Ferries System Administrator (IT System Admin – Senior/Specialist)

State of Washington • King County - Seattle – Belltown, WA

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is seeking a senior System Administrator for the Technology Services Division (TSD), Washington State Ferries (WSF) Infrastructure Support team. The role provides technical leadership for engineering, implementing, administering, modernizing, securing, and supporting complex enterprise infrastructure used by WSF’s 24-hour, seven-day-a-week operations across on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments. The position serves as a technical authority for assigned infrastructure platforms, providing consultation, escalation support, troubleshooting, vendor coordination, and lifecycle management across server, storage, virtualization, cloud, identity, networking, unified communications, and other enterprise technologies.

The WSF team supports technology systems, infrastructure, and services for more than 2,000 employees across headquarters, terminals, vessels, and other facilities. The System Administrator collaborates with cybersecurity personnel, application teams, field services, project teams, vendors, and business stakeholders to maintain secure, resilient, and reliable services aligned with organizational objectives. The position provides technical leadership for infrastructure modernization and continuous improvement, and supports business applications, physical security systems, communications platforms, and revenue collection systems.

The role requires travel to WSF terminals, vessels, maintenance facilities, and other WSDOT locations for administration, project implementation, troubleshooting, vendor coordination, and operational support. The position offers limited flexible/hybrid remote work options. This recruitment may also be used to fill additional positions as business needs arise.

Requirements

• Advanced knowledge of cloud infrastructure, enterprise systems administration, identity and access management, virtualization, networking, cybersecurity principles, and related technical disciplines.
• Specialized experience administering complex cloud-based, on-premises, and hybrid technology environments.
• Comprehensive knowledge of infrastructure engineering, troubleshooting methodologies, and solution development sufficient to independently analyze complex technical issues, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective solutions.
• Knowledge of cybersecurity principles, infrastructure security controls, identity management, vulnerability management, PCI requirements, Cardholder Data Environment (CDE) controls, and technology risk management.
• Knowledge of infrastructure planning, technology evaluation, lifecycle replacement strategies, operational readiness, and supportability requirements.
• Ability to analyze complex technical challenges, evaluate alternatives and risks, and develop practical infrastructure solutions balancing reliability, security, supportability, and business needs.
• Skill in providing technical guidance, consultation, mentorship, and knowledge transfer to technology staff, project teams, vendors, and stakeholders.
• Commitment to learning and growth, and a service-oriented approach to meeting others’ needs.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to operate state-owned vehicles.
• Valid Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card, or ability to obtain one within the first six months of hire.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services (AWS), cloud networking, cloud security, and cloud governance practices.
• Experience supporting maritime, transportation, industrial, operational technology, or other highly available operational environments.
• Knowledge of PCI requirements, CDE, cybersecurity compliance practices, or regulated technology environments.
• Knowledge of disaster recovery, business continuity, infrastructure resiliency, security monitoring, or vulnerability management.
• Relevant systems administration, cloud services, networking, cybersecurity, or operational technology certifications, such as Microsoft, Cisco, VMware, Security+, or Network+.

Responsibilities

• Independently administer, maintain, secure, and optimize enterprise server, storage, cloud, identity, virtualization, and supporting infrastructure platforms.
• Lead engineering, optimization, modernization, and lifecycle management of enterprise infrastructure and cloud technologies supporting WSF operations.
• Serve as the primary technical specialist for WSF cloud infrastructure, including Azure and AWS resources, cloud networking, identity services, resiliency, monitoring, governance, and cost management.
• Administer and secure enterprise infrastructure according to agency cybersecurity standards, regulatory requirements, and Payment Card Industry (PCI) security requirements.
• Implement, monitor, and maintain security controls protecting infrastructure, systems, applications, cloud resources, and data.
• Provide technical leadership for infrastructure projects, cloud initiatives, technology deployments, migrations, and implementations.
• Engineer and implement technology solutions supporting WSF operations, business applications, physical security systems, communications platforms, and revenue collection systems.
• Lead planning, testing, implementation, migration, upgrade, and operational acceptance for infrastructure and cloud technology projects.
• Act as a senior technical resource and escalation point for complex infrastructure issues, operational support, and cross-functional technology initiatives.
• Coordinate with cybersecurity personnel, application teams, field services, project teams, vendors, and business stakeholders.
• Travel to WSF terminals, vessels, maintenance facilities, and other WSDOT locations to support infrastructure administration, project implementation, troubleshooting, vendor coordination, and operations.
• Complete additional projects, assignments, and tasks as directed.

Benefits

• 12 paid holidays.
• Full-time employees earn up to 25 paid vacation days per year.
• Tuition assistance options for permanent employees, including tuition reimbursement programs, government discounts at participating colleges, and eligibility for federal student loan forgiveness.
• Comprehensive benefits package with a variety of healthcare options.
• Choice of state retirement programs.
• Flexible schedule options, including telework options for eligible positions.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed