Senior IT Analyst - Disaster Recovery Technical Analyst - Blue Star Partners LLC

Job Title: Senior IT Analyst - Disaster Recovery Technical Analyst
Location: Columbus, OH - Hybrid position - Onsite Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Period: 8/5/2024 – 12/20/2024
Rate: $50 – $58 per hour based on experience and qualifications
Employment Type: W-2 only, Temp to Hire

 
Scope of Services:  

The IT Analyst helps manage the provision of outsourced server operations and Infrastructure services including hardware and software asset management services for all Company business units. This role collaborates closely with the Director of IT Operations and IT Operations Managers to ensure that Infrastructure Services for Data Center operations are provided within the scope of the Service contract as reflected by service levels, the statement of work, and pertinent schedules/exhibits. This role will specifically drive the Data Center operations in conjunction with the Service Providers. This individual will work closely with their Service Provider Delivery Managers to track and monitor the overall progress of IT Operations processes. This role will work with Project Managers and Architects on small-to-medium-sized Infrastructure Services projects to ensure issues are communicated and resolved in a timely fashion.

 
Roles, Responsibilities, and Deliverables:

• Responsible for managing all activities related to the disaster recovery program, to ensure that the Company is able to recover their systems in the event of a disaster and perform DR testing exercises both on-premises and CoLo facilities.
• Planning, design, documentation, and testing of disaster recovery solutions to meet business or technology requirements.
• Evaluation of existing technology solutions to determine fit for purpose for the new business or technology requirements. Recommendation of technology alternatives.
• Provide technical guidance and expertise in disaster recovery methodologies, including backup and recovery solutions, data replication, failover/failback procedures, and recovery testing.
• Lead the planning, execution, and delivery of IT disaster recovery projects, including risk assessments, impact analyses, and recovery plan development.
• Maintain accurate documentation of disaster recovery plans, procedures, and test results. Prepare and present reports to senior management and stakeholders on the status of disaster recovery initiatives.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of IT disaster recovery processes and technologies.
• Under the direction of the IT Operations Director or IT Operation Manager(s), perform routine assignments in the advanced level of the Lead IT Analyst job band.
• Facilitate cross-functional governance to ensure all aspects of the IT Data Center portfolio are included in long-term planning and prioritization.
• Provide the organization with visibility into the long-term roadmap for functional and technical changes to the portfolio.
• Ensure all Business Analysts are aligned on expectations for the quality and thoroughness of deliverables; review the work of less experienced Business Analysts and ensure consistency across the portfolio.
• Work closely with IT Infrastructure Architects, IT Application, IT Office of the CIO, and business unit professionals, project managers and other areas of the Company, and Service Providers to perform and/or support operations processes, including procurement and payment processing, spending optimization, and expense management related to infrastructure services.
• Help drive resolution of operational and service-based issues in the Data Center, reviewing, analyzing, and reporting on Service Provider operations, as directed by the Director of IT Operations reporting related to Service Provider performance.
• Work closely with Company project managers and Service Provider personnel to help track and monitor projects that meet business needs and adhere to agreed-upon service levels (e.g., budget, schedule, quality).
• Gather Data Center data on spending patterns for analysis and reporting.
• Provide information on spending for company cost allocation and metric reporting.
• Gather data on Data Center day-to-day operational execution of services and equipment delivery for analysis and reporting.
• Review monthly/annual forecasts of expenses for the IT Budget, and analyze and report variances to the budget.
• Facilitate audits of processes related to Data Center.
• Assist in ensuring the Service Providers are adhering to Company’s defined standards.
• Confirm that Data Center supporting documentation is available and kept up-to-date.
• Maintain a solid understanding of the Service Providers’ operational and service delivery capabilities and processes as it relates to Data Center.
• Interact with Service Provider team members, helping to ensure they are properly qualified and staffed appropriately to meet Company business needs.
• Maintain a solid understanding of the scope of the Service contracts as reflected by service levels, statement of work, and pertinent schedules/exhibits.
• Assist with communications for planned and unplanned outages.
• Other duties as assigned to maintain stable IT operations.
• Prepare for and help facilitate regular performance review meetings on the Data Center operations with the Service Provider and prepare performance and status information for Company IT and business leaders, as requested.
• Resolve or escalate issues related to Data Center operations in a timely manner.
• Work closely with the IT Governance to resolve Service Provider related issues.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent work experience that provides knowledge and exposure to fundamental theories, principles, and concepts.
• Four plus years of experience in medium to large Data Center operations.
• 5-7 years’ experience in infrastructure services or infrastructure analysis, deployment, and support.
• Thorough understanding of disaster recovery methodologies, including backup and recovery solutions, data replication, failover/failback procedures, and recovery testing.
• Experience working closely with service providers and delegating operational activities to them, as directed by a director or manager.
• Expert-level knowledge of IT infrastructure components, trends, and best practices.
• Knowledge of ITIL processes and metrics.
• Solid skills with enterprise-class servers, operating systems, and productivity software (MS Office Suite, MS Project, and other IT applications) and ability to learn new technical concepts quickly.
• Excellent analytical abilities, including process analysis and development, problem-solving, and root cause analysis.
• Strong teaming skills, collaboration, negotiation, communication, organizational, people management, and conflict resolution skills.
• Willing to travel to Company business unit or Service Provider locations, as needed.
• Company business operations knowledge is desirable.
• Three plus years of experience in a support IT functions.
• Advanced knowledge of ITIL processes and metrics and certification is required.
• General working knowledge of the gas and electric utility industry.
• Can work independently in the assigned functional domain.
• Demonstrated experience leading process development and improvements.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Understands Project Management Fundamentals and proven track record in managing complex projects.