INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR
About The Position
The System Administrator administers and maintains the agency’s IT infrastructure and cloud services under the general supervision of the Information Technology Operations Team Lead. The role helps ensure the stability, security, and performance of core systems, including servers, networks, storage, and enterprise applications. It focuses on proactive system management and administration of enterprise platforms, with collaboration involving agency leadership, the Chief Information Officer, the Deputy CIO, and vendors. The position manages and supports Microsoft and network platforms and services, including Microsoft 365, Exchange Online, Teams calling, Active Directory/Entra ID, DNS, DHCP, Radius, IIS, network appliances, server operating systems and firmware, Nutanix, VMware, GPO, Cisco Meraki, Citrix NetScaler, VPN, SAN, FTP, Azure, and monitoring services. It also administers firewalls and their rules, policies, and segmentation; monitors traffic and assists with security incident response; and investigates website issues with the Information Security Team and Cloudflare. The System Administrator installs and upgrades virtual servers, maintains templates and baselines, configures virtual networks and playbooks, and supports Level II technicians with complex issues. The role coordinates with the Department of Innovation and Technology on routing and connection problems, supports the Voter Registration department with vendor needs, maintains collaboration and telepresence devices, assists with inventory and surplus tracking, and creates and maintains documentation and infrastructure diagrams. It also assists with SQL Server access and connectivity, SQL high-availability/failover cluster documentation, data-sharing connections, and troubleshooting server, application, and hybrid email issues. The position is based at 2329 S. MacArthur Blvd, Springfield, Illinois. Work hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Applicants must apply electronically and provide a detailed resume or CV, transcripts or diplomas for degrees earned, and copies of applicable professional licenses.
Requirements
- Education and experience equivalent to completion of four years of college supplemented by five years of professional experience as a system administrator in a Microsoft Azure hybrid or fully converted Azure cloud environment and managing an Office 365 tenant.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with agency officials, associates, vendors, clients, and election authorities.
- Ability to coordinate the activities of lower-level technical staff to achieve desired results.
- Knowledge and experience managing and maintaining Windows 11, iOS, SQL Server, Windows Server 2019 or later, network setup and maintenance, firewalls, DNS, DHCP, and VPNs.
- Experience with Microsoft Azure, Office 365, Microsoft Teams Calling, and Google Cloud technologies.
- Ability to write scripts and code, such as PowerShell, Power Automate, or low-code technology.
- Knowledge of and experience maintaining computer hardware, including Dell and Lenovo systems, HP printers, Surface Pro devices, iPads, Cisco network switches, and Meraki network switches and access points.
- Ability to implement security best practices, monitor for threats, and perform patch management.
- Ability to manage user permissions, accounts, and group policies in Active Directory.
- Familiarity with virtual technologies, including VMware and Azure Virtual environments.
- Problem-solving, multitasking, communication, time management, documentation, customer service, and follow-up skills.
Nice To Haves
- Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) certification.
- Microsoft 365 Fundamentals (MS-900) certification.
- Certified Azure Administrator (AZ-104) certification; highly desired.
- Azure Network Engineer Associate (AZ-700) certification; highly desired.
Responsibilities
- Administer and maintain the agency’s IT infrastructure, cloud services, servers, networks, storage, and enterprise applications.
- Manage and support Microsoft Exchange Online, network settings, IIS, Microsoft Teams calling, Active Directory/Entra ID, DNS, DHCP, Radius, ticketing systems, network appliances, server firmware and operating systems, Nutanix clusters, VMware, GPO, Cisco Meraki, Citrix NetScaler, VPN, SAN, FTP, Microsoft 365, Azure, domain controllers, and monitoring services.
- Serve as the subject matter expert on infrastructure monitoring software.
- Administer firewalls, manage rules, policies, and segmentation across cloud and on-premises environments, review rules for compliance, monitor traffic logs, and assist with security incident response.
- Create switch access-control policies and investigate, troubleshoot, and repair website issues in coordination with the Information Security Team and Cloudflare.
- Install and upgrade virtual servers, create new virtual servers, maintain virtual templates, and configure virtual networks, playbooks, and baselines.
- Assist the IT Operations Team Lead with technical and vendor issues and help Level II technicians resolve complex problems.
- Work with the Department of Innovation and Technology to resolve routing and connection issues affecting the State Board of Elections and its customers.
- Support the Voter Registration department with vendor needs and support calls.
- Assist with inventory tracking and surplus; maintain smart boards and telepresence devices; install, configure, and troubleshoot file shares and services; and assist with vulnerability mitigation.
- Create and maintain documentation and infrastructure diagrams.
- Assist the Deputy CIO and DBA with SQL Server access and connections, troubleshoot server operating system, hardware, and application connectivity issues, and assist with maintaining and documenting SQL high-availability/failover clusters.
- Maintain the data-sharing connection with the Secretary of State and troubleshoot email issues during the hybrid environment.
- Perform other duties reasonably within the scope of the position.
Benefits
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Flexible work schedules when available and dependent upon position
- 10–25 days of paid vacation annually, depending on service; 10 days in the first year of state employment
- 12 days of paid sick time annually, carried over year to year
- 3 paid personal business days per year
- 13 paid holidays per year
- 12 weeks of paid parental leave
- Pension plan through the State Employees Retirement System
- Deferred Compensation Program, a voluntary supplemental retirement plan
- Optional pre-tax Medical Care Assistance Plan and Dependent Care Assistance Plan
- Tuition Reimbursement Program
- Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
