System Administrator

POSITION SUMMARY
The System Administrator has primary responsibility for the integrity, performance, and configuration of system environments for Minnesota Valley Transit Authority. The System Administrator will be accountable for all of the core technology and systems needed to maintain essential business functions in conjunction with all currently deployed MVTA software systems.

Under general supervision of the Manager, IT Solutions, the Systems Administrator is responsible for effective provisioning, installation/configuration, operation, and maintenance of systems hardware and software and related infrastructure. System Administration duties are performed on a variety of systems. The position also requires administering, configuring, securing and tuning system environments, testing patches and service packs and assisting with updates as required.

The incumbent will provide functional Managers with performance measurement tools, management reports and data analysis for useful management of Operations. The incumbent is responsible for design and implementation of Transit Systems specific projects and programs, including project management responsibility for the implementation, functional maintenance and administration of the integrated software packages. This incumbent is accountable for the following systems: Linux and Windows server systems that support Enterprise applications; Linux, Windows and Application systems that support transit management systems. Those systems include Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), Real Time Passenger Information (RTPI) Systems, portals, Fleet Maintenance, Route Scheduling, facility IT, surveillance and security systems, Fuel Management systems, SQL Databases, Destination Signs systems, Automated Passenger Counters (APC) systems and other passenger amenities systems.

The System Administrator needs to have flexibility to cover after-hour events within the MVTA and on- call duties as assigned.

JOB DUTIES OR ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The essential functions of the position include, but are not limited to the following:

• Serves as the primary technical administrator and advanced user of one or more assigned software application modules; and supports staff using that software.
• Installs, configures, maintains, monitors, and troubleshoots data and system requirements using the advanced functions of the assigned programs, including tracking and testing of new software versions, analyzing and mapping data fields for interfaces, understanding internal objects, and implementing vendor provided data migration plans.
• Supports LANs, WANs, network segments, Internet, and intranet systems.
• Performs daily system monitoring, verifying the integrity and availability of all hardware, server, network communications, telecommunication systems and key processes, reviewing system and application logs, and verifying completion of scheduled jobs such as backups.
• Installs, configures, maintains, and troubleshoots Windows and Linux servers in a virtualized environment.
• Develops and administers information systems security procedures.
• Maintains and improves the Client environment, patching and deployment process
• Assists in and performs systems analysis including defining information systems requirements, identifying options, developing and implementing solutions and applications.
• Assists with work plans to balance areas with heavy workloads. Researches and evaluates hardware and software issues, reports results, and makes recommendations where applicable.
• Ensures supervisor, customers, and co-workers are informed of critical issues and of any changes in the status of critical issues. Communicates system outages and critical downtime that may impact user availability of network resources. Contacts software/hardware vendors when appropriate to resolve system issues.
• Compiles and disseminates all data for the Transit Systems pertaining to ITS Fixed Route systems and assigned ITS systems. Included in this responsibility is the requirement for analyzing data and providing recommendations for improvement through process, efficiency, or delivery of services and to develop plans and programs to meet organizational goals and objectives.
• Performs testing and system change management by utilizing test environments for verifying data and system changes.
• Works with stakeholders to define business and systems requirements for expanding the functionality of all IT system software products.
• Documents and maintains procedures for all appropriate staff to load and maintain data for the system, such that accurate data is reliably loaded and tested in the system.
• Oversees data inputs from MVTA’s technology database and other technology-based systems used in support of Transit Operations.
• Researches new products, software upgrades, equipment and services. Prepares recommendations and upon approval, coordinates with outside sources to test and implement changes.
• Develops new training models, and lead training sessions on products and their implementation in our environment.
• Provides support to departments in database administration for applications running on MS SQL or other databases systems.
• Produces reports using SQL query/reporting tools for monitoring data quality, performance measurement and archiving purposes, as required.
• Performs other duties as assigned or as apparent.