Storage Administrator

Please note that the successful incumbent will be required to work on-campus during their onboarding. Afterward, they will be eligible to work hybrid.

If you are an internal applicant belonging to a union (CUPE 2424, CUPE 910 or OPSEU 404), please make sure to update your current union status in your candidate profile each time you apply for a vacant position. Internal “unionized” candidates with priority status will be given first consideration. Please note: Carleton University encourages applications from all qualified candidates.

About Carleton University

Carleton University is situated on unceded Algonquin territory and bordered by the Rideau River and the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in Ottawa, Ontario. The university is just minutes from the heart of our nation's government and G-7 organizations and this capital advantage provides opportunities for staff and faculty and students to make a positive impact in our community and around the world.

Named a Top 100 Employer in 2023, 2024 and 2025, and a National Capital Region Top Employer for 10 consecutive years, Carleton University is one of Canada’s most resourceful and productive hubs of learning and research, fuelling a rich talent pipeline that is supporting social and economic renewal. The university’s smart, caring and connected community inspires and empowers individuals to become change leaders who drive impact in the world while challenging conventional modes of thinking and doing. At Carleton, we are committed to fostering an innovative, equitable and welcoming work environment. Carleton is also a nationally certified Healthy Workplace and is a recipient of the Canada Awards for Excellence, Healthy Workplace Order of Excellence and Platinum Level Certification for Mental Health at Work.

The university’s Strategic Integrated Plan 2020-2025 is an ambitious vision for the future, anchored in Carleton’s strengths and student-centric, community-engaged values.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Managed by the Director (Operations & Infrastructure), and reporting to the Supervisor of Operations, the Storage Administrator is accountable for ensuring the day to day operational requirements of the storage area network are met.

The priorities of this role are:

1. Keep the storage systems operational and well maintained.
2. Provision new storage and reallocate existing storage space on the SAN according to customers requirements and university policies across the various platforms and systems requiring SAN.
3. Develop and deliver metrics and analysis on a monthly basis and related to the performance and capacities of our storage assets.
4. Engage in planning for upgrades, expansions and migrations on the storage assets.

Support includes, but is not limited to, maintenance, troubleshooting, security, resource monitoring and planning, repair, upgrades and installation of storage and server hardware and software as well as support and participation on longer term projects.

The incumbent is required to be “on call” and to work outside of regular business hours, if necessary, in order to complete specific work or to resolve problems. These are mission critical systems and at times will need that level of attention.

A variety of computing systems and the associated programs that they run must be maintained in good working order by staff during all hours of scheduled computer operation. If a problem is encountered which compromises their operation, the incumbent will be required to work outside of normal working hours in order to restore the affected systems to good working order.

Qualifications:

The incumbent must possess the following qualifications:
• Experienced with storage technologies, typically Direct Attached Storage Devices or “on-board systems storage”, RAID methodologies, understand the differences and characteristics of various storage technologies (e.g. primary, secondary and off-line, tertiary or database storage, information volatility, random and sequential access, the ability to change information [read/write versus read only], addressability of information, capacity, performance, and so on ) and prior experience with a Storage Area Network is desired.
• Thorough knowledge of general programming methodology and techniques (including system implementation languages and operating system services), TCP/IP and networking as well as a working knowledge of various hardware platforms, including the ability to deal with multiple operating systems (Windows and Unix with an emphasis on Solaris).
• Enhanced skills in one or more of the following are assets: C++, Visual Basic, perl, script writing (i.e. shell scripts) and proficiency with utility programs.
• The ability to read, analyze, and interpret professional journals or technical procedures.
• Possessing excellent written and oral communication skills, the incumbent will write reports and procedure manuals and effectively present information and respond to questions from managers or clients.
• The ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• The incumbent will: be able to handle multiple tasks in a fast paced team environment and work under pressure to meet deadlines; possess exceptional organization skills; effectively determine priorities.
• Responsibilities extend beyond a normal workday as resources are utilized continually. This requires the incumbent to be "on call" and to work outside of regular business hours, as necessary, in order to complete specific work or to resolve problems.
• Must possess a robust understanding of cloud storage solutions, with a particular emphasis on Microsoft Azure.

Education and Experience:

The above is normally acquired through the completion of:
• Honours degree in Computer Science or equivalent.
• Five years experience in Systems Administration. A focus on storage management (e.g. NAS, SAN) is desirable.

HR Note:

Equivalencies will be considered. Applicants are encouraged to provide information which may demonstrate equivalent qualifications. Please note that applicants may be required to complete an employment test as part of the selection process for this position. Those applicants that are selected for an interview will be requested to contact the Human Resource Advisor assigned to this competition as soon as possible to discuss any accommodation requirements. Arrangements will be made to accommodate your request in a timely manner. Carleton University is strongly committed to fostering diversity within its community as a source of excellence, cultural enrichment, and social strength. We welcome those who would contribute to the further diversification of our University including, but not limited to: women; visible minorities; First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples; persons with disabilities; and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expressions.

Health and Safety Requirements

This position is regularly required to work on campus in person. In the event of a public health emergency or a health and safety issue, it is possible that you may be required to work temporarily remotely due to public health orders, directives and/or health and safety requirements. If this happens, you will work with your direct manager to set up a remote work environment including discussing appropriate technology and requirements. You are required to follow all University policies and directives, including to set up a safe and confidential workspace in a remote location and ensure all Carleton property (intellectual and other) is safeguarded. If required to work remotely, you will be notified by your manager when working full time physically onsite will resume.