City : Hamilton

Category : Other

Industry : Education

Employer : McMaster University

Information Technology Analyst
(JD00773)

Engineering a Brighter Future
https://www.eng.mcmaster.ca/about-us/strategic-plan/

Unit/Project Description

We are welcoming applications for the Limited-Term (contract) position of Information Technology Analyst within the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE). This role is responsible for installing and maintaining computers, peripherals, operating systems and application software in support of advanced research conducted by faculty, staff and graduate students. 

Job Summary

Responsible for investigating moderate and complex information technology problems by confirming the validity of the problem and seeking known solutions related to these more complex issues. Designs, implements, and maintains users' applications and acts as an administrator for a variety of networks, programs, and websites.

Purpose & Key Functions

• Write complex programs using various computing and scripting languages.
• Prepare contingency plans for recovering services and operations after incidents such as power blackouts, water damage, or structural building failures and contribute to the planning and development of disaster recovery scenarios.
• Undertake projects such as performance monitoring and capacity planning to monitor the overall reliability and effectiveness of the computing systems and information processing architecture including storage area networks.
• Diagnose, assess, circumvent, and find remedies for a variety of service incidents that deviate from planned or expected information system behaviour.
• Provide expertise and practical assistance in delivering services that comply with established standards.
• Identify, evaluate, and prioritize problems and complaints to ensure that inquiries are successfully resolved.
• Carry out investigative work on a variety of requirements, information flow, and processes.
• Elicit additional information from users to accurately diagnose problems.
• Implement non-standard solutions and work-arounds.
• Evaluate hardware, software, and transmission service alternatives as business requirements change.
• Localize and rectify faults in network connectivity and applications and respond to non-routine user problems.
• Analyze, examine, and validate processes.
• Interpret technical and procedure manuals for non-technical users.
• Debug computer program code.
• Develop and modify interfaces for existing applications and systems while maintaining the integrity of data and processes.
• Design and build department and program websites.
• Test functionality of websites in various browsers for quality assurance.
• Provide technical advice on network and system applications.
• Provide advice to users regarding security, equipment configuration, and selection of programming language and provide advice to customers on alternative and recommended approaches to computing systems solutions.
• Program small modules of larger departmental applications according to detailed specifications.
• Design basic record and report formats.
• Develop web applications and pages.
• Plan and coordinate system and software installations.
• Prepare programming documentation in accordance with prescribed standards.
• Make decisions within established guidelines regarding the application of computing devices or programs to meet set requirements or make decisions regarding solutions to defined problems.
• Work autonomously in accordance with general instructions as to methods and procedures.
• Install and repair various hardware, software, and computer peripherals.
• Support and troubleshoot user problems to determine if the problem is hardware, software, or procedural.
• Act as a technical resource and troubleshoot routine and moderately complex information technology problems within an area of expertise.
• Escalate problems to the appropriate resource and follow-up to ensure the problem has been resolved.
• Provide users with routine information such as system updates, errors, and features.
• Elicit additional information from clients and colleagues to diagnose issues.
• Interact with others to facilitate and promote the effective use of information technology.
• Evaluate requests for new changes to existing computer hardware, software, and peripherals and make the appropriate recommendations.
• Provide information and assistance to others regarding the use of hardware and software.
• Perform routine technical tasks related to the maintenance and administration of a workgroup or department including, but not limited to, assigning passwords, purging print queues, enabling and disabling accounts, and monitoring scheduled backups.
• Update and maintain a complete inventory of computer hardware, software, and peripherals.
• Plan, schedule, and monitor own work within short time horizons.
• Organize individual time, work and resources to accomplish objectives in the most effective and efficient way.
• Maintain records and prepare documentation related to activities including resources such as web pages and databases.
• Ensure users receive information on systems updates, errors and features.
• Remain current with frequent developments in the field of information technology.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field of study.
• Requires 3 years of relevant experience.

Supervision

• Provide direction to others in how to carry out work tasks.
• Ensure adherence to quality standards and procedures for short-term staff.

Assets

• Previous experience working in a university environment is considered a strong asset.
• Familiarity with McMaster’s information technology environment is a strong asset.
• Familiarity with research computing services offered by Compute Canada is an asset.

Additional Information

The successful candidate must demonstrate in-depth understanding and experience in:

• Red Hat Enterprise Linux
• Microsoft Windows Server/Desktop operating systems
• Apple Macintosh OS X operating system
• Server and desktop hardware support knowledge
• Proxmox or other virtual environments
• Active Directory
• IT security best practices and procedures

The successful candidate must also have / demonstrate:

• Excellent problem solving and analytical skills
• Excellent communication (verbal and written) skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain relationships at work
• Flexibility and adaptability when meeting deadlines with numerous interruptions
• Ability to meet tight project deadlines and competing timelines
• Ability to respond creatively to resolve issues and maintain workflow
• High attention to detail while producing thorough and accurate work
• Experience in standard desktop packages (e.g. Word, Excel. Microsoft Project)
• Experience with electrical/computer engineering related research software such as Matlab/Simulink, Cadence, Synopsys or Ansys packages
• Experience with cluster/cloud computing environments

Should the successful applicant be a Unifor Unit 1 bargaining unit member, who meets the eligibility conditions of Article 19.02 of the Unifor Unit 1 Collective Agreement, then the Limited Term Assignment will be defined as a Career Growth Opportunity in accordance with Article 19 of the Unifor Local 5555 Unit 1 Collective Agreement.