Directory Services Support Specialist - Remote Eligible

Directory Services Support Specialist

The University of Southern California (USC) is advancing its cybersecurity posture with a renewed focus on resilience, cyber risk management, and threat-informed defense. As a world-class research institution, USC is building a culture of security that supports its academic and research mission in a rapidly evolving threat landscape. This role sits within a newly restructured cybersecurity organization that's leading this transformation. You'll join a team focused on scalable, proactive defense strategies, incident preparedness, and operational excellence—working alongside experts who are deeply committed to service, innovation, and impact. If you're driven by purpose, thrive in complexity, and want to help shape the future of cybersecurity at a leading university, we invite you to bring your leadership to the table.

As the Directory Services Support Specialist, you will be an integral member of the cybersecurity department while also collaborating with stakeholders across the university ecosystem, and reporting to the Manager, IGA and Directory Services. This is a full-time non-exempt position, eligible for all of USC's fantastic Benefits + Perks. This opportunity is remote.

The Directory Services Support Specialist is responsible for managing, maintaining, and optimizing the university's directory infrastructure (e.g., Directory Services, Kerberos, and related authentication services). Ensures the stability, security, and scalability of directory services, enabling seamless integration with identity management systems and supporting the university's operational and cybersecurity objectives.

The Directory Services Support Specialist will:

• Monitors, maintains, and troubleshoots Directory Services and Kerberos environments to ensure high availability and performance.
• Manages directory synchronization and federation between on-premise and cloud environments. Configures and enforces secure authentication protocols for directory services.
• Implements and maintains Group Policy Objects (GPOs) to support security and operational requirements. Provides technical support for directory-related incidents; resolves issues in a timely and efficient manner.
• Collaborates with IT and cybersecurity teams to integrate directory services with other IAM components (e.g., SSO and MFA).
• Performs regular audits of directory services to ensure compliance with regulatory standards and best practices.
• Supports and manages the onboarding of new applications and systems requiring directory integration.
• Develops and maintains documentation for directory services processes, configurations, and troubleshooting guides. Maintains professional currency, staying updated on advancements in directory technologies. Recommends improvements to enhance security and efficiency.
• Encourages a workplace culture where all employees are valued, value others and have the opportunity to contribute through their ideas, words and actions, in accordance with the USC Code of Ethics.

Great candidates for the position of Directory Services Support Specialist will meet the following qualifications:

• 2 years of experience in Identity and Access Management.
• A bachelor's degree or combined experience and education as substitute for minimum education.
• Proven experience working with directory services.
• Knowledge of directory architecture, group policies, and access control management.
• Proficiency in troubleshooting directory service issues and performing routine system maintenance.
• Demonstrated basic understanding of integrating directory services with IAM solutions and enterprise applications.
• Strong analytical and documentation skills to ensure accurate system configurations.
• Effective communication skills for working with IT teams and end-users.

Exceptional candidates for the position of Directory Services Support Specialist will also bring the following qualifications or more:

• Relevant certifications (e.g., Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate).
• In addition, the successful candidate must also demonstrate, through ideas, words and actions, a strong commitment to USC's Unifying Values of integrity, excellence, community, well-being, open communication, and accountability.

The annual base salary range for this position is $47.77 to $54.17. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer alignment, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations. To support the well-being of our faculty and staff, USC provides benefits-eligible employees with a broad range of perks to help protect their and their dependents' health, wealth, and future. These benefits are available as part of the overall compensation and total rewards package. You can learn more about USC's comprehensive benefits here.

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying. We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email at uschr@usc.edu. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.