What are the responsibilities and job description for the System Administrator I position at Wake County Public School System?
Overview
POSITION TITLE (Oracle title)
SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATOR I
WORKING TITLE
Systems Administrator I
SCHOOL/DEPARTMENT
Technology Services
LOCATION
Crossroads II, Cary, NC
PAY GRADE
Technology Grade 22
FLSA STATUS
Nonexempt
ELIGIBILITY FOR EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT
No
WORK WEEK SCHEDULE
Monday-Friday (Occasional evening and weekends) Position is available for a hybrid telework workweek
POSITION PURPOSE:
Supports the infrastructure and server administration operations of the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS). Assists in the development, implementation, and maintenance of monitoring tools, configuration management, backup systems, and disaster recovery procedures. Contributes to the continuous improvement and optimization of the server infrastructure to ensure reliability, security, and performance across the district.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES (KSAs)
Extensive knowledge of Linux command-line tools, shell scripting, and file system structure
Comprehensive knowledge of backup and disaster recovery practices in Linux environments
Considerable knowledge of Microsoft Office, specifically Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; Google Apps;
Working knowledge of networking protocols (TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP) and troubleshooting
Working knowledge of SAN (Storage Area Network) and enterprise storage technologies (e.g., RAID, iSCSI, NAS)
Strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with instructional and technical staff both oral and written
Excellent organizational skills
Ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize responsibilities, and respond to system issues promptly
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both in oral and written form using a variety of communication techniques and tools to ensure the appropriate flow of information, collaborative efforts, and feedback;
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with school system staff, contractors, and vendors.
EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE
Associate’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field;
Three years of experience in system administration, specifically in Linux server environments (e.g., Ubuntu, Red Hat, CentOS)
Hands-on experience with Linux server administration (e.g., Ubuntu, CentOS, Red Hat)
Experience with user account management, file permissions, and system-level security on Linux platforms
Experience with server monitoring, patch management, and performance tuning
Experience managing storage allocation, performance tuning, and troubleshooting in multi-server environments
An equivalent combination of relevant education, training, and experience which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to successfully meet the essential duties may be considered.
CERTIFICATION AND LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
Must hold and maintain a valid motor vehicle operator’s license according to the State of NC requirements.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, or a related field;
Three years of experience in system administration, particularly in educational or public sector environments;
Experience with virtualization technologies (e.g., VMware, KVM, Proxmox, Hyper-V);
Familiarity with SAN/NAS storage systems and data lifecycle management;
Knowledge of automation and configuration tools (e.g., Ansible, Puppet, Bash scripting).
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Administers and maintains Linux-based servers and services, including user management, permissions, and system updates.
Monitors system performance and availability; troubleshoots and resolves hardware, software, and network-related issues.
Implements and maintains system backups, restore procedures, and disaster recovery plans.
Assists in the design, deployment, and documentation of new server configurations and system upgrades.
Maintains security protocols, including patch management, firewall configurations, and intrusion detection.
Collaborates with IT staff to support network infrastructure and ensures systems meet district-wide performance and security standards.
Monitors storage capacity and utilization; performs upgrades and reconfiguration, as needed.
Coordinates storage provisioning for servers, backup systems, and virtualized environments.
Responds to service requests and incidents submitted by staff and faculty, providing timely support and resolution.
Documents systems, procedures, and configurations in accordance with district IT policies.
Participates in after-hours maintenance windows and on-call support rotations, as needed.
Continuously evaluates system processes and suggests improvements for operational efficiency and reliability.
Performs other related duties, as assigned.
WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
This job operates in an office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, hand/power tools, etc. The position, at times, must be able to come into direct contact with school system staff, contractors, vendors and staff members of external agencies. Work is considered medium physical work, requiring the exertion of up to 50 pounds of force. The work requires the ability to operate automotive equipment.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 10/2025
DISCLAIMER: The above statements are intended to describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this position. They are not intended to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required by the employees assigned to this position. This description may be revised by HR and approved at any time.