IT Solutions Architect
Ball State University
Muncie, IN
Job posting number: #7232369 (Ref:BSU42164)
Posted: March 26, 2024
Application Deadline: Open Until Filled
Job Description
Support and enhance IT infrastructure at a university level, focusing on aligning enterprise IT architecture with the institution's business goals; collaborate with both academic and administrative areas to evaluate and integrate new technologies that streamline operations and reduce costs; assess technological advancements, optimize existing systems, and advise on the adoption of efficient solutions to meet the university's objectives and industry standards; design and implement complex IT systems, and ensure the effective operation of these solutions; produce architectural documentation, serve as a technical leader on project teams, and perform a broad range of related duties to support the overarching IT strategy and its execution within the educational environment.
Ball State University Information Technology is seeking an IT Solutions Architect. In this role, you will be responsible for defining an architectural plan for the university, and designing, building, and integrating complex IT systems. You will be actively engaged in evaluating new technologies, assessing existing solutions, and providing technical guidance to IT leadership and other areas across campus. You will have the opportunity to leverage Ball State’s on-premises virtualization environment in addition to cloud providers. You will be instrumental in discovering, demonstrating, and implementing emerging technologies that benefit the university. If this position interests you and you feel your experience matches the needs of the role, please apply.
Job Function:
Support and enhance IT infrastructure at a university level, focusing on aligning enterprise IT architecture with the institution's business goals; collaborate with both academic and administrative areas to evaluate and integrate new technologies that streamline operations and reduce costs; assess technological advancements, optimize existing systems, and advise on the adoption of efficient solutions to meet the university's objectives and industry standards; design and implement complex IT systems, and ensure the effective operation of these solutions; produce architectural documentation, serve as a technical leader on project teams, and perform a broad range of related duties to support the overarching IT strategy and its execution within the educational environment.
Minimum Education:
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university by the date of appointment.
Or, in lieu of a Bachelor’s degree: an Associate’s degree plus an additional combination of education or experience in IT equivalent to two years.
Or, a high school diploma or GED plus an additional combination of education or experience in IT equivalent to four years.
Or, in lieu of a Bachelor’s degree: an Associate’s degree plus an additional combination of education or experience in IT equivalent to two years.
Or, a high school diploma or GED plus an additional combination of education or experience in IT equivalent to four years.
Preferred Education:
Advanced training and/or certifications related to IT systems administration, enterprise IT architecture, or emerging technologies.
Minimum Experience:
Three or more years of experience in enterprise IT systems administration, including, but not limited to hardware and software systems, operating systems, network architecture, storage solutions, backup and disaster recovery, cloud services, security practices, database management, containerization, identity and access management, email infrastructure and security standards, and programming/scripting.
Preferred Experience:
Demonstrated experience designing, building, and integrating complex IT systems; demonstrated experience analyzing and optimizing business processes.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Support the Enterprise IT Architecture team with defining and adhering to an architectural plan that encompasses university business goals, a detailed assessment of existing IT infrastructure, guidance for implementing and integrating new solutions, security, and compliance considerations, the envisioned future state of IT architecture, and best practices found in higher education.
- Collaborate with academic and administrative areas, along with IT leadership, to evaluate and leverage new technologies, aiming to reduce operational costs and minimize the overall complexity of the environment.
- Continuously assess the latest technological advancements for their applicability to our environment. Facilitate demonstrations of emerging technologies with IT leadership and key stakeholders, enhancing the decision-making process, and strategically aligning the university to effectively adopt relevant new technologies.
- Conduct comprehensive analysis of existing IT systems, focusing on optimization, consolidation, cost reduction, and alignment with university goals and industry standards. Proactively review and improve system performance, security, and resource utilization, while advocating for the integration of efficient technologies and automation to streamline processes. Offer expert guidance and strategic recommendations for ongoing organizational initiatives.
- Design, build, and integrate complex IT systems, leveraging both new and existing resources.
- Actively use and support implemented solutions to maintain hands-on familiarity and ensure effective operation.
- Maintain knowledge and understanding of IT systems administration, including hardware and software systems, operating systems, network architecture, storage solutions, backup and disaster recovery, cloud services, security practices, database management, containerization, identity and access management, email infrastructure and security standards, and programming/scripting.
- Prepare enterprise architectural documentation including diagrams, inventories, and related information as needed. Create comprehensive reports on a recurring basis for system administrators and other clients to ensure needs are being met.
- Serve on various project teams as a subject matter expert in IT architecture, providing technical leadership and advice.
- Ensure email communications associated with new and existing systems are properly configured to pass SPF, DKIM, and DMARC checks. Work with Information Security to troubleshoot email routing issues and implement appropriate controls for the prevention and remediation of malicious communications.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
At Ball State University, we recognize inclusive excellence as an integral endeavor to fulfill our University’s mission and our strategic plan. We recruit, support, and retain a diverse population of students, faculty, and staff. We encourage and reward diversity of thought. We promote a work environment that encourages and rewards innovation and creativity. We pledge to keep Inclusive Excellence at the highest level of institutional importance and as a foundation in all that we strive to do. Our over-arching goal for Inclusive Excellence is to adopt a university-wide Inclusive Excellence approach to academic, administrative support, and service functions of the university. We believe Inclusive Excellence must be infused in every step we take.
