What does a senior information technology specialist do?
A senior information technology specialist is responsible for handling technology systems and network issues, ensuring the efficiency and optimal performance of the database by configuration and improving network infrastructures. Senior information technology specialists also design computer systems and applications to support business functions and operations, depending on the requirements and budget limitations. They create resolution reports for reference and recommend strategic techniques to prevent the reoccurrence of defects and malfunctions. A senior information technology specialist must have excellent communication and technical skills, especially in responding to the end-users' inquiries and concerns about the servers.
Senior information technology specialist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real senior information technology specialist resumes:
- Install and manage the local area network (wire and wireless), switches connect to that network and network printers.
- Manage DNS, SSL certificate renewals/additions, add FTP accounts and rights management for client's web and application hosting servers.
- Manage and implement security solutions, including firewalls, anti-virus solutions, and intrusion detection systems.
- Lead in-house and consultant team in large-scale Linux server upgrade for multinational consulting firm, which significantly enhance system performance.
- Lead disaster recovery exercises, infrastructure hardware/software decommissioning initiatives and redeployment of legacy application retirements/migrations for Fannie Mae (client).
- Deploy applications and OS's as requested using SCCM.
- Deploy applications and OS's to devices using SCCM.
- Maintain VPN remote access services utilizing Cisco technologies in combination with open source software and Linux servers.
- Participate in HIPAA audits and testing.
- Review and application of STIG settings for DOD level security hardening per NIST.
- Leverage proficiency in SCCM, to install and configure upgrades to operating systems and software.
- Perform investigations of workforce members who fail to comply with HIPAA security policies and procedures.
- Put together technical presentations discussing IBM UNIX servers, AIX51, and different IBM develop software.
- Design and maintain MVS and UNIX application interfaces and processes for large commercial and industrial customers.
- Process minor change and error modification on the codes that are develop by Java and C++ respectively.
Senior information technology specialist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 10% of Senior Information Technology Specialists are proficient in Customer Service, Database, and Technical Support. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Listening skills, and Speaking skills.
We break down the percentage of Senior Information Technology Specialists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Customer Service, 10%
Monitored online chat rooms and web conferences, detecting real-time customer service opportunities and preemptively offering solutions.
- Database, 5%
Manage database normalization, data archival and IT training/review for temporary personnel responsible for digital chart development and outsourced contracts.
- Technical Support, 5%
Mentor Technical Support Specialists via direct assistance, training opportunities, shadowing, and departmental documentation.
- Project Management, 4%
Provided project management expertise for high profile industries / companies while managing cross-functional business units.
- Lifecycle Management, 4%
Implemented process improvements as well as best practices PC lifecycle management, end-user support, training and print management.
- SR, 3%
Assisted Sr. Level Admin in the deployment and implementation of the new backup system from the old CA Tape backup system.
Common skills that a senior information technology specialist uses to do their job include "customer service," "database," and "technical support." You can find details on the most important senior information technology specialist responsibilities below.
Customer-service skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a senior information technology specialist to have is customer-service skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "computer support specialists must be patient and sympathetic." Senior information technology specialists often use customer-service skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "developed highly effective customer mq apis using c/c++ and java for lowe's home improvements, inc."
Listening skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling senior information technology specialist duties is listening skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "support workers must be able to understand the problems that their customers are describing and know when to ask questions to clarify the situation." According to a senior information technology specialist resume, here's how senior information technology specialists can utilize listening skills in their job responsibilities: "implemented business requests for avpn/mis/bvoip programs, and communicated to external systems lpp/dbor/efms/giom using http/xml and java. "
Speaking skills. This is an important skill for senior information technology specialists to perform their duties. For an example of how senior information technology specialist responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "support workers must describe the solutions to computer problems in a way that a nontechnical person can understand." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a senior information technology specialist: "presented reports and recommendations to management regarding new tools and technologies for improving customer service and efficiency. ".
Writing skills. senior information technology specialist responsibilities often require "writing skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "strong writing skills are useful for preparing instructions and email responses for employees and customers, as well as for real-time web chat interactions." This resume example shows what senior information technology specialists do with writing skills on a typical day: "possess strong writing skills for technical support documentation and best practice reference material. "
Problem-solving skills. A commonly-found skill in senior information technology specialist job descriptions, "problem-solving skills" is essential to what senior information technology specialists do. Senior information technology specialist responsibilities rely on this skill because "support workers must identify both simple and complex computer problems, analyze them, and solve them." You can also see how senior information technology specialist duties rely on problem-solving skills in this resume example: "designed and developed multiple proof-of-concept java/j2ee applications for us customs to demonstrate the viability of various identity management solution designs. "
The three companies that hire the most senior information technology specialists are:
- Honeywell9 senior information technology specialists jobs
- FedEx7 senior information technology specialists jobs
- McDermott International7 senior information technology specialists jobs
Choose from 10+ customizable senior information technology specialist resume templates
Build a professional senior information technology specialist resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your senior information technology specialist resume.
Compare different senior information technology specialists
Senior information technology specialist vs. Information engineer
An information engineer is responsible for monitoring the efficiency of computer systems and network infrastructure, performing configuration to boost the optimal performance of the technology systems. Information engineers assist end-users in resolving network issues, identifying the source of inconsistencies, and create resolution reports for reference to avoid reoccurrence. They also design new network systems according to business needs and client specifications, running multiple diagnostic tests to ensure effectiveness before the release of final deliverables. An information engineer should have excellent technical skills, as well as a strong command of programming languages and system codes.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a senior information technology specialist are more likely to require skills like "database," "project management," "sr," and "cycle management." On the other hand, a job as an information engineer requires skills like "troubleshoot," "azure," "data analysis," and "c++." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Information engineers really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $107,435. Comparatively, senior information technology specialists tend to make the most money in the energy industry with an average salary of $117,267.information engineers tend to reach similar levels of education than senior information technology specialists. In fact, information engineers are 1.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Senior information technology specialist vs. Information technology supervisor, information technology
An information technology supervisor of information technology is primarily in charge of overseeing a company's IT operations, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. It is their duty to spearhead projects, set goals and objectives, coordinate staff, manage budgets and timelines, perform installations and upgrades, and develop strategies to optimize operations. They must remain knowledgeable of the latest technologies, liaise with external parties, and produce progress reports. Furthermore, as a supervisor, it is essential to monitor the performance of the IT teams, all while enforcing the company's policies and regulations.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, senior information technology specialist responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "lifecycle management," "sr," "cycle management," and "java." Meanwhile, an information technology supervisor, information technology has duties that require skills in areas such as "troubleshoot," "azure," "performance reviews," and "printers." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
On average, information technology supervisors, information technology earn a higher salary than senior information technology specialists. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, information technology supervisors, information technology earn the most pay in the energy industry with an average salary of $116,415. Whereas senior information technology specialists have higher pay in the energy industry, with an average salary of $117,267.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Information technology supervisors, information technology tend to reach similar levels of education than senior information technology specialists. In fact, they're 2.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for senior information technology specialists in the next 3-5 years?
Babak Beheshti Ph.D.
Dean, Professor, New York Institute of Technology
-We will be witnessing a more widespread commercial deployment of 5G in 2020. With the implementation of the Standalone 5G devices based on the 3gpp release 16, we should be seeing the more robust mobile broadband deployment of 5G, wider availability of 5G smartphones, and a push towards an all 5G Network in select urban areas around the world.
-Significant growth in AI-based technologies, from face recognition and voice recognition to business intelligence and market predictions. As machines and deep learning algorithms get integrated into many applications, many industries will undergo substantial changes. AI systems will continue to interact with our phones; cars will interpret and analyze their surroundings and intelligently drive themselves. Online vendors will monitor our browsing habits, and Google decides what kind of search results to give us, based on who it thinks we are.
Senior information technology specialist vs. Technology services specialist
Technology Services Specialists are information technology (IT) personnel in a company. They assist internal employees and external clients on everything related to technology. They may specialize in a specific item, such as software, hardware, or network infrastructure. Technology services specialists advise users on the usage of different tools. They should be able to troubleshoot concerns and conduct repair and maintenance activities. They should also know how to address the needs of their clients. Technology Services Specialists may sometimes man helpdesk tickets and respond to these tickets accordingly.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, senior information technology specialists are more likely to have skills like "database," "lifecycle management," "sr," and "cycle management." But a technology services specialist is more likely to have skills like "technical service," "patients," "crm," and "preventative maintenance."
Technology services specialists earn the best pay in the manufacturing industry, where they command an average salary of $71,116. Senior information technology specialists earn the highest pay from the energy industry, with an average salary of $117,267.Most technology services specialists achieve a similar degree level compared to senior information technology specialists. For example, they're 4.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.5% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Senior information technology specialist vs. Senior support specialist
A senior support specialist is in charge of providing technical support to clients, ensuring efficiency and client satisfaction. They typically communicate with clients through calls or correspondence where they address issues and concerns, resolving them promptly and efficiently. They may also assist clients in troubleshooting, provide step by step instructions, or recommend solutions. Furthermore, as a senior support specialist, it is essential to lead and serve as a role model for other support specialists while enforcing the company's policies and regulations.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between senior information technology specialists and senior support specialists, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a senior information technology specialist might have more use for skills like "database," "project management," "lifecycle management," and "sr." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of senior support specialists require skills like "troubleshoot," "phone calls," "data entry," and "excellent organizational. "
The manufacturing industry tends to pay the highest salaries for senior support specialists, with average annual pay of $83,262. Comparatively, the highest senior information technology specialist annual salary comes from the energy industry.In general, senior support specialists hold similar degree levels compared to senior information technology specialists. Senior support specialists are 4.8% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.6% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of senior information technology specialist
Updated January 8, 2025
