Data Center Technician

Department
OPS ITS - Computer Operations

About the Department
ITS collaborates with campus partners to support the mission of the University of Chicago through the consistent delivery of high-quality solutions and services. We provide secure, stable, and reliable infrastructure and applications to support the mission of the University. We support and enable faculty research and teaching with the effective use of technology. We simplify the technology experience for faculty, students, alumni, and staff, and we ensure technology is mobile-friendly and accessible. We identify, manage, and mitigate the technology risks of the University.


Job Summary
The Data Center Technician is responsible for independently supporting and optimizing daily operations across the University's enterprise data center environments. This role requires in-depth technical knowledge of Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM), hardware lifecycle management, environmental systems, networking infrastructure, and operational controls. Operating under limited supervision, this position evaluates, troubleshoots, and resolves complex technical and operational issues affecting data center systems and infrastructure. The Technician develops and improves operational processes, ensures compliance with infrastructure standards, administers system-level controls, and serves as a technical resource to internal teams and clients. This role requires independent decision-making, the authority to plan and prioritize operational tasks, and accountability for maintaining system integrity, security, and reliability across multiple campus data center environments.

Responsibilities

• Develops, implements, and maintains processes and procedures related to DCIM monitoring, asset tracking, and infrastructure controls.
• Independently audits, reconciles, and validates equipment inventory, ensuring data accuracy and compliance with University standards.
• Analyzes environmental monitoring data and system alerts; troubleshoots irregularities and implement corrective actions.
• Updates environmental system firmware and configures IP addresses in accordance with DCIM protocols and enterprise infrastructure standards.
• Designs and improves documentation workflows related to equipment lifecycle management.
• Records and validates all equipment changes, ensuring operational records accurately reflect infrastructure state.
• Monitors and maintains operational integrity of servers, storage systems, application infrastructure, and peripheral equipment.
• Executes recovery procedures, system restorations, and infrastructure remediation activities as required.
• Participates in backup validation processes and supports emergency response solutions.
• Guides analysis of operating records such as equipment performance metrics and capacity reports.
• Acts as a technical resource for junior staff and cross-functional teams.
• Develops and manages standardized intake procedures for newly received equipment across multiple campus locations.
• Enters and validates detailed equipment records within DCIM.
• Coordinates with vendors and stakeholders to ensure secure and accurate receipt of infrastructure components.
• Evaluates discrepancies and resolves inventory conflicts independently.
• Oversees equipment staging, packing, palletizing, labeling, and shipping to ensure compliance with operational and security standards.
• Coordinates with shipping vendors and internal teams to ensure proper documentation and chain-of-custody procedures.
• Ensures all outbound materials are accurately tracked and documented within DCIM and ticketing systems.
• Plans and executes cabinet relocations and infrastructure reconfigurations aligned with project requirements.
• Installs, upgrades, and replaces PDUs, RDHx units, and related power infrastructure while minimizing downtime.
• Modifies cabinet configurations and peripherals to meet evolving infrastructure needs.
• Evaluates power capacity and spatial utilization to recommend improvements.
• Installs, removes, fabricates, and tests fiber and copper cabling according to project requirements.
• Ensures proper labeling and documentation in accordance with infrastructure standards.
• Troubleshoots connectivity issues related to physical network infrastructure.
• Maintains secure and operationally compliant data center spaces.
• Monitors environmental conditions and responds to anomalies.
• Identifies and implements improvements to workspace organization and safety protocols.
• Independently plans and prioritizes operational tasks in accordance with data center schedules.
• Submits, reviews, and closes change management tickets with proper documentation.
• Travels between campus data centers and occasionally to University of Illinois, Champaign.
• Communicates effectively with internal teams, vendors, and clients.
• Follows and reinforces safety, compliance, and security protocols.
• Evaluates, troubleshoots, and resolves complex problems.
• Guides analysis of operating records such as machine performance and production reports.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

---

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Associates degree or higher in information technology, engineering technology, or a related field.

Experience:

• Familiarity with DCIM systems, environmental systems, asset management, and infrastructure protocols.
• Supporting enterprise-scale data centers and developing operational procedures.

Certifications:

• Technical certifications. such as CompTIA A+, DCIM, or similar.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Proficient with PDU/RDHx installation, network cabling, and equipment handling.
• Use power tools safely and effectively.

Preferred Competencies

• Strong organizational skills, communication, and customer service abilities.
• In-depth knowledge of data center operations and infrastructure best practices.
• Solve complex technical problems using independent judgment.
• Strong analytical skills to interpret system performance data.
• Act as a resource and provide guidance to less experienced staff.
• Strong communication and documentation skills.

Working Conditions

• Lift up to 50 pounds.
• Hybrid, onsite and remote as determined by business needs.
• Standard office and data center environment.
• High noise environment.
• Irregular work schedule.
• On-call responsibilities.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• References Contact Information (3)(required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family
Information Technology

Role Impact
Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours
37.5

Drug Test Required
No

Health Screen Required
No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
No

Pay Rate Type
Salary

FLSA Status
Exempt

Pay Range
$96,000.00 - $111,000.00
The included pay rate or range represents the University's good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible
Yes
The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call View phone number on click.appcast.io or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.