IT Systems Administrator / Support Specialist

Position Title: IT Systems Administrator / Support Specialist

Status: Full Time

Location: Seattle

Classification: Exempt

Date: October 2013

Job Summary: The IT Systems Administrator / Support Specialist is responsible for the day-to-day operations and management of the IT infrastructure and support for Landesa staff – locally and internationally. This includes hardware, software, network, database and peripheral administration. The IT Systems Administrator / Support Specialist works closely with others in the organization to evaluate the technology needs of the organization on an ongoing basis and makes recommendations for changes and improvements.  The IT Systems Administrator / Support Specialist also provide direct Help Desk support for Landesa staff and its associated business critical systems.

Reporting and relationships: The IT Systems Administrator / Support Specialist position reports to the IT Manager.   

Availability: The IT Systems Administrator / Support Specialist is expected to work 40 hours per week, plus additional hours as necessary to accommodate international time zones. Occasional domestic and international travel may be necessary.

Essential Job Functions:

• Provides front line (Tier 1) Help Desk support.

• Manages various information technology services for Landesa staff, volunteers and consultants.
• Assists staff with daily technology requirements (e.g. MS Office, Web Applications, DB’s, print services, etc.)
• Responsible for day-to-day user administration including: new user set up, system access, privileges, permissions, and immediate service cancellation for discontinued users.
• Provides PC support and regular training on Microsoft applications to end users so they may use them to their greatest benefit.
• Provides IT support for traveling staff
• Installs, upgrades, and configures Active Directory Roles/Features, access permissions, and required applications on bare-metal/virtual servers.
• Deploy, manage and monitor Operating System and Applications installation using an Imaging Solution for laptops/desktops and servers – (e.g. Windows Server Deployment Services, Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2012, Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit or equivalent)
• Deploy, manage and monitor Storage Area Network (SAN) solutions (e.g. Equallogic, DROBO, SAN Headquarters, DROBO Dashboard)
• Evaluate and optimize current processes by automating tasks using scripts where possible (Powershell, VBScript or batch files).
• Assists with management and maintenance of Microsoft SQL Server solutions
• Monitors and maintains Microsoft Exchange, associated email services, servers and other devices health/performance using tools with pro-active 24/7 notification.
• Administers a Windows 2008 R2 domain infrastructure and associated components (e.g. AD DS, DNS, DHCP, DFS, RRAS)
• Provides 1st level expertise and ownership of business processes and applications critical to Landesa (e.g. VMware, Symantec, MIP, Sage, EWS, Raiser’s Edge, APC, WSUS, etc…)
• Responsible for maintaining the health and operations for the Landesa backup environment using Symantec Backup Exec, data replication and alternate methodologies (e.g. tape, disk and cloud based media and industry standards for offsite storage and rotation)
• Assists with the support of various mobile devices for remote connectivity (e.g. Android, IOS, Windows Phone, Blackberry)
• Provides support for the Landesa public/private websites as needed (e.g. Landesa, “The Hub”, landwise and landpost2015 sites)
• Independently troubleshoots and resolves a wide variety of end user applications, workstation, server, and network connectivity issues

• Deploys, configures and maintains the health of various servers, workstations and network systems.

• Research, Plan, and Evaluate Server/Application deployments using test environment identical to production.
• Develops, deploys, and maintains SharePoint Intranet and Web Applications.
• Develops, maintains and executes technology documentation, policies and procedures.
• Manages phone/data cabling for office.
• Maintains accurate inventories of hardware and software licenses in compliance with End User License Agreements (EULAs).
• Maintains viable business continuity protocol to ensure data and infrastructure redundancy, integrity and availability.
• Shares ownership of critical business applications by providing recommendations, expertise, configuration, maintenance and troubleshooting.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• A deep commitment to the mission of a better, safer future for the world’s poorest people through land ownership and secure land rights is required, as is a commitment to Landesa’s core values of impact, respect, collaboration, dedication, and learning. Specific required skills include:

• Knowledge and experience working with Microsoft Windows server environments, deployment and configuration.
• Knowledge and experience working with Virtualized Environment (e.g. VMware ESXi, Microsoft Hyper-V)
• Microsoft SQL and Microsoft Exchange server administration experience.
• Familiarity with PowerShell, VBScript or equivalent scripting language
• Knowledge and experience in centrally managing Computers and Users settings using Group Policy Objects.
• Knowledge and understanding of the TCP/IP protocol, troubleshooting steps and solutions.
• Proficiency in a wide variety of PC tools and applications, including the Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc…).
• Familiarity with current and emerging technologies, products and standards in support of the IT infrastructure.
• Understands and applies best practices, policies and procedures; proven analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to conduct research in hardware and software issues and products as required. Resourcefulness and efficiency in providing solutions to unknown issues.
• Strong customer service orientation. Proven ability to work with others and to function well in a collaborative, team environment regardless of role within team.
• Strong interpersonal skills, especially in cross-cultural environments. Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to communicate well with non-native English speakers. Adept at reading, writing, and interpreting technical documentation and procedure manuals. Ability to present ideas and solutions in user-friendly language.
• Proven people and project management skills.
• Strong attention to detail and to the overall quality of information.
• Ability to perform effectively in a dynamic, high pressure environment, manage multiple projects simultaneously and perform tasks effectively with little supervision

Education and Experience:

• Bachelors’ degree in computer science or related technical field (additional education and certification may substitute for education requirements).
• Six years’ experience in application specialization, network operations, network administration and personal computer support.
• Six years’ recent server and workstation administration and support.
• Specific experience in user training of network and commonly used business applications required.
• Experience with the following:

• Windows Workstation Technologies: Windows 7, Windows XP, Windows Offline Files, Remote Desktop Protocol, VPN Client Connections
• Server Technologies: Windows Server 2008 R2 (Full/Core), Exchange Server 2007, Exchange Server 2010/13, SharePoint 2010, Microsoft Hyper-V, Microsoft Distributed File Systems (DFS), Microsoft Routing and Remote Access (RRAS), SQL 2005/2008, PowerShell 2.0/3.0, VB/Batch Scripting
• Virtualization: VMware ESXi 5.x, Microsoft Hyper-V
• Network Security: WatchGuard Gateway-to-Gateway tunneling, WatchGuard Unified Threat Management or equivalent

• Help Desk and Supporting of technical software and/or systems experience preferred.
• MCITP and MCSE certification preferred.

To Apply:

Qualified candidates may apply by submitting a resume and cover letter to jobs@landesa.org, with the title “IT Sys Admin” in the subject line.  No phone calls please. Landesa is an Equal Opportunity Employer.