Systems Administrator

Expectation and Condition of Employment

Howard Payne University, a church-related institution affiliated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas, seeks to employ evangelical Christians who are dedicated to teaching and service as they model the principles of the Christian faith and the University’s sincere religious beliefs.

Howard Payne University (hereafter, University) is committed to the integration of learning and Christian faith in the pursuit of truth. Employees are expected to embrace the Christian Mission Statement and Core Values of the University and must support the University’s affirmation of traditional Christian and Baptist beliefs by leading lives of service through active involvement in Christian activities both on campus and through a local church.

Mission Statement

Howard Payne University is a Christ-centered academic community dedicated to excellence by developing and equipping the whole person for intellectual inquiry, personal and professional integrity, and service to God and humanity.

Core Values of Howard Payne University

We believe and affirm that the University as an institution and each individual called to serve the Lord at Howard
Payne should strive to demonstrate a commitment to these five Core Values:

- Centered on Christ   (cf. Col. 3:17, Matt. 7:24)

- Focused on Community   (cf. Eph. 4:4-6, 1 Pet. 3:8)

- Called to Service   (cf. Mark 10:45, Phil. 2:3-5)

- Committed to Excellence   (cf. Gen. 1:31, 1 Cor. 9:24)

- Dedicated to Stewardship   (cf. Gen. 2:15, 1 Pet. 4:10)

As a condition of employment, employees agree to be paid by Direct Deposit. Applicants offered contingent employment based on the University obtaining a clean background check agree the contingent offer of employment may be revoked based on the information obtained in the background check.

If offered employment, your acceptance will indicate that you have read and agree to the Expectations and Conditions above.

Application Procedure

To be considered for this position, please submit the following:

- a letter of application addressing in detail how you meet the position requirements

- a resume or CV (curriculum vitae)

- unofficial transcripts, and

- a completed HPU Employment Application

Job Summary

The Systems Administrator provides support for the university Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system and related packages, including developing SharePoint Online forms, workflows, and information sites for streamlining campus processes and communication.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Essential duties and responsibilities include the following.  The AVP for IT Services may assign other duties

- Responsible for daily functionality, user support, user training, reporting needs, product updates, product documentation, and the security of various on-premise and cloud-hosted applications.

- Assist in planning and implementation of system upgrades by coordinating with IT Services staff and end-users.

- Determine the feasibility of user requests based on existing technical systems and data structures. Assess the impacts of system modifications on relevant processes or applications.

- Collaborate with departments to design, implement, and document business processes, data standards, policy, and protocol

- Create and maintain user accounts, providing access to system resources (directories, applications, menus, printers, etc.) while keeping to the principle of least privilege.

- Maintain a list of system issues; determine solutions and an acceptable schedule for resolution. Communicate resolution plans to interested stakeholders and ensure an open line of communication between campus offices and IT Services.

- Periodically assist with testing of system disaster recovery plans and procedures.

- Establish and maintain a good working relationship with end-users.

- Provide assistance to the AVP for IT and other IT Department staff.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This job has no supervisory responsibilities for other employees.

Required Competencies

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

- Modeling Christian Faith - Must be committed to modeling the Christian faith. Displays a proven record of modeling the Christian faith in business operations, management roles, customer service functions, and interactions with others. Is committed to continuing to model Christian faith in a manner consistent with the University’s Mission Statement and Core Values

- Analytical - Synthesizes complex or diverse information, collects and researches data, uses intuition and experience to complement data, designs work flows and procedures

- Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner, gathers and analyzes information skillfully, develops alternative solutions, works well problem solving as part of a group, uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics

- Project Management - Develops effective project plans, coordinates projects, communicates changes and progress, completes projects on time and budget, and manages project team activities effectively

- Technical Skills - Assesses own strengths and weaknesses; Pursues training and development opportunities; Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; Shares expertise with others

- Customer Service – Manages difficult or emotional situations effectively, solicits feedback to improve service, responds to requests for service and assistance promptly and effectively, meets the commitments they make to others

- Interpersonal Skills - Focuses on solving conflict without blaming others, consistently maintains confidentiality, listens to others without interrupting them, keeps their emotions under control, remains open to others' ideas and tries new things

- Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations, listens and gets clarification, responds well to questions, demonstrates effective group presentation skills, participates actively in meetings

- Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively, edits their work for correct spelling and grammar, varies their writing style as needed, presents numerical data effectively, is able to read and interpret written information effectively

- Visionary Leadership - Displays passion and optimism, inspires respect and trust and motivates others to perform well, mobilizes others to fulfill the University’s Mission Statement while embracing the University’s Core Values, provides vision and inspiration to peers and subordinates, exhibits self-confidence and confidence in others, influences actions and opinions of others effectively, accepts feedback from others, gives appropriate recognition to others

- Change Management - Develops workable implementation plans; Communicates changes effectively; Builds commitment and overcomes resistance; Prepares and supports those affected by change; Monitors transition and evaluates results

- Quality Management - Looks for ways to improve and promote quality, demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness

- Business Acumen – Understands business implications of decisions; Aligns work with strategic goals

- Cost Consciousness - Works within approved budget; Develops and implements cost saving measures; Conserves university resources

- Ethics - Treats everyone with respect, keeps commitments, inspires others to trust them, works with integrity and ethically, upholds the University's Mission Statement and Core Values

- University Support - Follows policies and procedures consistently, completes administrative tasks correctly and on time, supports the University’s Mission Statement and Core Values, Benefits the University through external community and professional activities, supports affirmative action and respects diversity

- Judgment - Displays willingness to make decisions, exhibits sound and accurate judgment, supports and explains reasoning for decisions, includes appropriate people in the decision-making process, makes timely decisions

- Motivation - Sets and achieves challenging goals, demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles, measures themselves against a high standard of excellence, takes calculated risks to accomplish goals

- Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities effectively, uses time efficiently, plans for additional resources, if necessary, sets goals and objectives, organizes and schedules other people and their tasks, develops realistic action plans

- Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner, reacts well under pressure, treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position, accepts personal responsibility for their own actions, and follows through with commitments

- Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness, looks for ways to improve and promote quality, applies effective feedback to improve performance, and monitors their own work to ensure quality

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the Essential Duties and Responsibilities listed above satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

- Education and/or Experience – Bachelor's degree in a relevant program from an accredited university with two years of related experience desired. Equivalent technical training, education, and/or experience will be considered Experience in higher education preferred.

- Language Skills - Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of employees and students

- Math Skills - Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages and area.  Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra

- Reasoning Ability - Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form

- Computer Skills - Minimum 2+ years of working experience in system support for end-users preferred. Experience in higher education and with database systems is preferred. Familiarity with InfoPath forms and SharePoint services preferred. General familiarity with additional scripting language(s) such as HTML5, XML, CSS, Windows PowerShell, .NET, or willingness to learn as necessary

- License - Must be at least 21 years old and maintain a current Texas driver's license to drive any vehicle, including personally owned vehicles, on behalf of the University

- Other Skills and Abilities - Must be able to concentrate and remain on task amid many requests for service on a daily basis. Ability to handle diverse computing environments in a wide cross section of needs and personalities. Ability to quickly learn new systems or applications. Passionate about delivering excellent customer service with ability to articulate technical information to non-technical end-users.

- Attention to detail while mindful of big-picture concepts or goals

- Physical Demands – The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the Essential Duties and Responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the Essential Duties and Responsibilities. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds while moving computers and printers. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

- Work Environment - The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to risk of electrical shock. The employee is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles and toxic or caustic chemicals used to clean and/or renovate buildings and maintain the grounds of the University. The noise level in the work environment consists primarily of computer and server noise, but is usually moderate.