Senior Systems Administrator

Senior Systems Administrator

Full Time – Continuing Contract 

Starting March 2026 

On-Site

About York House School
It all began on the corner of Granville and 28th where seven fearless women welcomed 17 students to the very first York House School in 1932. Nearly a century later, thousands of students have found their unique path and purpose at YHS. Our School has since grown into one of Canada’s leading independent schools for girls. Today, we serve approximately 700 students from Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12.

At York House School, our Vision is clear: seeing the world as it is, and imagining what it could be, we aspire to create a transformational experience for students who are empowered to reshape the future.

Our Mission

We are dedicated to creating an environment that elevates the mind, celebrates uniqueness, inspires creativity, and encourages discourse.

Why Join Us?

At York House School, we’re fostering a learning environment where creative exploration, courageous conversation and deep intellectual engagement are equally celebrated. This bold approach requires a highly skilled, diverse and energetic team of committed faculty and staff. Please check out our Spark Strategic Plan to learn more.

If you are passionate about education, excited by the opportunity to inspire future leaders, and eager to be part of a vibrant, forward-thinking community, we would love to hear from you.

About this Role

Reporting to the Director of Technology and Innovation, the Senior Systems Administrator is responsible for the owner of the school’s core technology infrastructure. This role is responsible for the architecture, maintenance, security, and resilience of all on-premise and cloud-based systems, including servers, networks, storage, and data backup platforms. As a key member of the tech department’s team, the Senior Systems Administrator serves as the lead technical expert on infrastructure projects, ensuring that the school’s systems are robust, secure, and aligned with the strategic goals of the Spark Plan.

Responsibilities

Infrastructure Architecture & Management:

• Lead the evaluation, architecture, and implementation of the school’s next-generation server platform, including a planned migration from Hyper-V to a Linux-based virtualization/containerization stack (e.g., OpenStack, Kubernetes).
• Design, implement, and manage the school’s server and network architecture, including virtualization platforms, switches, and firewalls.
• Take primary ownership of the full Meraki network stack (firewalls, switches, wireless access points).
• Manage and maintain all on-premise and cloud-based platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure), ensuring optimal performance, security, and availability.
• Manage and maintain the school’s storage solutions (e.g., TrueNAS, SANs).
• Plan for and implement the hardware requirements for future AI/ML workloads, including GPU-ready server configurations.
• Design and implement automation solutions to improve operational efficiency, with a focus on leveraging AI and workflow tools like n8n.
• Lead system maintenance and upgrade cycles for all core infrastructure components.
• Perform system updates and maintenance during scheduled windows outside of regular school hours to minimize disruption to school operations.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive documentation for all key infrastructure systems, configurations, and procedures.
• Other duties as required

Security & Resilience:

• Responsible for and manages the school’s Identity and Access Management (IAM) systems, including on-premise Active Directory and cloud-based solutions like Azure AD/Entra ID and Google Workspace.
• Serve as a key technical lead in cybersecurity operations, collaborating with the Director on incident response and threat mitigation.
• Manage and test the school’s data backup and disaster recovery systems to ensure data integrity and business continuity.
• Implement and maintain security best practices across all infrastructure, including patch management, access control, and system hardening.
• Participate in the weekly security tactical review, responding to penetration test results and remediating vulnerabilities.

Collaboration & Strategy:

• Serve as a key member of the tech department’s team, collaborating with peer leads for data analytics and technical operations.
• Provide expert technical guidance on new projects and initiatives.
• Participate in budget and financial planning for infrastructure-related hardware, software, and services.
• Collaborate with the Senior Data Analyst on the underlying infrastructure that supports data pipelines and analytics.
• Assist with project management for infrastructure-focused projects.
• Actively participate in the department’s operational rhythm by attending the Daily Operational Stand-up, the Weekly Tactical & Project Review, and leading technical discussions in the Weekly Security Tactical Review, as defined in the department’s Responsibility Matrix including other meetings as required.

Qualifications

• A minimum of five years of experience in a systems administrator or similar infrastructure-focused role.
• Expert knowledge of server virtualization technologies (e.g., Hyper-V, OpenStack, VMware), including hands-on experience with migration projects.
• Deep experience with Linux-based server environments is required.
• Proficiency in scripting languages such as Python or PowerShell for automation.
• Strong experience with network architecture and management, including firewalls, switches, and wireless access points (direct Meraki stack experience is a strong asset).
• Demonstrated experience with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure), particularly for backup and disaster recovery.
• Experience with containerization technologies (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes) and an understanding of Infrastructure as Code (IaC) principles for managing containerized environments.
• Experience managing enterprise storage solutions, including Network Attached Storage (NAS) and Storage Area Networks (SAN).
• Solid understanding of cybersecurity principles and experience participating in incident response.
• Experience managing data backup and disaster recovery solutions.
• An Information Technology certificate or diploma is required. Related certifications in cybersecurity (e.g., CompTIA Security+, CISSP) or information technology (e.g., Microsoft Certified, CCNA) are a strong asset.
• Experience with key school systems and technologies such as Blackbaud School Information Systems, Google BigQuery, SQL, Milestone (camera systems), PaperCut/Ricoh (printing solutions), Salto (access control), and Veeam (backup and recovery) is highly desirable.
• High degree of confidentiality.

Qualities

• Exceptional attention to detail and strong prioritization skills to manage complex technical environments and respond effectively to critical incidents.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• A proactive, detail-oriented, and security-first mindset.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• A dedication to lifelong learning and staying current with emerging infrastructure technologies.
• A collaborative team player with strong interpersonal skills.
• A strong work ethic, high ethical standards, and proven time-management skills.

Review our Careers Page.

Please apply online here.

This posting will remain open until the position is filled. Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, as applications will be reviewed as they arrive. We thank all candidates for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Compensation range $85,000 to $95,000.