NOC Network Administrator

NOC Network Administrator, Junior

The NOC Network Administrator, Junior supports day-to-day operation of systems and core services within a network operations center to help ensure reliable, highly available network and server infrastructure. The role focuses on monitoring servers and key applications, performing basic troubleshooting, and executing routine maintenance activities under the guidance of senior administrators.

Working in a fast-paced federal IT environment, this position follows standard operating procedures for patching, backup and restore activities, and user and access management. The administrator documents system configurations, changes, and incidents to support auditability, shift handoffs, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor servers, operating systems, and core services using monitoring and ticketing tools, reviewing alerts, opening and updating tickets, and prioritizing actions based on business impact.
• Execute standard operating procedures for routine system administration tasks, including patching, basic configuration changes, service restarts, backup verification, and user and group management.
• Assist with troubleshooting common system issues such as resource exhaustion, service failures, login problems, and connectivity issues, escalating incidents that exceed runbook guidance.
• Maintain accurate system documentation, including inventories, configuration baselines, change records, and incident logs to support compliance and repeatable operations.
• Participate in coordinated incident response, backup and recovery activities, and security-related monitoring tasks that intersect with system administration.
• Collaborate with network and security teams to gather diagnostic information, implement corrective actions, and validate restoration of affected services.
• Support adherence to incident, change, and configuration management processes, ensuring that activities are properly recorded and approved.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
• 0-3 years of experience in junior system administration, NOC support, or similar infrastructure operations roles focused on monitoring and first-line remediation.
• Foundational understanding of system administration concepts, including user and group management, file system permissions, basic networking, and routine health checks for Windows and/or Linux servers.
• Training or practical experience with system monitoring tools, ticketing systems, backup solutions, and basic virtualization concepts.
• Good analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively under pressure and document system configurations, changes, and incidents accurately.
• Candidates must be US citizens with a current SECRET security clearance (active within last 24 months).
• Candidates should have a current Security+ or other DoD 8180 IAT -II certification.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands-on experience administering servers and core services in a NOC or data center operations environment using common tools and consoles.
• Entry-level infrastructure certifications such as CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Security+, or platform-specific junior administrator certifications.
• Familiarity with ITIL practices and experience working in a structured operational environment with formal procedures and shift handoffs.

Compensation Ranges

Compensation ranges for ASM Research positions vary depending on multiple factors; including but not limited to, location, skill set, level of education, certifications, client requirements, contract-specific affordability, government clearance and investigation level, and years of experience. The compensation displayed for this role is a general guideline based on these factors and is unique to each role. Monetary compensation is one component of ASM's overall compensation and benefits package for employees.

EEO Requirements

It is the policy of ASM that an individual's race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, gender identity, veteran status, sexual orientation or national origin are not and will not be considered in any personnel or management decisions. We affirm our commitment to these fundamental policies.

All recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting for all job classifications is done without regard to race, color, religion, sex, veteran status, disability, gender identity, or age. All decisions on employment are made to abide by the principle of equal employment.

Physical Requirements

The physical requirements described in "Knowledge, Skills and Abilities" above are representative of those which must be met by an employee to successfully perform the primary functions of this job. (For example, "light office duties' or "lifting up to 50 pounds" or "some travel" required.) Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with qualifying disabilities, who are otherwise qualified, to perform the primary functions.

Disclaimer

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.