Systems Administrator

Position Purpose:

The Systems Administrator assists with and supports the planning, design, installation, implementation, and maintenance of servers, endpoint devices, and services operated exclusively on behalf of external clients.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Configure, harden (STIG), operate, and maintain servers, desktops, and network systems to meet requirements defined in RMF ICD-703, NISPOM, NIST SP 800-171, NIST SP 800-53, and the DHS 4300 Sensitive Systems Handbook in support of assigned project(s).
•  Maintain Active Directory Domain Services, DNS, DHCP and WSUS services for assigned project(s).
•  Configure and maintain Windows Hyper-V and VMWare vSphere hosts, clusters, and virtual servers for assigned project(s).
• Configure and maintain Microsoft SQL Server Always On Availability Cluster.
• Maintain enterprise backup solutions to ensure reliable backup and restoration of project servers.
• Update all firmware and software of all project systems in an offline environment.
• Anticipate, mitigate, and communicate any potential impacts of changes to ensure service availability.
• Design, quote, build and develop test plan procedures for new IT infrastructure or systems implementations for assigned project(s).
• Document all changes and solutions to problems in a centralized knowledge base.
• Maintain system and user documentation per Authority to Operate (ATO) requirements.
• Serve as a Subject Matter Expert to explain technical issues to customers and users.
• Conduct NESSUS scans, create checklists, and apply vulnerability remediations.
•  Mange several custom applications, including patching and fixing with developer assistance if issues arise.

Required Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Experience configuring and maintaining IT systems required to meet RMF ICD-703, NIST SP 800-53, NIST SP 800-171, DHS 4300 Sensitive Systems Handbook, and NISPOM requirements.
•  In-depth knowledge of Windows Core Services (e.g., DNS, DHCP, AD DS, Kerberos, AD RMS/IRM, Hyper-V, PKI/Certificates, FTP, IIS, etc.).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to enable efficient and effective exchanges with users and customers, producing clear and accurate documentation.
• High attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.

Preferred:

• Experience administering IT systems in classified environments and supporting systems with both classified and unclassified designations. Familiarity with VMware NSX or other network virtualization technologies.
• Experience with automation scripting (PowerShell, Python, etc.) for system administration tasks.
• Knowledge of Zero Trust Architecture principles and implementation.
• Experience with patch management and vulnerability scanning in offline or air-gapped environments.
• Familiarity with cloud environments such as Azure Government or AWS GovCloud.
• Prior work supporting DoD, DHS, or Intelligence Community programs.

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field required. Four years of professional IT experience may be substituted in lieu of a degree.
• Minimum of six years of experience working in an IT-related role. If professional experience is substituted for education, a total of at least ten years of experience is required.

Certificates/Licenses:

•     Required to possess (or obtain within 90 days of hire) a current and valid SecurityX (formerly CASP ) certification to comply with DoD 8140 requirements for the Systems Administrator (Advanced) Work Role. The following certifications will also meet the requirement: CCNP Security, CCSP, FITSP-O, or GFACT.
•     Preference will be given to candidates with an active and valid certification.

Clearance:

• Must be willing and able to successfully complete a background investigation for a security clearance and counterintelligence (CI) polygraph examination.
•     Active TS/SCI security clearance preferred.

Working Conditions/Equipment:

• Primary work performed in an office environment; must be flexible to work nights and weekends as needed to meet deadlines.
• Must be able to safely lift and carry up to 50 lbs of IT equipment, including servers and rack-mounted hardware, as required.
• May occasionally be required to perform work in laboratory environments in accordance with established safety protocols.
• Ability to remain seated at a computer workstation for extended periods.

• The above job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position.  Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as assigned by their supervisor.