Windows Systems Administrator

ECS is seeking a Windows Systems Administrator to work at Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. 

The National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) is part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). NDBC is responsible for a global network of buoys that provide data used for real-time weather observations, forecasting, climate prediction, and tsunami warnings.

This position is a Windows System Administrator responsible for the Windows servers and desktops/laptops that support NDBC. The Windows infrastructure supports domain authentication, office automation, functional applications, data backup, and a range of other capabilities. While some telework is authorized on a case-by-case basis, regular in-office presence is required, including the ability to come into the office outside of business hours in the event of an issue requiring hands-on resolution.

The position responsibilities include but not limited to:

• Participate in a rotation to provide 24x7x365 on-call support for the primary IT mission essential data processing, applications, and functions to support the continuity of operations of the NDBC information system.
• Support IT architecture improvements to ensure continuity of operations for primary mission essential functions and the flow of data.
• Support the annual NDBC IT Assessment and Authorization (A&A) audits and actively execute to completion and closure any associated findings to ensure NDBC maintains its Authority to Operate (ATO).
• Support the migration of local Windows systems to a cloud environment.
• Maintain all Windows servers and clients located on premises and, in the future, in an Azure cloud environment.
• Follow system administration best practices.
• Scan, patch, and configure systems in compliance with NOAA security and Security Technical Implementation Guide (STIG) requirements.
• Upgrade operating systems in advance of end-of-support dates.
• Deploy software application updates for both COTS as well as internal applications.
• Plan and implement migration of local systems to a cloud environment, where possible, in a cost-effective manner.
• Ensure reliable system and data backups.
• Manage/maintain server certificates.
• Maintain Azure subscriptions.
• Communicate upcoming maintenance efforts.
• Implement strategies to automate routine administration tasks.
• Support the IT Help Desk through knowledge-sharing and assisting in resolution of challenging technical issues.
• Monitor data center environmental equipment.
• Follow system administration best practices.
• Scan, patch, and configure systems in compliance with NOAA security and Security Technical Implementation Guide (STIG) requirements.
• Upgrade operating systems in advance of end-of-support dates.
• Deploy software application updates for both COTS as well as internal applications.
• Plan and implement migration of local systems to a cloud environment, where possible, in a cost-effective manner.
• Ensure reliable system and data backups.
• Manage/maintain server certificates.
• Maintain Azure subscriptions.

Qualifications

• Bachelors of Computer Science, Information Systems, or equivalent. Experience may be considered as an equivalent.
• Experience in the installation/configuration, operation, and maintenance of Windows Servers, Active Directory, Group Policy, hardware, software and related IT infrastructure.
• Experience with administration of Microsoft Azure environments is desirable.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience supporting applications, vulnerability scanning and patching, security requirements and postures.
• Experience implementing STIG requirements and documenting exceptions is preferred.
• Experience applying OS patches and upgrades on a regular basis; configuring, adding, and removing services as necessary.
• Experience with ongoing performance tuning, hardware upgrades, and resource optimization as required.
• Experience implementing automation to streamline recurring system administration tasks is highly preferred, experience with scripting languages.
• Experience implementing Windows images, streamlining the deployment process.
• Able to work autonomously and take initiative in identifying areas for improvements and proposing solutions.
• Experience with the following is desired: SharePoint, Hyper-V, Rubrik, Tenable, Trellix.
• Experience with Linux is considered a plus.