Microsoft Systems Administrator

Role Overview 

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As a member of the Network Services team, the Microsoft systems administrator is responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of on-premises and cloud-based Microsoft enterprise services. These services include Active Directory, MFA, Windows Server OS, and enterprise messaging systems. The administrator ensures the availability and reliability of these services that are essential to support the mission of the College. Working with IT leadership, technical staff, and customers, the administrator provides technical leadership to projects from design to delivery, including helping define requirements and implementing and evaluating solutions.

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This position is eligible to work remotely for up to three days per week.  

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You might also know this type of position by one of these IT job titles: 

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• network administrator 
• information technology system administrator 
• systems engineer 

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Grinnell College Is an E-Verify Employer

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We use E-Verify to check the employment eligibility of our new hires. E-Verify is an internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The system allows employers like Grinnell College to verify the employment eligibility of its employees, regardless of citizenship. Based on the information provided on Form I-9, E-Verify confirms this information with DHS and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. 

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In Information Technology Services, a collaborative, inclusive, and engaging work environment is the cornerstone of our culture. We take our role in supporting the mission of Grinnell College seriously, but we seriously have a lot of fun too! We’re looking to add people to our team who want to make a difference every day. To find out more, visit IT Open Positions.

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You are: 

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• educated and experienced. You have a bachelor’s degree from a 4-year college or university in information technology, computer science, and/or a related disciple and three or more years of experience OR an associate degree in information technology or related discipline and a minimum of 5 years of experience.  
• a problem solver. You’re a resourceful person with a sense of curiosity, optimism, and determination to find solutions to problems. With your critical thinking and analytical skills, you see an opportunity in every challenge. 
• a strong technical leader. You have experience working in a collaborative team environment as a technical leader, and you may have experience working with a formal change management process. You’ve got a track record of delivering quality solutions on time. 
• a good communicator. You revel in the technical details, but you have experience providing on-site support to users with a broad range of technical understanding. Your top-notch communication and effective interpersonal relationships skills help you provide expert support.  
• collaborative and a diversity champion. You are instinctively inclusive and collaborative, respecting and embracing the diversity of our community. 

technologically savvy. Working with many different types of technology is exciting to you! Proven experience and expert knowledge working with Active Directory (AD) Azure AD, GPO administration, Microsoft 365 messaging platforms, and enterprise mail security platforms (ProofPoint) is a plus. You may also have experience working with MFA platforms (DUO), IMA platforms and integrations, Windows server OS, enterprise storage, networks, VMWare platform, configuration as Code, scripting, and automation.  

• certified. You may have Active Directory or Office 365 management certifications or desire to become certified. 

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You will: 

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• oversee the operational support, management, administration, and ongoing enhancement of directory services. 
• plan, coordinate, and perform maintenance, patching, and upgrades as needed following appropriate change management processes. 
• complete daily monitoring, including verification of the security, compliance, privacy, performance, and availability of all directory servers and IAM platforms. ensure the availability and suitability of the systems and software required to fulfill the mission of the College. 
• participate in incident management response. 
• love the great benefits!  

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The Benefits

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Our exceptional benefits cover every aspect of your life so you can live healthy and have balance inside and outside of work. Here is a sampling of our competitive benefits package.

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Competitive Salary

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We believe in paying our employees well and fairly. Our competitive salaries are calculated by looking at industry standards for the employee’s experience level. We have a comprehensive compensation plan that identifies career levels and salary ranges to assist employees in career path goals. There is an annual compensation process where employees are eligible for standard and merit salary increases. We are proud to have been able to maintain salary increases even throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Health and Wellness

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Taking care of employees’ total self is important. Here is a sampling of some of our wellness benefits:

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• Wellmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield medical, Delta Dental, Vision Service Plan
• The Hartford short and long-term disability insurance
• The Hartford basic life, supplemental life, and AD&D insurance
• MetLife accident, critical illness, and hospital indemnity insurance
• Wex health medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• EFR Employee and Family Resources Assistance Program, including in-person or Telehealth counseling (up to 6 free sessions per issue per year)
• counseling services through the University of Iowa
• wellness programs 
• plus many more perks, like annual flu shots, wellness release time off (1 hour a week to participate in wellness activities during work hours), wellness reimbursement (reimbursed 50% of an approved wellness cost, up to $100 per fiscal year), and free use of Bear Recreation and Athletic Center

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Paid Time Off

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While we work hard, we also play hard. Taking time off helps us achieve optimum work/life balance. Here’s a look at our paid time off:

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• holidays: 10 paid holidays per year (in addition to the paid vacation time you can use at your discretion), including Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth
• vacation for full-time exempt employees: 20 working day per fiscal year
• vacation for full-time non-exempt employees: based on hours worked and years of service (accrue time at a rate of .0385 per hour, up to 10 days per year), employees are eligible first day of employment +2 personal time off days per fiscal year
• sick leave: 10 working days per fiscal year
• ITS and administrative offices are closed the week between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day

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Professional Growth

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We believe in the power of learning. Continuous growth and development of our employees is a top priority. Here are some the professional development opportunities and continuing education programs we support:

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• Educational Assistance Program, after 1 year of continuous employment employees are eligible for up to $4,000 per fiscal year toward the cost of tuition and books
• courses at Grinnell College under Special Student Status for one free regular course per semester
• professional development courses and workshops lead by Grinnell College faculty and staff
• opportunities to present at conferences and workshops
• ITS department budget pays for employees to obtain specialized certifications, attend workshops and conferences, and professional membership dues
• free access to training sites like LinkedIn Learning and Puralsight

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Life Resources

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We're here to provide support, resources and information for employees’ everyday challenges whether in your personal or work-life. Here are some of the resources we provide:  

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• remote Work Policy, work remotely up to two days per five day week off-site for qualified positions
• EFR Employee and Family Resources Assistance Program for a variety of issues including, marital and family conflicts, job-related difficulties, stress, anxiety, and depression, legal counseling, elder care consultation
• petpartners pet insurance
• ombuds services
• notary services
• estate guidance/will services
• Volunteer Initiative Program
• restorative practices
• employee travel assistance and theft protection
• NortonLifeLock identity protection
• transportation: shuttle services, Ride Share Program, car rental, and car pool
• parking: free parking on-campus and free electric car charging spots

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Financial Resources

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To help employees get on track for the future we offer a generous retirement plan. Employees working 1,000 hours per year are eligible for the TIAA retirement plan after one year of employment. Grinnell College contributes 10% of annual actual salary without requiring any personal contribution! Other financial health programs include:

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• tax sheltered supplemental retirement annuity with options to contribute on a pre-tax or post-tax basis
• seasonal Iowa Financial Fitness Challenge
• EFR Employee and Family Resources Assistance Program for financial counseling

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Parental Resources

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Not only do we invest in our employees, but in their dependents too. Whether you are bringing a new child into your family or sending one off to College, we have benefits to help you. Take a look at some of our offerings:

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• parental leave up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave after 1 year of employment
• adoption and surrogacy assistance up to $5,000 
• Grinnell College preschool/childcare, on-site research laboratory for the psychology department at the College
• dependent educational benefits per child for a maximum of 8 semesters (3-year waiting period for full-time employees): tuition remission of 90% to Grinnell College, tuition remission of approximately 85% to any school in our exchange program with  Associated Colleges of the Midwest (ACM) and Great Lakes College Association (GLCA), or a cash grant of $10,000 per year for other accredited institutions
• EFR Employee and Family Resources Assistance Program for parent and child relationships

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Discounts and Freebies

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Yep, you heard that right: discounts and freebies! With so many options there is something for every employee. Here are some of our favorites:

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• free coffee (and other hot drinks) in our break room
• free access to a variety of software packages include Microsoft Office products
• academic pricing on computers and software
• free admission to most Grinnell College events
• 10% discount at the bookstore on most items
• employee dining discounts
• car rental discount
• US Cellular and Verizon phone discounts
• discounted tickets to various local attractions
• discounts at local retailers
• Perkspot Discount Program, provides you access to an online marketplace with discounted prices for products and services
• free ITS branded clothing swag!

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Culture

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It’s not just a job. We thrive on growth and inspiring the collective. In this environment, we embrace differences, appreciate individuality, and focus on the common good. Vibrant cultural programming abounds. While we do serious work, we don’t take ourselves too seriously. Weekly virtual happy hours are a staple for our department, and you’ll find us wearing whatever works for each of us, whether that be a tie or jeans. And speaking of the office, we have the opportunity to work from home too. We strive to provide the best work/life balance for each one of our employees so that they may do their best work. College-wide, we have initiatives to help promote this balance, like “Working Differently Days” (no classes or meetings) and fun wellness events where we celebrate days like “National Popcorn Day.” In ITS, we also have “Thursday Morning Focus Time,” where meetings are restricted. Employees are represented by our staff council. We even have an ITS team member elected as a council member! Each one of us matters here. 

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ITS. Imagine yourself here.

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We're a diverse group with many skillsets; explore our functional teams. Our passion for our work fuels our commitment to serving our campus community and each other.

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Information Technology Services oversees enterprise technology, audio-visual, and telephone services for Grinnell College and provides services and strategic support through its functional teams: Enterprise Systems; Information Security; Network Services; Service Management; Data Insights; and Core ITS Services. ITS has a professional staff of about 50 and has benefitted from significant strategic investment by the College supported by the senior leadership team under President Anne Harris. The benefits of a strong technology presence on campus and in our remote working locations contribute to and promote a collaborative work culture and our position as a learning liberal arts college. Professional development is a crucial component of the department's philosophy, demonstrated financially and by the mentor-style approach to management that the ITS leadership employs.

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More information about our ITS team

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Start your career journey today.

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Learn more about the application process, living and working in Grinnell, and the College’s mission and values.  

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FIND YOUR PURPOSE HERE  

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Our mission is grounded in providing a robust liberal arts education through free inquiry and the open exchange of ideas. We have a strong commitment to exploring issues of purpose, responsibility, and integrity on campus and beyond. Here, we bring together and celebrate diverse perspectives and global understanding creating a strong sense of community.  

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MISSION AND VALUES  

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THE APPLICATION PROCESS  

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Through your candidate journey, we know you may have additional questions. Check out our frequently asked questions (

FAQ) that we get from candidates or contact our Human Resources department.