Senior Systems Administrator - Hybrid Telework

Job Description and Duties

Build secure, scalable infrastructure that supports the Departments State Hospitals services. Help power the mission of behavioral health across California. As we modernize our IT Infrastructure, you’ll shape how technology supports staff and patients, at scale.

As an IT Specialist II in our Enterprise Infrastructure Team, you’ll be a senior-level technical expert driving the design, security, and operation of both cloud and on-prem infrastructure. This role is highly technical and strategic, focusing on systems engineering, cloud services (Azure & AWS), virtualization (VMware), Active Directory, automation, and enterprise security.

You’ll work closely with peers in Cybersecurity, Networking, Applications, and other technical teams to support mission-critical systems and modernize how IT infrastructure is deployed and maintained across all DSH facilities. While this is not a people-management role, your leadership will be reflected in technical ownership, mentorship, and innovation.

• A hands-on cloud or systems engineer who thrives in complex environments
• Comfortable juggling both strategic planning and operational execution
• A natural collaborator who works well with infrastructure, security, and application teams
• Passionate about using technology to improve healthcare delivery and public service

Under the general direction of the Information Technology Manager I, Enterprise Infrastructure Server Manager, the Information Technology Specialist II performs a wide variety of tasks in support of Department of State Hospitals (DSH) requiring regular innovative problem-solving within broadly stated and non-specific guidelines, including multiple program areas, and involving planning, developing, and implementing technological solutions that are essential to the mission of DSH.

The primary duties of the IT Specialist II lie within the Systems Engineering and Cloud domains. Elements include architecture, security, design, development, testing, operation, configuration, and maintenance of systems. System elements include Server, storage, operating system, Active Directory, Azure, AWS, Automation, database, VMware (VRA, Log Insight), Vulnerability management, Office 365, Nagios

Must be able to travel to all DSH sites.

***Click on the link to complete the Department of State Hospitals Recruitment Survey:

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

• This position reports to the Allenby Building in Sacramento County and may be eligible and considered for a telework opportunity in accordance with departmental policies, operational needs, and management approval. Employees are currently required to work in-person at least four (4) days per week in alignment with Executive Order N-22-25 . Additional in-office days may be required based on operational needs. The incumbent may also be required to travel throughout California as needed, with prior notice
• The State’s Commute Programs provide bicycle, mass transit and vanpool incentives to eligible state employees. The State’s mass transit incentive pays 100% of the transit pass up to the IRS maximum of $340 per month in 2026.

• DSH-Sacramento is located at an 11 floor high rise building.

Special Requirements

***While US mail applications are still accepted, applying electronically through your CalCareers account is strongly encouraged.***

NOTE: If applying by mail, please do not submit the “Equal Employment Opportunity” questionnaire (page 10) with your completed State Application (STD 678). This page is for examination use only.

Candidates who reside outside of the State of California may be admitted to the job interview. However, upon job offer candidates must provide proof of residence in California prior to their appointment becoming effective, or the offer may be rescinded.

Applicants must submit the required documents in order to be considered for this position. Failure to complete the STD 678 in its entirety may result in disqualification, resumes and/or Statements of Qualifications do not take the place of the STD 678. You must clearly indicate the basis of your eligibility (i.e., list, transfer, SROA/Surplus, reinstatement, etc.), classification title, position number, and job control number in the Examination/Job Title section. 

*** Foreign Degrees or Transcripts – Applicants with foreign degrees or transcripts who wish to apply that coursework toward meeting the minimum qualifications of the classification must provide a transcript evaluation that indicates the number of units to which his/her foreign coursework is equivalent. DSH accepts foreign transcript evaluations that are completed by one of the services listed on these webpages:

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Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

Technical Expertise (Preferred, Not Required)

• Strong experience designing and administering hybrid infrastructure solutions using Azure, AWS, and on-prem systems
• Proficiency in Windows Server, Active Directory, and Group Policy management at an enterprise scale
• Hands-on knowledge of Office 365 administration, including Exchange Online, Teams, SharePoint, and compliance/security configurations
• Deep understanding of virtualization platforms such as VMware vSphere, vRA, and Log Insight
• Experience implementing infrastructure automation using PowerShell, Ansible, or other scripting tools
• Familiarity with enterprise monitoring tools such as Splunk, Log Insight, or Azure Monitor
• Knowledge of vulnerability management processes and remediation best practices

Design & Architecture (Preferred, Not Required)

• Proven ability to design scalable, secure infrastructure solutions across cloud and on-prem environments
• Experience developing or contributing to infrastructure standards, architecture diagrams, and documentation
• Ability to evaluate new technologies and contribute to modernization and cloud adoption strategies

Strategic Thinking & Collaboration (Preferred, Not Required)

• Experience working across IT teams (e.g., Cybersecurity, Networking, Application Development) to implement infrastructure solutions
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to anticipate infrastructure needs or risks
• Ability to act as a technical lead or SME on complex infrastructure projects

Communication & Leadership (Preferred, Not Required)

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, especially in documenting systems and presenting to technical/non-technical stakeholders
• Demonstrated experience mentoring or guiding junior staff, even without formal direct reports
• Ability to work independently and prioritize tasks in a fast-paced, multi-site environment

Education & Certifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field
• Relevant certifications such as:
  • Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate / Azure Solutions Architect
  • AWS Certified Solutions Architect
  • VMware Certified Professional (VCP)
  • Microsoft 365 Certified: Enterprise Administrator Expert
  • CompTIA Security+, Cisco CCNA, or similar for security/networking knowledge

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Benefits include: Sick Leave, Vacation Leave, 11 Paid State Holidays, one (1), eight (8) hours, Paid Personal Holiday and two (2), (16) hours, Paid Professional Development Days (PDD) per fiscal year; excellent Health, Vision and Dental insurance plans; Medical and Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts; an Employee Assistance Program; Alternate Workweek Schedules and Flextime; and, enrollment in the CalPERS retirement system.

Statement Of Qualifications

A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required and must be submitted along with your State application. The SOQ consists of questions that must specifically be addressed and submitted with an application. Resumes and cover letters DO NOT take the place of the SOQ. Applicants that do not submit the required SOQ will be disqualified.

Requirements for Statement of Qualifications:

• Paper Size to be 8 ½" x 11"
• Left, Right, Top, and Bottom Margins to be 1"
• Font type to be Arial, Font size to be 12
• Do not exceed two pages in length

Please respond to the following SQQ questions:

1. Describe your experience designing and implementing hybrid infrastructure solutions across cloud (e.g., Azure or AWS) and on-premises environments.
   • In your response, include specific examples of projects you led or contributed to, the technologies used, and how your design decisions supported security, scalability, or performance objectives.
2. Explain your role in managing and automating enterprise infrastructure operations.
   • Highlight your experience with systems administration, scripting or automation tools, and monitoring or vulnerability management solutions. How did your work improve system reliability, efficiency, or security?
3. Provide an example of how you collaborated with cross-functional IT teams (e.g., Cybersecurity, Networking, Applications) to deliver a complex infrastructure project.
4. Describe your responsibilities, how you navigated competing priorities, and what the outcome was. What communication or leadership skills did you rely on to ensure success?

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is required and must be included.
• Other -

  Candidates that believe they meet the Minimum Qualifications based on a pattern of education from classification description (specifications) must provide a copy of your TRANSCRIPTS along with your application (STD. 678) to be considered for this position.

  Candidates that believe they meet the Minimum Qualifications based on experience, must state that in the bypass notes for this requirement.

• Statement of Qualifications -

  Please see the Statement of Qualifications section at the bottom of this job advertisement for more details.

  Applicants must submit the required documents in order to be considered for this position. Applicants who fail to submit the SOQ, as requested (i.e. respond to questions asked), may be disqualified.