Datacenter Administrator

Schurz Communications • Ann Arbor, MI

14h

About The Position

The Data Center Administrator supports, maintains, troubleshoots, and optimizes OTAVA’s data center infrastructure and operations. The role provides hands-on technical support across server, network, power, cabling, and physical infrastructure, working with clients and internal teams to maintain reliable, secure, and highly available environments.

The position includes daily operational monitoring, facility walkthroughs, smart-hands support, hardware installation and maintenance, incident response, client deployments, equipment decommissioning, and accurate operational documentation. The administrator collaborates across technical teams and delivers customer service to enterprise clients. Scheduled maintenance and on-call or after-hours support may be required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Hands-on experience installing, troubleshooting, maintaining, and decommissioning server and network hardware.
• Experience with rack-and-stack activities, structured cabling, copper and fiber connectivity, cable management, and power distribution.
• Working knowledge of TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VLANs, VPNs, and common networking concepts.
• Working knowledge of Linux and/or Windows Server environments.
• Ability to troubleshoot hardware, connectivity, cabling, power, and basic network issues.
• Familiarity with RAID, SAN/storage technologies, x86 architecture, and enterprise server platforms.
• Understanding of data center infrastructure, including UPS systems, generators, PDUs, HVAC/cooling, environmental monitoring, access control, and physical security systems.
• Ability to diagnose and resolve technical issues in a production data center environment.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills, including the ability to explain technical concepts to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, organizational, and documentation skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively across technical teams.

Nice To Haves

• 2+ years of experience in data center operations, infrastructure support, systems administration, networking, or a related technical environment preferred.
• Hands-on experience with enterprise server hardware such as Dell, HPE, or similar platforms preferred.
• Experience working within ticketing systems and established incident, change, and escalation processes.
• Experience supporting customer-facing or managed services environments preferred.
• Familiarity with compliance-driven environments such as SOC 2, HIPAA, and PCI.
• Basic scripting or automation experience with Python, PowerShell, Bash, or similar tools.
• One or more relevant industry-recognized certifications, such as CCNA, Network+, CompTIA Server+, Linux+, ITIL, or similar.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily operational support and monitoring across OTAVA’s data center environments.
• Perform daily data center walkthroughs and monitor critical infrastructure, environmental conditions, alarms, access control, and security systems.
• Provide smart-hands remote and on-site support for OTAVA clients and internal teams.
• Rack, stack, cable, troubleshoot, replace, and decommission servers, network switches, routers, power distribution devices, and related hardware.
• Install and maintain copper and fiber connectivity, equipment grounding, cable management, and other infrastructure.
• Perform local and network-based hardware administration and coordinate repair or replacement of server and network hardware.
• Diagnose, troubleshoot, resolve, and escalate hardware and network incidents through established support processes and SLAs.
• Support equipment decommissioning, including secure data wiping and removal of End-of-Life equipment.
• Help maintain critical system uptime and promptly respond to and escalate infrastructure alarms, risks, and issues.
• Support on-site client and infrastructure deployments, coordinating with vendors for power, network, rack, cage, and cabling installations.
• Collaborate with Network, Systems, NOC, Deployment Engineering, and Data Center Operations teams on incidents, maintenance, migrations, and deployments.
• Maintain accurate ticket updates, inventory records, troubleshooting documentation, and operational procedures.
• Participate in scheduled maintenance windows and on-call or after-hours support as required.
• Deliver exceptional customer service while supporting enterprise clients.
• Perform additional duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary of $70,000–$90,000 depending on experience and certifications.
• Bonus.
• 401(k) match.
• Health insurance.
• Generous PTO.
• Paid volunteer time off.
• Opportunity to work with dedicated coworkers.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time