Information Technology Consultant II

This position is budgeted for $6,250.00 per month and is non-negotiable. 

Established in 1943, the mission of the SDSU Research Foundation (SDSURF) is to support the research objectives of San Diego State University by helping faculty and staff find, obtain, and administer funding for their research and sponsored programs. SDSU achieved its strategic plan goal of becoming an R1, premier public research university in early 2025 furthering discoveries, interventions, and solutions that improve communities and change the world. SDSURF provides the full life cycle of grants services to faculty and staff to further their important work.

Our vision is to foster a culture of creativity and collaboration with integrity and respect for individuals that results in the delivery of superior service to support the university’s strategic aspirations.

Our core values:

Service: We are a service organization that strives to provide superior support to the university community to achieve SDSU’s goals; we are committed to being professionally competent by setting high standards and working hard to achieve results; and we continually seeking to improve our skills and capabilities by valuing education and professional development.

Collaboration: We seek to actively engage with our stakeholders and employees to identify issues and design solutions, build strong relationships grounded in trust, openness, and inclusion and achieve the best results by taking pride in the accomplishments of our colleagues.

Innovation: We work towards inspired solutions to improve and adapt to emerging opportunities and challenges, creative ways to streamline and enhance our delivery of services through resourceful and proactive problem solving and strategic use of technology and reduction of obstacles.

Respect: We promote a culture where every individual is valued and treated with dignity, we honor open-mindedness toward different viewpoints and ideas and have a genuine appreciation for varied backgrounds, experiences, and ways of thinking.

Integrity: We are committed to act with the highest ethical standards, with honesty, integrity, and transparency, provide consistent and accurate information and value and respect all individuals.

The South Bay Latino Research Center (SBLRC) promotes and advances research to improve cardiovascular disease outcomes among low-income Hispanic/Latino communities in the San Diego border region. As San Diego State University’s (SDSU) community-based clinical research field site, the SBLRC conducts a wide range of research activities.

The Center primarily focuses on epidemiologic, behavioral, and genetic research to improve the prevention, treatment, and overall care provided to Hispanic/Latino populations at risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD).

This position supports the SBLRC’s technology infrastructure. The SBLRC network includes local area network servers, shared printers, and communications equipment. The network hosts sensitive research data from projects funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the American Heart Association, and other grant and contract sponsors.

Under the general supervision of the SBLRC Project Director and the SDSU IT Division, this position is responsible for ensuring compliance with federal and university information security policies and guidelines. Core responsibilities include maintaining systems security and control, as well as the planning, implementation, management, and analysis of the SBLRC Network System. The position also provides IT technical support, system maintenance, integration, and configuration, as well as user support and training.

The position is responsible for but not limited to:

Systems Administration (15%)

• Administer, maintain, and support servers, workstations, operating systems, applications, and related technology infrastructure.
• Monitor and maintain system reliability, security, access, data storage, backup, and recovery.
• Troubleshoot and resolve system, software, hardware, network, and infrastructure issues in coordination with the SDSU IT Division and other technology partners.
• Support and enhance the technology infrastructure needed to meet the research, instructional, administrative, and operational needs of the SBLRC.

Technical Support (45%)

• Provide technical support to users by diagnosing and resolving hardware, software, connectivity, audiovisual, and related technology issues.
• Install, configure, maintain, test, and repair computers, peripherals, audiovisual equipment, teleconferencing systems, and other technology used by the SBLRC.
• Perform preventative maintenance and monitor equipment and systems to support reliable operation.
• Manage technology equipment and related records, including inventory, repairs, licensing, service requests, and work orders.
• Coordinate technical services and vendor-supported repairs with SDSU IT Division, service providers, and other technology partners.
• Configure, troubleshoot, and connect clinical equipment and work with vendors to help with setup and updating.

Information Security (25%)

• Monitor and maintain the security of the Center’s systems, data, and technology environment.
• Identify security risks and vulnerabilities and coordinate remediation efforts.
• Maintain security, disaster recovery, business continuity, and related plans and procedures based on NIST and University requirements.
• Coordinate security assessments, audits, and incident response with Center leadership and SDSU IT.
• Monitor security trends and recommend improvements to strengthen the Center’s security practices.

Systems Evaluation (10%)

• Evaluate user needs, system performance, and new technologies to recommend effective solutions.
• Assess system performance, capacity, and compatibility with existing infrastructure.
• Analyze requirements for data processing, cabling, software, and system expansion.
• Evaluate software and hardware features and coordinate implementation of network development activities.
• Serve as the technical liaison with system and product vendors.

Other Duties (5%)

• Participate in research team meetings, data management groups, and related conference calls.
• Attend university and NIH required training to stay current on security threats, best practices, and developments relevant to the SBLRC network.

Knowledge and Abilities:

• Strong knowledge of information security policies and regulations, including SDSU requirements, FISMA, HIPAA, NIST standards, risk assessments, and security certification/accreditation processes.
• Proficiency in network and systems administration, including Windows Server, Azure virtual machines, Active Directory, file sharing, backups, SANs, DHCP, DNS, and related security software (e.g., Microsoft Defender).
• Skilled in installing, configuring, testing, and maintaining hardware, software, and network systems; troubleshooting and resolving issues with PCs, printers, and related equipment.
• Familiarity with productivity tools such as Microsoft 365, Gmail, Google Docs, and Adobe Suite.
• Ability to apply project management principles to IT and security initiatives, delivering prompt, efficient, and customer-focused service.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and judgment skills with the ability to adapt to changing priorities and work effectively under pressure.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to convey technical information to diverse audiences and foster positive, collaborative relationships.
• Self-motivated, organized, and able to work independently with minimal supervision; flexible and responsive to high-priority issues, including after-hours support and travel between research sites as needed.
• Demonstrated cultural sensitivity, diplomacy, tact, and professionalism when interacting with faculty, staff, students, and community partners.
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Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, information systems, educational technology, communications, or related field or similar certified coursework in applicable field of study, or a combination of education and relevant technical experience.
• Two-years of progressively responsible work experience.

Preferred Qualifications & Special Skills

• Experience managing Information Systems Security Plans (ISSP), NIST 800-171, and Federal Informational Systems Management (FISMA) requirements.
• Experience with Microsoft Azure, Intune, Defender, and Entra ID.

ADDITIONAL APPLICANT INFORMATION

• Candidate must reside in California and live within a commutable distance from SDSU at time of hire.
• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on background check results (including a criminal record check).
• San Diego State University Research Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU Research Foundation provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin or any other categories protected by federal or state law.  
• Employment decisions are based on an individual’s qualifications as they relate to the job under consideration. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every employee has equal access to resources and support. 
• SDSU Research Foundation complies with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), and other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws including grant or contract terms and conditions related to funded program activities. Further the SDSU Research Foundation maintains a Nondiscrimination Policy that prohibits discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all programs, policies, and practices.  
• SDSU Research Foundation makes all employment decisions including, but not limited to, applicant screening, hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, benefits, disciplinary actions, and terminations on the basis of merit.