Lead Systems Engineer

Position Type:
ProTech (Non-Certified)

Date Posted:
11/6/2024

Location:
OKCPS Central Office

Lead Systems Engineer

Position Summary:
The Lead Systems Engineer provides leadership, guidance, and technical expertise to the systems engineering team, overseeing the administration, maintenance, and security of the district's systems infrastructure to ensure reliable and secure operations across all schools and administrative sites. This role requires expertise in managing a diverse range of technologies, including Windows Servers, Active Directory (AD), DHCP, DNS, Google Workspace, Microsoft Entra, and VMware. The Lead Systems Engineer also manages the technical aspects of procurement processes, ensuring that technology solutions meet the needs of students and staff. The Lead Systems Engineer plays a critical role in both day-to-day operations and long-term strategic planning, providing subject matter expertise and guidance for infrastructure projects and technology solutions to support the district's mission of being a first-choice district for over 33,000 students and staff.

Essential Duties:

• Lead and mentor the Systems Engineer team, ensuring effective administration, maintenance, and security of physical and virtual Windows and Linux server environments, with a focus on patch management, troubleshooting, and performance optimization.
• Manage Active Directory (AD), Group Policy, DHCP, DNS configurations, and Microsoft Entra services for identity and access management, ensuring security and seamless integration.
• Provide technical leadership and support for cloud services (Google Workspace, Office 365) and enterprise email solutions, enhancing operational efficiency.
• Ensure effective web filtering, endpoint security, and anti-virus solutions, maintaining a secure environment for all users.
• Oversight of the management and optimization of VMware virtual infrastructure, ensuring high performance, availability, and scalability across multiple sites and data centers.
• Review and optimize storage solutions, including on-premise and cloud-based storage, and ensure the effectiveness of enterprise-level server backup solutions to protect data integrity and availability.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and external vendors for system installation, configuration, and maintenance, ensuring quality service delivery.
• Work closely with district stakeholders to identify and implement technology solutions that best meet the needs of students and staff, while planning for future infrastructure needs.
• Write and develop detailed RFPs to solicit proposals from vendors, clearly outlining technical requirements, project scope, and evaluation criteria.
• Evaluate vendor bids and provide recommendations to the Director of Network Services, staying current with emerging technologies and best practices.
• Maintain detailed server diagrams, configurations, and troubleshooting guides.
• Prepare weekly status reports of projects, escalated issues, network outages/performance and incident resolutions for management.
• Assist with disaster recovery planning, troubleshoot support tickets, and maintain technical documentation, including risk registers and security plans.
• Stay up-to-date with the latest networking technologies and industry trends.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills and/or Abilities):

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of experience in systems engineering or IT infrastructure roles, with preference for experience in large-scale or educational environments.
• Expert-level knowledge of Windows Server administration, including patch management, Active Directory (AD), Group Policy, DHCP, and DNS.
• Advanced proficiency in deploying, configuring, and managing VMware to meet district virtualization needs.
• Extensive experience with Microsoft Entra services and related technologies.
• Expertise in managing enterprise-level storage solutions, specifically with Pure Storage.
• In-depth experience with cloud-based email platforms, including Google Workspace and Office 365.
• Demonstrated ability to handle complex support tickets and collaborate with external vendors efficiently.
• Strong understanding of networking concepts and infrastructure management.
• Advanced troubleshooting skills in highly complex, large-scale environments, with the flexibility to handle evolving challenges.
• Proven ability to lead and operate independently, managing all aspects of assigned responsibilities.
• A valid Oklahoma driver's license and the ability to travel to various district locations as required.
• Excellent communication skills with a leadership focus on guiding team efforts and enhancing customer service.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills and/or Abilities):

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate
• Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate
• VMware Certified Professional (VCP)
• Pure Data Storage Associate
• Google Workspace Administrator
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
• Project Management Professional (PMP)

Physical/Mental Requirements:

• Must have adequate manual dexterity to write legibly and perform required duties on the computer.
• Must have adequate visual acuity to read, interpret and transcribe written material and other required duties.
• Requires normal range of hearing and clear speaking abilities to interact appropriately with others in person and on the telephone.
• Requires some stooping, bending, stretching and occasional lifting not to exceed 25 pounds.
• Sitting for prolonged periods of time.
• Proficient in using technology for effective communication and program management.
• May periodically require work outside of normal business hours, including weekends, under sometimes, stressful conditions in order to meet business needs and strict deadlines.

Reports To: Director of Network Services
FSLA Status: Exempt
Compensation: Schedule 804
Work Days: 242
FTE: 100

This job description is not intended to be all inclusive. The employee will also perform other reasonably related business duties as assigned by the supervisor or appropriate administrator. Oklahoma City Public Schools reserves the right to, update, revise or change job duties as the need prevails. This document is for communication only and not intended to imply a written or implied contract of employment. The Board of Education and Superintendent may approve alternatives to the listed qualifications.