THECB - Systems Administrator IV - (COTS) System Administrator

General Description:
Performs advanced systems administration and Commercial off the Shelf (COTS) application support for the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB). Work involves installation, configuration, maintenance, troubleshooting, and lifecycle management of COTS applications and supporting infrastructure. Duties include maintaining reliable enterprise applications, researching and evaluating new technologies, and ensuring compliance with state and agency policies. Perform highly complex system administration and serve as a lead for COTS implementations, with moderate latitude for initiative and independent judgment. This position may supervise or guide the work of others on the team.

General Duties and Responsibilities:
Systems Administrator IV:
•    Install, configure, maintain, and monitor COTS agency applications, operating systems, servers, and related infrastructure.
•    Monitor systems daily, ensuring performance, availability, and security; respond promptly to incidents and security concerns.
•    Provide technical assistance throughout the COTS lifecycle: requirements analysis and design, evaluation and procurement, project strategies, configuration and integration, data migration, testing, implementation, ongoing support, and maintenance.
•    Troubleshoot software and hardware issues; oversee operational, technical, and system requirements for server and infrastructure management.
•    Perform system updates, upgrades, and patches; implement processes for enhanced functionality, performance, and security.
•    Collaborate with other IT staff, identify root causes of issues, and work with vendors to resolve application-specific problems.
•    Develop, maintain, and document operating procedures, technical standards, and troubleshooting guides.
•    Participate in technical research, development, and innovation initiatives.
•    Respond to service requests and tasks related to COTS products.
•    Ensure compliance with agency, state, and federal IT policies, including FERPA data protections, accessibility compliance, and information security standards.
•    Support authentication, access control, and automation using scripting/programming (e.g., PowerShell, .Net, JAMS/Paladin).
•    Conduct evaluations of system software and hardware technology planning, development, implementation, and interfaces.
•    Provides leadership and guidance on tasks and assignments.
•    Provides advanced support for troubleshooting complex technical issues.
•    May supervise the work of others or act as project le,
•    Ensures budget considerations are incorporated into lifecycle management.
•    Supports migration to next-generation data center technologies.
•    Assess Artificial Intelligence tools sets used within a COTS system, to make recommendations for adoption, governance, and data protection.
•    Performs other duties as assigned.

• Knowledge Skills or Abilities:
• •    Knowledge of systems administration, computer hardware/software configuration, troubleshooting, and IT security.
• •    Knowledge of scripting/programming languages and automation tools.
• •    Skill in systems administration work in COTS tools, Windows environments, and Linux environments.
• •    Skill in creating and maintaining technical documentation; including writing and revising standards and procedures. 
• •    Skill in the effective use of personal computers, databases, and general office software, including Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint.
• •    Skill in technical analysis and problem solving, including identifying both temporary and long-term solutions.
• •    Ability to analyze systems, procedures, and write/revise standards.
• •    Ability to clearly communicate technical concepts to diverse stakeholders.
• •    Ability to demonstrate flexibility and adaptability to changing priorities and assignments.
• •    Ability to work under pressure and effectively manage and complete multiple priorities and projects concurrently.
• •    Ability to successfully complete assignments and projects within established deadlines.
• •    Ability to adhere to the organization’s internal management policies and procedures.
• •    Ability to respond to customer service requests in a timely and professional manner.
• •    Ability to communicate complex information in a clear, organized, and concise manner in both spoken and written form.
• •    Ability to plan, set appropriate goals and objectives, and carry out work in a timely and effective manner.
• •    Ability to take initiative, work independently and make decisions using sound judgement, analytical thinking and sound reasoning.
• •    Ability to apply creative solutions when problem solving while keeping management informed of risks and critical issues.
• •    Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers and vendors, and to work cooperatively and effectively in a team environment.
• •    Ability to attend work regularly and reliably.
• •    Ability to exercise discretion when accessing sensitive or confidential data, utilizing standard data protection methods effectively.

Telework with Three Required In-Office Days:
This position is authorized for a hybrid telework schedule. Employees are required to work in the office three (3) days per week, with the remaining two days eligible for telework. Specific in-office days may be determined by the department to meet business needs.

Military Crosswalk: https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_InformationTechnology.pdf

Required Minimum Education and Experience:
•    Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in computer science, information technology, computer engineering, information systems, business administration, or related technical field.
•    A minimum of five (5) years of relevant full-time work experience, including demonstrated support of financial, business, or IT systems.
•    Six additional months of relevant full-time work experience may substitute for 15 semester hours of required education, up to four years.
•    A master’s degree from an accredited college or university may substitute for one year of the required working experience.

Preferred:
•    Additional years of relevant working experience beyond the required experience above in any of the named systems.
•    One (1) or more years of working experience administering Linux environments.
•    Direct support experience with higher education financial and business systems (e.g., BMS, HELMS, MIPS).

• Physical Requirements and/or Working Conditions:
• Work is performed in a standard office environment and requires:
• •    Regular, reliable, and punctual attendance at work;
• •    Frequent use of personal computer, copiers, printers and telephones;
• •    Frequent sitting;
• •    Frequently works under deadlines, as a team member, and in direct contact with others.

Workforce:
Must be able to:
•    Work an eight-hour schedule between 6:00 am and 6:00 pm, 40-hour week, Monday – Friday with occasional work schedule variance when necessary. Hours may change based on business need.
•    Perform on-call duty on a rotational basis and occasionally work additional hours based on business peaks or system outages. 
•    Have permanent residency within the state of Texas and must be able to meet in-office requirements, which can vary among position and assigned schedule requirements.
•    Demonstrate knowledge of customer service deliverables.
•    Show flexibility and adaptability toward changes in assignments and work schedules, working extended hours as necessary.
•    Adhere to the organization’s internal management policies and procedures.
•    Contribute to the agency’s performance measures and mission.

Application Requirements:
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board is an Equal Opportunity Employer. A State of Texas application is required to apply. For more information on how to apply for this position, go to the Coordinating Board’s employment opportunities website at https://www.highered.texas.gov/careers/.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board participates in E-Verify for each new employees’ Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. For questions, please call the HR Department at 512-427-6190. For vocal and/or hearing assistance call 7-1-1.

Notes to Applicant:
If you require any reasonable accommodation for the interview process, please inform the hiring representative who calls to schedule your interview. This position has been designated as a security sensitive position. A criminal background investigation will be conducted on the final candidate for this position.

Your job application must be completely filled out. Your application must contain dates of employment, job titles, name of employer and a description of duties performed in a way that demonstrates you meet the minimum qualifications for the position for which you are applying. Resumes do not take the place of the requirement to include this information on the application. If this information is not submitted, your application may be rejected because it is incomplete.

Veterans Information: THECB is committed to hiring Veterans. To receive Veteran’s Preference, a copy of the FORM DD214 -member #4, must be attached when submitting your application.

AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: THECB does not discriminate on the basis, of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability in employment or the provision of services.

Job offer and continuation of employment with THECB is contingent upon:
•    Proof of education and experience listed on the application.
•    Eligibility/authorization to work in the U.S.
•    Satisfactory results from a pre-employment criminal history background check.
•    Compliance with the Selective Service Law for males ages 18-25. Please be advised that under Texas law, names and other information concerning applicants or nominees may be subject to disclosure upon request.

THECB does not allow dual employment with other state of Texas agencies or institutions.

Skills assessment may be conducted at time of interview.

No phone calls or emails, please. Due to the high volume of applications, we do not accept telephone calls and cannot reply to all email inquiries. Only candidates selected for interview will be contacted.