Research Computing Systems Assistant Manager

***US CITIZENSHIP IS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION. TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION, PLEASE LIST YOUR CURRENT CITIZENSHIP STATUS IN EITHER YOUR COVER LETTER OR RESUME***

The Research Computing Systems (RCS) group in the Geophysical Institute (GI) is looking for an Assistant Manager to join our team. RCS is the internal IT unit for the GI and also maintains advanced computing, large storage, data sharing solutions, and advanced cyberinfrastructure available to all University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) researchers. RCS was formed in 2016 and now has 11 people, including the manager, a three-person service desk, and seven administrator/analyst/engineer/developer positions, providing networking, workstation, and systems support for GI research and administrative offices, and supporting six core advanced cyberinfrastructure services accessible to all UAF research.

The Assistant Manager will learn and be directly involved in supporting and leading RCS IT activities, service offerings, projects, and staff. They will train and work with the Manager to develop solutions for researchers, coordinate the team’s workload and performance, manage the RCS budget, interface with other campus IT units, and represent RCS/GI/UAF to external groups. When the Manager is not available, the Assistant Manager will provide group coordination and leadership. Future advancement opportunities are based on learning RCS operations, developing leadership skills, and becoming an advocate for the team and the researchers it supports.

The Geophysical Institute is a research-focused organization at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The university offers a competitive work environment with strong benefits, including retirement and health insurance, generous leave policies, and tuition waivers for UAF courses. The Geophysical Institute values collaboration, accountability, and the exchange of ideas. We foster a professional and respectful environment dedicated to serving Alaska through applied science. Career growth and professional development are supported and encouraged.

As a public, regional, comprehensive university, UAF welcomes applications from individuals with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.

This position includes a defined Career Development Path (CDP) outlining the skills, competencies, and performance standards required for advancement from Assistant Manager to Manager. The selected candidate will be expected to actively participate in the CDP and demonstrate consistent progress toward meeting these requirements.

Completion of the CDP does not guarantee promotion; however, it provides a clear framework for professional development and identifies the competencies needed to be considered for advancement. Applicants should be prepared to engage in ongoing training, feedback, and skill-building activities as part of this process.

To thrive as the RCS Assistant Manager, an individual must have a strong blend of technical expertise, leadership capabilities, and business acumen. This role requires learning to effectively manage daily IT operations for research cyberinfrastructure services, to make sound business judgments and quick decisions in a higher education research environment, and to align technology solutions with the GI and UAF’s goals. Besides a broad knowledge of advanced computing and storage systems, excellent analytical, personal organization, and project management skills are necessary to have an impact on behalf of researchers.

The RCS Assistant Manager will be expected to develop leadership skills and a strong understanding of team management. Future advancement is based on these abilities. Strong emotional intelligence and emotional maturity are needed to empathize with team members, perform conflict resolution, build relationships, and create a supportive work environment. 

The Assistant Manager should have or be able to develop the customer service skills and business process savvy to step in when the Manager is not available. They should be able to clearly and concisely explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders using strong verbal and written communication skills. They will need to collaborate effectively with researchers and other units, and represent RCS and the GI across campus. Learning to adapt to changing needs and developing confidence to advise researchers or executive leadership are also required for success in this role.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in information services, engineering, science, or other related field, and

5 years of experience or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Six Sigma, ITIL, or Project Management certification is highly desirable.

This role includes a structured Career Development Path (CDP) that outlines the competencies required for potential advancement to Manager. The incumbent will be expected to engage fully in the CDP. Completion of CDP requirements does not guarantee promotion but serves as the basis for consideration.

Position Details:

This position will be physically located at the UAF campus in Fairbanks, Alaska. The successful finalist will be expected to report to duty at the UAF office on the first day of employment.

This position is full-time, Grade 82, term-funded, exempt, 12-month position complete with a competitive salary and UA employee benefits package. UA provides a generous compensation package that includes retirement options, annual leave, 12 paid holidays per year, tuition waivers for employees and family members, and affordable medical, dental and vision care coverage. New hires will be placed on the UA staff salary schedule, based on education and experience.

***US CITIZENSHIP IS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION. TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION, PLEASE LIST YOUR CURRENT CITIZENSHIP STATUS IN EITHER YOUR COVER LETTER OR RESUME***

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until a successful candidate is identified. Search and selection procedures will be closed when a sufficient and viable number of qualified candidates have been identified.

📃To view the full list of job responsibilities, please click HERE.

If you need assistance applying to this posting, please contact GI - Office of Human Resources at 907-474-7357 or at uaf-gi-hr@alaska.edu.

This position is a term-funded position and is reviewed annually for contract renewal at the University's discretion.

The University of Alaska (UA) is responsible for providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities throughout the applicant screening process. If you need assistance in completing this application or during any phase of the interview process, please contact UA Human Resources by phone at 907-450-8200.

The University of Alaska (www.alaska.edu) is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and Educational Institution.  The University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination (www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination) against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.

The successful applicant is required to complete a background check. Any offer of employment is contingent on the background check.

Your application for employment with the University of Alaska is subject to public disclosure under the Alaska Public Records Act.

The University of Alaska reserves the right to require employees to work on-site at University of Alaska facilities. Remote work may be approved for employees based in Alaska at the discretion of the University. Remote work for employees based outside the State of Alaska may be approved only in exceptional circumstances or where required by the job duties of the position.

*Each university within the University of Alaska system publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report which contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); fire safety policies and procedures; programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the University will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in On-Campus Student Housing Facilities; in Noncampus buildings or property owned or controlled by the University or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus.  The report also contains fire statistics for any fires occurring in an On-Campus Student Housing Facility during the three most recent calendar years.  

Access to the reports is available at:

UAA: (Addresses Anchorage campus, Aviation Technology Complex, JBER - Elmendorf Extension, JBER - Richardson Extension, Kenai Peninsula College - Kachemak Bay campus, Kenai Peninsula College - Kenai River campus, Kodiak College, Kodiak High School Extension, Matanuska-Susitna College, Prince William Sound College, and Prince William Sound College - Cordova Extension) Online: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/safety. Request a paper copy in person: UAA Police Department Office at Room 114 of Eugene Short Hall on the Anchorage campus / UAA Dean of Students Office at Room 122 of Rasmuson Hall on the Anchorage campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-786-1120 or police@uaa.alaska.edu / 907-786-1214 or uaa_deanofstudents@alaska.edu. 

UAF: (Addresses Fairbanks Campus, Bristol Bay Campus, Chukchi Campus, Community and Technical College, Kasitsna Bay Campus, Seward Marine Center, Tok Campus, Kuskokwim Campus, and Northwest Campus) Online: https://www.uaf.edu/orca/files/ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: UAF Office of Rights, Compliance and Accountability on the 3rd Floor of Constitution Hall. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-474-7300 or uaf-orca@alaska.edu.

UAS: (Addresses the Juneau Auke Bay Campus, Juneau Technical Education Center, Sitka Campus, & Ketchikan Campus) Online: https://uas.alaska.edu/equity-and-compliance/docs/clery/UAS_ASFSR.pdf. Request a paper copy in person: Hendrickson Building, Suite 202 on the Juneau campus. Request a paper copy by mail: 907-796-6371 or emailing uas.clery@alaska.edu.