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Penn State Job Catalog

Systems Administrator – Advanced Professional (PSU1101)

Additional Levels
Job Strings

The defined natural career progression within or between job profiles.

Systems Administration



Job Summary

Systems Administrators maintain the integrity of various computer systems including operating systems, physical servers, appliances, and specialized application environments; administer, install, and troubleshoot a variety of technical components, perform systems maintenance tasks such as resource utilization checks and back-up and recovery; perform configuration changes to address customer needs; schedule, install, and test system software upgrades; monitor and maintain software licensing and maintenance agreements.

Representative Duties

  • Install, configure, maintain, upgrade, and support systems and software
  • Develop plans, schedules, and requirements for deployment of systems
  • Create custom programs and scripts to aid in systems management
  • Diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve system issues and/or respond to outages
  • Resolve service-related issues; determine immediate economic and financial consequences of an incident
  • Test and implement upgrades and patches to installed operating systems and software
  • Maintain reliability of systems by monitoring, running tests, and troubleshooting
  • Monitor backups and plans for installed systems; review adequacy of emergency response plans
  • Monitor, maintain, and execute automation processes and procedures
  • Monitor threats, alerts, security vulnerabilities; conduct regular reviews of security against policy goals
  • Evaluate organizational vulnerabilities within assigned area of responsibility
  • Manage, research, and resolve complex end-user escalation incidents
  • Evaluate and recommend new or existing system improvements and/or solutions
  • Create and maintain system documentation of departmental processes, procedures, plans, and configurations
  • May supervise staff members, including hiring, development, and performance management

Level Matrix

Level:
Advanced Professional
Base Description:
– Completes activities, tasks, and/or projects of a functional nature.
Level Summary:
– Demonstrates proficient and comprehensive knowledge of defined skill areas/applications. Applies knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures of a particular field to decision-making and problem–solving. Works under minimum supervision on varied and sometimes difficult work assignments, conferring with supervisor or subject matter experts on unusual matters. May lead others or a team in completion of complex assignments. Interprets and communicates information clearly, accurately, and persuasively. Researches and tries new approaches when solving difficult or novel problems.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
– Indirect supervisor or mentor for other full–time employees
– May serve as direct supervisor for part–time, student, and/or temporary workers, volunteers, or a full–time employee
Fiscal Responsibilities:
– May validate and pay invoices
– May monitor/track budgets and funding
Problem Solving:
– Encounters generally routine problems with progressively more complex and/or varied problems
– Typically follows recommended course of action and procedures to resolve problems
– May apply specialized knowledge and skills to resolve complex and/or varied problems, with supervisor oversight
– Researches and tries new approaches when solving problems
Independence of Action:
– Works with minimal supervision on more difficult work assignments, conferring with supervisor on unusual matters
– Follows precedents and procedures
– May set priorities and organize work within general guidelines established by supervisor
Communication and Collaboration:
– Communicates internally and externally within working unit and the University
– May communicate with external audiences for business purposes
– Promotes open communication in a manner that builds relationships among team members
– Applies appropriate strategies for managing conflict; negotiate reasonable compromises; propose and evaluate possible solutions
– Interprets and communicates information, ideas and instructions clearly, accurately and persuasively both verbally and in written materials intended for distribution
Salary Structure
  • Comp Grade – 12
  • Minimum – $76,700.00
  • MidPoint – $95,900.00
  • Maximum – $115,100.00
FLSA Exemption Status
Exempt
Minimum Education
Bachelor's Degree
Minimum Experience
3+ years of relevant experience
Equivalency
Or an equivalent combination of education and experience
Additional Job Requirements