Tier I System Administrator

About the role

Provide Operations and Maintenance (O&M) support for an Azure on-premise environment in a hybrid support model (split between Government site and contractor facility) located in the Hampton Roads area.

Responsibilities

• Provide services for Windows-based IT systems, perform assigned O&M tasks, report task progress, provide feedback, and ensure tasks are completed on time.
• Perform continuous event monitoring and alert handling as the first line of defense (monitor dashboards, ticket queues, etc.).
• Perform initial triage and correlation: validate dashboard alerts, check known issues, determine scope/impact, assign priority/severity, and create/update tickets.
• Perform basic troubleshooting using runbooks: basic connectivity checks, simple configuration validation, service or device reboots when authorized.
• Provide communication and coordination: inform stakeholders in accordance with the notification matrix, engage OEM vendors at a basic level when authorized, and keep status updated in the ticket.
• Escalate issues that exceed runbook scope or time thresholds to Tier 2/3 with clear notes and diagnostic data.
• Develop and submit change requests as necessary.
• Produce capacity and performance reports, monitor and optimize IT system platform performance.
• Provide input on system O&M task documentation (e.g., security patching/system updates, planning and performing upgrades, troubleshooting, maintaining the security posture of IT systems).
• Provide written and verbal project updates to leadership, respond to, resolve, and document customer issues using the approved ticketing system.
• Provide input on sustainment of O&M processes and procedures (e.g., Standard Operating Procedures) for server platforms.
• Provide input on disaster recovery, business continuity, and failover/cutover procedures.
• Provide input on support tools and documentation.

Requirements

• 3 years of overall IT experience.
• 1+ years providing operations and administration support of Windows-based IT systems and services.
• Knowledge and experience with PowerShell.
• Knowledge and experience with DoD Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs).
• Knowledge and experience with virtualization technology (Microsoft Hyper-V preferred).
• Knowledge and experience with Microsoft administration tools (e.g., Windows Admin Center, Azure Arc).
• Strong communication skills capable of conveying technical concepts to senior system administrators.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Data Science, Information Systems, Information Technology, or Software Engineering from an accredited university.
• Active Secret Clearance.
• One or more of the following certifications (required upon hire):
  • GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC)
  • Security+
  • Global Industrial Cyber Security Professional (GICSP)
  • Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP)
  • Cloud+
  • SecurityX / CASP+ (SecurityX replaced CASP+)
  • Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Security
  • Federal IT Security Professional-Operator (FITSP-O)
  • GIAC Foundational Cybersecurity Technologies (GFACT)
  • Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals (required within 90 days of hire).
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Admin Associate (desired within six months of hire).

Pay

The anticipated salary range for this role is $95,000 to $125,000 annually. The final starting salary will be determined based on qualifications, skills, relevant experience, education, certifications, work location, internal equity, and market considerations.