Senior Systems Analyst

Staff - Non Union

Job Category
M&P - AAPS

Job Profile
AAPS Salaried - Information Systems and Technology, Level E

Job Title
Senior Systems Analyst

Department
UBC IT | Network | Operations

Compensation Range
$9,572.08 - $14,932.75 CAD Monthly

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Posting End Date
March 20, 2024

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.

Job End Date

Mar 31, 2025

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career. 

Job Summary

The Senior Systems Analyst manages the development of systems and leads medium and large-scale systems projects. The Senior Systems Analyst provides expert technical and operational support, acts as a primary technical resource and project manager for Network Management Centre (NMC) projects, develops and manages ongoing technical enhancements, and develops strategic plans for future developments and directions for these services.

This position is responsible for provisioning expert third-level technical and administrative support for all NMC and central UBC network systems related to the operation and support of the University enterprise data network. As a member of the NMC team, this position plays a lead expert role in the creation, enhancement, and support of the University-wide Network Orchestration and Architecture System that is critical to UBC’s IT operations and business needs.

Organizational Status

The Network Management Centre (NMC) manages the enterprise data network infrastructure for UBC facilitating teaching, learning and administrative activities at its Point Grey campus, teaching hospitals, and remote locations. The NMC provides planning, design, engineering, analysis, configuration, implementation, support, and troubleshooting in the areas of LAN/WAN, campus and data center networks, and network security in addition to supporting the unique requirements of other key services such as VOIP, wireless, video and multimedia.

Reporting to the Senior Manager of the NMC under the UBCNETwork and Infrastructure Facilities unit, the Senior Systems Analyst works independently and jointly with the NMC team.  This position receives operational and strategic direction from the Senior Manager and liaises closely with the Network Architect, Senior Network Analysts, and other UBC IT management and technical staff within UBC IT, as well as external vendors and various stakeholders. The Senior Systems Analyst will act as an "expert" on all NMC and University data network management Systems and on various committees and projects.  The position will provide expert advice to stakeholders and staff with regard to issues and problems that may arise as well as development and strategy. Additionally, the Senior Systems Analyst will provide coaching to decision-makers, understand the impact of technical changes on business processes and leverage common approaches and resources between departments.

Work Performed

Specific Duties
- Provides senior technical expertise and leadership to design, develop, test, and implement the University-wide Enterprise Network Orchestration and Automation System that is critical to UBC’s IT operations and business needs.

- Provides technical expertise, leadership, and mentoring to ensure ongoing support, documentation, patching, and upgrading of the Enterprise Network Orchestration and Automation System.

- Provides technical expertise and leadership to design, develop, test, and implement all NMC data systems.  Provides administration, information, and development within the overarching architecture defined by the Network Architect.
- Evaluates the proposed architectural changes and the associated operational impacts and provide feedback and change management leadership to participants and sponsors, as well as Senior Management.
- Provides recommendations about the required virtual capacity, software, and data communication configurations based on review and analysis of functional requirements of the institution and the University Data Network needs. Recommendations must consider the operational impact and change management, forecasting for technical improvements, resource allocation, and budget.
- Develops and implement methods and facilities to improve network system monitoring tools.
- Provides technical expertise in development projects to ensure services will meet support requirements.
- Designs implements and maintains “off the shelf” and custom-built applications and systems that support daily functioning, management and operations of the campus network infrastructure and campus-wide enterprise services.
- In consideration of current and future technology environments, design the optimum approach to the integration of network applications into current CyberSecurity best practices (including MFA) and develop a strategy for achievement.
- Define specific network system implementation and migration plans for priority upgrade and patching based on each system’s functional requirements, the overall network architecture and downstream project dependencies.

- Install, configure, manage, and maintain all network management servers, appliances, VMs, and commercial and custom-built software applications. Performs system software and firmware upgrades to maintain secure and reliable network systems infrastructure as well as other systems support functions as required.
- Performs network application, system, and script lifecycle management including designing, planning, development, coding, implementation, documentation, and ongoing maintenance. These applications, systems, and scripts support and streamline network operations such as orchestration, analysis, monitoring, configuration changes, system health checks, and reporting-Ensures the continuity of service, operational stability and service levels of the University Data network by providing second and third level system support and implementation.

- Resolves complex network system and application-related failures independently or in consultation with other integrated IT Teams.
- Evaluates, recommends, and facilitates the implementation and maintenance of enterprise network applications and systems. Coordinates the integration of these applications with other UBC systems and services and ensures all CyberSecurity guidelines are met.

Performs formal system audits and develops written procedures, standards and practices to ensure a high level of availability, security, data integrity and hardware/software compatibility.
- Evaluate and develop best practice training documents and operational policies and procedures. Provide operational and technical staff and stakeholder training as required for the maintenance of the network enterprise infrastructure with enterprise management tools.
- Prepare supporting materials and train designated operational staff upon completion of a departmental network system implementation (working in close coordination with the Senior Manager, Network Architect and Project Manager responsible for the operational performance of the campus data network).

Core Duties:
- Plans and manages the development of the overall vision for network applications and ensures all application projects, functions and operations align with the University, IT strategy, CyberSecurity, mission, vision, principles, goals and objectives and the business needs of customers.
- Leads medium and large-scale network applications integration design and development projects, manages assigned project staff, and creates project implementation plans.
- Analyzes and reviews systems’ features and requirements.
- Researches, develops, configures and supports network applications infrastructure.
- Contributes to the introduction and management of technical change to the University's network systems infrastructure.
- Analyzes emerging industry technology trends and standards that benefit University systems infrastructure.
- Collaborates with key technology teams across the University.
- Makes presentations at local, regional, national or international conferences and workshops as well as to partner institutions.
- Integrates development of best practices, standards, procedures and quality objectives across network systems infrastructure or platforms.
- Provides technical guidance and leadership, coaching, and mentoring to team members.
- Maintains appropriate professional designations and up-to-date knowledge of current information technology techniques and tools.
- Performs other related duties as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

All services supported by Information Technology require reliable network systems in order to provide important functions such as eLearning, Workday, IRP, Teaching, Learning and Research Services. This infrastructure must be available on a near 24 x 7 basis.

Supervision, decisions and actions taken by the Senior Systems Analyst will have a direct impact on how efficiently and effectively the systems infrastructure will perform and function. Errors in judgment, poor planning, or failure to act decisively could have a detrimental effect on systems infrastructure. Unreliable systems infrastructure or failure to meet contractual obligations for performance and availability will damage the reputation of Information Technology and UBC. This could adversely impact the University community, including the large majority of students, faculty, and staff, and could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost productivity, funding and revenue.

Supervision Received

Works with complete latitude within general policies and an administrative framework. The Senior Systems Analyst receives operation and strategic direction from the Senior Manager, Network and Infrastructure Services and will liaise closely with the University Network Architect, the Director, Infrastructure, and other UBC IT management and technical staff within the Operations portfolio, as well as external vendors and various stakeholders. The incumbent will also work closely with the IAM Program Architect and members of the IAM Program team and the overall CISO Team. Work is reviewed in terms of the achievement of specific objectives.
Supervision Given

Manages staff directly and indirectly through subordinates. This may include the supervision of temporary employees and various project teams.
Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of eight years of related experience including at least two years of managerial experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own

- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

A university degree in Computer Science is preferred. Certifications: MCITP, CISCO, and Network + are preferred.

In-depth knowledge of IT data network applications/systems, including network virtualization software and technologies, and the business requirements supporting them.

Expert knowledge, experience, and skills to migrate UBC’s existing proprietary Enterprise Data Network Orchestration and Architecture application to a new modern application using open source technologies (Angular Web UI Development, Python, API Design, Shibboleth integration, Graph Database, HTML, JavaScript, ColdFusion, ASP .NET, PERL and Java.).  This includes the expert ability to innovate and design network applications that do not currently have a presence in the industry and to lead the project and team to success in this area. Expert ability to support and grow UBC’s new Enterprise Data Network Orchestration and Architecture application. Thorough knowledge of UBC’s Data network architecture, operational requirements, and future growth needs. 

Experience in managing, supporting, and implementing Enterprise network technologies and Cisco IOS.

Expert in knowledge network management and monitoring tools, Microsoft Windows administration skills, scripting skills (Perl, Python, shell) and programming experience (C, C++), and UNIX, LINUX, and system administration skills

Extensive experience in managing Active Directory, and designing and implementing EAD/LDAP, RADIUS, and AAA, especially wireless network authentication and protocols (e.g., PEAP-MSCHAPv2).
Experience in implementing, managing, and maintaining LDAP services using OpenLDAP (or another enterprise-level LDAP system) in a distributed Enterprise environment, particularly in a multi-master replicated topology desirable.

This Experience is required to include migration of email, home directories, public folders, user accounts, data, folder permissions, and AD/Exchange Resources with a good understanding of ISC Bind DNS, ISS DHCP, and Microsoft DNS/DHCP in a heterogeneous O/S (Solaris, Linux, Microsoft) environment.

Thorough knowledge and experience with Software Defined Networking and automation.
Expert knowledge and experience with programming and modeling technologies including Java, C, Python, JSON/XML, NETCONF/YANG, ANSIBLE
Knowledge and experience in application and web development including HTML, ASP .NET, PHP, and Java
Knowledge and working experience with Oracle and MySQL. Strong SQL programming skills
Knowledge of software development and QA methodologies
Knowledge of DevOps framework, agile engineering, tests, and automation is desirable
Knowledge of DevOps tooling desirable including Puppet, Chef, Splunk
A thorough knowledge of virtual environments is required.

Detail-oriented, analytical, and creative problem-solving skills
Ability to work on several projects at once and to change priorities quickly as needed
Ability to work under pressure in time-sensitive, mission-critical situations, with minimum of supervision
Excellent team player with good organizational and planning skills. 

Effective time management skills and the ability to prioritize and multi-task effectively to meet tight deadlines.

Self-motivation and versatility.

Collaboration - Consistently fosters collaboration and respect among team members by addressing elements of the group process that impedes, or could impede, the group from reaching its goal. Engages the right people within and beyond organizational boundaries, by matching individual capabilities and skills to the team's goals. Works with a wide range of teams and readily shares lessons learned and credit for team accomplishments.

Communication for Results - Converses with, writes reports for, and creates/delivers presentations to all levels of colleagues and peer groups in ways that support problem solving and planning. Seeks a consensus with business partners. Debates opinions, tests understanding, and clarifies judgments. Brings conflict into the open empathetically. Explains the context of multiple interrelated situations, asks searching, probing questions, and solicits expert advice prior to taking action and making recommendations.

Problem-Solving - Diagnoses problems using formal problem-solving tools and techniques from multiple angles and probes underlying issues to generate multiple potential solutions. Proactively anticipates and prevents problems. Devises, facilitates buy-in, makes recommendations, and guides implementation of corrective and/or preventive actions for complex issues that cross organizational boundaries and are unclear in nature. Identifies potential consequences and risk levels. Seeks support and buy-in for problem definition, methods of resolution, and accountability.

Accountability - Sets enhanced objectives for self and others. Monitors performance trends and identifies opportunities to improve standards. Provides regular feedback and suggests alternative approaches necessary to ensure that organizational objectives and superior standards are achieved. Delegates responsibility and reallocates resources as needed to ensure that priorities are met for initiatives within area of responsibility.

Business Process Knowledge - Analyzes enterprise processes for major enhancements to customer satisfaction and cost reduction. Identifies metrics for strategic business process improvement. Applies Business Process Reengineering (BPR) techniques to complex processes that cross the enterprise. Presents the core technical and strategic concepts of process improvement. Identifies and facilitates sensitive responses to environmental, financial and organizational concerns and issues. Approves and sponsors process improvement recommendations. Identifies the value of process improvements and solicits the support of senior business leaders.

Information Systems Knowledge - Identifies means of integrating technical support requirements with enterprise processes and strategies. Identifies technological opportunities to meet client needs. Creates information system solutions to meet the needs of business stakeholders. Partners with appropriate technical consultants, experts, and managers to resolves complex problems across all IT solutions.