What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Director of Systems and Research Computing position at Montana State University - Office of Student Engagement?
Position Details
Position Information
Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 26216 For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Coltran Hophan-Nichols
coltran@montana.edu
406-994-2392
Classification Title Net/Comp Sys Administrator III Working Title Assistant Director of Systems and Research Computing Brief Position Overview
Reporting to Director of Systems and Research Computing, this position is responsible for operational management of MSU’s server and storage infrastructure, with shared supervision responsibilities for MSU system administration staff and direct supervision of Windows and VDI admins. This position will take direction from the Director of Systems and Research Computing and the Associate CIO. This position is located on the Montana State University campus five days per week from 8am-5pm. As part of the key leadership team will not be eligible for remote telework. This position is not eligible for sponsorship.
Position Number 4M0909 Department UIT Systems Admin Division VP for Information Technology Appointment Type Classified Contract Term Fiscal Year Semester If other, specify From date If other, specify End date FLSA Exempt Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining FTE 1.0 Benefits Eligible Eligible Salary Salary range of $33.204 to $46.023 hourly, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications Contract Type Classified Salary If other, please specify Recruitment Type Open
Position Details
General Statement
In support of Montana State University’s mission of education, research, and public service, University Information Technology (UIT) empowers the faculty, staff, researchers, and students to take full advantage of information technology to transform and benefit the MSU community and the citizens of the State of Montana. UIT manages Montana State University’s computer infrastructure and information systems across four campuses, serving the University with a robust environment that ensures the reliable and safe use of information resources.
The Assistant Director of Systems shares responsibility for day-to-day operations of server and storage systems administration including centralization and modernization of Montana State University’s central Linux and Windows computing environments, related infrastructure, and services – Cloud hosted and on-prem. This position reports to the Director of Systems and Research Computing and supports enterprise services for the MSU four-campus environment and ensures the reliability, security, and maximum performance of systems in support of teaching, learning, research, and administrative activities.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under The Supervision And Direction Of The Director Of Systems And Research Computing, The Assistant Director Of Systems And Research Computing Will
This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
This position is not eligible for sponsorship.
This is a full-time, on-site position based at our Bozeman, Montana campus.
Physical Demands
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
This position has supervisory duties? Yes
Posting Detail Information
Number Of Vacancies 1 Desired Start Date Upon Completion Of a Successful Search Position End Date (if Temporary) Open Date Close Date Applications Will Be
Screening of applications will begin on December 22, 2025; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
Special Instructions
This position is not eligible for sponsorship.
EEO Statement
Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.
In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Position Information
Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 26216 For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Coltran Hophan-Nichols
coltran@montana.edu
406-994-2392
Classification Title Net/Comp Sys Administrator III Working Title Assistant Director of Systems and Research Computing Brief Position Overview
Reporting to Director of Systems and Research Computing, this position is responsible for operational management of MSU’s server and storage infrastructure, with shared supervision responsibilities for MSU system administration staff and direct supervision of Windows and VDI admins. This position will take direction from the Director of Systems and Research Computing and the Associate CIO. This position is located on the Montana State University campus five days per week from 8am-5pm. As part of the key leadership team will not be eligible for remote telework. This position is not eligible for sponsorship.
Position Number 4M0909 Department UIT Systems Admin Division VP for Information Technology Appointment Type Classified Contract Term Fiscal Year Semester If other, specify From date If other, specify End date FLSA Exempt Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining FTE 1.0 Benefits Eligible Eligible Salary Salary range of $33.204 to $46.023 hourly, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications Contract Type Classified Salary If other, please specify Recruitment Type Open
Position Details
General Statement
In support of Montana State University’s mission of education, research, and public service, University Information Technology (UIT) empowers the faculty, staff, researchers, and students to take full advantage of information technology to transform and benefit the MSU community and the citizens of the State of Montana. UIT manages Montana State University’s computer infrastructure and information systems across four campuses, serving the University with a robust environment that ensures the reliable and safe use of information resources.
The Assistant Director of Systems shares responsibility for day-to-day operations of server and storage systems administration including centralization and modernization of Montana State University’s central Linux and Windows computing environments, related infrastructure, and services – Cloud hosted and on-prem. This position reports to the Director of Systems and Research Computing and supports enterprise services for the MSU four-campus environment and ensures the reliability, security, and maximum performance of systems in support of teaching, learning, research, and administrative activities.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under The Supervision And Direction Of The Director Of Systems And Research Computing, The Assistant Director Of Systems And Research Computing Will
- Provide effective day-to-day management and supervision of systems administration staff.
- Ensure best-practice Standard Operating Procedures are documented and adhered to for all aspects of enterprise server and storage infrastructure.
- Work closely across the enterprise to ensure stability, continuity, and security of all server and storage systems and services.
- Ensure timey handling of advanced customer support and stakeholder interactions and drives productivity across system administration team.
- Supports the consolidation and modernization of systems for MSU and its affiliates including standardization, automation, and configuration management.
- Supervises technical teams in the ongoing development and enhancement of systems, storage, and Cloud hosted service performance and monitoring methodologies, procedures, and processes.
- Supports the maintenance and optimizing infrastructure related software licensing such as Microsoft (0365) and VMWare.
- Assures proper configuration of server and storage hardware and solutions in accordance with standards and operational requirements.
- Assures support and efficient processing of incident and change management procedures.
- Combination of education and/or applicable experience equivalent to a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Computer Engineering, or other related field and/or advanced experience working with Linux or Windows technologies and related infrastructure services in an enterprise production environment.
- Experience with a broad range of systems infrastructure technology and best practices such as SAN/NAS technologies, Linux and Windows OS, security concepts including firewall and server hardening configurations, virtual technologies, identity and access management, enterprise scale server and network architectures, IT best practices to include change and incident management, project management processes and methods).
- Advanced degree in computer science, science, engineering, math, or related field.
- Demonstrated experience in higher education leadership at a large, complex research institution.
- Demonstrated experience managing information technology units and staff with a focus on server systems and related infrastructure technologies.
- Advanced hands-on experience managing systems such as RedHat Enterprise Linux, Windows OS/ Active Directory, M365, VMWare vSphere, SAN/NAS technologies, scripting and scheduling, access management components (SAML, LDAP, CAS, Shibboleth server), and Cloud integrations and services.
- Hands-on experience with Cisco UCS and Pure Storage hardware.
- Have strong interpersonal, teamwork, collaboration, and communication skills.
- Demonstrate initiative, sound judgment and personal drive.
- Have an aptitude for problem solving and facilitating highly technical work of others.
- Excel at prioritizing competing demands while meeting deadlines and having strong attention to detail.
- Embrace and adapt quickly to changes in priorities.
- Exhibit the highest level of professional conduct, embracing standards for honest and ethical behavior.
- Have experience in working collaboratively across organizational borders.
- Be able to represent UIT and the university in a professional and courteous manner with a commitment to delivering excellent service.
This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
This position is not eligible for sponsorship.
This is a full-time, on-site position based at our Bozeman, Montana campus.
Physical Demands
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
This position has supervisory duties? Yes
Posting Detail Information
Number Of Vacancies 1 Desired Start Date Upon Completion Of a Successful Search Position End Date (if Temporary) Open Date Close Date Applications Will Be
Screening of applications will begin on December 22, 2025; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
Special Instructions
This position is not eligible for sponsorship.
EEO Statement
Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.
In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
- Resume
- Cover Letter
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Salary : $33 - $46