployment pipelines to drive efficient and streamlined system updates and security, ensuring alignment with evolving technological needs. + Drive the strategic design and planning of technology initiatives across departments, working under the guidance of the Associate Director of Computing. Proactively shape the technological landscape to meet current and future needs. + Collaborate with COE IT leadership and department Administrators to establish and refine computing and technology policies. + Develop and implement processes that align with long-term goals and adapt to evolving requirements. + Lead the development of annual UW Student Technology Fee proposals, partnering with HCDE and MSE to secure funding for essential and innovative technology resources. + Strategize and support the acquisition of computing equipment and services by crafting compelling proposals that reflect the college's and departments' needs and aspirations. + Continuously assess and optimize computing policies, procedures, and services, recommending and implementing improvements to enhance efficiency and alignment with institutional goals. + Ensure the accuracy and accessibility of department computing policies by maintaining up-to-date documentation on the HCDE and MSE websites, fostering transparency and compliance.Instructional and Teaching Support + Oversee and ensure the effective operation of instructional computing resources, driving the ongoing maintenance and support needed to foster a seamless learning environment. + Lead the systems administration and management of departmental lab equipment and workstations, ensuring optimal performance and reliability to meet instructional needs. + Partner with faculty and teaching assistants to provide comprehensive technical support and guidance, enabling the successful integration and use of lab resources for instructional purposes.Training and User Education + Develop and lead comprehensive training programs for HCDE and MSE faculty and staff, ensuring they are well-versed in the systems, computing services, and applications offered by the departments, CoE, and the University. + Drive the adoption of new technologies by designing and implementing educational initiatives that empower all department faculty, staff, and students to effectively utilize emerging tools and resources. + Oversee user education on technical issues, creating and maintaining a curriculum that addresses critical topics such as remote desktop usage, security threats, and adherence to relevant policies and regulations.Technology Advisement, Coordination, and Purchases + Monitor and align departmental practices with UW and COE computing policies, ensuring that all departmental activities remain compliant and informed by the latest institutional guidelines. + Cultivate effective communication and coordination channels with departmental staff to facilitate seamless integration of computing practices and policies. + Lead the strategic evaluation and recommendation of computing resources, overseeing the acquisition of new computer hardware and software to ensure the department maintains cutting-edge capabilities for its teaching and research missions. + Manage the procurement and lifecycle of computing equipment, from submitting orders for new technology to coordinating the responsible disposal of outdated assets in collaboration with department equipment and asset coordinators. + Serve as a trusted advisor to faculty, staff, and students on hardware and software acquisitions, ensuring informed decisions that align with departmental goals and user needs. + Guide faculty and staff in selecting the most effective computing tools, empowering them to achieve their teaching, research, and administrative objectives efficiently. **MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS** + Bachelor's degree in information technology, or related field, with + At least 2 years of experience in IT support. **Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.** **ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS** + Experience managing Windows Domain and Macintosh networking environments. + Experience with PC and Macintosh operating systems. + Experience troubleshooting hardware and software problems at the component level. + Able to learn and apply new or unfamiliar technologies. + Work both independently, cooperatively, and respectfully with faculty, staff, students, managers, supervisors, and academic peers and partners. + Strong interpersonal skills and customer service. + Demonstrated ability to communicate professionally, clearly, and empathetically in all forms of communications, e.g., verbal and written, one-on-one, and in groups. + Demonstrated ability to communicate complex technical information to non-technical users. + Experience working independently, and as both a member and leader of a team. + Demonstrated ability to problem-solve, take initiative, set priorities, and handle multiple projects efficiently and effectively. **DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS** + Experience working in an academic environment. + Experience with help desk customer service. + VMware vSphere or equivalent hyper visor experience. + iOS or JAMF Apple device management. + Cloud services experience. + Experience giving presentations, including tutorials or help sessions. **CONDITITONS OF EMPLOYMENT** To effectively support faculty and staff, occasional flexibility outside of regular hours may be required to address the department's computing needs. This may include managing seasonal workloads (e.g., summer, between quarters), assisting evening course instructors in the educational computing lab, and providing rapid responses to urgent issues such as server crashes, viruses, or security incidents. **Application Process:** The application process may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select "Apply to this position". Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your "My Jobs" page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are access ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed. University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.