Systems Administrator

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Systems Administrator

Charleston Southern University

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Position Summary:

The Systems Administrator is responsible for administering, maintaining, securing, and supporting the University's on-premises and cloud-based technology infrastructure. This includes servers, operating systems, Microsoft 365, identity and access management, virtualization, storage, backup and recovery, and related enterprise systems.

Reporting to the Systems Manager, this position ensures the reliability, security, availability, and performance of institutional systems. Responsibilities include systems monitoring, troubleshooting, maintenance, security updates, infrastructure improvements, and support for technology implementations and migrations. The Systems Administrator works collaboratively with IT teams, vendors, and university stakeholders to maintain dependable technology services.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

- Administer, maintain, monitor, and secure on-premises and cloud-based systems, including servers, operating systems, virtualization, storage, and related infrastructure.

- Manage Microsoft 365 services, including Exchange Online, email administration, licensing, security, and cloud-based applications.

- Administer identity and access management services, including user accounts, authentication, single sign-on, multifactor authentication, and access controls.

- Maintain enterprise backup and recovery systems, perform data restorations, and support disaster recovery and business continuity efforts.

- Perform system updates, patching, vulnerability remediation, security configurations, and routine maintenance.

- Monitor system performance, capacity, availability, and utilization to identify and resolve potential issues.

- Troubleshoot and resolve system outages, technical incidents, security issues, and recurring infrastructure problems.

- Assist with system implementations, migrations, upgrades, replacements, and infrastructure improvement projects.

- Collaborate with IT and cybersecurity teams to address security risks, respond to incidents, and support compliance activities.

- Maintain accurate system documentation, configurations, inventories, procedures, and recovery records.

- Identify opportunities to improve system performance, security, automation, and operational efficiency.

- Provide technical support and communicate system updates, maintenance activities, and service interruptions to relevant stakeholders.

- Participate in scheduled maintenance, after-hours support, emergency response, and on-call activities as required.

- Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Information Systems, or a related field; equivalent education and relevant professional experience may be considered.

- Four or more years of progressively responsible experience in systems administration, server infrastructure, cloud services, or related IT operations.

- Experience administering Windows Server and enterprise infrastructure technologies.

- Experience with virtualization, cloud services, and enterprise systems management.

- Experience administering Microsoft 365, including Exchange Online.

- Experience with directory services, identity management, authentication, and access controls.

- Experience with enterprise backup, data recovery, and system restoration.

- Knowledge of systems security, patch management, vulnerability remediation, and monitoring practices.

- Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.

- Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and customer-service skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

- Experience working in a higher education environment.

- Experience with Microsoft technologies, including Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS, DHCP, and Entra ID.

- Familiarity with Microsoft 365 security, compliance, and identity management tools.

- Experience with PowerShell, scripting, or automation technologies.

- Experience with cybersecurity monitoring, SIEM, centralized logging, or incident response.

- Knowledge of data encryption, digital certificates, and privileged access management.

- Familiarity with FERPA, data privacy, records retention, and information security requirements.

- Relevant certifications in Microsoft technologies, cloud computing, virtualization, cybersecurity, or systems administration.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

- Strong understanding of enterprise systems administration, cloud infrastructure, identity management, and data protection.

- Knowledge of cybersecurity principles and practices related to enterprise systems.

- Ability to troubleshoot complex technical issues and implement effective solutions.

- Ability to manage multiple priorities, projects, and deadlines.

- Ability to maintain accurate technical documentation and operational procedures.

- Ability to work independently and collaboratively with IT teams, vendors, and university stakeholders.

Work Environment:

Work is primarily performed in an office, data center, or technology environment, with regular interaction with faculty, staff, students, vendors, and IT personnel. The position requires working with physical and cloud-based infrastructure and may involve access to server rooms and other technology facilities. Occasional evening, weekend, after-hours, and on-call support may be required for maintenance, system upgrades, security incidents, and critical technology operations.