Duties/Responsibilities

The IT Infrastructure & Security Department of the Ontario Science Centre (OSC) is a stand-alone IT group that works independently from the Community Services I&IT Cluster in a project/matrix management structure. The Department is responsible for the strategic design, development, testing, implementation, operation, evaluation, and maintenance of IT systems and related services for a leading Canadian science & technology museum that hosts over 1 million visitors a year. Responsibilities include the ongoing support and management of the entire server/network infrastructure stack from the perimeter all the way to the end user desktop network connections, including support for: the VMWare and Windows servers, firewall, network switches and routers, wireless access points, and other network peripherals used at the OSC to provide network connectivity services for business users. Responsibilities also include support for all network and IT infrastructure security including network monitoring, Cyber Security, desktop security and virus protection software, password management utilities, security event monitoring tools and services, incident troubleshooting and investigation and other IT security related activities. Responsibilities also include managing all the external network profiles for the OSC and its associated web properties and devices, including Domain Name Service providers, Networking authorities, GONet peers, and other external parties responsible for external network traffic. Under the supervision of the Director, the position uses analysis and interpretive expertise and reasoning to resolve a variety of systems, programming, and technological challenges for OSC public exhibits and general IT systems by:

1 . Leading the analysis, interpretation, evaluation and resolution of complex, diverse incidents, problems, maintenance issues and enhancement requests, identifying nature and source of problem or change, determining feasibility and specifications of fixes or enhancements, selecting appropriate tools and methodologies, and developing and implementing solutions in accordance with established OSC/OPS guidelines and standards where applicable.

2.       As a Senior Systems Technologist, providing authoritative technical expertise and recommendations into the decision-making process relevant to the operation and security of the network systems by identifying/clarifying objectives and the human/financial/material resources required; determining feasibility of alternatives and identifying the most cost effective approach to implementation and/or enhancement; developing business cases, preparing detailed plans/specifications, and recommending viable options and/or specific additions/enhancements, including identification of costs involved and a clear explanation of benefits, including the identification of risks.

3.       Working as the technical expert, consulting with clients to identify/assess requirements for the development/enhancement of OSC core IT systems/servers and storages, and related server/system projects/initiatives by: identifying needs to facilitate business practices and the use of the server application system requirements/resources; documenting a detailed review of the clients' technical needs; developing a working/project plan for submission to the Director and the clients; making final technical recommendations on servers/system security, applications, specifications, new technologies, methods, performance criteria and alternatives; consulting with the Director to ensure compliance with OPS/OSC IT standards.

4.       Leading the setting-up, maintaining, upgrading and repairing of servers/storages/network devices, including virus protection, problem determination, and performance tuning and network connectivity.

5.       Leading a team of external and internal resources on a project/matrix management basis to: provide group leadership to developers, analysts, and external consultants involved in the on-going functioning and security of the servers/network, including installation/maintenance of network and application servers, configuration, testing, and hardware/software up-grades, conversions, enhancements.

6.       Planning and coordinating, in conjunction with the Director, activities related to the preventative maintenance of servers/ network systems operation and systems application tuning, and the provision of security and stability of system environments; defining security rules/measures, standards, and contingency plans to ensure confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

7.       Participating in and leading procurement activities related to the acquisition of IT goods and services through competitive processes realized through preparing Requests for Proposal, (RFP), conducting application and financial analysis of vendors' proposals, presenting recommendations to Director/clients; preparing, negotiating and enforcing contract specifications with suppliers/vendors.

8.       Serving as liaison, and providing expert consultation; managing relationships, expectations, and communications with clients, staff, stakeholders, and external organizations; ensuring set-up of all requirements for production; assisting clients with priority-setting in relation to the development and implementation of network application and security initiatives and issues; preparing regular progress and final reports for the Director and the clients; obtaining client's sign off on systems in production; managing issues/concerns in relation to the implementation of the project and/or initiative, and advising the Director accordingly.

9.       Participating in the development and implementation of the OSC's IT operational plan to facilitate the development and implementation of OSC strategic direction and objectives; ensuring that all plans/proposals maintain the strategic integrity, and meet the performance requirements of corporate needs.

10.   Providing expertise and advice to the IT staff in the development and implementation of IT standards and procedures, and the preparation of IT project plans and budgets by identifying and documenting significant problems and participating in the development, dissemination and maintenance of IT procedures and standards appropriate to the OSC IT environment.

11.   Providing expertise and technical systems input to client staff and IT colleagues involved in the development and maintenance of technology for the exhibit floor (organizationally distinct from corporate IT).

12.   Other duties as assigned.

Staffing Requirement

On-call availability for evenings and weekends, as the Ontario Science Centre is open 364 days per year. This work may require the ability to lift heavy objects weighing up to 25 kg and the dexterity and skill to work with delicate electronic components.

Be part of on call team on a rotational shift on the weekends.

 

Knowledge

Position requires:

 Knowledge of OPS Technology Standards and Guidelines, best practices, standards and controls, and Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) Principles and process standards to ensure that output meets with expectations and are consistent with IT plans and goals.

 Knowledge of tools and techniques for a secure server/network systems design, development and maintenance; integrated server/storage/networking/ personal computer technologies, and networking, firewall, intrusion prevention systems, malware, centralized desktop management, within a high availability environment.

  Knowledge of preventative maintenance of network/server systems operation/application tuning, security and stability of system environments; OPS/OSC policies and procedures related to network/server application design, development, implementation and maintenance; OSC IT strategic plan and applicable legislation; Internet technology, emerging technologies, industry, and trends to: plan and lead the design, development, implementation, testing, maintenance, and evaluation of network, server and security application projects/initiatives; evaluate application software/hardware; support the development and implementation of the OSC's IT strategic direction and objectives; provide expert advice, business analysis and consulting expertise in addressing a full range of clients' network systems requirements/issues.

  Knowledge of networks, security, and Internet technologies (Internet/intranet) to develop specifications for testing and performance of the corporate system; assess quality assurance and the capacity of existing system and make decisive/final recommendation for improvement; develop and prepare related documentation. Knowledge of related network technology developments and environments, client/server technologies, trends and new products, to evaluate their application to the OSC's short- and long-term network requirements, and to ensure proper Integration of changes into the existing requirements.

 Knowledge of

o        Virtualization including VMWare administration/upgrade/storage management.

o        Windows servers administration including administration of AD/Exchange and all related services, File servers, patch management and GPO, DNS, DHCP servers.

 Knowledge of Backup systems, Administration of Commvault for on premise and online backups

 Knowledge of MS 365 technology, administration of users, AD connect, admin portal, Azure management, Role administration, Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, MS Teams, One Drive management, Cloud storage/licensing management, Intune administration, Compliance and security administration, Data classification and Data Loss prevention.

 Knowledge of group leadership and project management techniques to lead teams of internal staff and/or external consultants; develop project plans and schedules, terms of reference, and resources required.

Knowledge of specialized Ontario Science Centre computer system operations including operating systems, servers, networks, and application software and with related hardware issues, and to utilize performance monitoring tools to analyze major problems, develop and implement solutions for complex problems for maintenance and enhancement; to lead systems testing and evaluate test results before implementation; to provide leadership in resolving systems problems, to provide technical expertise and guidance to IT project staff and to OSC clients in complex systems matters.

 Knowledge of formal methodologies, applications and technical operations support used in an educational science and technology museum environment; knowledge of client's business programs and technology needs to identify problems and assess the appropriateness of systems solutions to meet their business and scientific needs.

 Knowledge of OPS administrative and financial policies, procedures, and guidelines related to leading projects and guiding project staff, assigning work and monitoring performance against project standards, preparing project budget, estimating costs of systems changes/acquisitions and assisting clients with costs information for their budget submissions. Knowledge of Government procurement policies and guideline to provide specifications for, and to evaluate goods and services from external vendors and consultants.

 Skills

Position requires:

Sound written and verbal communications skills to prepare project plans, and status reports to the Director and client management; to develop business cases; to update system documentation, participate at key meetings, provide vendor coordination, and summarize test results as well as to explain/clarify technical issues/solutions to both technical and non-technical staff. Negotiating skills are required to participate in creating vendor and customer agreements.

 Extensive research and analytical skills to evaluate complex client problems, research solutions and make effective and economically sound recommendations to the Director and to the clients. Advanced analytical, interpretive reasoning and problem solving skills to assess, identify and coordinate/manage problems and incidents; to recommend solutions to meet user needs; to provide insight into impact of problems or planned changes; to conduct research, evaluate and recommend solutions to ensure compatibility with the current system and future changes, and to provide specialized input to systems analysts during various stages of design to clarify the implications of different design alternatives for the clients.

Good project planning and project management skills to lead/conduct projects and major assignments. Team leadership and interpersonal skills to set priorities, assign activities, provide technical guidance, and provide on-the-job training as required, as well as to collaborate with other technical teams to achieve project goals; planning and organizational skills to address workload priorities in order of urgency and to independently handle problems and assigned service requests.

  Sound ability to develop systems solutions in a science and technology museum environment, and to conceptually understand the scientific, educational, and public outreach objectives of the client branches' systems operations and applications.