Systems Architect

About Us: Central Electric Power Cooperative provides wholesale electric service to the state's 19 electric cooperatives, delivering reliable power through more than 900 miles of transmission lines. More than 2 million South Carolinians depend on electricity secured by Central, making our work essential to the communities we serve.

Central is proud to be recognized by the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce as one of the Best Places to Work for 10 consecutive years. We value our employees and offer competitive compensation and benefits packages that include medical, dental, and vision insurance; long-term disability and life insurance; paid time off; a 401(k); and a Retirement Security Plan.

Direct Influences: The Systems Architect directly influences all internal departments with regards to computer and server systems, identity, single sign-on, cyber security, access management, and data administration. The Systems Architect also facilitates employees' IT needs and increases the use and effectiveness of IT resources, as needed.

Outside Interactions: The Systems Architect interacts with employees at the 19 member cooperatives to coordinate and facilitate information transfers; with Information Services personnel at Santee Cooper, Duke, and New Horizon to administer shared computer networks; with identity, authentication, cloud, and single sign-on service providers to support secure access to company systems; and with vendors and consultants who provide products and services.

Position Summary: To perform the functions of Systems Architect, which are to execute the technical duties required to plan, build, and maintain Central's computer systems infrastructure in coordination with the networking/scada and devops departments. To perform the functions of Cyber Security Specialist, which are to provide cyber security protection to Central's computer systems and data. To perform the functions of Identity Administrator, which are to enable, administer, monitor, and maintain secure identity and access management systems, including single sign-on, multi-factor authentication, user provisioning, access controls, and related authentication services for company systems. To perform the functions of Desktop Support Specialist, which are to provide help and support to Central's computer users.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Designs, implements and manages server, network, and workstation systems to protect data, software, and hardware from unauthorized access, malicious, or unintentional loss. Design and administer endpoint configuration, application installation, and device management tools including Group Policy and cloud policy management tools. Designs, implements and manages data backup systems to ensure that data is safe from unintended loss, and to maintain an appropriate level of disaster recovery readiness. Designs, implements, and manages identity security controls, including single sign-on, multi-factor authentication, conditional access, password policies, privileged access controls, and access review processes to reduce unauthorized access risks.
2. Provides IS resources to Central's users (Purchases, installs, configures, maintains, troubleshoots and repairs server and workstation hardware and software.) Monitors and analyzes Central's computer systems to detect potential problems and provide changes and adjustments to computer systems to avoid potential problems. Communicate with vendors. Accounts for Central's computer assets.
3. Assists networking and scada department when needed to maintain, troubleshoot, and repair circuits, firewalls, switches and routers. Lead design and implementation of network infrastructure security systems to prevent unauthorized access to Central's networks. Coordinates identity and authentication integrations with network, cloud, application, and vendor systems to support secure and reliable access.
4. Answers user questions, provides training, and evaluates user needs to help employees make effective use of company-provided hardware, software, systems, and IT resources. Troubleshoots hardware and software issues.
5. Performs other incidental and related duties as required and assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Possess knowledge in the areas of: cyber security, network design and management; server hypervisors, server and PC operating systems; office automation software; computer hardware installation, configuration and repair; server and network security systems; firewalls; identity and access management; and backup systems.

Have an understanding of the complexities of Central's interconnected systems and how changes can impact those systems. Plan project timing, sequence, and scope to minimize negative impact on users and affected systems.

Ability to prioritize and organize multiple tasks and assignments, ability to conduct work efficiently in an independent, self-directed manner.


Must be able to keep up to date with technology changes and apply new knowledge to the job.

Requires the ability to visit each computer station; lift computer equipment up to 75 pounds; crawl under desks to connect and disconnect computers; and work with small tools to repair computer equipment and cables.

Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and be able to legally operate a company motor vehicle in accordance with Central's vehicle use policy.

Work Location:

This is an in-person position based at 20 Cooperative Way, Columbia, SC 29210. The employee must be able to work on-site during regular business hours and may be required to travel to other facilities as needed to perform assigned duties.

The standard work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Additional hours, including overtime, evenings, weekends, or emergency response, may be required to support system maintenance, project implementation, outages, upgrades, cyber security incidents, or other operational needs.

Education and Work Experience:

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Information Systems or a related field. Experience can be substituted for education requirements.

Prefer certifications such as Security+, Microsoft Certified: Identity and Azure, CISSP, or other related industry-recognized IT certifications.

Ten years prior experience managing, installing, configuring, and maintaining: server and workstation hardware; server and workstation operating systems; office automation software; backup systems; local and wide area networks; identity and access; firewalls; windows updates; server and network security systems. At least three years of experience managing IT-related projects. Three to six years' experience with Microsoft 365, Exchange Online, PowerShell scripting, Active Directory, Azure, Entra, and VMware.