Senior Systems Administrator

Conversant Group is an IT infrastructure and security consulting company based in Chattanooga, TN. Conversant Group has provided technical, organizational, procedural, and process consulting internationally since the company was formed in 2009.

Unlike many in IT, Conversant Group has a unique perspective: technology is a tool, nothing more. Technology should support the business, and the business should support the people.

The Senior Systems Administrator is an experienced professional responsible for designing and maintaining complex computer systems. The Senior Systems Administrator will work with software and hardware to ensure optimal system performance and collaborate with teams to identify technical problems. Senior systems administrators will lead projects, mentor junior administrators, and communicate with stakeholders to ensure that project goals are met. The Senior Systems Administrator will install, configure, and maintain storage, and hypervisor hosts for our internal IT and internal IT clients. As such, travel is required for this role, occasionally on short notice.

The Senior systems administrators work on large-scale, intricate projects that require close collaboration with interdisciplinary teams. That provides a unique opportunity to influence the design, implementation, and maintenance of critical systems that significantly impact the business. In addition to technical expertise, the senior systems administrator will mentor and guide junior administrators, helping them to develop their skills and knowledge. This position will require a balance of communication and leadership skills and the ability to adapt to new technologies and industry trends while maintaining a deep understanding of core systems engineering principles.

Additionally, this role will play a significant part in the creation and configuration of virtual servers as well as the migration of data from legacy storage to new storage. A successful candidate will need extensive experience in the installation and configuration of VMware vSphere. Familiarity with various hardware vendors (Cisco UCS, HPe Proliant) for hosts would be very beneficial as the role is required to perform hardware upgrades. This position reports to the Director of IT Operations. Additional significant tasks will include the creation and updating of internal IT SOP and documentation related to any deployments, best practice and implementation guides and accurate recording of time related to all work performed on projects. 

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and implement computer systems, networks, and security measures to support the organization's operations.
• Play an important role on the Internal IT Security team mitigating and advising on discovered vulnerabilities targeting desktops, laptops, servers and network to develop appropriate countermeasures.
• Leverage Azure / Cloud to enhance end point deployment process.
• Investigate and resolve with the security team, network, and security-related incidences, providing assistance from the Azure / Cloud / Infrastructure perspective, and document findings and actions taken for future reference.
• Stay updated with emerging technologies, industry trends, and security threats, and recommend appropriate security enhancements.
• Provide technical guidance and support to other IT staff members. Develop an in-scope skills matrix identifying cross training opportunities to mentor others in the department. Provide project management guidance.
• Participate in the evaluation and selection of new hardware and software solutions, ensuring they meet security requirements.
• Responsible for the maintenance, configuration, documentation, updating/patching, and reliable operation of our corporate infrastructure, ESX hosts / Storage and network devices.
• Install, configure, patch and support network components. Develop vulnerability scanning approach using best practice scanning techniques and develop a mitigation schedule.
• Regular reviews of the environment to ensure we are following best practices and looking for ways for betterment.
• Ensure proper recording, documentation, and closure of service tickets.
• Documentation of processes and how-to guides. 
• Troubleshoot hardware and software errors by running diagnostics, documenting problems and resolutions, prioritizing problems, and assessing impact of issues.
• Perform regular backup operations and implement appropriate processes for data protection, disaster recovery, and failover procedures including validation of restoration capabilities. 
• Creation of reports both internally and for clients.
• Escalated support on service tickets ensuring all desktop applications, workstations, and related equipment problems are resolved in a timely manner with limited disruptions.
• Design, configure, deploy, and maintain hosts, servers, and storage.
• Proactively work to improve reliability, stability, and security of maintained environments
• Perform troubleshooting, performance tuning and capacity planning.
• Installing, maintaining, and monitoring operating environments
• Responding effectively and speedily to any problems
• Maintaining a professional demeanor with clients and colleagues
• Updating any software and hardware where necessary
• Documenting all reported malfunctions and actions taken in response
• Support all aspects of a datacenter, which include servers, infrastructure, SAN Storage, VMWare, and related components.
• Work with technology Management, technology product development, support teams and vendors to ensure on time, on budget, and quality delivery of technical solutions that support the strategic direction of any project.
• Create, follow, and maintain documentation and standards.
• Estimate, organize and execute tasks associated with the role with minimal assistance.
• Expert level understanding of core IT infrastructure, best practices, and implementation strategies (security, GPO, high availability)
• Engage with key technology business partners to understand infrastructure requirements, application architecture roadmaps, and software development lifecycles.
• Support the collection of key metrics to gauge and report on user experience based on quality of designs against client needs, timeliness, and accuracy of deployments.
• Other duties as required.

Preferred Skills

• Establish and maintain repeatable processes across tech platform.
• Act as escalation point for Internal IT team when needed.
• Support Hypervisor Engineering, VMWare, and Hyper-V
• Knowledge of monitoring solutions 
• Advanced organizational skills
• Extensive storage concepts / Deployment experience
• Leadership / Mentorship

Qualifications

• 5+ years of Infrastructure Experience
• Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology, related field, or equivalent work history
• Industry Certifications in VMware desired
• Experience working for and within IT for the Legal / MSP Industry
• Deep understanding of Windows Registry
• Strength in Active Directory, Group Policy objects, site / domain designs
• Extensive knowledge in Windows deployment tools (PE, WSUS, SCCM, MDT, Intune, Autopilot)
• Identity tools and protecting C$, Remote Reg, RDP, ETC
• Hardening OS (desktop, Server, network, and infrastructure) – reducing attack surfaces.
• Experience with VMware virtualization environment (ESX, vCenter).
• Managing Virtual host environments (Citrix, Horizon).
• 3+ years supporting Microsoft Windows Server operating systems.
• 3+ years supporting Microsoft Windows workstation operating systems.
• Experience deploying Citrix / Horizon VDI’s a must!
• Previous experience with O365 and Azure is a plus!
• Excellent analytical, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• A proven track record of developing and implementing IT strategy and plans.
• Strong knowledge of implementing and effectively developing IT operations best practices, including knowledge of security, storage, data protection, and disaster recovery protocols.
• Demonstrated strong written and oral communication skills, including strong relationship building skills and leadership capabilities. 
• Ability to form relationships across all levels of the company while modeling Conversant’s culture and values. 

Why work with us?

We offer a dynamic, innovative work environment with rewarding work - help save our clients from disaster!

We truly value our employees and provide an extraordinary package to prove it, including:

Internal and external learning & development opportunities, including career advancement.

Competitive compensation & benefits.

Scheduled & flexible PTO programs.

Fully remote work options.

Family friendly programs

Care packages

Regular team building events.

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