IT Specialist

IT Specialist (Physical Infrastructure Specialist)Position Number: 0097723 Hiring Unit: Administrative Affairs, Computing Center Location: UH Hilo Date Posted: September 14, 2026 Closing Date: September 28, 2026 Band: B Salary: salary schedules and placement information Full Time/Part Time: Full-time Month: 11-month Temporary/Permanent: Permanent Other Conditions: Appointment to begin approximately November 2026, pending position clearance and availability of funding.The University of Hawaii at Hilo (UH Hilo) is a public liberal arts and sciences university on the Island of Hawaii, recognized for its integration of cultural immersion and place-based research that leverages the island's extraordinary geological, biological, and cultural diversity. A comprehensive, regional campus within the ten-campus University of Hawaii system, UH Hilo offers high-quality undergraduate and select postgraduate education, with distinctive strengths in areas such as marine science, geology, astronomy, and Hawaiian language revitalization, while advancing research, scholarship, and creative activity that support community needs, environmental stewardship, Indigenous knowledge systems, and workforce development priorities for the State of Hawaii.UH-Hilo Information Technology Services provides technical solutions and services by supporting and empowering the UH Hilo faculty, staff, students, and surrounding communities through informative training, open collaboration, creative solutions, dependable services, and reliable systems. The Physical Infrastructure Specialist manages the university's campus-wide physical layer IT environment, bridging the critical gap between design engineering and hands-on field execution across all structural technology spaces. Working alongside networking, systems, and A/V peers, this position provides vital field support for classroom audio/visual installations, assists physical data center deployments, and ensures all structural hardware mountings and distribution closets strictly meet certified industry standards and building codes.Duties and Responsibilities(*denotes essential functions)*Under the general supervision of the Director, independently performs the full range of professional work related to the campus-wide physical IT infrastructure layer.*Follows and implements directives and guidance related to best practices from University of Hawai'i System Information Technology Services.*Ensures the consistent adoption, implementation, and enforcement of recommendations issued through University of Hawai'i System Information Technology Service.*Keeps abreast of recommendations issued through University of Hawai'i System Information Technology Service, and takes timely action as needed.*Serves as a subject matter expert for the physical layer, providing technical direction and collaborative consultation on the layout, design, and implementation of network and A/V infrastructure.*Provides professional, user-centered customer service while designing, planning, and installing campus-wide low-voltage infrastructure, including high-speed copper, fiber optic, and legacy analog twisted-pair cabling.*Performs advanced troubleshooting, testing, splicing, and repair of fiber optic, Ethernet, and analog infrastructure to maintain reliable, high-speed network and telecommunications continuity.*Collaborates side-by-side with the Network Engineer, Server Administrator, and A/V Team to execute physical cabling and equipment-mounting solutions that seamlessly fulfill their technical requirements and design parameters.*Independently manages the physical organization, cleanliness, and security of network closets and distribution racks in accordance with established industry standards and team-approved layouts.*Performs regular certification testing for fiber and copper media at installation, and provides peer-level diagnostic assistance when Layer 1 troubleshooting or recertification is required.*Proactively monitors and performs preventative maintenance on the campus cable plant to identify and remediate physical vulnerabilities and non-compliant legacy installations before they cause downtime.*Directs and oversees the physical work of external consultants and contractors, acting as an empathetic and professional liaison to ensure all outsourced layer 1 work meets university and certified industry standards.*Determines safe structural mounting solutions for IT, A/V, and wireless equipment on walls, poles, and ceilings, ensuring load-bearing safety, proper grounding, and secure installations.*Coordinates closely with campus facilities and primary documentation authors to ensure all IT infrastructure projects comply with applicable building codes, while capturing updated technical data for archival.*Follows and implements directives and guidance related to best practices from University of Hawaii System Information Technology Services.*Ensures the consistent adoption, implementation, and enforcement of recommendations issued through University of Hawaii System Information Technology Service.*Keeps abreast of recommendations issued through University of Hawaii System Information Technology Service, and takes timely action as needed.Other duties as assigned.Minimum QualificationsPossession of a pertinent baccalaureate educational degree in a related technical field and three (3) years of progressively responsible professional information technology experience with responsibilities for physical infrastructure, of which 2 years of the experience must have been comparable in scope and complexity to the next lower pay band in the University of Hawaii broadband system; or any equivalent combination of education and/or professional work experience which provides the required education, knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated.Considerable working knowledge of physical IT infrastructure design, telecommunications media standards, and structural installation methodologies as demonstrated by the broad knowledge and understanding of the full range of pertinent standard and evolving information technology concepts, principles and methodologies.Considerable working knowledge and understanding of the broad technology, systems, hardware and software associated with signals and communication between devices.Demonstrated ability to recognize a wide range of intricate problems, use reasoning and logic to determine accurate causes, and apply principles and practices to determine, evaluate, integrate, and implement practical and thorough solutions in an effective and timely manner.Proven ability to comprehend, interpret and implement administrative directives and guidance to ensure IT operations align with organizational standards and industry best practices.Demonstrated ability to interpret and present information and ideas clearly and accurately in writing, verbally and by preparation of reports and other materials.Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external organizations, groups, team leaders and members, and individuals.Demonstrated professional experience in the termination, splicing, and testing of single-mode cabling using specialized equipment (e.g., Fusion Splicer, VFL, OLTS, OTDR).Applied knowledge of structural safety standards and industry-standard mounting techniques for securing heavy IT equipment to diverse architectural surfaces (concrete, steel, wood, drywall).Demonstrated experience reading and interpreting blueprints, electrical schematics, and BIM (Building Information Modeling) data to coordinate infrastructure paths.Ability to conduct their work safely at various heights utilizing equipment such as bucket trucks, scissor lifts, ladders, scaffolding, or any other equipment necessary to complete assigned tasks.Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs safely, and perform physically demanding tasks including bending, crouching, and reaching for extended periods.Possession of a valid driver's license to transport tools, testing equipment, and materials to various campus-wide facilities.Desirable QualificationsProfessional industry certifications in physical layer infrastructure (such as a BICSI Installer or Technician designation), along with experience coordinating large-scale IT projects with external vendors, architects, and campus facilities departments.Proficiency in using digital labeling systems and specialized software tools (e.g. CAD, Visio, or environmental monitoring applications) to maintain accurate infrastructure data and track network closet utilities.Demonstrated experience delivering technical support in a customer-centric environment, with a proven track record of working successfully within a peer-collaborative IT team to manage technical hand-offs between system designers and field implementers.Prior experience working with legacy telecommunications infrastructure, including punch-down blocks, multi-pair twisted copper, and analog signal testing.To ApplyClick on the "Apply" button on the top right corner of the screen to complete an application and attach each required document. A complete application must include:Cover letter explaining how each minimum and desirable qualification is met.Current resume.The names and addresses, email addresses and telephone numbers of three [3] current professional references.Transcript(s) showing degrees and course work appropriate to the position (copies are acceptable; however, original official transcripts will be required prior to employment).Please do not include any self-identifying photos. Please redact references to Social Security number and birth date on transcript copies. Copy of diplomas will NOT be accepted. Documents issued from an institution outside the United States of America require a course-by-course analysis with an equivalency statement from an agency having membership with the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc., verifying the degree equivalency to that of an accredited institution within the USA. Expense of the evaluation shall be borne by the applicant.