IT Specialist (SysAdmin/Network) (IS-2210-11/12/13)

Smithsonian Institution•Burlington, MA

34d•$84,579 - $156,715•Onsite

About The Position

The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) is seeking an IT Specialist (Systems Administration/Network Services) for the Chandra Operations Control Center (OCC) within the High Energy Astrophysics Division (HEAD). This role involves managing a network of Windows and Linux workstations and servers, with a focus on network maintenance, security, user accounts, and utilities. The position offers a career ladder opportunity with promotion potential up to grade 13. Trust Fund positions at the Smithsonian are paid from various sources and have their own benefit programs, distinct from federal civil service employment.

Requirements

IT-related experience demonstrating Attention to Detail, Customer Service, Oral Communication, and Problem Solving.
For grade 11: Minimum of one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the grade 9, such as configuring and running backup systems, creating users and groups, supporting Windows and Linux desktop applications and users, using ticket tracking system such as JIRA.
For grade 12: Minimum of one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the grade 11, such as configuring and managing authentication systems, configuring access control lists, configuring system monitoring and management, managing systems in a Vmware environment, managing ticket tracking systems such as JIRA.
For grade 13: Minimum of one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the grade 12, such as researching, developing and implementing new technologies, discovering and adjusting security systems, managing centralized storage such as NetApp, and configuring virtualized systems with Vmware.
Undergraduate or Graduate Education: Degree in computer science, engineering, information science, information systems management, mathematics, operations research, statistics, or technology management or degree that provided a minimum of 24 semester hours in one or more of the fields identified above and required the development or adaptation of applications, systems or networks.
Knowledge of common Linux server applications, and the ability to install, configure, manage, update and troubleshoot them.
Knowledge in securing Linux servers and their applications.
Knowledge of Linux systems management practices and procedures for networks requiring high availability.
Knowledge of system and network security concepts and technologies.
Knowledge of system backup and recovery technologies.
Skill in assessing and responding to anomalous system behavior including network failure, and ability to devise and implement recovery plans for such events.
Skill in evaluating system and network equipment, security and performance, and ability to design and implement improvements.
Skill in interpersonal relations and in oral and written communications.

Nice To Haves

Experience with NetApp, JIRA, Windows AD, Exchange, Dell hardware is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Upgrade, maintain, monitor, and troubleshoot Linux servers running apache, tomcat, svn and related packages, as well as custom software applications.
Upgrade, maintain, and troubleshoot VMware / vSAN environment.
Monitor and troubleshoot network elements to ensure that problems are discovered and resolved in a timely manner.
Design, recommend, and implement system and network security improvements. Resolve security problems. Stay current with Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) advisories and vendor-supplied security alerts, and implement security modifications as needed.
Evaluate OCC computing needs and network performance. Plan new services and expanded roles for the network. Design and implement network improvements such as system backup and recovery strategies, network performance enhancement, and optimization of system resources (disk, CPU, memory).
Provide user support. Serve as point of contact for OCC computer users requiring assistance or instruction in the use of the OCC local area network. Write utilities and scripts to improve the user experience.
Maintain current knowledge of hardware and software products, including those from Cisco and other manufacturers, as well as Windows and Linux products and public domain utilities.
Install, maintain and troubleshoot Cisco and other networking equipment (for grade 12).
Act as Lead Systems Administrator, possessing comprehensive, intensive, practical knowledge of advanced systems techniques and technologies and skill in applying this knowledge to the development of new methods and procedures (for grade 13).
Upgrade, configure, maintain, monitor, and troubleshoot Linux servers and workstations in a complex networking environment running a variety of standard and in house custom applications (for grade 13).
Interfaces with other Chandra group leaders, computer specialists, engineers, and scientists in evaluating needs for the network and system software, defining requirements, developing implementation plans, and supporting software design and development, Configuration Management, testing and integration, and other OCC and site needs (for grade 13).
Support Windows and Linux servers and workstations. Develop plans for implementing new services and expanding roles of servers (for grade 13).
Responsible for network security by staying abreast of Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) advisories and vendor-supplied security problems and fixes. Designs, recommends, and implements security improvements and security problem resolutions (for grade 13).
Conceive, implement, and make recommendations based on studies relating to OCC computing needs and performance including system backup and recovery strategy, network performance, optimization of systems resources (disk, CPU, memory), application evaluation, writing utilities such as shell scripts to provide network resource information to users, and others as required by the supervisor (for grade 13).
Interface with manufacturers of hardware and software to provide up-to-date information on available products. This includes review of Windows/Linux products, those available from third parties, and public domain utilities (for grade 13).
Serve as point of contact for OCC computer users requiring assistance or instruction in the use of the OCC LAN (for grade 13).
Fulfills other systems related responsibilities as requested by supervisor.