The City University of New York

Senior Virtualization IT Architect (IT Architect 3) - Provisional

GENERAL DUTIES

This position encompasses professional and responsible technical consultative responsibilities unique to the architecture of enterprise applications and infrastructure solutions with a special emphasis on cloud or hybrid cloud applications. Under administrative direction of a university IT manager, with broad latitude for independent action or decision, all personnel serve in a critical role in the execution of the design and implementation of complex IT systems. Responsible for converting business requirements into a technical architecture and design and for implementing IT applications and solutions by working with stakeholders, project managers, analysts, and technical teams. The IT Architect has a deep understanding of an organization’s IT policies, cybersecurity requirements, infrastructure, technology stack and support processes as well as current cloud technologies and services. The IT Architect uses their experience in systems engineering, cloud, and enterprise architecture to define standards and enforce adherence to those standards.

There are three (3) Assignment Levels within this classification. All personnel perform related work. Assignment Levels 2 and 3 may supervise technical leads, developers, and engineers in the implementation of IT applications and infrastructure designs and solutions. This specification describes typical assignments; related duties may be assigned as needed.

To view the complete job description, go tohttp://www.cuny.edu/about/administration/offices/hr/classified-civil-service/ccsjobs/and view the Job Description for IT Architect.

CONTRACT TITLE

IT Architect

FLSA

Non-exempt

CAMPUS SPECIFIC INFORMATION

The Office of Computing and Information Services (CIS) at the City University of New York (CUNY) supports the IT and telecommunications needs of CUNY's 25 colleges. CIS supports enterprise IT and applications, develops new technologies that advance the University's core mission, builds, upgrades and maintains the University's network, and operates the University's Data Center and Service Desk. Additionally, CIS manages the processes of safeguarding the University’s IT assets and operates the SOC, develops disaster recovery plans for business continuity, maintains the security of the University’s IT assets, and maintains the CUNYfirst Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solution that integrates student administration, financial management, and human resources operations across CUNY’s 25 colleges. Lastly, CIS provides strategic and operational IT leadership with respect to the maintenance, enhancement, and expansion of the CUNY network spanning across all CUNY campuses.

CIS seeks a Senior Virtualization IT Architect to lead the technical vision and architecture for optimizing shared IT services across a university system serving 240,000 students and 50,000 faculty and staff. This role oversees the design, implementation, and management of the university’s virtualization infrastructure while driving key IT optimization initiatives. The Senior Virtualization IT Architect will spearhead network modernization by introducing automation tools and centralized management, enhancing efficiency, scalability, and security. They will lead server workload consolidation into CUNY’s private cloud, optimize resources, strengthen security, and reduce costs while ensuring high-performance enterprise applications across campuses. Additionally, they will streamline telephony services, integrate, and consolidate communication systems for improved cost-efficiency. Reporting to the Director of Information Systems, this role ensures a robust, secure, and scalable virtualized environment that supports enterprise applications and university operations. With independent oversight of planning, maintenance, security, and infrastructure upgrades, the Senior Virtualization IT Architect will play a pivotal role in shaping CUNY’s long-term IT strategy to support its academic mission.

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Ensures conformance of critical virtualization and network infrastructure to established architecture and security standards throughout the development lifecycle.
• Leads highly complex, critical projects, including third-party software implementation, documentation, testing, and training.
• Recommends deployment architectures (cloud, on-premises, hybrid) and defines technical requirements (servers, storage, networking, security) for mission-critical applications.
• Designs and implements virtualization infrastructure (e.g., VMware, Hyper-V) and oversees server workload consolidation into the CUNY Private Cloud to optimize security and efficiency.
• Leads network automation and management efforts using tools like Cisco ACI, Ansible, and Python scripting for provisioning, configuration, and monitoring.
• Implements and manages centralized network management systems (e.g., Cisco DNA Center, SolarWinds) for real-time infrastructure monitoring.
• Architects, configures, and maintains enterprise storage solutions (e.g., Dell EMC, NetApp, Pure Storage, SAN) to ensure reliable data access.
• Deploys and integrates telephony services (e.g., Cisco CUCM, Microsoft Teams Telephony) within virtualized and hybrid environments.
• Designs and implements network security protocols (e.g., IPSec, SSL VPN, TLS) and firewalls (e.g., Fortinet, Palo Alto, Cisco ASA) to enhance cybersecurity.
• Oversees infrastructure connectivity (physical and virtual), including cabling, fiber optics, and transceivers for high-performance networking.
• Collaborates on disaster recovery solutions using VMware SRM, Zerto, and Veeam for backup, replication, and business continuity.
• Ensures compliance with industry standards (ISO/IEC 27001, NIST, CIS benchmarks) and maintains comprehensive system documentation using Visio and Confluence.

NOTES:

1. Until further notice, this position is eligible for a hybrid work schedule.
2. An appointment to this Competitive title/position in the Classified Civil Service Title Series will be made with a Provisional status. Employees in provisional status must pass a competitive civil service examination and be appointed from a civil service list to remain in the title/position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. A baccalaureate degree in computer science, engineering or a related field from an accredited college or university and five (5) years of satisfactory full-time experience converting business requirements into a technical architecture and design and implementing IT applications and solutions by working with stakeholders, project managers, analysts, and technical teams; or

2. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and six (6) years of satisfactory full-time experience as described in “1” above; or

3. A high school diploma or its educational equivalent and ten (10) years of satisfactory full-time experience as described in “1” above; or

4. Education and/or experience which is equivalent to " 1," "2" or "3" above. The following may substitute for some of the required experience required in "1," "2" or "3" above, as follows:

College education (undergraduate credits) may substitute for up to four (4) years of the required experience in "3" above on the following basis:

A. 30 to 59.9 semester credits substitute for 1 year of experience; or

B. 60 to 89.9 semester credits substitute for 2 years of experience; or

C. 90 to 119.9 semester credits substitute for 3 years of experience; or

D. 120 or more semester credits substitute for 4 years of experience.

Graduate credits in information technology, computer science or a related field may substitute for up to two (2) years of experience in "1" or "2" above on the following basis:

A. 15 to 29.9 graduate credits substitute for 1 year of required experience; or

B. 30 or more graduate credits substitute for 2 years of required experience.

Each of the following valid andcurrent certification(s) may substitute for one (1) year of the required experience in "1," "2" or "3" above:

A. Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) issued by ISACA; and/or

B. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) issued by Infosec; and/or

C. Cisco Certified Architect (CCAr) issued by CISCO; and/or

D. Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert issued by Microsoft; and/or

E. NetApp Certified Data Administrator (NCDA) issued by any authorized organization approved by NetApp; and/or

F. NetApp Certified Implementation Engineer (NCIE)issued by any authorized organization approved by NetApp; and/or

G. NetApp Certified Support Engineer (NCSE)issued by any authorized organization approved by NetApp; and/or

H. Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Architect Professional Certification issued by Oracle; and/or

I. TOGAF 9 Certified issued by The Open Group; and/or

J. TOGAF 9 Foundation issued by The Open Group; and/or

K. TOGAF Business Architecture Foundation issued by The Open Group; and/or

L. TOGAF Enterprise Architecture Foundation issued by The Open Group; and/or

M. TOGAF Enterprise Architecture Practitioner issued by The Open Group; and/or

N. VMware Certified Design Expert – Cloud Management and Automation issued by VMware; and/or

O. VMware Certified Design Expert – Data Center Virtualization issued by VMware; and/or

P. VMware Certified Design Expert – End-User Computing issued by VMware; and/or

Q. VMware Certified Design Expert – Network Virtualization issued by VMware.

However, all candidates must have a high school diploma or its educational equivalent and at least three (3) years of experience as described in “1” above.

Assignment Level II or III

Level II: After meeting the Qualification Requirements above, an additional two (2) years of satisfactory full-time experience in the planning, organizing, and controlling of incident and change management activities of one or more major IT service(s) and/or information technologies and evaluating, designing, and implementing IT Service Management processes and tools is required for Level II.

Level III: After meeting the Qualification Requirements aboveandthe Level II requirements, an additional two (2) years of satisfactory full-time experience in the planning, organizing, and controlling of incident and change management activities of one or more major IT service(s) and/or information technologies and evaluating, designing, and implementing IT Service Management processes and toolsis required (for a total of 4 years of experience above the Qualification Requirements).

English Language Proficiency : Demonstrated English language proficiency, including ability to speak, read, write, and understand English well enough to meet minimally acceptable performance standards set for job duties.

Motor Vehicle Driver License : A Motor Vehicle Driver license, valid in New York State, may be required for some, but not all positions.

Note: CUNY considers full-time work to be at least 35 hours per week. Part-time experience of at least 20 hours per week may be prorated by half and credited instead of,but not in addition to, full-time experience during the same period (e.g., two months of related work experience at 20-34 hours per week equates to one month of full-time related work experience.) Part-time experience of fewer than 20 hours per week cannot be credited at all.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS

Preferred:

• 10+ years of IT infrastructure expertise, specializing in virtualization technologies (VMware, Hyper-V, Citrix XenServer) and virtual machine management (vSphere, vCenter, clustering, load balancing, high availability).
• Cloud and hybrid infrastructure experience, including private cloud design, server workload consolidation, and integration of hybrid cloud architectures.
• Network automation and software-defined networking (SDN) expertise using Cisco ACI, Ansible, Python scripting, and VMware NSX, enabling dynamic workload mobility and efficient large-scale network management.
• Enterprise storage management, including Storage Area Networks (SAN) and virtualization storage solutions from Dell EMC, NetApp, and Pure Storage.
• VoIP and telephony systems implementation and management, with hands-on experience in Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM) and Microsoft Teams Telephony.
• Disaster recovery and business continuity planning, utilizing VMware SRM, Zerto, and Veeam for backup, replication, and failover strategies.
• Cross-functional leadership and collaboration, aligning IT strategies with business objectives, effectively influencing stakeholders, and coordinating complex, large-scale projects.
• Exceptional communication and facilitation skills, with the ability to articulate technical requirements, lead discussions, and present to diverse technical and non-technical teams across all university levels.

COMPENSATION

Level 1: $114,279

Level 2: $124,391

Level 3: $136,374 – $150,000

BENEFITS

CUNY offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees and eligible dependents based on job title and classification. Employees are also offered pension and Tax-Deferred Savings Plans. Part-time employees must meet a weekly or semester work hour criteria to be eligible for health benefits. Health benefits are also extended to retirees who meet the eligibility criteria.

HOW TO APPLY

For full consideration, submit a cover letter and resume online via CUNY's web-based job system, addressing how your experience and credentials meet the responsibilities and qualifications outlined.

The direct link to the job opening from external sources is:

https://hrsa.cunyfirst.cuny.edu/psc/erecruit/EMPLOYEE/HRMSCG/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=1&JobOpeningId=30492&PostingSeq=1

Current CUNY employees must apply through CUNYfirst Employee Self Service using their login credentials. After you login, click the Careers tile on the Employee Self Service Menu page to view job openings.

CLOSING DATE

Open until filled.

JOB SEARCH CATEGORY

CUNY Job Posting: Information Technology/Technical

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.

Job ID

30492

Location

Central Office

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