Systems and Network Administrator

The Lamplighter School•Dallas, TX

About The Position

The Systems and Network Administrator is responsible for administering, maintaining, securing, and ensuring the reliability of the School’s core technology infrastructure, endpoints, and services. The position administers server and virtualization systems, backup and storage solutions, network and firewall infrastructure, endpoint management and security, and audiovisual systems. It also provides advanced technical support and backup Help Desk coverage, and serves as a backup administrator for cloud, disaster recovery, and communications systems. Working closely with the Chief Information Officer, the Administrator supports technology projects, lifecycle planning, and infrastructure improvements aligned with the School’s mission. The position supports the School’s Pre-K–4 environment and community. It requires availability for some evening and weekend work to support maintenance, upgrades, emergencies, and projects that cannot be completed during the school day. Physical duties include standing, walking, bending, reaching, grasping, pushing, pulling, moving, lifting, and/or carrying technology equipment weighing up to 50 pounds to waist height.

Requirements

At least five years of hands-on systems, network, or infrastructure administration experience in a production environment.
Demonstrated experience administering Windows 11 endpoints, Windows Server, Active Directory, and Linux systems.
Experience with enterprise virtualization platforms such as XenServer, Hyper-V, or VMware vSphere.
Experience administering enterprise storage, backup, and recovery systems.
Strong practical knowledge of enterprise networking, including VLANs, switching, routing, DNS, DHCP, wireless networking, firewalls, and network troubleshooting.
Strong systems administration and troubleshooting skills across Windows 11, Windows Server, Linux, virtualization, storage, backup and recovery, networking, and endpoint environments.
Working knowledge of cybersecurity best practices, including secure configuration, least privilege, patch and vulnerability management, endpoint protection, logging, and incident response.
Ability to diagnose complex technical issues methodically, identify root causes, and restore services efficiently while minimizing disruption to school operations.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, routine operational responsibilities, and projects through effective planning, documentation, and follow-through.
Ability to work independently, take ownership of systems and technical issues, and determine when escalation or external expertise is necessary.
Clear written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain technical issues to users, colleagues, and vendors with varying levels of technical knowledge.
Strong customer-service orientation, discretion, sound judgment, and patience when supporting faculty and staff with varying levels of technical experience.
Commitment to supporting the School’s mission and working collaboratively within a small technology team and the broader Pre-K–4 community.
Availability to work some evenings and weekends for maintenance, upgrades, emergencies, and projects that cannot be completed during the school day.
Ability to stand, walk, bend, reach, grasp, push, pull, move, lift, and/or carry technology equipment weighing up to 50 pounds to waist height.

Nice To Haves

A bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field; an equivalent combination of education, technical training, and relevant professional experience will be considered.
Experience with Cisco enterprise switching and wireless networking and SonicWall firewalls; equivalent experience with comparable enterprise networking and firewall platforms will be considered.
Experience managing Apple endpoints through an enterprise Mobile Device Management (MDM) platform.
Experience administering endpoint security and Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) tools.
Experience working in a school or other educational environment.
Scripting and automation experience, particularly with PowerShell, shell scripting, and other administrative automation tools.

Responsibilities

Administer Windows and Linux servers, hypervisors, and virtual machines, including patching, monitoring, configuration, troubleshooting, and routine maintenance.
Administer enterprise backup and storage systems, including jobs, schedules, retention policies, monitoring, troubleshooting, restoration, and verification and testing of recoverability.
Monitor systems and services for availability, performance, and security; diagnose and resolve outages and complex technical issues; and coordinate escalation with vendors and service providers as needed.
Administer and maintain network infrastructure, including Cisco switches, wireless networking, VLANs, core network services, Internet connectivity, and SonicWall firewall configuration and security.
Strengthen infrastructure security through secure configuration, patching, access controls, vulnerability remediation, and logging, coordinating with the CIO on cybersecurity priorities and incident response.
Administer endpoint detection and response (EDR) and related endpoint security tools, including monitoring and responding to alerts, remediation, and maintaining security policies and exclusions.
Provision, configure, secure, and manage faculty, staff, and student endpoints, primarily Macs and iPads, using mobile device management (MDM) platforms.
Manage device enrollment, configuration profiles, applications, operating system updates, security software, inventory, and device lifecycle processes.
Provide advanced Tier 2 and Tier 3 technical support for faculty and staff and serve as an escalation resource for the Help Desk.
Provide Tier 1 support coverage as needed and deliver responsive, courteous, and effective technical support to faculty, staff, and students.
Administer and support classroom, meeting, and event audiovisual systems, including setup, operation, and troubleshooting as needed.
Support disaster recovery and business continuity readiness by maintaining backup and recovery procedures, documenting processes, testing recovery capabilities, and restoring critical systems and services as needed.
Assist with disaster recovery planning and testing to support the availability and recoverability of essential technology services.
Serve as a backup administrator for Active Directory, Google Workspace, and telephony systems, assisting with account management, access controls, configuration, troubleshooting, and service administration as needed.
Maintain technical documentation, inventories, configuration records, operating procedures, and diagrams for systems, network infrastructure, backups, and disaster recovery.
Work with the CIO to evaluate infrastructure and endpoint needs, plan upgrades and replacements, coordinate vendors, and implement technology projects that support the School’s Pre-K–4 environment and mission.
Perform other duties as assigned.