Network and Systems Administrator for Windows

Our client is seeking an experienced individual with strong analytical and troubleshooting skills to install, configure, and support the corporation’s local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), and internet systems. This individual will be responsible for monitoring daily activities to ensure network availability to all system users and will perform necessary maintenance to support network availability. This person will also monitor and test website performance to ensure all corporate websites operate correctly and without interruption. This individual will also assist in network troubleshooting, analysis, planning, and coordination between network and data communications hardware and software. This person will work closely with the Information Technology (IT) department management to ensure that all systems are responding within prescribed service levels., * Design, configure, test, and maintain computer hardware, networking software, and operating systems software, in addition to other office equipment (this includes peripherals such as copiers, printers, phone equipment, postage machines, letter folders, scanners, etc.)

• Implement operating system and technology application installs and upgrades
• Maintain logs related to network functions and maintenance and repair records
• Perform data backups and restores, including disaster recovery operations
• Perform software deployments to Windows-based applications for new features and bug fixes
• Coordinate and plan hardware installations and upgrades to network equipment and servers
• Perform routine patching duties to servers and applications
• Coordinate, plan, negotiate, and execute necessary purchases and repairs with vendors/contractors
• Provide technical support to IT Team and all business users
• Provide timely updates to IT issues via JIRA Help Desk ticket system
• Be on call 24x7 to address any critical IT needs that arise
• Perform various other duties as assigned by the management team, The corporation’s IT environment is currently a complex environment consisting of Windows .NET, Java, AS/400 systems, and SaaS-based enterprise applications. There are many custom-built, in-house applications using AS/400 RPG applications, .NET C#, and Java. The database environment consists of SQL Server, PostgreSQL and DB2. The corporation’s systems are hosted primarily using VMware in the private cloud with an external third-party hosting provider. The office environment consists of Windows 11 desktop computers and laptops.

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field is ideal
• 3-5 years of experience with Windows server administration
• 3-5 years of experience in desktop/network/hardware and software support
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to interact with a diverse group of executives, managers, staff, and vendors/contractors in a very detail-oriented professional organization with extremely high standards
• Proven ability to interact in a positive and collaborative working environment with corporate, business, vendor/contractor, and technical resources
• Experience with customer relations and personal service including customer needs assessment, professional customer engagement, efficient and effective resolution, and ensuring customer satisfaction
• Willingness to learn from other team members and grow through experience
• Experience with Windows server administration such as Microsoft Management Console (MMC), Server Manager, PowerShell, and Windows Services
• Working knowledge of Active Directory domain and trusts
• Experience with DNS and networking protocols
• Experience with server virtualization such as VMWare and Hyper-V
• Experience supporting Windows 11 users
• Be familiar with and have working experience onboarding and offboarding users
• Ability to maintain Microsoft applications on desktops and servers
• Ability to maintain Office 365 and MS Office products such as Outlook email
• Ability to deploy and support application installations
• Meticulous planning and documentation of technical support operations
• Knowledge of software licensing, maintenance, and hardware warranties
• Working knowledge of invoices, renewals, purchase orders, and associated paperwork and processes
• Good practical knowledge of Cybersecurity, Website Certificates, Antivirus software and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
• Ability to work independently and with groups, with limited supervision
• Knowledge of Linux is a plus
• Knowledge of firewall configurations, Cisco / Meraki equipment is a major plus

Pulled from the full job description

• Health insurance
• Retirement plan
• Dental insurance
• Life insurance, * Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Retirement plan

Our client is a well-respected and nationally recognized not-for-profit corporation that conducts scholarship programs for identifying and honoring academically talented U.S. high school students who have exceptional abilities and show great promise for future success. In very keen competitions, students are awarded scholarships worth more than $30 million annually which are administered by the corporation. All scholarships are privately financed by some 280 corporations, company foundations, professional groups, universities, colleges, individuals, and the corporation’s own funds. Since the corporation’s establishment in 1955, more than $1.9 billion has been granted for college undergraduate scholarships for approximately 491,000 students. Headquartered in Chicago’s North Shore, the corporation employs 35 full-time employees.