Demo

Systems Administrator

Inside Higher Ed
Philadelphia, PA Full Time
POSTED ON 1/9/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 1/8/2028
University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn's distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America's Best Large Employers in 2023.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Systems Administrator

Job Profile Title

Systems Administrator Senior

Job Description Summary

The Information Technology Specialist at our institution plays a pivotal role in maintaining and enhancing our virtualized computing environment. This individual is tasked with providing high-level support for our VSphere and VMware ESX frameworks, ensuring their continuous and efficient operation. The role demands a keen focus on installing, maintaining, and securing our server infrastructure, with a strong emphasis on employing both hardware and software firewall management techniques to maintain the highest security standards.

A critical part of this role involves developing and implementing Windows-based solutions tailored to the varied needs of the University Life offices, demonstrating a flexible approach to meet the diverse requirements of our academic community. Collaboration is key; thus, the specialist will work closely with the End User Support team to design and sustain both physical and virtual desktop solutions that support our faculty, staff, and students' dynamic needs.

The successful candidate will also liaise with database and web teams to optimize third-party applications and enhance internally developed solutions, ensuring they meet our high standards for functionality and user experience. This role requires a proactive approach to system management, encompassing regular tasks such as system backups, disaster recovery, application deployment, server monitoring, and patch management, ensuring our infrastructure remains robust and reliable.

Advanced support capabilities are essential, as this role involves working closely with all team members to troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues swiftly and effectively. Additionally, the development and maintenance of comprehensive system documentation are crucial to ensure clarity and transparency in our system configurations and operational processes. This documentation serves as a vital resource for the team, facilitating ongoing maintenance and future planning.

This role offers a challenging and rewarding opportunity for a skilled IT professional looking to contribute to a vibrant academic community by ensuring our technological resources are secure, efficient, and aligned with our institution's strategic goals.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

  • Support of our VSphere and VMware ESX environments; install, maintain, and secure the server infrastructure and devices through hardware and software firewall management. support web servers; providing software installation and backups; coordinating hardware repairs; coordinating ordering & installation of equipment; recommending and tracking software & hardware; installing upgrades; handling security.
  • Proactively provide systems management by performing reoccurring tasks such as backups, disaster recovery, application deployment, server monitoring, patch management as required or directed; develop and maintain system documentation. Supervise and lead Systems Administrator as well as any temporary staff in completing and supporting the complex and broad systems in support of the Division.
  • Develop and maintain physical and virtual desktop solutions; work with the database and web teams to develop and extend third-party applications as well as those developed in-house.
  • Develop and implement windows solutions to meet the wide-range of business requirements for the more than 15 offices that comprise University Life.
  • Investigate and stays current on infrastructure hardware and software technologies, server technologies, and technologies to secure systems and data.
  • Perform additional duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Bachelor's and 3 to 5 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience is required. 3 to 5 years' experience managing a network

Ability to support, install, maintain, and secure the server infrastructure and devices. VMware Administration, Windows Administration, Active Directory, Administration, GPO Administration.

Application Requirement

A Cover Letter and Resume/CV are required to be considered for this position. Please upload your Cover Letter where it asks you to upload your Resume/CV; multiple documents are allowed.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Student Services

Pay Range

$61,046.00 - $79,040.00 Annual Rate

Salary offers are made based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.

Affirmative Action Statement

Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.

Special Requirements

Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.

University Benefits

  • Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family's health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
  • Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.
  • Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn's Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
  • Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family—whatever your personal needs may be.
  • Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you're newly hired, you won't have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.
  • Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That's why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.
  • Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.
  • University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University's libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There's always something going on at Penn, whether it's a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you're right in the middle of the excitement—and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.
  • Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.
  • Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.
  • Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.
  • Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.

To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay

To apply, visit https://wd1.myworkdaysite.com/en-US/recruiting/upenn/careers-at-penn/job/VPUL/Systems-Administrator_JR00087520

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Salary : $61,046 - $79,040

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