Lead IT Systems Administrator

Company Overview: 211 LA is a dynamic, forward-thinking organization committed to fostering a culture of innovation, inclusivity, and professional growth. As a leader in Information and Referral Services, we take pride in providing our employees with a supportive, collaborative environment where they can thrive and contribute to our organization's success.

Position: Lead IT Systems Administrator

Reports To: Director of Digital Systems

Department: IT

Location: Los Angeles, CA (must be based in the Los Angeles area to supplement on-site work as needed)

Role Summary: 211 LA is seeking a mid- to senior-level IT Systems Administrator Lead with extensive hands-on IT experience to safeguard critical systems, lead technical innovation, and help shape the organization’s overall IT strategy. Unlike a standard admin role, this lead position will drive breakthrough innovations, spearhead complex assignments, and be accountable for tangible outcomes, all while directly supporting 211 LA’s mission of connecting Los Angeles County residents to vital social services and disaster support. The ideal candidate thrives on blending deep technical expertise with on-the-ground presence in LA, crafting practical solutions for the information and referral industry.

Objectives of this Role:

• Lead the maintenance and evolution of essential IT infrastructure, including operating systems, security tools, servers, email systems, end-user devices, and software/hardware critical to 211 LA’s call center and data operations.
• Own and drive IT projects that align with broader business initiatives, ensuring 211 LA remains operationally resilient during public health emergencies, natural disasters, and high-volume crisis periods.
• Manage business-critical IT tasks to provide 211 LA with a competitive advantage in service delivery, donor management, and community partner integrations.
• Enhance business processes through innovation, automation, and analytics that yield meaningful insights for leadership.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners (e.g., county agencies, vendors, disaster response entities), communicating project status, activities, and achievements clearly across all levels.

Responsibilities:

General Systems Administration:

• Perform advanced server administration (user/group management, security permissions, group policies) while mentoring junior staff on best practices.
• Proactively monitor system health, investigate event-log warnings/errors, and ensure seamless integration of all system architecture components.

AWS System Operations:

• Manage and operate AWS infrastructure (EC2, networking, storage, databases) with a focus on redundancy for 211 LA’s 24/7 operations.
• Implement and audit security measures for AWS resources, configure/maintain security groups using AWS IAM, and ensure compliance with 211 LA’s data protection standards.
• Automate operational tasks and deployments using AWS CloudFormation and Systems Manager.
• Design, document, and test backup and disaster recovery strategies for AWS environments, ensuring rapid restoration during emergencies.

AWS Development Operations:

• Define automated monitoring, deployment, and repair strategies using modern Ops tools.
• Build and maintain tools for deployment, monitoring, and operations, reducing manual toil.
• Assist with CI/CD processes, mentor internal teams on DevOps culture, and ensure adherence to best practices.
• Manage infrastructure performance and application deployments to support 211 LA’s evolving needs.

Linux Administration:

• Utilize essential command-line tools for file, directory, and process management.
• Perform Linux administration, including basic firewall and SELinux configuration.
• Implement/manage users, groups, security, and essential container management.

Database Administration:

• Build and maintain high-availability database systems aligned with the roles of 211 LA staff and partners.
• Design and implement databases, define user access, and enable secure data distribution.
• Implement high-speed transaction recovery techniques, back up data, and tune parameters for fast query responses.
• Monitor database performance, run tests/evaluations, and ensure data security and integrity (especially for sensitive caller data).

Application Services Administration:

• Maintain a secure IT environment for all software applications used by 211 LA (e.g., CRM, call center platform, resource database).
• Facilitate application security administration, manage update processes, and proactively notify users of potential service interruptions.

Information Systems Security Administration:

• Monitor networks for security breaches, investigate incidents, and deploy security software for protection.
• Regularly check for vulnerabilities across computer and network systems, prioritizing patches for LA-based on-site infrastructure.

Programming/Scripting:

• Write and maintain programs/scripts in languages such as Python, and Bash to automate tasks and integrate systems.
• Update and expand existing programs, test for errors, and fix faulty code.
• Create, modify, and test code or scripts for software development and systems integration.

HIPAA & Data Privacy Administration:

• Lead efforts for HIPAA compliance in securing, backing up, and protecting personal and health-related information within 211 LA’s database. Ensure all systems adhere to LA County data privacy expectations.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Proven success in an IT role, with at least 5–7 years of hands-on systems administration experience (mid-to-senior level).
• Must live in the Los Angeles area and be able to come on-site as needed to support physical infrastructure, hardware deployment, and emergency response.
• Deep experience with:
  • Programming/scripting languages (Python, Bash)
  • Operating systems (Windows, Linux)
  • Enterprise backup and recovery, systems monitoring tools, and Active Directory
  • Virtualization, HTTP traffic, content delivery, and caching
  • AWS cloud computing (EC2, IAM, CloudFormation, Systems Manager)
• Project management, application design, and integration expertise.
• Proven ability to analyze and repair large-scale distributed systems, create volumes, assign to servers, and perform remote replication.
• Strong understanding of HIPAA requirements as they apply to system administration.

Preferred Skills & Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or equivalent experience.
• Advanced knowledge of Linux systems administration (RedHat certified a plus).
• Professional certifications (AWS Solutions Architect, AWS SysOps Administrator, RedHat Certified System Administrator, CompTIA Security ).
• Prior experience working with a nonprofit, social services, or call center environment.

Why Join 211 LA? You’re not just managing servers, you’re enabling a lifeline for millions of Angelenos. As the IT Systems Administrator Lead, your work will directly support disaster response, housing resources, mental health referrals, and more. This is a hands-on, high-impact leadership role for someone who wants to blend technical depth with community mission.

Compensation: $75,000 - $95,000 annually

Physical Demands & Working Conditions: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Ability to lift up to 20 pounds. (for on-site hardware setup and maintenance).
• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits
• Retirement savings plan
• Professional development opportunities
• Flexible work arrangements
• Employee assistance program

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

211 LA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Salary : $75,000 - $95,000