IT Systems Specialist

COVID 19 On-Campus Requirements

Prior to May 1 2022 the University required all students faculty staff and visitors (including contractors) to declare their COVID-19 vaccination status and provide proof that they were fully vaccinated or had an approved accommodation to engage in in-person University activities. These requirements were suspended effective May 1 2022 but the University may reinstate them at any point.

About Queens University

Queens University is the Canadian research intensive university with a transformative student learning experience. Here the employment experience is as diverse as it is interesting. We have opportunities in multiple areas of globally recognized research faculty administration engineering & construction athletics & recreation power generation corporate shared services and many more.

We are committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcome applications from individuals from equity seeking groups such as women racialized/visible minorities Indigenous/Aboriginal peoples persons with a disability persons who identify in the LGBTQ community and others who reflect the diversity of Canadian society.

Come work with us!

Job Summary

A Brief Overview

Reporting to the Manager IT Systems & Development the IT Systems Specialist is a key member of the systems team who is responsible maintaining and configuring computer systems server hardware and operating systems for the Stephen J.R. Smith Faculty of Engineering & Applied Science. In addition the IT Systems Specialist will develop modern platforms and support legacy systems for world-leading researchers and instructors.

The IT Systems Specialist will be accountable for determining optimal approaches to infrastructure development and maintenance while handling daily operations of servers including log review security patching and application upgrades. Working as part of a team the IT Systems Specialist will integrate technical operations from traditional servers virtualization platforms and emerging automation/configuration management technologies.

As a technical expert in system administration the IT Systems Specialist will collaborate on technical design planning implementation performance tuning and recovery procedures for mission-critical systems. This position requires experience with VMware virtualization and Enterprise network attached storage MySQL PostgreSQL or Microsoft SQL databases Apache and NGINX; and content management systems automation/configuration management tools (Ansible Gitlab CI/CD SCCM) scripting and systems programming languages (Python PHP BASH PowerShell) and Microsoft and Linux-based server platforms High-Performance Computing and GPU Clusters is an asset. Further this role will address problems assess approaches implement solutions and provide guidance to ensure a high level of service to researchers students and staff in the unit. In addition the IT Systems Specialist will be responsible for patching and maintaining critical research servers and services and experience with switches routers hardware and software firewalls. Strong technical problem-solving skills and experience in the standard IP protocol suite. Also experience managing cloud-based environments an asset.

The schedule for this position may require the IT Systems Specialist to work evenings and weekends when upgrading systems to minimize the impact on the client.

This position administers and supports servers storage and technology services. This position recommends solutions and identifies opportunities to improve systems.
This position coordinates and implements the planning development testing installation and support of data management systems. This position also prepares documentation for system configurations and operational procedures and develops training materials and/or delivers training.

Job Description

What you will do

• Administers and supports servers storage and technology services.


• Patches monitors troubleshoots and optimizes server-based systems.


• Recommends solutions and identifies opportunities to improve systems.


• Tracks user issues generates reports develops workflows and requests and tracks changes to production services.


• Coordinates and implements the planning development testing installation and support of data management systems.


• Coordinates and completes systems projects.


• Prepares documentation for system configurations and operational procedures.


• Develops training materials and/or delivers training.


• Maintains operational status of production application systems.


• Configures systems and security on software so data is protected by secure means.


• Writes technical and user documentation.


• Identifies reviews and/or edits business requirements and translate needs into work plans.


• Investigates diagnoses and resolves escalated end user information technology issues.


• Designs codes tests and debugs programs or application software.


• Investigates and takes corrective action for security-based systems problems.


• Installs maintains and provides operational support for network technologies and security firewalls.


• Other duties as required in support of the department and/or unit.

• Four-Year Bachelor Degree or equivalent. In addition requires trade certification qualification or on-going learning to remain ahead of changes in technology or emerging fields.

• More than 3 years and up to and including 5 years of experience.

• Knowledge of concepts and principles in a specialist field that is typically acquired through a combination of advanced professional or academic qualifications and/or substantial work experience.


• Provide effective consultation and advice on non-straightforward and/or complex issues.


• Interaction with others requires interpersonal skills and the ability to understand and influence.


• Adapt messages to meet the different needs of different audiences.


• Builds relationships trust and credibility.


• Prioritize and distribute work to deliver objectives on time and to the highest standard.


• Identify in advance when the intended results may not be achieved and develops a plan to address the gaps.


• Actively participate in project team meetings and develop individual and unit project plans.


• Lead procedural or technological change within a unit.


• Identify opportunities to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of work processes.


• Seek information and input to fully understand the cause of problems.


• Appropriately assesses risks before making a decision.


• Contribute to the creation and evaluation of possible solutions.


• Take action to remove obstacles and address problems before they impact performance and results.


• Apply equity diversity accessibility inclusion and Indigenization considerations to decision making and planning.


• Promote a work environment that is free from sexual violence harassment and discrimination and the ability to show empathy for those who have experienced trauma.

Employment Equity and Accessibility Statement

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Queens is strongly committed to employment equity diversity and inclusion in the workplace and encourages applications from Black racialized persons Indigenous people women persons with disabilities and 2SLGBTQI persons. In accordance with Canadian Immigration requirements priority will be given to those who are legally eligible to work in Canada.

The University provides support in its recruitment processes to all applicants who require accommodation due to a protected ground under the Ontario Human Rights Code including those with disabilities. Candidates requiring accommodation during the recruitment process are asked to contact Human Resources at .