Senior Systems Administrator

Job Summary:   The Senior Systems Administrator is responsible for proactively providing high-level leadership, support and solutions in a complex distributed Windows Server and Active Directory environment. 
 
Main Responsibilities:
 
Windows Administration:  Spends at least 75% time administering, monitoring, maintaining and benchmarking the enterprise-wide Windows Server environment, which includes Active Directory, Exchange, SQL, SCOM, VMWare and EMC Clariion. 

• Researches and recommends industry best practices in organizing and managing Active Directory structure including trees, domains, OUs, and security and distribution groups.
• Manages the Exchange 2007 environment, including Blackberry Enterprise Services, OWA, PowerShell, database, and account management.
• Develops custom scripts using various scripting engines (VBScript, PowerShell, WMI, etc.) to automate and facilitate system administration functions and end user solutions.
• Engineers custom images for desktop, laptop and servers using Dell Image Direct and other Ghosting tools.
• Provides advance systems administration, operational support and problem resolution for large, complex Windows server environment including Active Directory, Exchange, SQL and SCOM.
• Evaluates new technology.​ Assists with the planning and design of future systems architecture, to allow rapid scaling to meet demand.​
• Conducts routine hardware and software audits of Wintel servers for compliance with established standards, policies, procedures and configuration guidelines.
• Performs level three problem diagnosis, resolution and root cause analysis on all aspects of the Windows Server environment in accordance with SLA’s.
• Participates in an on-call rotation and performs routine and emergency maintenance.

Project Management:  Spends at least 25% of his or her time performing project management activities such as planning, sizing, configuration, and scheduling.

• Works closely with IT units for all server and storage related projects and provides critical thinking with a holistic approach to server and storage administration and its impact on the entire infrastructure.
• Develops and articulates solutions based on business or technical requirements ascertained from working with multiple business units across the organization.

Third Party Tools:  Reviews and recommends solutions that will improve processes and systems.

• Analyzes new and existing vendor software and hardware; provides installation, maintenance and customization of vendor software and hardware as required.
• Designs detailed configurations of operating systems and layered products including device management and user environment management. May include system installations and upgrades, operating system and layered product installation and upgrades, patch analysis, installation and management.
• Adheres to firm Change Management, Problem Management policies and familiarity with ITIL.

Key Relationships:
Internal: Frequent interaction with employees, site techs and other staff. Individual will work closely with other unit teams to support the architecture and operational practices of the enterprise.
External: Works with other members of the IT department along with Vendors to identify solutions, negotiate contracts, SOWs, and maintenance renewals.
 
Key Behavioral Competencies:

• Demonstrates a drive, commitment and sense of urgency that inspires others to achieve results.
• Demonstrates persistence in overcoming and removing obstacles that impact goal achievement.
• Consistently delivers on agreed goals and tasks and can be relied upon to meet or exceed expectations.
• Identifies, analyzes and discusses decision making alternatives with multiple stakeholders.
• Evaluates passed decisions for insight and improved decision making process.
• Project plans are based around logical models, with contingency plans developed.
• Consistently seeks out new and challenging projects/assignments to enhance/develop new skills for self and/or his/her team.
• Resolves requests and complaints in a timely manner, demonstrating a high level of commitment to meeting requirements within policy and compliance guidelines.
• Builds networks within Edison and knows which relationship to leverage to achieve objectives.
• Seeks opportunities to share information for the benefit of others; seeks the input of others to encourage participation, both within and outside the group.
• Identifies opportunities to bring others together to share information; ensures people are supporting each other appropriately; encourages exchange of ideas.
• Develops compelling business case for change initiative and sells it to key stakeholders.
• Critically evaluates risk associated with various courses of action and makes calculated decisions, with contingency plans to mitigate risk.

Background:

• Candidates will possess a minimum of 5 to 7 years in a Wintel system administration capacity in a production environment with Microsoft Windows 2000/2003, including Active Directory, Exchange, SQL and VMWare.
• Support experience should include in-depth use of VISIO, DHCP, WINS, DNS, DFS, VMWARE ESX 3.0/3.5, NETBACKUP, WSUS, SAV, SMS, SCOM, SMTP, IMAP4, POP3, OWA, LCS, LAN/WAN EMC SAN and PowerPath.  
• Strong working knowledge of IBM and Dell servers and blade technology.
• Strong working knowledge of Lenovo Thinkpad and Dell Latitude.
• Available to provide support in a 24x7 production environment.
• Self-motivated team player, able to set priorities and manage to deadlines.
• Bachelor of Science in Computer Science or related degree preferred.
• Current MCSE and/or MCITP required.