Position Details

Position Information

Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 24332

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Chris Huvaere

(406) 994-7729

chuvaere@montana.edu

Classification Title Program/Project Lead

Working Title Technology Systems Associate

Brief Position Overview

This position supports the Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and Montana State University technology transfer programs by providing technology systems expertise to technology licensing applications. The person in this position will establish requirements, develop, implement, and maintain technical solutions to technology transfer applications by coordinating with internal and external stakeholders. In addition, this position will help establish and support a secure computing environment in accordance with contractual obligations, industry best practices, and institutional requirements while also supporting an effective work environment.

Position Number 4C4066

Department Techlink

Division Office of Research and Economic Development

Appointment Type Professional

Contract Term Fiscal Year

Semester

If other, specify From date

If other, specify End date

FLSA Exempt

Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining

FTE 1.0

Benefits Eligible Eligible

Salary Salary range of $82,000 to $88,000 annually, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications.

Contract Type LOA

If other, please specify

Recruitment Type Open

Position Details

General Statement

TechLink is a nationally recognized technology transfer center at Montana State University ( MSU ), established in 1996. Since 1999, TechLink has served as the primary, nationally focused "partnership intermediary’ for the US Department of Defense (DoD), helping the DoD to develop productive technology partnerships with US industry, primarily small businesses. In 2019, TechLink began providing the same service to the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as its first-ever partnership intermediary.

Techlink is a not-for-profit organization, and its efforts are funded by the DoD and VA. Techlink’s primary focus is helping DoD and VA laboratories to transfer their inventions to US companies, primarily through intellectual property licensing. DoD labs generate over 500 patented inventions a year in all technology fields, including medicine, electronics, software, communications, advanced materials, and energy-related technologies. VA laboratories produce hundreds of medically focused inventions a year, intending to improve the lives of veterans and the broader civilian public.

Techlink currently brokers or facilitates approximately 85 percent of DoD’s annual license agreements with industry and the majority of VA’s license agreements. These license agreements enable companies to develop, manufacture, and sell new products and services using DoD and VA inventions. In addition, Techlink helps establish CRADAs between DoD and VA laboratories and companies for the joint development of innovative technology.

Altogether, Techlink has established over 1800 technology partnerships between federal laboratories and US industry. These partnerships involve over 100 different federal laboratories or organizations and have resulted in the transfer of well over 1000 inventions to US industry.

Techlink also manages the MSU Technology Transfer Office ( TTO ), and some TechLink employees engage in technology transfer for the University as well as Techlink’s federal sponsors.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Work closely with other TechLink staff to support technology transfer successes for the sponsoring agencies, particularly DoD and VA, focusing primarily on providing and supporting enabling technological solutions. Work with TechLink’s internal business and program support units as a technology liaison, assessing workflow and information needs that could be met with technological solutions.

• Assist in creating technology solutions to support TechLink’s technology transfer, business, and economic impact research goals. Help create sustainable, reliable, and secure infrastructure and business operations in pursuit of TechLink’s mission, supporting TechLink’s staff, contractors, and University and Federal partners. Perform maintenance and sustainment of technology solutions, to ensure a reliable and efficient operating environment for TechLink’s employees.

• Interface between TechLink’s users and university technology groups, including participating in technology working group communities applicable to TechLink’s needs. Act as an advocate for TechLink’s program needs within the MSU community and apply MSU and MUS best practices while developing solutions at TechLink.

• Assist in the procurement and licensing of technical products, acting as liaison between MSU Procurement, vendors, and departmental stakeholders and aligning with State of Montana, MUS , and MSU procurement requirements.

• Assist TechLink’s technology business unit in managing a diversified computing environment, ensuring all systems are managed in accordance with TechLink’s Technology Control Plan, University computing standards, as well as Federal and State requirements.

• Apply industry best practices for government-targeted service deployment using enterprise cloud solutions in both Microsoft Azure and AWS clouds. Plan and coordinate operational updates and upgrades of all services to minimize business impact.

• Maintain awareness of emerging technologies and systems, including SAAS , cloud, and hosted solutions.

• Assist TechLink in other ways to help it achieve its mission, consistent with your background and expertise, as requested by the Executive Director or Associate Directors.

  Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, information technology management, or other relevant science or engineering field, or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.

• At least two years professional experience supporting or creating IT solutions.

• Experience supporting a diverse technological environment, including Windows, Mac, and Linux based services and endpoints, as well as providing technical guidance to a varying community of technological backgrounds.

• Demonstrated experience assisting a broad spectrum of stakeholders, both technical and non-technical in evaluating technical solutions for feasibility for their problem.

• Demonstrated experience using MDM solutions to remotely manage endpoints, such as Jamf Pro for MacOS or Microsoft InTune for Windows.

• Demonstrated experience deploying web application solutions to a Microsoft Azure cloud environment.

• Demonstrated experience utilizing security tools such as Qualys or Microsoft Defender for Endpoint to identify and remediate system vulnerabilities.

• Experience with customer relations management software solutions, such as SuiteCRM, HubSpot CRM , or Microsoft Dynamics.

  Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Experience managing solutions built using Microsoft SharePoint.

• Experience creating applications or scripts in Python 3.

• Experience providing support to a geographically distributed team.

• Familiarity with university and state procurement complexities.

  The Successful Candidate Will

• Ability to deliver professional level services and support to TechLink staff, the MSU community, as well as TechLink’s federal sponsors and industry partners.

• Ability to find creative solutions to periodic problems to adapt and prosper when confronted with changing circumstances, and to maintain motivation and enthusiasm through adversity.

• Self-starter and ability to function with minimal supervision, including strong work ethic and effective time management.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to work in a team environment.

• Ability to maintain accurate records in customer relationship management ( CRM ) software and other organizational systems and databases.

  Position Special Requirements/Additional Information

• Successful candidate must be able to comply with the federally mandated requirements of US export control laws, which may require proof that candidate is a US person. Per 22 CFR §120.15, US person means a person who is a lawful permanent resident as defined by 8 USC 1101(a)(20) or who is a protected individual as defined by 8 USC 1324b(a)(3).

• Continuation of employment depends on funding availability.

• Qualified candidates must live in or be willing to relocate to the Bozeman area.

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Physical Demands

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

This position has supervisory duties? No

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies 1

Desired Start Date Upon completion of a successful search.

Position End Date (if temporary)

Open Date

Close Date

Applications will be:

Screening of applications will begin on May 6, 2024; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Special Instructions

Diversity Statement

Montana State University values diverse perspectives and is committed to continually supporting, promoting and building an inclusive and culturally diverse campus environment. MSU recognizes the importance of work-life integration and strives to be responsive to the needs of dual career couples.

In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.

MSU’s Non-Discrimination Policy and Discrimination Grievance Procedures can be located on the MSU Website: https://www.montana.edu/hr/recruitment/dualcareer.html