IT Systems Engineer / Network Specialist

Cambridge Housing Authority•Cambridge, MA

6h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Cambridge Housing Authority ("CHA"), a leader in developing and maintaining affordable housing communities, is seeking a qualified and highly motivated candidate. By focusing on policy innovation and family economic opportunities, the CHA is committed to developing and managing safe, high quality, affordable housing for low-income individuals and families. CHA provides long-term rental housing and rental assistance to more than 5,500+ individuals and families through its Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Programs. CHA offers competitive compensation commensurate with experience. Our generous benefits package includes health and dental insurance, paid time off, paid holidays, life and disability insurance options, tuition reimbursement, commuter benefits, retirement pension and deferred compensation 457b plans, and more! At the completion of an introductory period, CHA employees enjoy flexible work schedules including a hybrid work environment consisting of a combination of on-site and work from home days with supervisor approval. CHA is seeking a highly capable and experienced IT Systems Engineer to support and advance our organization’s technology footprint. This position lives and breathes hands-on technical work, while also participating in strategy-planning and user adoption campaigns. If you love IT, are mission driven, have a talent for managing cloud, hybrid, and SaaS environments, and are passionate about enhancing technology solutions, we would love to hear from you! The primary purpose of this position is to design, implement, administer, and support the Cambridge Housing Authority’s technology ecosystem. This includes system types such as cloud, hybrid, network, and Software-as-a-Service. This position ensures secure, compliant, reliable, and efficient technology operations across the organization, while simultaneously providing support to the users of those systems. This role also contributes to the development of IT strategy, advances automation of technology processes, and ensures appropriate documentation and continuity of operations. This role is focused on three key initiatives: 1. Aid in the development of the agency’s IT strategic plan This role is pivotal in defining and evolving the organization’s technology strategy, ensuring alignment with business goals and fostering a technology-informed culture across departments. As a technology subject matter expert, your voice will matter in how CHA builds, deploys, and maintains its technology. 2. Design and implement robust, secure, and compliant technology systems As CHA grows, extends, and refreshes its technology stack, we understand the importance of doing it the right way. The Systems Engineer is fundamental in driving and achieving this goal, with the aim of establishing reliable and secure technology solutions. CHA trusts its Systems Engineer to lead the way when it comes to standing up SaaS environments, converting outdated systems, and implementing new features across our tech stack. 3. Maintain and improve existing technology environments As much as CHA looks to the future of implementing new technology, this role also encompasses maintenance and improvement of existing CHA systems. This entails upgrading, patching, backing up, monitoring, and supporting existing systems, as well as their users.

Requirements

The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience in technical roles, with a background in system/network administration or engineering. They will be well versed in Microsoft platforms and products, with a talent for delivering optimized solutions using the Microsoft ecosystem. The candidate will be adept at computer networking and possess the ability to configure and troubleshoot network-related issues. Most importantly, the ideal candidate will demonstrate excellent communication and customer service skills.
Advanced skills in the Microsoft ecosystem, covering products such as the Microsoft 365 technology stack, Azure, and on-premises Microsoft products. Active Directory, Entra, Exchange Online, Intune, Teams, SharePoint, Azure Vault, Windows OS, etc.
Adept in computer networking with knowledge of firewalls, switches, VPNs, VLANs, authentication, TCP/IP, DNS, and policy configuration. This role does not require routing and switching expertise, but it does require some intermediate knowledge.
Adept in IT security best-practices, such as zero trust and the principle of least privilege. Must be able to perform system and user audit functions. Familiarity with standard security tools, such as alert systems and mitigation tools.
System administration experience in cloud-native platforms like Microsoft Azure, AWS, or GCP.
System administration experience of SaaS-based applications. Connecting SaaS systems to SSO, syncing user accounts, configuring permissions, implementing role-based security, etc.
Ability to influence decisions to drive strategy – create alignment across the organization in aid of an overall technology strategy.
Stakeholder management – Able to confidently engage with staff of all levels and communicate clearly while carrying out support, implementation, or discussing strategy. A willingness to embrace alternate views but also remain steadfast where needed.

Nice To Haves

Scripting and automation experience – PowerShell and Power Automate to streamline workflows.
Experience with Microsoft Purview and/or Defender.
Experience with Yardi Systems (SaaS-based ERP system).
Knowledge of, or experience in, the public or affordable housing sector.
Knowledge of housing platforms – experience working with housing specific platforms or software.