Systems Engineer
Description
About the Job
The Systems Engineer is responsible for designing, supporting, and administering all virtual and physical systems in Colorado Christian University’s Infrastructure. In addition to working on high-level projects related to hardware and software as assigned, the Systems Engineer will work within a team environment and follow spiritual beliefs through daily work habits. This position offers the opportunity for a hybrid work schedule as determined by the Director of Infrastructure and Network Services, CIO, and VP of Finance and Technology.
About CCU
Colorado Christian University is the premier interdenominational Christian university in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region, delivering world class education to thousands of students. The fully accredited, nonprofit University is located in Lakewood, Colorado, a suburb of Denver.
Colorado Christian University was founded in 1914. CCU’s motto is--grace and truth. This motto comes from John 1.14: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (ESV)
CCU's mission is Christ-centered higher education transforming students to impact the world with grace and truth.
Colorado Christian University cultivates knowledge and love of God in a Christ-centered community of learners and scholars, with an enduring commitment to the integration of exemplary academics, spiritual formation, and engagement with the world. We envision graduates who think critically and creatively, lead with high ethical and professional standards, embody the character and compassion of Jesus Christ, treasure the gospel, and who thereby are prepared to impact the world in their callings.
CCU embraces an educational model that was present at the foundation of many of the great western and American universities. It is made up of three pillars—competence, character and Christ-centered faith. Secular universities have abandoned two of those pillars. We think this is a major oversight that eventually undermines education. Furthermore, we believe this classical educational model is both life-giving and greatly needed in our time.
A leader in higher education, CCU has been consistently ranked in the top 2 percent of colleges and universities nationwide for its core curriculum by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni. CCU has had ten consecutive years of enrollment growth and has been named one of the five fastest-growing master’s granting universities by The Chronicle of Higher Education.
CCU offers more than 200 degree program options for traditional and adult students through its two colleges--the College of Undergraduate Studies and College of Adult and Graduate Studies. More than 9,000 students attend the University on the main campus, in regional centers throughout Colorado, and online.
What is most appealing about working at CCU?
- Faith-friendly: CCU’s culture is unique to higher education. Where else can you pursue academic excellence yet read the Holy Bible, pray with teammates and students at work, and work to impact our culture in support of Christian values?
- Convictionally Christian: As a university, we have an enduring commitment to Christ, his kingdom and the truth of God’s Word.
- Live out your calling: We are a traditional evangelical university where you can invest your God-given talents and abilities alongside coworkers and teammates while having a profound influence on students as they deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ.
- Equip students for kingdom work: You can be a part of helping students discover their callings and preparing them for positions of significant leadership in the church, business, government, education, and other professions, as a key part of our University's Strategic Priorities.
We're looking for candidates who have:
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field and one or more professional systems or network certifications (preferred).
- A minimum of 5 years of recent work experience as a System Administrator/Engineer in a small to midsize Microsoft environment is required.
- In-depth knowledge of Windows Server (Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS, DHCP, Radius), Linux, VMware or MS Hyper-V, and PowerShell.
- In-depth knowledge of the Microsoft Cloud environment, AWS, and the Google Cloud Platform
- Experience procuring server hardware, software, services, and other equipment.
- Ability to self-start, correctly prioritize issues, and find solutions to problems in unfamiliar situations with little or no assistance.
- Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
- Ability to adapt and learn quickly.
- Demonstrated soft skills required, such as presenting ideas and clearly articulating concepts to senior management.
- Ability to perform advanced network support and system administration duties as assigned.
- Able to effectively interface with technical and nontechnical staff at all organizational levels.
Key Job Responsibilities
Mission Contribution
Contribute to Colorado Christian University’s mission: Christ-centered higher education transforming students to impact the world with grace and truth. The Systems Engineer contributes to this mission by administering the university’s technology infrastructure to continuously improve the student, faculty, and staff experience, which directly contributes to the ability of faculty, staff, and students to engage in transformational education.
- Plan, design, configure, deploy, and support CCU’s virtual and physical server infrastructure environment. Duties include managing VMware vCenter, Windows Servers, and various distributions of Linux (Red Hat/Centos)
- Plan, design, configure, deploy, and support data protection and disaster recovery solutions by performing everyday tasks in Enterprise Backup software, such as backups, restores, data aging, and tape rotation.
- Plan, design, configure, deploy, and support the Microsoft Cloud environment, including M365 applications, Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, Entra ID, and Intune.
- Design, maintain, and support all aspects of CCU’s Windows Active Directory infrastructure, comprised of critical services such as DNS/DHCP and Radius authentication. Responsible for domain policies, user account modifications, group policy creation, and user permission rights assignment.
- Manage server protection and patch management solutions.
- Design, maintain, and support hardware and software installation, including applying fixes, updates, and enhancements to development and production systems.
- Manage and monitor system/application protection systems.
- Configure, deploy, and support the CCU Staff, Faculty, and Students email environment. Duties include email protection monitoring and conducting regular threat simulation campaigns.
- Provide high-quality results in completing work orders, trouble tickets, service requests, and network projects, which include independent research, planning, and troubleshooting.
- Provide 24x7 on-call network support as necessary.
- Respond promptly to end-user inquiries via e-mail or phone or the IT Technical Support work order system.
- Assist with miscellaneous tasks shared by the IT team, such as transporting and installing equipment, researching new technology, etc.
- Other duties as assigned.
Work Environment
The successful candidate must be hands-on, creative, and able to multitask, develop priorities, work in a fast-paced environment, adapt to changing needs, and work well independently and collaboratively as they will support various data initiatives across functional areas of the university. While performing the duties of this job, you may be required to walk, stand, sit, reach with hands and arms, balance, stoop, speak with clarity, and have appropriate vision and hearing capabilities. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and move up to 75 pounds. The employee must work on-call on a rotating basis, which includes irregular hours, including some nights and weekends. Colorado Christian University expects all faculty and staff to become a part of the University community by participating in activities and events on campus throughout the year, which may occur during evenings and weekends
What we offer our employees:
We offer competitive compensation and benefits packages to all employees. Our benefit package includes: a tuition waiver program, excellent healthcare, generous paid time off, matching 403(b) retirement plan, and additional organizational paid benefits and voluntary benefit offerings. Pay and benefits will be discussed in more detail as candidates progress through the interview process. The pay range for this job is $70,000 to $90,000 annually. Pay is assigned by reviewing a combination of job-related factors that may include: internal/external pay equity, the salary structure/pay grade, or a candidate’s qualifications/experience for the job. A wage range posted is not a guarantee of a specific wage and CCU reserves the right to make pay decisions based on economic and equity considerations. CCU does not determine pay based on sex or any other protected status.
Application Deadline
Applications will be accepted until position is filled.
Spiritual Requirements
- Committed follower of Jesus Christ, who believes there is no salvation apart from faith in his atonement on the cross, by grace alone becoming "born again" thus beginning a personal relationship with Christ, the Son of God.
- Able to effectively communicate personal faith and apply biblical principles and convictions in the workplace. Must have a strong sense of calling to the ministry of Colorado Christian University.
- Regularly attend and be engaged in meaningful involvement in a Bible-believing evangelical local church. Knowledgeable about the Word of God and passionate about Christian education.
- Must be a traditional evangelical Christian whose lifestyle is in consonance with sound Christian principles, is compatible with CCU’s Statement of Faith, and is in agreement with the Strategic Priorities promulgated by the University.