Information Technology System Specialist

This position will oversee all information technology activities for the current food service vendor. Analyzes the needs of different departments and determines ways to meet business objectives by modifying existing or developing new processes. Implements and maintains policies, and goals for the department to support the organization's needs. Oversees internal IT day to day operations. Conducts research and recommends the selection of IT equipment, applications, and supplies. Establishes plans and ensures that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhering to approved budgets. Maintains extensive knowledge of departmental processes. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Lead IT strategic and operational planning to achieve business goals by fostering innovation, prioritizing IT initiatives, and coordinating the evaluation, deployment, and management of current and future IT systems across the organization. Develop and maintain an appropriate IT organizational structure that supports the needs of the vendor. Establish IT departmental goals, objectives, and operating procedures. Act as an advocate for the organization's IT vision via regular written and in-person communications with the organization's executives, department heads, and end users. Identify opportunities for the appropriate and cost-effective investment of financial resources in IT systems and resources, including staffing, sourcing, purchasing, and in-house development. Develop, document, and maintain system and technology roadmaps, strategies, standards, best practices, procedures, processes, and guidelines.   Define and communicate company plans, policies, and standards for the organization for acquiring, implementing, and operating IT systems. Provide direction to IT team in addressing and resolving day-to-day issues. Provide performance monitoring and tuning, diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve system problems. Guide and direct the design of technical infrastructure to ensure security, performance, stability, scalability, and maintainability company-wide. Promote and oversee strategic relationships between internal IT resources and external entities, including academic, vendors, and partner organizations.   Education and Experience Bachelor's degree in computer science, information systems, educational technology, communications, or related fields, or similar certified coursework in applicable fields of study and three years of experience supporting information systems and technology. Preferred Qualifications 5+ years of strong technical working knowledge and hands-on Systems Administration experience for medium to large business.  MCSE/MCP, CCNA/CCENT, and Linux+/ LFCS experience required. Software development experience. Automation and scripting experience. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities  Demonstration of a broad understanding of information technologies, including but not limited to, clustering, SAN, networking, backup, data replication at the system level, High Availability systems, Disaster Recovery, and Relational Database Management Systems (RDBMS). Strong technical working knowledge with Linux, Macintosh, and Windows Server 2008 and above operating systems within a clustered, redundant and load balanced environment. Strong knowledge of network architecture and client/server technology. Working knowledge of IP networking and security principles (e.g. authorization, authentication). Demonstrated skills in written and oral communication, as well as excellent interpersonal and managerial leadership/development skills. Demonstrated ability to direct, motivate and counsel staff.  Demonstrated abilities to provide creative leader¬ship and make consistent and sound judgments. Solid oral, written, and presentation skills are essential; ability to give and receive information, explain difficult information in layman's terms, and maintain a customer service orientation towards all levels of users and customers, internal and external. Ability to lead and manage technical projects, which includes developing project plans and milestones, and providing accurate estimates of timelines and cost estimates necessary to complete potential projects. Ability to create, maintain, and foster professional and productive working relationships with all levels of users, customers, and vendors, internal and external. Ability to work independently and to resourcefully resolve complex technical problems. Ability to multi-task and prioritize tasks as circumstances change. Knowledge of IIS, Apache, and other web server platforms.