The Senior Technical Systems Specialist leverages advanced technical expertise to research, design, implement, administer, maintain, optimize, support, and troubleshoot a highly available, mission-critical enterprise infrastructure environment. The environment is predominantly virtualized, with a small Microsoft Azure footprint, and includes VMware virtualization platforms; Microsoft Windows Server, Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), and AIX operating systems; IBM, Lenovo, and Dell server infrastructure; IBM, Dell, and Pure Storage enterprise storage solutions; Broadcom Brocade and Cisco SAN fabric technologies; load balancing and network switching infrastructure; and enterprise backup, recovery, and disaster recovery services. Supporting both virtualized and physical platforms, this infrastructure forms the foundation for all Unity Health Toronto clinical, business, educational, administrative, and research systems.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Designing, configuring, updating, and deploying systems with high availability and optimal performance.
- Monitoring system capacity, utilization, and performance.
- Regularly conducting system tuning and optimization of Red Hat, VMware, AIX, Microsoft, and SAN environments.
- Supporting enterprise load-balancing platforms, including Citrix NetScaler and Kemp, with responsibility for configuration, high availability, performance monitoring, troubleshooting, and lifecycle management.
- Supporting enterprise network switching infrastructure, including switch configuration, VLAN and port management, firmware maintenance, performance monitoring, troubleshooting, and lifecycle management.
- Administering and monitoring data centre power and environmental infrastructure, including UPS systems, generator-backed power systems, PDUs, cooling/HVAC systems, environmental monitoring platforms, capacity planning, redundancy management, maintenance coordination, and integration with Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity strategies.
- Ensuring backup, recovery, Disaster Recovery, and Business Continuity processes are in place, regularly tested, and functioning effectively.
- Engaging vendors for additional support when required.
- Researching and proposing cost-effective support and maintenance options.
- Recommending appropriate actions and maintenance activities to ensure the availability, performance, and resiliency of supported systems.
- Troubleshooting the most complex technical issues relating to Unity Health Toronto's infrastructure systems and equipment, including SAN, virtualization clusters, backup, and recovery platforms.
- Acting as the senior subject matter expert for infrastructure systems, including problem determination and resolution.
- Advising the Manager, Technical Services, and the Director, IT Infrastructure on system administration issues, technical support processes, operating procedures, technical standards, system performance, and resiliency.
- Maintaining expert-level knowledge of emerging technologies, industry trends, and best practices.
- Demonstrating technology leadership by evaluating new technologies and proposing technical solutions to IT leadership.
- Participating in departmental tactical planning, project management, and assessments related to the adoption of hardware and software solutions.
- Participating in RFP, RFQ, and RFI processes, including vendor evaluations and technology selection.
- Engaging vendors to procure systems, software, and equipment in accordance with Unity Health Toronto procurement policies.
- Providing mentorship and guidance to Technical Services staff regarding system setup, configuration, and operational administration.
- Providing reports to management, as required.
- Participating in internal and external system audits.
- Attending conferences and conducting presentations or meetings to share industry trends, best practices, and emerging technologies.
- Reviewing, updating, and developing technical documentation, policies, and procedures.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Undergraduate degree in Mathematics, Engineering, Computer Science, or recognized equivalent.
- VMware Certified Professional (VCP) and modern senior-level Microsoft certifications (such as Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate) or equivalent enterprise infrastructure experience.
- Pure Storage, IBM Storage, Dell Storage, IBM Spectrum Protect Administration, and Certified Commvault Professional are preferred.
- Ten (10) to twelve (12) years of demonstrated full-time work experience in a related field is required.
- Experience working in a cross-platform environment (RHEL, AIX, Windows, and VMware) is required.
- Experience managing SAN storage platforms and SAN fabrics, including Brocade and Cisco fabric, from multiple vendors is preferred.
- Experience administering enterprise load-balancing platforms, including Citrix NetScaler and Kemp, is preferred.
- Experience administering and maintaining enterprise network switching infrastructure, including switch configuration, VLAN, port and connectivity management, troubleshooting, and firmware maintenance, is preferred.
- Experience with enterprise backup and recovery solutions, including Acronis, IBM Spectrum Protect, and Commvault, is preferred.
- Experience administering enterprise data centre facilities infrastructure, including UPS systems, power distribution units (PDUs), generator-backed power systems, cooling/HVAC systems, capacity planning, environmental monitoring platforms, and operational resiliency practices, is preferred.
- Experience with data centre cabling, including fibre and network cabling, is preferred.
- In-depth knowledge of current Windows Server operating systems and basic cloud infrastructure frameworks (Azure) is required.
- Project management and/or consulting experience is an asset.
- Logical, analytical, and conceptual decision-making skills with an organized, systematic, and well-planned approach to work are required.
- High level of initiative, self-direction, and leadership with a commitment to continuous professional development, learning, and change management is required.
- Results-driven with the ability to retain composure under stress and demonstrate superior problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity skills.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex technical concepts in simple terms.
- Ability to multitask with a high degree of focus, effectively assisting clients and team members in a fast-paced, constantly changing environment.
- Ability to function within a 24/7 operational environment and participate in the on-call support rotation is required.
- Excellent attendance and punctuality record.
- Commitment to the mission and values of Unity Health Toronto.
