Sr. Systems Administrator

Senior Systems Administrator

The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) seeks motivated professionals who want to use their talents and skills to make a difference. Our staff are adaptive problem solvers and passionate about enriching people's lives. If you are mission-driven, dedicated to superior service and support, and can diligently work independently and in a collaborative environment, join our team. LAHSA is leading the fight to end homelessness in LA County. Here, not only would your work impact the community, but we also offer a comprehensive and competitive benefits package.

Created in 1993, LAHSA is a joint powers authority of the City and County of Los Angeles. As the agency that leads HUD's required Continuum of Care (CoC) functions in the Los Angeles CoC, we are responsible for coordinating the region's joint application for federal funding as well as supporting a regional approach to data, planning, and strategy across most of LA County. LAHSA also administers funding from federal, state, and local governments to service providers who work every day to solve homelessness in our community.

LAHSA is seeking an experienced, self-directed, and highly analytical Senior Systems Administrator to manage, optimize, and maintain our enterprise IT infrastructure. Serving an expanding environment of 500–700 users, 25+ servers, and approximately 250+ active workstations, this role ensures the reliability, security, and performance of all server, network, cloud, and endpoint systems.

As a senior-level professional, you will perform the most complex systems software and hardware engineering, lead critical infrastructure projects, and apply sound supervisory principles to mentor junior IT staff and oversee temporary support personnel. This role bridges advanced systems administration with strategic systems analysis, helping to shape public-sector technology delivery and provide data-driven solutions for organizational decision-making.

Essential Job Functions

Infrastructure & Systems Administration

• Server & Cloud Management: Administer and maintain on-premises and cloud-based servers (Windows Server 2012/2016/current, Linux) in a hybrid environment. Build, configure, and maintain web, virtual (VMware vSphere / Hyper-V), and client-server environments.
• Directory & Identity Services: Manage Active Directory, Azure AD/Entra ID, Group Policy, DNS, DHCP, SSL/TLS certificates, and advanced authentication technologies.
• Enterprise Applications: Administer the Microsoft 365 tenant (Exchange Online, Teams, SharePoint, Intune) and core communication infrastructure, including firewall-integrated email filtering and Digium phone/voicemail systems.
• Storage & Performance: Optimize and monitor Storage Area Networks (SAN), Network Attached Storage (NAS), and direct access devices. Conduct routine performance tuning, capacity planning, and hardware-software comparative analyses.
• Procurement & Life Cycle: Develop requests for proposals (RFPs), bids, and procurement specifications for system hardware and software. Manage project schedules, software licensing, asset inventories, and vendor/consultant relationships.

Security, Compliance, & Disaster Recovery

• Security Frameworks: Implement and enforce security policies consistent with agency standards and applicable public-sector frameworks (NIST, CJIS, FISMA, or equivalent).
• Network Security: Handle day-to-day firewall administration, VPN configurations, network segmentation, and secure communication protocols (SSH, SSL).
• Patch & Vulnerability Management: Maintain and assess all components necessary for server patch management and vulnerability remediation tracking.
• Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity: Analyze, design, and implement Business Impact Assessments (BIA), IT Disaster Recovery procedures, and Business Resumption Planning. Manage automated backups, virus protection, and conduct regular restore tests.

Systems Analysis, Operations, & Tier 3 Support

• Advanced Systems Analysis: Analyze procedures, methods, and operations of computer-based information systems to design and recommend solutions that improve efficiency and economy.
• Escalation Support: Serve as the Tier 3 escalation point for complex infrastructure, system, and communication issues. Provide 2nd and 3rd level troubleshooting for network, operating system, database, and hardware errors.
• Documentation: Create and maintain precise technical documentation, runbooks, network diagrams, standard operating procedures, and end-user manuals.
• Operational Deployments: Translate analytic or mathematical models into operational IT solutions. Handle immediate-need activities, including office reconfigurations, new hire onboarding, and video conferencing setups.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Supervision & Mentorship: Apply sound supervisory and training principles to build an effective workforce. Act as a lead worker or direct supervisor to prioritize workloads, assign tasks, review/evaluate work, and mentor junior IT staff or temporary information support personnel.
• Cross-Departmental Liaison: Act as a technical liaison to department heads, City/County officials, external agencies, and application developers to coordinate technology needs and system interfacing.
• Change Management: Participate in change management protocols, scheduled maintenance windows, and team on-call rotations (accessible via mobile phone during work and non-work hours).

Other duties as assigned by the Director of Information & Technology

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Core Networking: In-depth knowledge of IP networking, routing, switching, wireless access points, load balancing, firewalls, and secure communication protocols.
• Automation & Scripting: Strong shell scripting skills, preferably with PowerShell, to automate routine administrative processes and extend computer capabilities.
• System Methodology: Solid understanding of systems development methodologies, agile development life cycles, and database design concepts (relational vs. hierarchical).
• Analytical Tools: Familiarity with high-level data retrieval languages and end-user application tools (e.g., modern database, reporting, and dashboard utilities).
• Soft Skills: Outstanding oral and written communication skills; ability to prepare clear, concise technical and budget reports; and the ability to deal tactfully and effectively with diverse stakeholders.

Training & Experience

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in information systems, computer science, or a closely related field.
• Applicants may qualify for this senior position through any combination of extensive and applicable work experience and educational credentials that demonstrate the ability to successfully perform the duties.
• Option A: Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a closely related field, AND five to seven (5–7) years of progressive experience as a Systems Administrator/Analyst, including at least two (2) years of full-time paid experience implementing, configuring, and securing enterprise-level servers and large computing networks.
• Option B: Valid industry certifications (e.g., MCSE, ITP, Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate/Expert, or equivalent) AND a minimum of three (3) years of dedicated experience supporting mission-critical infrastructure on local and hosted servers.
• Supervisory Experience: Prior experience leading, mentoring, or directly supervising technical personnel is highly preferred.

Schedule: The Chief Executive Officer or designee may change the schedule of positions between hybrid and onsite, as necessary to accomplish LAHSA's business needs.

Additional Information: LAHSA has adopted a hybrid telework policy requiring employees to work onsite at our Los Angeles office a minimum of two (2) days per week. Applicants must be able to meet this onsite requirement, with or without a reasonable accommodation. LAHSA is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you require an accommodation, please contact Human Resources at View email address on click.appcast.io to initiate the interactive process.

Residency Requirement: This position requires the employee to reside within the State of California. Proof of residency may be requested as part of the onboarding process to ensure compliance with organizational and operational requirements. Applicants may make a reasonable accommodation request for this job by calling the Human Resources Department at View phone number on click.appcast.io; or via email at View email address on click.appcast.io.

We are an Equal Opportunity / E-Verify Employer