City : Waterloo, ON

Category : Permanent

Industry : Education

Employer : University of Waterloo

The Instructional Technologies & Media Services (ITMS) mandate is to maintain and evolve central teaching and learning facilities and to offer technical assistance and services to help enhance course content and delivery in the classroom, online, and across campus facilities. This position within ITMS is accountable to the Manager of ITMS-P&MPT. The Senior Systems Expert is responsible for the evolution and support of sustainable technical infrastructure for the University’s many and varied presentation technologies systems. The Systems Expert maintains familiarity with, complies with, and promotes the University’s policies and its directives related to presentation technologies, and the industry standards as they relate to these technologies. The incumbent is responsible for providing campus expertise and evolution of the infrastructure, maintenance, and support model of instructional services in all areas of presentation technologies, as identified by the Manager.

Systems Design

• Develop fiscally viable solutions, from concept to implementation and support, to meet the needs of the University’s presentation technology systems
• Acts as the senior point of contact for presentation technology design activities
• Drafts and implements standards relating to the implementation, installation, monitoring, and maintenance of presentation technology systems
• Oversees the design, programming, and implementation efforts of the
• Presentation Technologies Specialists within ITMS
• Provides regular reports on all active design projects to the Manager

Systems Development and Integration

• Develops technologies as needed for the integration of presentation technology systems
• Produces prototypes, oversees testing and implements changes, as required
• Develops solutions (both software and hardware) relating to presentation technologies
• Works with campus groups to develop and integrate presentation technology solutions for assessed individualized needs
• Works with technical staff (Plant Operations, IST, network services, etc.) to develop and integrate presentation technology systems
• Takes responsibility for providing technical direction in strategy formation, technology evaluation, requirements analysis, solution design, as well as system development, testing, implementation, documentation, and deployment
• Consults with facility administrators in academic and academic-support units to provide advice on how they might best use technology and products in areas of specialization and builds best practice awareness
• Provides regular reports on all new and active projects to the Manger
• Consults and liaises with industry personnel including technical engineering teams and industry representatives

Technical Expertise

• Evaluates system performance and improves the effectiveness and efficiency of presentation technologies facilities, functions, and user work-flow processes through the creative application of leading-edge knowledge of information technology and presentation technologies
• Possesses and provides expert technical knowledge regarding all aspects of AV related systems, and integrated sub-systems (audio visual based systems, lighting sub-systems, control sub-systems, network sub-systems)
• Provides expert senior level installation and programming skills for all presentation technology systems on campus
• Must be able to actively perform the roles of any of the Presentation Technologies Specialists
• Oversees the technical installation, configuration, and programming efforts of the Presentation Technologies Specialists within ITMS
• Provides day-to-day technical guidance, work coordination, prioritization, mentoring, and job supervision for Presentation Technologies Specialists
• Provides regular reports and statistics to the ITMS P&MPT manager
• Performs other duties as assigned by the ITMS P&MPT Manager

Building Relationships

• Works collaboratively with other departments and groups on campus.
• Builds strong relationships with industry vendors and with similar roles in other higher education institutions
• In addition to the IST-ITMS team, this role works closely with many other groups such as:
  • UW Leadership IST Information Security
  • IST Servers and Storage IST Network Services
  • IST Client Services UW Plant Operations - Design
  • UW Plant Operations - Shops UW Faculty Leadership
  • UW Faculty IT UW Services Leadership
  • UW Services IT UW Procurement
  • External Consultant Entities External Contractors/Resellers
  • External Manufacturers UW Research Teams
  • IST Information Security
  • IST Network Services
  • UW Plant Operations - Design
  • UW Faculty Leadership
  • UW Services Leadership
  • UW Procurement
  • External Contractors/Resellers
  • UW Research TeamS

• University degree or equivalent post-secondary education and/or experience required
• Significant industry experience required
• Relevant technical/industry education and certifications required
• Valid provincial driver’s license

The Senior Systems Expert will have been in the industry for many years of escalating expertise, exposure, and accountability to the technologies typical to their field. They will have accumulated a specialist body of knowledge and certifications, culminating in becoming a subject matter specialist across multiple disciplines, from project management to business acumen, to technical specializations.

The career-path competency table is the base from which the following descriptions are derived. Each level of the Expert position builds upon the prior levels. Details at each level will evolve in response to changes in technology and the needs of the University. Progression is in recognition of substantial increases in depth and breadth of expertise with technologies (configuration, installation, design, programming), products, and techniques, complemented by increases in teamwork, communication, problem solving, leadership, problem solving, planning/organizing, and accountability. The Expert is expected to develop competencies to at least the USG 11 level.

• Experience with implementation, testing, commissioning, monitoring and managing the evolution of collaboration technologies
• Effective oral and written communication skills and ability to communicate issues, concerns, solution options, quotes, and status to leadership and clients
• Ability to work and think independently
• Recognized on campus for expertise in presentation technologies.
• Ability to analyze situations, make decisions, and solve problems under pressure
• Strong negotiation and interpersonal skills, ability to build consensus
• Project management skills, with demonstrated track record towards detailed planning, organizing and prioritizing
• Ability to analyze, understand and effectively communicate between requirements and technical design and implementation
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with campus groups
• Demonstrated capability to be proactive and predictive in changing demands and technologies while minimizing and identifying risk
• Knowledge of the technology market, trends, and solutions
• Excellent problem-solving and consulting skills and demonstrates thoughtfulness in decision making
• Knowledge and application of industry and University guidelines, policies, and standards
• Proficient with computers and standard office programs

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated within our Office of Indigenous Relations.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion.  As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca  or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.