Network and Systems Administrator

Computer Aid•Evanston, IL

27d•$50 - $60•Onsite

About The Position

We are looking for a Network and Systems Administrator. This position will be full-time and onsite in Evanston, Illinois. This position is contract to hire. This position does not offer employment sponsorship. All candidates must be eligible to work without need for sponsorship by employer. Core working hours are Monday - Friday 8:30am - 4:30pm. This is a 35-hour work week position. Our client is seeking an experienced individual with strong analytical and troubleshooting skills to install, configure, and support the corporation's local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), and internet systems. This individual will be responsible for monitoring daily activities to ensure network availability to all system users and will perform necessary maintenance to support network availability. This person will also monitor and test website performance to ensure all corporate websites operate correctly and without interruption. This individual will also assist in network troubleshooting, analysis, planning, and coordination between network and data communications hardware and software. This person will work closely with the Information Technology (IT) department management to ensure that all systems are responding within prescribed service levels. The corporation's IT environment is currently a complex environment consisting of Windows .NET, Java, AS/400 systems, and SaaS-based enterprise applications. There are many custom-built, in-house applications using AS/400 RPG applications, .NET C#, and Java. The database environment consists of SQL Server, PostgreSQL and DB2. The corporation's systems are hosted primarily using VMware in the private cloud with an external third-party hosting provider. The office environment consists of Windows 11 desktop computers and laptops.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field
3-5 years of experience with Windows server administration
3-5 years of experience in desktop/network/hardware and software support
Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to interact with a diverse group of executives, managers, staff, and vendors/contractors in a very detail-oriented professional organization with extremely high standards
Proven ability to interact in a positive and collaborative working environment with corporate, business, vendor/contractor, and technical resources
Experience with customer relations and personal service including customer needs assessment, professional customer engagement, efficient and effective resolution, and ensuring customer satisfaction
Willingness to learn from other team members and grow through experience
Experience with Windows server administration such as Microsoft Management Console (MMC), Server Manager, PowerShell, and Windows Services
Working knowledge of Active Directory domain and trusts
Experience with DNS and networking protocols
Experience with server virtualization such as VMWare and Hyper-V
Experience supporting Windows 11 users
Be familiar with and have working experience onboarding and offboarding users
Ability to maintain Microsoft applications on desktops and servers
Ability to maintain Office 365 and MS Office products such as Outlook email
Ability to deploy and support application installations
Meticulous planning and documentation of technical support operations
Knowledge of software licensing, maintenance, and hardware warranties
Working knowledge of invoices, renewals, purchase orders, and associated paperwork and processes
Good practical knowledge of Cybersecurity, Website Certificates, Antivirus software and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Ability to work independently and with groups, with limited supervision

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of Linux / Unix
Knowledge of firewall configurations, Cisco / Meraki equipment is a major plus

Responsibilities

Design, configure, test, and maintain computer hardware, networking software, and operating systems software, including peripherals such as copiers, printers, telephony, and other office equipment
Implement operating system and technology application installs and upgrades
Maintain logs related to network functions and maintenance and repair records
Perform data backups and restores, including disaster recovery operations
Conduct software deployments to Windows-based applications for new features and bug fixes
Coordinate and plan hardware installations and upgrades to network equipment and servers
Perform routine network startup and shutdown procedures and maintain related internal controls
Coordinate, plan, negotiate, and execute necessary purchases and repairs with vendors/contractors and corporate personnel
Be on call 24x7 to address any critical IT needs that arise
Perform various other duties as assigned by the management team