Information Technology Systems Specialist at Woodland School District 50 in Gurnee, IL

Job description

Position Title: Information Technology Systems Specialist Applicants are instructed to address in their application/resume their experiences directly related to each section noted in the posting. Only completed/submitted online applications with supporting documents will be screened. POSITION TITLE: Information Technology Systems Specialist LOCATION: District Wide REPORTS TO: Director of Technology SUPERVISES: Information Technology Support Technician PRIMARY FUNCTION: The Information Technology Systems Specialist will lead and be responsible for the Information Technology Systems Technician, administration, maintenance, and support of Woodland Community Consolidated School District 50's server infrastructure, cloud platforms, identity and access management systems, endpoint management platforms, and core operational applications. This role ensures the availability, security, and reliability of district technology systems that support instruction, business operations, and data management. The Systems Administrator works closely with Technology leadership, building technicians, instructional technology teams, and external vendors to maintain stable, secure, and scalable systems across the district. QUALIFICATIONS: 1. License: A. Required - CompTIA A+ Certification, however, if does not have the certification, will have six months from start of employment to receive it. B. Preferred - CompTIA A+ Certification. Current Apple Hardware and Software Technical Support Certifications. 2. Education: A. Required - Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Systems Administration or equivalent degree. B. Preferred 3. Experience: A. Required - Two (2) to three (3) years' experience working in a school environment requiring server experience B. Preferred - Two (2) to three (3) years' experience working in a public-school environment requiring server experience ESSENTIAL PERFORMANCE RESPONSIBILITIES: Systems & Infrastructure Support: -Administers and supports Windows and/or Linux servers, both on-premises and cloud-based. -Assists with Active Directory, Azure AD / Entra ID, group policies, and identity lifecycle management. -Deploys & supports virtualization platforms (e.g., VMware, Hyper-V) and storage systems. -Performs routine system maintenance, patching, upgrades, and performance monitoring. Device Support: ---Leads the deployment of staff devices. Cloud & Application Support: ---Supports Microsoft 365 services. ---Assists with SIS/SaaS platforms used for instruction, operations, and administration. ---Collaboratively troubleshoots authentication, access, and services availability issues. Manages district servers both physical and virtual (Windows, Linux, and virtualized environments), including installation, configuration, patching, and performance monitoring. Maintains Active Directory, Group Policy Objects (GPOs), DNS, DHCP, and directory integrations. Oversees virtualization platforms (VMware, Hyper-V, or equivalent). Monitors system logs, storage capacity, backups, and resource utilization. Manages and supports VOIP/Cloud calling. Leads technical implementation of new district technology systems and services. Coordinates project timelines, testing, deployment, and stakeholder communication. Manages system migrations, upgrades, and platform transitions. Coordinates with vendors regarding support cases, upgrades, licensing, and implementation projects. Evaluates vendor solutions and provides recommendations for district technology needs. Cloud & Identity Management: -Administers cloud services including Google Workspace, Azure AD, Microsoft 365, and identity synchronization tools. -Manages user lifecycle processes: automated provisioning, deprovisioning, role-based access, and permissions. -Maintains secure configurations and integrations between SIS, HR systems, identity providers, and district applications. -Cross-trains with key technology and data personnel to ensure operational continuity. -Serves as backup