Systems Administrator

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position Summary 
This position is responsible for maintaining the reliability, security, and performance of the company’s IT infrastructure. This includes administering Windows servers, virtual environments, and network systems such as switches, wireless access points, and firewalls. The role provides advanced technical support for complex issues, helps resolve system problems efficiently, and supports continuous improvement of IT services. This position also participates in a rotating on-call schedule to ensure critical systems remain available.

Essential Functions

• Windows Server Administration: Install, configure, harden, patch, and maintain Windows Server (AD DS, DNS, DHCP, Group Policy, file/print services, and server roles/features). Perform regular backup/restore tests and capacity planning.
• Virtualization (VMware ESXi): Manage ESXi hosts and clusters, vCenter, resource pools, templates, snapshots, VM provisioning, and lifecycle. Monitor performance, remediate host/VM issues, and maintain HA/DRS configuration.
• Cisco Network (Switches/APs/Firewalls): Configure and support Cisco switches (Layer 2/Layer 3), wireless access points/controllers, and firewalls including VLANs, STP, trunking, routing, ACLs, NAT, VPN, QoS, and segmentation. Collaborate on network designs that prioritize resilience, security, and scalability.
• Layer 3 Support: Act as an escalation point for complex incidents and service requests across servers, virtualization, and network domains. Lead troubleshooting, perform root cause analysis, and recommend corrective/preventive actions.
• Monitoring & Alerting: Maintain and tune system and network monitoring, logs, and alerting. Proactively identify performance bottlenecks, capacity constraints, and security anomalies.
• Security & Compliance: Implement and maintain security baselines, patch management, endpoint protection, firewall policies, identity and access controls, and least privilege standards. Assist with audit readiness and documentation.
• Backup/DR/BCP: Administer backup jobs, conduct periodic recovery drills, and support disaster recovery/BCP activities for on prem workloads and critical applications.
• Change Management: Prepare implementation plans, risk assessments, and rollback procedures. Coordinate maintenance windows and communicate planned downtime to stakeholders.
• Documentation: Create and maintain accurate configuration records, network/server diagrams, inventory, runbooks, standard operating procedures, and access credentials management.
• Vendor & MSP Coordination: Work with vendors and managed service providers to troubleshoot issues, schedule upgrades, and evaluate solutions.
• Continuous Improvement: Identify opportunities to simplify, automate, and standardize infrastructure operations; contribute to technology roadmaps and lifecycle refresh plans.
• Maintain highest level of confidentiality with company information at all times.

Competencies

1. Technical Expertise
2. Problem Solving/Analysis
3. Security Mindset
4. Detail Oriented
5. Communication Proficiency
6. Initiative

Supervisory Responsibility
This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities. 

Work Environment
This job operates in a professional office and data-center environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment and technology.

Physical Demands
The physical demands for this position are mainly sedentary. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear, and frequently sit, stand, and walk. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Occasional work in server rooms and network closets may require bending, kneeling, and ladder use. 

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
This is a full-time, onsite role located in Milbank, SD. Regular work hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with additional responsibility for rotating on-call coverage that may include evenings and weekends.

Travel
Occasional overnight travel may be necessary for training and development.

Required Education, Experience & Certifications
Associate's degree in computer/network security, information technology or related field and/or equivalent experience. 3 years of system administration in production environments. 

Preferred Education, Experience & Certifications. 
 Bachelor’s degree in related field. 5 years in infrastructure/system administration. Relevant industry certifications (Cisco, Windows, VMware, etc.) Bilingual in English/Spanish.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications
None.

Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of responsibilities, duties or tasks that are required of the employee for this job. Responsibilities, duties and tasks may change at any time with or without notice.