Datacenter Administrator

Schurz Communications • Ann Arbor, MI

17h • $70,000 - $90,000

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 data center environments.

The administrator provides daily operational support and monitoring; performs data center walkthroughs; handles smart-hands support; installs, maintains, troubleshoots, and decommissions infrastructure hardware; and assists with client deployments, maintenance, migrations, and incident response. The role also maintains documentation and inventory records, participates in scheduled maintenance and on-call or after-hours support as required, and delivers customer service to enterprise clients.

Requirements

• At least 2 years of experience in data center operations, infrastructure support, systems administration, networking, or a related technical environment is preferred.
• 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.
• Strong understanding of server and network hardware and data center infrastructure.
• 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 structured cabling, copper and fiber connectivity, and cable management best practices.
• 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 communicate technical concepts to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, organizational, and documentation skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across technical teams.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience in data center operations, infrastructure support, systems administration, networking, or a related technical role.

Nice To Haves

• Hands-on experience with enterprise server hardware such as Dell, HPE, or similar platforms.
• Experience working within ticketing systems and established incident, change, and escalation processes.
• Experience supporting customer-facing or managed services environments.
• 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 certifications.

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 data center hardware.
• Install and maintain copper and fiber connectivity, equipment grounding, cable management, and other infrastructure required for data center operations.
• 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-related incidents through established support processes and Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
• Support server and equipment decommissioning, including secure data wiping and removal of End-of-Life (EOL) equipment.
• Assist in maintaining critical system uptime and promptly respond to and escalate infrastructure alarms, risks, and issues.
• Support on-site deployment of new clients and infrastructure, including 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 client deployments.
• Maintain accurate ticket updates, inventory records, troubleshooting documentation, and operational procedures.
• Participate in scheduled maintenance windows and on-call or after-hours support activities 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, plus bonus.
• 401(k) match.
• Health insurance.
• Generous PTO.
• Paid volunteer time off.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time