System Administrator (Linux/Windows)

Founded in 2007, Initiate Government Solutions (IGS) a Woman Owned Small Business. We are a fully remote IT services provider that delivers innovative Enterprise IT and Health Services solutions across the federal sector. Our focus is on data analytics, health informatics, cloud migration, and the modernization of federal information systems.

IGS uses ISO 9001:2015, 20000-1:2018, 27001:2013, 28001:2007, CMMI/SVC3, CMMI/DEV3 best practices, and PMBOK® methods to provide clients with a strategy to build solid foundations to grow capabilities and revenue. Our range of IT services and delivery methodologies are tailored to our customers’ unique needs to achieve maximum value.

IGS is currently recruiting for a System Administrator to support the Department of Veterans Affairs.

This position is pending contract award, applicants will be reviewed post-award.

Assignment of Work and Travel:

This is a remote access assignment. Candidates will work remotely daily and will remotely access VA systems and therein use approved VA provided communications systems. Travel is not required; however, the candidate may be required to attend onsite client meetings as requested.

Responsibilities and Duties (Included but not limited to):

Schedule and maintain backup jobs for all backup clients for all systems (Linux and Windows)

Administer backup servers (Linux and Windows) for Microsoft Data Protector Manager and or other OEM software (e.g. HP Data Protector or Commvault)

Troubleshoot and repair failed backups and bottlenecks

Administer Linux SAS 9.X Grid with Linux Clustering

Administer and maintain various enterprise Linux distributions (e.g. Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), CentOS, Rocky Linux)

Support Linux authentication with various platforms (e.g. Centrify Software to Windows Domain Controller or CyberArk)

Harden servers per VA Security Technical Implementation Guidelines (STIG)

Perform operating system upgrades and patching approximately twice per quarter

Perform monthly security patching and vulnerability remediation

Reconfigure system architecture (e.g. clustering, adding additional storage, configuring system setting) for new solutions

Work with application administrators to examine and analyze an application for when performance issues arise

Monitor server logs and proactively address issues

Respond to and remediate outages - this may occur after business hours

Maintain a consistent configuration baseline

Build Windows and Linux systems with from bare metal, both virtual and physical

Implement Linux/Windows interoperability solutions

Identify opportunities for system and environment improvement and report weekly

Minimize impact of security scans and record in system log

Sustainment and upgrades to security access mechanisms such as PIV and Active directory

Track historical server performance metrics using existing log file or database

Identify trends to proactively address potential performance bottlenecks

Explore system information to support potential solution.

Patch all systems to minimize security vulnerabilities as pertain to the ATO

Verify weekly backups by checking the backup application log

Provide report on any system issues and document any system addition or modifications

Provide configuration guides for each system, ATO documentation updated as necessary, Documentation of bugs/fixes and user interactions and help desk ticket tracking and closure

Update guides upon addition or modification of any new or existing systems.

Requirements

Associate’s Degree in Computer Science, Engineering or other technical disciplines. (Associate’s degree - Can be substituted for High School Diploma/GED and two (2) additional year’s relevant experience.)

3 years relevant experience, including significant experience with SQL Server 2016 Instances

Extensive experience in the design and development of Client Server and Web Enabled Corporate applications including network topology. Must be well versed in Object Oriented tools and techniques

Must have thorough knowledge of data modeling skills using automated tools

Linux/Windows System Administration

VA Security Technical Implementation Guidelines (STIG)

Must be able to obtain and maintain a VA Public Trust clearance

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Must be eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship due to clearance requirement

Preferred Qualifications and Core Competencies:

Active VA Public Trust

Prior, successful experience working in a remote environment

SAS Grid experience is a plus

Experience working on federal government contracts, preferably centered around veteran’s healthcare

Successful IGS employees embody the following Core Values:

Integrity, Honesty, and Ethics: We conduct our business with the highest level of ethics. Doing things like being accountable for mistakes, accepting helpful criticism, and following through on commitments to ourselves, each other, and our customers.

Empathy, Emotional Intelligence: How we interact with others including peers, colleagues, stakeholders, and customers. We take collective responsibility to create an environment where colleagues and customers feel valued, included, and respected. We work within a diverse, integrated, and collaborative team to drive towards accomplishing the larger mission. We conscientiously and meticulously learn about our customers’ and end-users’ business drivers and challenges to ensure solutions meet not only technical needs but also support their mission.

Strong Work Ethic (Reliability, Dedication, Productivity): We are driven by a strong, self-motivated, and results-driven work ethic. We are reliable, accountable, proactive, and tenacious and will do what it takes to get the job done.

Life-Long Learner (Curious, Perspective, Goal Orientated): We challenge ourselves to continually learn and improve ourselves. We strive to be an expert in our field, continuously honing our craft, and finding solutions where others see problems.

Compensation: There are a host of factors that can influence final salary, including, but not limited to, geographic location, Federal Government contract labor categories and contract wage rates, relevant prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, education, and certifications.

Benefits: Initiate Government Solutions offers competitive compensation and a robust benefits package, including comprehensive medical, dental, and vision care, matching 401K and profit sharing, paid time off, training time for personal development, flexible spending accounts, employer-paid life insurance, employer-paid short and long term disability coverage, an education assistance program with potential merit increases for obtaining a work-related certification, employee recognition, and referral programs, spot bonuses, and other benefits that help provide financial protection for the employee and their family.

Initiate Government Solutions participates in the Electronic Employment Verification Program.