Senior System Administrator

Employment: Fulltime, hybrid

Position Overview: The Senior System Administrator is responsible for managing and overseeing the customer’s IT systems and infrastructure. This role involves configuring, maintaining, and troubleshooting server environments, ensuring system performance, and implementing security measures. The Senior System Administrator will also provide comprehensive Tier 2 and 3 operational IT support, ensuring the seamless operation and maintenance of desktop, laptop, and server systems. The role includes account provisioning, system security, lifecycle management, and user support across multiple operating systems and platforms. The Senior System Administrator will provide after-hours support on a rotating basis and or when needed. 

Key Responsibilities: 

1. Desktop, Laptop, and Server Support: 

• Provide complete Tier 2 and 3 operational IT support to all PMEL users. 

• Assist with desktop and laptop computer administration and life-cycle management. 

• Install, configure, and maintain microcomputer and LAN equipment. 

• Manage and optimize desktop systems, including installation of adapters, devices, peripherals, scanners, sound, video, printers, and other peripherals. 

• Perform scheduled preventative maintenance on workstations, printers, and other peripherals to ensure maximum operability and uptime. 

• Diagnose and correct problems with desktop and laptop computers, performing hardware diagnostics and necessary repairs. 

2. Account Management: 

• Provide account provisioning for onboarding personnel, maintain user accounts, and disable or remove accounts for departing personnel. 

• Provision and maintain LDAP accounts, including email lists in coordination with CNSD computer specialists and government directives. 

3. Systems Security and Procedures: 

• Follow government guidelines to ensure systems security and develop procedures for the use and maintenance of desktop and laptop computers, servers, peripherals, and software. 

• Troubleshoot and resolve CAC authentication and network access issues. 

4. Software and Backup Support: 

• Provide support for the installation, configuration, and maintenance of approved software packages. 

• Assist with software problem resolution, interfacing with software vendors as needed. 

• Support a backup system, ensuring all systems are backed up according to the latest policies, and assist users with file recovery. 

• Current backup software includes Symantec Backup Exec. 

5. Operational Support and Maintenance: 

• Assist with the development of implementation plans for new solutions. 

• Process retired systems for PMEL Excess, including erasing or removing disk drives and optical media, and securing a pool of devices designated for excess. 

• Maintain a Standard Operational Procedures catalog, including installation and configuration procedures, passwords, backup procedures, and contact information. 

6. User Support: 

• Field user questions and provide software assistance. 

• Maintain pools of laptops for short-term loan and manage a disk image network repository for foreign travel systems. 

• Support approximately 175 Windows users (PC & Mac) and 20 Linux users, primarily located at the Western Region Campus (WRC) in Seattle, WA, with some at the Newport, Oregon site and teleworking locations. 

7. Documentation and Inventory Management: 

• Maintain a repository for software program masters, operational firmware, documentation, and developmental system software. 

1. Maintain accurate documentation of system configurations, procedures, and changes. 

• Develop and maintain a catalog listing of each program by version, revision level, and other relevant information. 

8. Training: Mentor and provide guidance to junior IT staff. Assist in training end-users on new systems and software. 

Qualifications: 

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field, or equivalent experience. 

• Experience: 5+ years of experience in system administration, including experience with both Windows and Linux environments. 

• Proficiency in Windows 10 & 11; Windows Server 2016, 2019 & 2022; Mac OSX 10-14; Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 & 8; CentOS 7 & 8. 

• Skills: Proficiency in managing and troubleshooting server hardware, operating systems, and network configurations. Strong understanding of security practices and backup solutions. 

• Certifications: Relevant certifications (e.g., CompTIA Server+, Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate, Red Hat Certified Engineer) are preferred. 

• Soft Skills: Excellent problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently or as part of a team. 

Required Skills: 

• Strong hardware and software troubleshooting skills. 

• Experience with Symantec Backup Exec or similar backup software. 

• Knowledge of government IT security guidelines and procedures. 

• Ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment. 

• Experience in lifecycle management and operational support of IT systems. 
• The ability to obtain a security clearance 

Certifications: Relevant certifications (e.g., CompTIA Server+, Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate, Red Hat Certified Engineer) are preferred. 

Work Environment: Office setting

May require occasional after-hours work or on-call support. 
Salary: $75,000-$80,000