Senior Systems Administrator

Description

The MIT Libraries are seeking an experienced and creative Senior Systems Administrator to join the Technology Infrastructure Team, within the Technology Systems and Support Services Department. The position will work closely with other Systems Administrators, Developers, Project Managers and others to propose, plan, and implement projects and initiatives in the areas of systems operations, infrastructure, cloud environments, and storage. S/He contributes strong technical expertise to the Technology Infrastructure Team that is charged with delivering stable, reliable, flexible systems and services, and improving everyday tasks and operations that support the mission of the Libraries.

Some specific responsibilities include:

• Architect, monitor, maintain and support the Libraries’ production, development and release environments
• Perform updates and upgrades to deployed applications and supporting software libraries
• Actively monitor servers and applications, and respond to system-level incidents, and application-level events when possible
• In cooperation with project stakeholders, codify service level agreements and uptime expectations
• Help provide and maintain testing infrastructure, including integration and load testing. Perform systems administration tasks as needed
• Act as a liaison between Libraries’ software developers and the operations team
• Research, test and make recommendations regarding new and emerging systems and server technologies
• Document all IT systems policies and procedures and administer daily system maintenance procedures

QUALIFICATIONS include some combination of:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related technical field, or combination of at least five years equivalent training and/or experience
• A minimum of three years of hands-on relevant experience in systems administration and infrastructure provisioning
• Demonstrated experience with the following:
  • Installation, maintenance, and systems administration of Linux Systems, OpenLDAP and VMware vSphere.
  •  Knowledge of other web servers, authentication and authorization tools, vertical applications, storage, and cloud technologies, as well as a solid background in systems operations and integration.

o    Hardware virtualization environments, such as VMware

o    Server-side technologies including Apache Solr, Apache HTTP Server, Tomcat

o   Scripting in one or more open source languages (e.g. Bash, Python)

o   Distributed version control, preferably Git/Github, for source code version control and collaboration

o   IT infrastructure automation tools, such as Ansible

• As technologies change at a rapid pace, the successful candidate must be willing to quickly learn new skills, tools, and methodologies
• Strong analytical, planning, and organizational skills. while managing a complex workload and shifting priorities
• Excellent interpersonal, problem solving, and communication skills, both verbal and written including writing and maintaining documentation targeting a diverse audience
• Ability to work independently, and also effectively in a collaborative team environment, and interact with a wide range of users.
• The ability to share responsibility for off-hours service outages

Preferred:

• Experience working in a large academic library or similar cultural heritage institution.
• Experience with Library applications such as DSpace, Hydra and Fedora
• Exposure to hardware load balancing technologies and techniques
• Experience using at least one open source programming language and/or web framework (e.g. Ruby/Rails, PHP/Drupal, Python/WSGI, Java/Tomcat)
• Single sign-on authentication services (LDAP, Shibboleth, and/or Active Directory)
• Familiarity with the concept of Infrastructure as code and DevOps
• Experience with cloud technologies such (e.g. AWS, GCE, Heroku, GAE, EBS, Azure)
• Management and deployment of SQL Database clusters (PostgreSQL preferred)
• Experience with container technology, e.g. Docker
• Background in networking an asset

SALARY AND BENEFITS: $90,000 is minimum salary.  Actual salary will depend on qualifications and experience.  MIT offers excellent benefits including a choice of health and retirement plans, a dental plan, tuition assistance, and fully subsidized MBTA passes for local bus and subway service.  Flexible work arrangements, including flex-time and telecommuting, are considered for positions that meet established criteria. The MIT Libraries is a collegial and supportive working environment and fosters professional growth of staff with management training and travel funding for professional meetings.

APPLICATION PROCESS:  Apply online at: http://careers.mit.edu/.  Applications must include cover letter and resume.  Priority will be given to applications received by August 1, 2017; position open until filled.  MIT is strongly and actively committed to diversity within its community and particularly welcomes applications from qualified women and minority candidates. Professionals who enthusiastically embrace the empathy, courage, self-reflection and respect of a multi-cultural, diverse and inclusive workplace, and who strive to incorporate those values in their work and interactions are encouraged to apply.

The MIT Libraries are dedicated to advancing research, teaching, and learning at MIT and beyond. In addition to supporting every part of the Institute with distinctive collections, world-class service and expertise, and welcoming spaces, the Libraries seek to define the global research library of the future. We aim to play a leading role in advancing knowledge to solve global challenges by enhancing the discovery, use, collection, creation, management, dissemination, and preservation of information across disciplines. Library staff at all levels contribute to this mission and to a culture that values openness, inclusion, innovation, and community.