What are the responsibilities and job description for the Windows Systems Engineer position at James Madison University?
- 20002149
- Information Technology
- Information Technology
- Full-time Staff (Classified)
- Opening on: Jul 20 2026
- Administration and Finance
- 100212 - IT - Infrastructure Services
Working Title: Windows Systems Engineer
State Role Title: Information Technology Specialist II
Position Type: Full-time Staff (Classified)
Position Status: Full-Time
FLSA Status: Exempt: Not Eligible for Overtime
College/Division: Information Technology
Department: 100212 - IT - Infrastructure Services
Pay Band: 5
Pay Rate: Pay Range
Specify Range or Amount: $75,000 - $77,500
Is this a JMU only position? No
Is this a grant-funded position? No
Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No
Beginning Review Date: 7/28/2026
About JMU
At James Madison University (JMU), we’re more than just a publicly funded institution — we’re a vibrant, welcoming community located on a stunning campus where innovation, collaboration, and personal growth thrive. Our mission is to prepare students for a bright future, and we believe that starts with supporting the people who make it all possible: our employees.
Why Work at JMU?
We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your professional journey and personal wellbeing:
- Generous Leave: Enjoy paid vacation, sick leave, parental leave, community service leave, and 19 paid holidays annually.
- Comprehensive Health Coverage: Access high-quality health insurance options that fit your needs.
- Retirement Options: Plan for your future with retirement benefits through the Virginia Retirement System.
- Employee Well-Being: Our Balanced Dukes program promotes wellness and work-life integration through resources, events, and support.
- Tuition Waiver Program: Advance your education with our tuition waiver program for undergraduate and graduate courses taken at JMU.
Discover what makes JMU a great place to work: bit.ly/JMUEmployment
General Information
James Madison University Information Technology is currently hiring for a Windows Systems Engineer, primarily responsible for Exchange on-prem and online email services in a hybrid environment, with additional responsibilities including routine and advanced system administration and customer support of cloud and on-premise Windows software and systems. As a member of the Windows Team within IT Systems & Operations, you'll be part of a high-functioning, collaborative, and supportive team, with many years of collective experience, and supportive leadership. This is an on-site position with rotating on-call, a one-week responsibility recurring approximately every 6 weeks, that requires on-site presence within one hour of being paged. It includes the opportunity for hybrid work options.
Duties And Responsibilities
Primarily responsible for maintaining and supporting the email environment, including Exchange and Postfix on-premises and Microsoft 365 cloud products to perform at acceptable levels, including managing SPF/DKIM/DMARC, and tenant quotas. This includes administering, troubleshooting, upgrading, patching, mitigating vulnerabilities, and resolving tickets as applicable for Email and related communication and collaboration systems, as well as Microsoft Windows physical & virtual servers, and applications managed by the Windows team. This includes but is not limited to: Active Directory, M365, Dell hardware, VMware, Crowdstrike, Pure Storage, Commvault, and various legacy systems. Additional responsibilities include: providing customer support for email and other systems, researching and proposing new solutions to management, and creating and maintaining thorough documentation of administrative processes and systems. A successful candidate will communicate empathetically with all stakeholders and adapt well to change in technology and service delivery.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
Demonstrated experience with deployment and management of Exchange services or other email solutions, including adhering to best practices and organizational strategy, or significant professional experience in a mid-level or higher systems engineering role, demonstrating mastery and ownership of complex mission-critical systems as a seasoned, independent contributor.
Demonstrated success in a role that includes significant customer support responsibilities in addition to systems administration responsibilities.
Demonstrated ability to communicate technical complexity clearly & understandably for any audience, including customers, peers, and senior leadership, through written documentation, verbal explanations, and formal presentations.
Experience with security best practices including deployment of published benchmarks, and vulnerability management with Crowdstrike or similar software.
Additional Considerations
Experience with installation, troubleshooting, and supporting Windows, Active Directory, M365, SAN or VMware in an enterprise environment including contingency management and disaster recovery.
Experience with Powershell for system management tasks, or demonstrated proficiency with other scripting languages for system management tasks.
Additional Posting Information
Conditions of Employment:
Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.
E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.
EEO Statement
James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.
We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.
Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.
Reasonable Accommodation
If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.
Salary : $75,000 - $77,500