[Clug-work] 2x Senior system administrator vacancies at the CHPC

[Kevin Colville]

The Centre for High Performance Computing [3] is looking for two
system administrators.

These are senior positions and ideal for experienced Linux sysadmins.

There are TWO separate positions open:

1. Senior Systems Administrator (Storage) [1]

2. Senior Systems Administrator [2]

The CHPC is South Africa's national supercomputer centre with Africa's
fastest computer and is based in Rosebank, Cape Town.

>From the adverts:

1.  	Storage SysAdmin [1]

Key responsibilities:

 Strategy and Planning

    Participate in and support capacity planning and development of
long-term strategic goals for data storage in conjunction with data
owners.


Acquisition and Deployment

    Install and configure storage devices and corresponding software.
    Implement policies and procedures for disaster recovery and
archiving to ensure effective protection and integrity of storage
appliances and stored data assets.
    Establish appropriate user access control levels for stored data.

 Operational Management

    Perform tasks necessary to fulfil service level agreements with
users regarding storage allocations, limitations, security, and
availability.
    Perform and test backups and restores to ensure that user data is
effectively protected.
    Communicate and enforce data storage retention policies through
system procedures.
    Follow change control, incident response, and testing processes
for modifications to storage appliances and software.
    Anticipate, mitigate, identify, respond to, and resolve issues
with storage devices, storage access, and data retrieval.
    Research and make recommendations on storage products, services
and standards in support of procurement, and development efforts.
    Monitor, analyse and predict trends for storage equipment
performance, space allocation, and data growth to recommend
enhancements to the technical manager.
    Remain informed on storage laws, trends, and issues, including
current and emerging technologies and best practices; and give advice,
counsel and educate management teams on their relative importance.
    Perform storage server/database transaction and security audits
leading to identification and mitigation of security threats to user
data. Recommend and implement changes where necessary.
    Create required reports in response to business user needs.
    Develop, document and maintain operational processes and tasks.
    Manage and/or provide guidance to junior members of the team.


2.    System Administrator [2]

Key responsibilities:

    Collaborate with network staff to ensure smooth and reliable
operation of software and systems for fulfilling business objectives
and processes.
    Install, test and maintain the CHPC’s local area network (LAN),
computational application environments and their associated
infrastructure.
    Monitor and provide high-performance server/system administration.
    Control the resources at the CHPC and interacting with
user-community on high-performance server administration issues.
    Ensure a 24/7 availability of HPC systems.
    Give advice on proper tools and programming methodology.
    Conduct research on software and systems products to justify
recommendations and to support purchasing efforts.
    Create and maintain documentation as it relates to system
configuration, mapping, processes and service records.
    Ensure compatibility and interoperability of in-house computing systems.
    Monitor and test system performance; and prepare and deliver
system performance statistics and reports.
    Provide orientation and training to end-users for all modified and
new systems.
    Develop, document and maintain HPC system training materials and
systems documentation for educating end-users and new technical staff.
    Manage and/or give guidance to junior members of the team.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

    A minimum three-year tertiary qualification in computer science or
equivalent level.
    Ten-year knowledge gained through any other combination of
education, training and experience.
    A postgraduate qualification will be an advantage.
    An understanding of HPC technologies.
    Willingness to work in Cape Town.
    Knowledge and understanding of file systems.
    Solid linux systems administration.
    Working knowledge of computer architecture, storage, and
networking concepts.
    Scripting in languages such as bash/csh/ksh, perl and python.
    Skills in software installation and maintenance.
    Experience with Linux installation and packaging tools, especially RPM.
    Proven experience with systems planning, security principles, and
general software management best practices.
    Proven experience in overseeing the design, development, and
implementation of software systems, applications, and related
products.
    Familiarity with TCP/IP protocols, firewall management, and
database administration.
    Good project management skills.
    Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
    Ability to conduct research into systems issues and products as required.
    Highly self-motivated and directed, with keen attention to detail.
    Proven analytical and creative problem-solving abilities.
    Ability to prioritise and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment.
    Strong customer service orientation.
    Ability to work in a team-oriented and collaborative environment.

Closing date: 28 September 2012


See: http://www.csir.co.za/recruitment/vacancy.php for all vacancies.


Direct links to adverts:

[1] https://candidate.csir.co.za/psp/hr91prd_cgw/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_CE.GBL?Page=HRS_CE_JOB_DTL&Action=A&JobOpeningId=301715&SiteId=1&PostingSeq=1

[2] https://candidate.csir.co.za/psp/hr91prd_cgw/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_CE.GBL?Page=HRS_CE_JOB_DTL&Action=A&JobOpeningId=301714&SiteId=1&PostingSeq=1


[3] www.chpc.ac.za

   The CHPC uses Ubuntu, CentOS and RedHat on its desktops, servers
and the cluster super computers.