IT Systems Administrator 2 at Holt Texas

Job Summary: The IT Systems Administrator II is responsible for effective provisioning, installation/configuration, operation, and maintenance of systems hardware and software and related infrastructure. Participates in technical research and development to enable continuing innovation within the infrastructure. Ensures that system hardware, operating systems, software systems, and related procedures adhere to organizational standards. The primary areas of responsibilities include email systems, directory services, server operating systems, virtualization platforms, storage platforms, data center design and operations, systems alerting, monitoring and response, information lifecycle management, high availability, and backup and recovery. This role also serves as a backup for the network and security teams, as required. 

What can HOLT Group offer you?  

• A competitive salary, commensurate with your experience and competencies.
• A comprehensive and robust benefits program that includes complete health care, 401(k) matching & Profit-Sharing plan (ROTH and traditional), paid holidays, and a front-loaded PTO program.
• A Tuition Reimbursement program to support the pursuit of accredited college courses.
• An employee development program with professional development staff that allows you to grow your skills and build your competencies to prepare you for future opportunities at HOLT. 

Essential Functions:

• Models, promotes, reinforces, and rewards the consistent use of HOLT’s Values Based Leadership (VBL) tools, models, and processes to ensure alignment with our Vision, Values, and Mission.
• Provides support for a hybrid Microsoft Exchange environment, inclusive of the Office 365 suite, ensuring seamless communication and collaboration across the organization.
• Collaborates on administering services like the Microsoft Infrastructure Suite within a hybrid environment, managing critical services such as Active Directory/Entra ID, Group Policies, DNS, and DHCP.
• Assists in designing, deploying, and managing public cloud (Azure) infrastructure solutions alongside private cloud VMware vCenter/ESXi, encompassing virtual machines, storage, and networking, aligned with business requirements and industry best practices.
• Implements and manages Azure public cloud services, including App Service, Azure SQL Database, network security groups, and virtual networks.
• Performs troubleshooting tasks and resolves on-prem. physical server, private and public cloud (Azure) infrastructure issues, working closely with internal teams and external support to resolve issues and conduct root cause analysis.
• Collaborates with cross-functional teams to design and implement on-premises as well as public cloud-based solutions that meet business objectives.
• Utilizes automation and scripting tools such as Microsoft GRAPH and PowerShell for routine tasks.
• Maintains, tests, and enhances disaster recovery (DR) and backup infrastructure.
• Designs and implements monitoring, configuration management and reporting functions that will facilitate a hands-off environment.
• Collaborates with other internal or external support groups and/or development groups on the resolution of incidents within defined SLA’s.
• Ensures SLA compliance by efficiently handling proactive and reactive end-user requests through the internal enterprise support portal.
• Performs system-level performance tuning and capacity planning.
• Works with security team to ensure all systems stay up-to-date with patches and updates.
• Engages in continuous learning of new technologies and practices.
• Works safely at all times and adheres to all applicable safety policies; complies with all company policies, procedures, and standards.
• Performs other duties as assigned                  

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Effective Communications

• Eager and proactive communicator with the ability to present complex concepts into simplified solutions in a straightforward and understandable
  manner to multiple stakeholders in various mediums (verbal, written and presentation).
• Experience in building strong customer relationships; working with and advising partners.
• Self-motivated, ability to develop successful relationships with and influence stakeholders; Ability to monitor and communicate key issues to senior leadership.
  

Collaborative Attitude

• Exceptional organizational, self-management, time management, and multi-tasking skills. Strong consultative skills at cross-functional level.
• Ability to convey and explain recommendations and decisions to all relevant stakeholder groups, collect their feedback, reconcile the arising discrepancies, and negotiate to reach mutual agreement among all groups.
• Collaborate with colleagues to identify, troubleshoot, recommend, and implement solutions for issues collectively.
• Demonstrates a practical sense and ability to implement in a dynamic, diverse, collaborative team environment with changing and fluid needs.
  

Technical Skills

• Knowledge of private and public cloud/virtualization technologies and capabilities to ideally include VMWare and Azure as well as storage solutions (NAS/SAN and public cloud storage).
• Proficient in managing Microsoft core infrastructure suite, including Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, group policy, and ADFS.
• Hand-on experience in managing hybrid Microsoft 365 environments.
• Practical experience with scripting tools such as PowerShell and Microsoft Graph for automating daily operations.
• Knowledge of monitoring and logging, log retention, performance monitoring, and auditing.
• Knowledge of anti-spam management procedures and software (Proofpoint, SPF, DKIM, DMARC)
• Familiarity with hybrid cloud architectures and technologies.
• Good understanding of physical and virtual networking concepts and technologies.
• Analytical problem-solving skills for diagnosing and resolving complex performance and configuration issues.
• Knowledge of enterprise backup, patching, and disaster recovery software and procedures.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.

Self-Management:

• Ability to work in a fast-paced, changing environment and prioritize work tasks.
• Has the ability to excel in a team environment, which emphasizes total cooperation, consistent communication, and mutual respect.
• Self-motivated to stay current on technology advancements and innovation Interest in stretching his/her technical acumen into networking, service desk, cloud, enterprise architecture, etc. and implement new technologies.
• Ability to manage in ambiguity or without direct oversight.

Analytical Skills:

• Ability to diagnose and determine corrective actions to be taken on complex technical issues.
• Ability to think logically while interpreting and analyzing problems assigned or encountered.
• Ability to review and spot issues within metrics and data when assessing system performance, taking necessary action as needed.
• Proven expertise in discovery, internal customer research and insights, design thinking or other discovery approaches, and business case development.

Organization Skills:

• Ability to manage multiple projects and shifting priorities inside a collective group and follows through on projects and meet timelines; Identifies tools/technologies optimal to managing important tasks.
• Synthesizes information gathered from multiple sources, assisting in the identification of symptoms and root causes.
• Assists in the creation and maintenance of documentation and standard operating procedures (SOPs) related to the usage of software products and solutions and recommends changes to improve the process.
• Attends and participates in IT Change Control & Prioritization meetings and helps in the discovery and estimating of impact of change on end user communities.
• Provide systems support including responding to monitoring alerts
• Showcase (demonstrate) work deliverables to both internal and external stakeholders.
• Design and develop workflow and functional diagrams to demonstrate proposed solutions to clients and internal teams, including spreadsheets, diagrams, and process maps.
  
  

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technologies, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience as a Systems Administrator
• Experience in supporting hybrid environments combining on-premises and cloud infrastructure.
• Experience working with suppliers conducting vendor evaluations, product proofs of concepts, pilots, and enterprise implementations preferred.
• Preferred Certifications or obtained within 12 months of hire:
  • Professional certifications in relevant IT technologies (e.g., CompTIA Network+, Microsoft Windows Server, Microsoft 365 suite, Azure Administrator Associate).

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None.

Travel:

• Up to 10%, including overnight stays, may include conferences.

Physical Requirements:

• This role frequently communicates with others, must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
  This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and conference room AV/video equipment.

Work Environment:

• Works primarily in a professional office environment.
• Frequently works at fast pace with unscheduled interruptions.

Disclaimer:

Please note that the above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not to be interpreted as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of the incumbents so classified. All incumbents may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities, as needed.

#LI-NV1