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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Server Administrator

💰 $75,000 - $115,000

ITInfrastructureSystems Administration

🎯 Role Definition

As our Server Administrator, you will be the cornerstone of our IT infrastructure, taking ownership of the deployment, configuration, maintenance, and monitoring of our physical and virtual server environments. You will be directly responsible for the reliability, performance, and security of our core systems, ensuring our technology backbone is robust and scalable. This role requires a proactive problem-solver who can manage complex, enterprise-level systems, respond effectively to critical incidents, and collaborate closely with our network, security, and application development teams to drive business success.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • IT Support Specialist
  • Help Desk Technician (Tier 2/3)
  • Junior System Administrator

Advancement To:

  • Senior Server Administrator / Systems Engineer
  • IT Infrastructure Manager
  • Cloud Engineer or Architect

Lateral Moves:

  • Network Administrator
  • Database Administrator (DBA)
  • DevOps Engineer

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Install, configure, and meticulously maintain physical and virtual servers, including operating systems (Windows Server, Linux distributions) and all related server hardware.
  • Proactively perform regular system monitoring, verifying the integrity, availability, and performance of all hardware, server resources, systems, and key processes.
  • Manage and administer the full lifecycle of our Active Directory environment, including Group Policy Objects (GPO), user/group accounts, permissions, and core network services like DNS and DHCP.
  • Implement, manage, and test enterprise-level server backup and disaster recovery solutions, ensuring data recoverability and adherence to business continuity plans.
  • Systematically apply operating system patches, security updates, and critical configuration changes in accordance with strict change management policies to mitigate vulnerabilities.
  • Troubleshoot and resolve complex hardware, software, and network connectivity issues, performing in-depth root cause analysis for critical incidents to prevent recurrence.
  • Develop and maintain comprehensive, up-to-date documentation for server configurations, system baselines, operational procedures, and troubleshooting guides.
  • Automate routine administrative tasks, system deployments, and reporting functions using scripting languages such as PowerShell, Bash, or Python to improve efficiency and reduce human error.
  • Manage the corporate virtualization infrastructure (VMware vSphere, Microsoft Hyper-V), including virtual machine creation, resource allocation, performance tuning, and capacity management.
  • Harden server security by implementing industry best practices, managing access controls, and collaborating with the cybersecurity team on vulnerability assessments and remediation.
  • Consistently monitor system performance and resource utilization to identify potential bottlenecks, forecast future needs, and contribute to capacity planning initiatives.
  • Provide expert Tier 2/3 technical support for server-related issues escalated from the service desk, serving as a subject matter expert for the infrastructure team.
  • Manage and maintain enterprise storage solutions, including SAN, NAS, and direct-attached storage, ensuring optimal performance, availability, and capacity.
  • Participate in a scheduled on-call rotation to provide after-hours and weekend support for critical system outages and emergency infrastructure maintenance.
  • Collaborate on and often lead key IT infrastructure projects, including server upgrades, data center migrations, and technology refresh cycles from planning to implementation.
  • Evaluate new server technologies, software, and hardware to provide recommendations for improvements that align with strategic IT goals and business requirements.
  • Ensure strict compliance with industry standards and internal policies for data security, privacy, and system configuration, and support internal and external audits.
  • Maintain an accurate and detailed inventory of all server hardware, software licenses, and related infrastructure assets.
  • Act as a primary point of contact with hardware and software vendors for technical support, procurement, and maintenance contract management.
  • Configure and manage enterprise-class monitoring tools (e.g., SolarWinds, Nagios, Zabbix) to provide proactive alerts and performance dashboards for the entire server fleet.
  • Administer and secure core application servers, including web servers (IIS, Apache, Nginx) and other business-critical application platforms.
  • Assist in the management and integration of cloud-based server instances within our hybrid infrastructure, particularly with AWS EC2 and Azure Virtual Machines.

Secondary Functions

  • Provide mentorship and technical guidance to junior IT staff and help desk personnel.
  • Contribute to the development and enforcement of IT policies, procedures, and best practices.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including developers and network engineers, to support application deployment and integration.
  • Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies for infrastructure-related projects.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Operating Systems: Deep expertise in Windows Server (2016, 2019, 2022) and proficiency in Linux (RHEL, CentOS, Ubuntu).
  • Virtualization: Hands-on experience with VMware vSphere/ESXi and/or Microsoft Hyper-V in an enterprise setting.
  • Directory Services: Advanced knowledge of Active Directory, Group Policy (GPO) management, DNS, and DHCP.
  • Scripting & Automation: Strong scripting ability with PowerShell and/or Bash for task automation and system management.
  • Cloud Platforms: Foundational experience with IaaS in major cloud providers like AWS (EC2, S3) or Azure (Virtual Machines, Storage).
  • Backup & Recovery: Proficiency with enterprise backup solutions such as Veeam, Commvault, or Rubrik.
  • Networking Concepts: Solid understanding of TCP/IP, VLANs, firewalls, and load balancing principles.
  • Monitoring Tools: Experience using and configuring monitoring platforms like SolarWinds, Nagios, Zabbix, PRTG, or Datadog.
  • Hardware Management: Familiarity with enterprise-class server hardware (Dell PowerEdge, HP ProLiant) and storage systems (SAN/NAS).
  • Security Practices: Knowledge of server hardening techniques, patch management best practices (WSUS, etc.), and vulnerability scanning.

Soft Skills

  • Analytical & Critical Problem-Solving
  • Strong Written and Verbal Communication
  • Meticulous Attention to Detail and Accuracy
  • Effective Time Management and Prioritization
  • Collaboration and a Strong Team-Oriented Mindset
  • Customer-Focused Service Delivery
  • Adaptability and an Eagerness to Learn New Technologies

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Associate's degree in a technical field or an equivalent combination of direct work experience and professional certifications.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Computer Science
  • Information Technology
  • Network Administration

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3-5 years of hands-on experience in a dedicated system administration or server administration role.

Preferred:

5+ years of experience managing a large-scale, hybrid server environment. Professional certifications such as MCSA, MCSE, RHCSA, or VCP are highly desirable and will set a candidate apart.

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