Apple Systems Administrator

Northeastern offers a rewarding working environment for our students and employees. Our faculty and staff are smart, dedicated people who work to create an excellent urban university experience for bright and motivated students. Job Summary: This position is responsible for the administration, support, and lifecycle management of Apple-based infrastructure, including macOS, iOS, iPadOS, and associated devices, in support of the University's academic, research, and administrative mission. The role leads the planning, design, implementation, maintenance, and upgrade of Apple technology solutions, ensuring secure, reliable, and efficient operations across all campus environments. The position provides technical support and consultation to administrators, faculty, staff, and students, while also directing and coordinating assigned technical staff. In addition to its primary focus on Apple technologies, the role collaborates with system administrators across Windows, Linux, cloud, identity, and network platforms to ensure interoperability, consistent security practices, and alignment with institutional standards. Responsibilities include developing documentation and training materials, delivering user and staff training, and supporting cross-platform initiatives. The position also oversees device lifecycle management, including deployment, monitoring, maintenance, and refresh, utilizing modern endpoint management practices to maintain security, compliance, and an optimal user experience. Job Description: Endpoint Platform Strategy, Engineering, Lifecycle Management & Staff Leadership Serves as the University's primary Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Apple technologies (macOS, iOS, iPadOS) while contributing to the design and support of a diverse, enterprise endpoint environment that includes Windows, Linux, and cloud-managed devices. Provides strategic, technical, and operational leadership supporting academic, research, and administrative functions. Designs, implements, and maintains secure, scalable endpoint solutions across Apple and other supported platforms. Leads adoption of modern endpoint management solutions (e.g., Jamf Pro, Microsoft Intune, MECM) and Apple Business Manager for automated provisioning and lifecycle management. Establishes and enforces endpoint standards (hardware, OS, security, compliance) across multiple platforms in alignment with university policies and cybersecurity frameworks. Conducts needs assessments and develops cross-platform technical solutions aligned with institutional priorities. Oversees full lifecycle management of endpoint devices, including deployment, configuration, patching, upgrades, and retirement. Evaluates and approves technical specifications, vendor solutions, and procurement recommendations for endpoint technologies. Leads pilot initiatives and enterprise deployments across all campuses and hybrid environments. Supervises and supports technical staff and student employees, including task assignment, mentoring, training, and performance feedback. Endpoint Deployment, Support & Operations Coordinates and supports enterprise deployment and operational management of endpoint devices across multiple platforms. Manages large-scale device refresh programs for student labs and faculty/staff computing environments across Apple and non-Apple platforms. Implements modern provisioning methodologies, replacing legacy imaging with automated, policy-driven configuration and software deployment. Creates, tests, and maintains application packages for macOS and iOS devices (e.g., PKG, scripts, App Store apps), ensuring compatibility with operating systems and institutional standards. Deploys and manages application distribution to Apple endpoints using MDM platforms (e.g., Jamf Pro, Microsoft Intune), including version control, updates, and license management. Develops and maintains automated application deployment workflows, patch management processes, and update strategies to ensure applications remain secure, current, and compliant. Provides Tier 2/3 escalation support for complex endpoint, system, and integration issues across macOS, Windows, and related platforms. Ensures endpoint security, system performance, and compliance with established standards. Collaborates with infrastructure, cloud, and network teams to ensure reliable connectivity, authentication, and system integration. Supports cross-platform solutions including virtualization, VDI, and cloud-based application delivery. Security, Governance, Training & Continuous Improvement Supports secure operations, governance, user enablement, and ongoing service enhancement across endpoint platforms. Implements and maintains endpoint security controls across platforms, including encryption, authentication, and compliance enforcement. Develops and maintains policies, standards, and procedures for endpoint and device management across Apple and non-Apple systems. Participates in IT service lifecycle management, including service evaluation, enhancement, and retirement. Monitors service performance and recommends improvements based on operational metrics and user feedback. Develops and delivers training sessions, workshops, and instructional materials for faculty, staff, students, and IT personnel. Maintains standard operating procedures along with knowledge base content, documentation, and self-service support resources. Communicates service updates, changes, and best practices to the University community. Promotes effective, secure, and efficient use of University technology resources. Collaboration, Project Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement Leads and participates in cross-functional initiatives to support University technology objectives. Collaborates with academic and administrative units to gather requirements and develop scalable, cross-platform solutions. Leads and/or contributes to projects involving infrastructure, cloud services, identity and access management, cybersecurity, and academic technologies. Serves as liaison between University stakeholders, IT teams, and external vendors. Prepares technical documentation, project plans, and solution recommendations. Other duties as assigned. Minimal Qualifications: 1. Any one or any combination totaling 5 years (60 months) from the following categories: A. College coursework which includes Information Technology (IT), IT Management, Programming, IT Systems, or a closely related discipline, as measured by the following conversion table or its proportional equivalent: 30 semester hours equals one (1) year (12 months) Associate's Degree (60 semester hours) equals eighteen months (18 months) 90 semester hours equals two (2) years (24 months) Bachelor's Degree (120 semester hours) equals three (3) years (36 months) B. Work experience in IT-related functions such as hardware/software support, programming, network design, network engineering, IT systems integration, or closely related field, which includes supervisory or lead worker capacity. 2. Based on position requirements, additional education, training, and/or work experience in the area of specialization inherent to the position may be required. DEPARTMENTAL PREFERENCES Demonstrated experience administering enterprise endpoint management solutions (e.g., Jamf Pro, Microsoft Intune, or equivalent), including Apple Business Manager (ABM) and Automated Device Enrollment (ADE/DEP) for provisioning, configuration, and lifecycle management of devices. Experience creating, packaging, testing, and deploying applications for macOS and iOS devices (e.g., PKG development, scripting, App Store distribution), along with maintaining patch management and software update processes. Working knowledge of cross-platform environments, including Windows endpoint management tools (e.g., MECM/SCCM, Intune) and/or Linux systems, with the ability to support integration across platforms. Knowledge of endpoint security practices and tools, including encryption technologies (e.g., FileVault, BitLocker), endpoint detection and response (EDR), vulnerability management, and compliance standards. Demonstrated experience supporting large-scale device deployments and lifecycle management in a multi-user environment, preferably within higher education settings, including instructional labs, classrooms, and faculty computing needs. Demonstrated ability to analyze, troubleshoot, and resolve complex technical issues independently, while working effectively in a team-oriented, cross-functional environment. Effective written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to develop technical documentation, knowledge base articles, and training materials, and to deliver end-user and technical training to diverse audiences. Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. (On-call availability for emergency support during outages, security incidents, critical system failures, and after-hours maintenance and/or upgrades). Location: NEIU Main Campus (Requires travel to all NEIU campuses). Setting: Remote work will be available on a limited basis (one day per week or on occasion). No permanent or full-time work from home is available. Out of State Applicants: Once a final employment offer is completed, the out-of-state candidate must establish Illinois residency within 180 calendar days of the start date for the designated position per the State Universities Civil Service Requirements. This position does not include relocation assistance. On a case-by-case basis, NEIU will consider applications from individuals who have valid work authorization in the United States (including those holding valid F-1 and H-1B status) and who currently reside in and are physically within the United States. This position requires a background check. ‎ Salary Range $70,000 - $75,000 ‎ Benefits University employees may be eligible for a variety of State of Illinois benefits. These benefits are administered through the Illinois Department of Central Management Service (CMS). Please visit our Employee Benefits page to learn more about our comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, and vision benefits, sick and vacation days, and participation in the State Universities Retirement System. Northeastern Illinois University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and invites applications from Women, Minorities, Veterans and Persons with Disabilities, as well as other qualified individuals. Northeastern Illinois University's positions are contingent upon the University's receipt of its State of Illinois appropriation. Northeastern Illinois University's Main Campus is located on 67 acres in a residential area on the Northwest Side of Chicago. The University has three additional locations in the metropolitan area: the Jacob H. Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies, El Centro and the Center for College Access and Success. Northeastern also is a founding member of the University Center of Lake County consortium campus in suburban Lake County, north of Chicago. Northeastern offers more than 40 undergraduate degree and certificate programs and more than 50 graduate degree, certificate, licensure and endorsement programs.