Application Specialist II - Allied Universal

When you join the Allied Universal® Technology Services, you are joining one of the fastest growing security systems integrators in North America. Build your career within a fast-paced, dynamic, and diverse environment that combines leading-edge technology solutions - electronic access control, video surveillance, alarm monitoring, emergency communications, robotics, drones, and other smart tech innovative solutions - with physical security solutions to safeguard our clients and our communities. We offer an array of opportunities - service technician jobs, installation technician jobs, security installation jobs, engineers, and project manager jobs to name a few. Start your career with us today! We offer medical, dental and vision coverage, life insurance, retirement plan, employee assistance programs, company discounts, perks and more for most full-time positions!

JOB OVERVIEW

AUTS is seeking an individual to deploy enterprise class physical security systems.  The position will be focused on the setup, testing, and troubleshooting of security-related components including cameras, card readers, and security panels as well as the software that interfaces and manages them.  This will include a mix of third-party technologies that AUTS deploys as well as internal developed and managed software.  Familiarity with the basic principles of electrical circuit design is beneficial.  While the position will be supported by IT professionals, the preferred candidate will have a working knowledge of Windows systems and networking.  The position will require an understanding of basic networking concepts in order to perform setup and troubleshooting.

The candidate should have good organization habits and an attention to detail as record keeping and configuration management are an important aspect of this position.  The ideal candidate should be passionate about learning new technology and be able to devise an action plan and self-start on troubleshooting efforts.  The position is an integral part of a larger team and the candidate will be expected to actively participate in team meetings, seek support from others to be effective and offer support where their expertise allows.  The work environment is dynamic, with new technical challenges arising frequently and the selected individual will be asked to take ownership of/champion appropriate activities.

AUTS creates and integrates complex and comprehensive security solutions for critical strategic infrastructure facilities worldwide. The majority of security projects serviced by this region require mission critical software development and integration of numerous technologies. This requires our employees to carefully consider the challenges of integrating multiple cutting-edge technologies with existing legacy systems to ensure optimal solutions that meet the client’s concept of operation, regulatory requirements and corporate goals. Members of this team are recognized throughout the security industry as subject matter experts and providers of single source security solutions.

The successful applicant will be responsible for the setup, configuration, testing, and deployment of network cameras, security panels, card readers, biometric sensors, and similar security technologies as well as supporting hardware and software.  They will seek out opportunities for self-directed learning.  The applicant will work in conjunction with a team of IT technicians and application developers but will be expected to operate, at times, with minimal direction.  The selected applicant will successfully achieve team goals by effectively prioritizing their tasks and using available resources efficiently.

DELIVERABLE DESCRIPTION:

• The NSSC organization focuses on delivering custom security solutions which are developed in-house
• These access control, alarming and video assessment systems are used to secure nuclear power plants
• Our system platform consists of Windows-based servers, Windows-based workstations, Cisco switches, and networked peripheral devices such as door controllers, alarm panels, and cameras
• These systems are delivered to U.S. Government-regulated industries
• These systems must meet regulatory cyber security requirements, utilizing overlapping security controls to achieve a defense-in-depth strategy that supports the regulatory requirements and guidance provided under NEI-0809
• Customer systems are air-gapped and never connect to the internet, so all configuration must be performed in-office
• Each system has the same core functionality but with a different implementation, which requires you to be flexible, organized, and with a keen attention to detail

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• This is a fast-paced role that brings different challenges and opportunities on an ongoing basis
• It is a high intensity and dynamic environment
• Your team will work on multiple projects and work streams simultaneously, adjusting and prioritizing as challenges arise
• Our regulated industry customers hold us to high standards, and delivering quality is a high priority
• This team has NO on-call duties!
• In-office participation is required for the first 90 days, then four days in-office weekly
• Up to 10 weeks of travel, with a trip duration of two to five days

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Follow cyber security policies to configure air gapped systems, without connecting customer hardware to the internet
• Install and configure Windows client OS (Windows 10 or 11) and Windows server OS (Windows Server 2019 or 2022)
• Set up physical security components, including but not limited to network/IP cameras, card readers, access control panels, alarm panels, security software and related tools and technology
• Review firmware release notes, make recommendations to upgrade device firmware, and perform the upgrade
• Follow installation and configuration documents, and participate in their development as needed
• Follow testing and verification procedures to confirm successful software deployment and configuration
• Write step-by-step installation and configuration documentation for new hardware devices
• Maintain up-to-date work status in task tracking software
• Research, diagnose, troubleshoot and identify solutions to resolve customer issues related to application use, design and configuration
• Communicate directly with customers to understand and document issues as well as relay proposed solutions and instructions
• Elevate customer issues to senior team members as needed, providing detailed description of problems along with steps taken to analyze the problem
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Document the configuration of customer systems
• Travel to customer job sites for elevated support requests and system installations. This can include driving within the same region as well as flying to locations near customer facilities and driving to the customer location.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must possess one or more of the following:
  • Bachelor's Degree in information systems, computer information technology, engineering, computer science or related major
  • Associate's Degree in information systems, computer information technology, engineering, computer science or related major with a minimum of three (3) years of IT experience
  • High school or equivalent with a minimum of five (5) years of IT experience and applicable industry certifications
• Possess a valid driver’s license in order to travel to customer locations
• Minimum of one year in an IT role
• Authorization to work in the US
• Ability to travel to out-of-state customer locations for one or more weeks at a time
• Ability to pass an extensive background check, including FBI criminal records check, psychological testing, employment and reference checks to determine any substance abuse problems, and investigation into personal finances
  
  

BENEFITS:

• Medical, dental, vision, basic life, AD&D, and disability insurance
• Enrollment in our company’s 401(k) plan, subject to eligibility requirements
• Eight paid holidays annually, five sick days, and four personal days
• Vacation time offered at an accrual rate of 3.08 hours biweekly

Allied Universal® is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race/ethnicity, age, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status or relationship/association with a protected veteran, or any other basis or characteristic protected by law. For more information: www.aus.com

If you have any questions regarding Equal Employment Opportunity, Affirmative Action, Diversity and Inclusion, have difficulty using the online system and require an alternate method to apply, or require an accommodation at any time during the recruitment and/or employment process, please contact our local Human Resources department. To find an office near you, please visit: www.aus.com/offices.