Systems Administrator

Job Title: Systems Administrator Location: Herndon, VA (Hybrid: 3 days/week onsite: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) Type: 6+ months Contract Rate: $Open /hr.

Job Description: The ideal candidate is a reliable, hands-on Microsoft 365 administrator with strong troubleshooting skills, experience managing daily operational tickets, and the ability to maintain service excellence during a high-priority compliance initiative. A collaborative team player who can quickly adapt to existing processes and provide consistent support is essential. Key Responsibilities: * Provide day-to-day technical support for Microsoft 365 services, including Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, Teams, OneDrive, and the M365 Admin Center. * Manage and resolve operational tickets related to user access, mailbox issues, file sharing, Teams functionality, and general M365 platform support. * Monitor system health and service status using the M365 Admin Center, Security & Compliance dashboards, and other monitoring tools. * Assist with user provisioning, license assignments, and basic identity and access management tasks. * Support implementation and maintenance of security and compliance policies, including Conditional Access, DLP, Sensitivity Labels, and Defender for Office 365. * Collaborate with IT, Security, and business stakeholders to ensure continuity of Microsoft 365 services during a critical compliance initiative. * Document support activities, configurations, and troubleshooting steps to maintain knowledge base and operational continuity. * Escalate complex or unresolved issues to senior administrators or vendors as needed. * Provide end-user guidance and basic training on Microsoft 365 capabilities to promote productivity and adoption. * Assist with routine maintenance tasks, system updates, and minor configuration changes as directed. Requirements Qualifications: * Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, MIS, or related field (or equivalent professional experience). * 5-7+ years of hands-on administration experience with Microsoft 365 in an enterprise setting. * Strong troubleshooting skills with Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, Teams, OneDrive, and Azure AD. * Experience managing daily operational tickets and providing end-user support. * Familiarity with security and compliance features within Microsoft 365. * PowerShell scripting experience and familiarity with Graph API preferred. * Excellent communication, documentation, and organizational skills. * Understanding of hybrid environments and integration with on-prem Active Directory and legacy systems. * Ability to work independently and adapt quickly to existing processes and procedures. * Knowledge of AI capabilities within Microsoft 365. Desired Skills: * Microsoft Certifications (MS-102, SC-400, or equivalent). * SharePoint Online administration and customization experience. * Experience with Microsoft Defender for O365. * Knowledge of Information Protection, sensitivity Labels, and DLP (Policies for email, endpoints, and cloud apps). * Familiarity with Data Governance (Retention labels, records management, and audit logs). * Experience with Microsoft Purview for compliance monitoring and reporting. * Basic scripting and automation skills (PowerShell, Graph API). * Experience supporting hybrid environments with on-premises Active Directory integration.