Senior Systems Administrator (Information Systems Specialist 7)

Senior Systems Administrator (Information Systems Specialist 7)

Working Title: Senior Systems Administrator

Classification: Information Systems Specialist 7

Position Type: Limited Duration, Full-time

Representation: Service Employees International Union (SEIU)

FLSA Status: Exempt, ineligible for overtime or compensatory time.

Monthly Compensation: The monthly salary range before PERS* will be $6,846-$10,344 | after PERS* will be $7,323-$11,070.

Work Location: North Mall Office Building, 725 Summer St. NE Suite A, Salem Oregon 97301.

Hybrid/Remote Work: Hybrid work eligible. 1-2 days per week in office, hybrid schedule agreed upon by manager. Quantity of office days may be adjusted based on business need with notice.

Duration: This position is a limited duration job rotation anticipated to last until June 30, 2027.

This position may be extended beyond June 30, 2027, or decreased due to business/funding need. Either management or the employee can terminate the rotation at any time.

Job Rotation Considerations:

• You keep your base job and return to it at the end of the rotation.
• If either you or the manager decides the rotation isn't the right fit, it can end early.
• Your pay will not decrease; if your current salary is higher than the rotation range, it stays the same.
• You may receive additional pay if the rotation is at a higher salary range.
• Experience gained can strengthen your résumé and competitiveness for future opportunities.
• To apply as a job rotation, you must be a current State of Oregon employee in a permanent position. Supervisor approval is required and should be attached to the application.

The primary purpose of this position is to serve as an expert level consultant on the infrastructure unit to be the Senior Systems Administrator and assist with networking, security and compliance, troubleshooting & performance optimization, backup and disaster recovery to management.

The Senior Systems Administrator identifies opportunities along with our resident system administrator (ISS6) to coordinate and lead efforts internally and work with Enterprise Information Services (EIS) to increase our effectiveness and stabilize our IT Infrastructure setup.

As systems grow more complex and cybersecurity requirements intensify, this position is essential to ensure the reliability, security, and performance of these foundational systems. This role provides advanced technical expertise, leads infrastructure planning and modernization, and ensures the agency's systems remain stable, compliant, and resilient.

Some Key Responsibilities:

• Ensures secure, reliable operation of agency-wide systems, networks, servers, and cloud systems
• Provides advanced troubleshooting and rapid incident response to minimize downtime
• Supports compliance with statewide cybersecurity, data protection, and Continuity of Operations (COOP) requirements
• Leads infrastructure upgrades, modernization efforts, and long-term capacity planning

Minimum Qualifications:

• (a) Six (6) years of information systems experience in: (Systems administration, networking, security, troubleshooting, and backup/recovery);
• OR
• (b) An Associate's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field, OR completion of a two (2) year accredited vocational training program in information technology or related field;
• AND
• four (4) years of information systems experience in: (Systems administration, networking, security, troubleshooting, and backup/recovery);
• OR
• (c) A Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field AND two (2) years of information systems experience in: (Systems administration, networking, security, troubleshooting, and backup/recovery);
• OR
• (d) Master's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field may substitute for all of the above.

Desired Attributes & Leadership Skills:

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across Infrastructure, Database Administration, Service Desk, Application Development, Security, and Leadership teams to drive operational excellence and address technical debt across previously under-supported environments.
• Clear communication skills, including written, verbal, visual, and active listening capabilities, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts for diverse audiences and improve cross-functional alignment, escalation quality, and stakeholder engagement.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills with a structured troubleshooting methodology, strong attention to detail, and the ability to identify root causes and implement sustainable solutions within complex infrastructure environments.
• Strong customer-focused mindset combined with excellent prioritization, time management, and service delivery practices, ensuring high-quality support while reducing operational burden on frontline support teams.
• Proven adaptability, intellectual curiosity, and commitment to continuous learning, with the ability to rapidly acquire expertise across infrastructure domains including systems, identity and access management, networking, cloud platforms, security, and automation.
• Ability to mentor junior administrators and contribute to the development of operational standards, documentation, and best practices that improve team effectiveness and organizational resilience.

Technical Competencies:

• Infrastructure & Systems Administration: Extensive experience administering enterprise server environments, operating systems, virtualization platforms, patch management processes, and core infrastructure services with a focus on reliability, scalability, and lifecycle management.
• Ability to architect, maintain, and optimize infrastructure platforms while identifying opportunities for automation, standardization, and technical debt reduction.
• Networking: Strong understanding of networking principles, including TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, routing, switching, VPN technologies, firewalls, and network troubleshooting.
• Ability to diagnose complex connectivity and performance issues across hybrid and multi-site environments.
• Security, Identity & Compliance: Experience implementing and supporting security best practices, vulnerability management programs, identity and access management, privileged access controls, and compliance initiatives.
• Ability to assess risk, remediate security findings, and contribute to organizational security posture improvements.
• Troubleshooting, Monitoring & Performance Optimization: Advanced troubleshooting skills across infrastructure, operating systems, cloud services, applications, and network layers.
• Experience leveraging monitoring, logging, and observability tools to proactively identify issues, optimize performance, and reduce recurring incidents.
• Backup, Recovery & Business Continuity: Strong knowledge of enterprise backup and recovery solutions, disaster recovery planning, storage lifecycle management, and business continuity strategies.
• Experience validating recovery objectives through testing, documentation, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Cloud & Hybrid Infrastructure: Experience supporting cloud platforms and hybrid environments, including governance, cost optimization, security controls, resource provisioning, and operational support.
• Understanding of cloud architecture principles, automation opportunities, and platform modernization initiatives.
• Automation & Scripting: Experience developing and maintaining automation solutions through scripting and infrastructure management tools to improve operational efficiency, consistency, and scalability.
• Ability to automate routine administrative tasks, reporting, provisioning, and system maintenance activities.

Working Conditions:

• Office environment with the following conditions:
• • High volume of quality work must be accomplished within tight timeframes with minimal supervision
• • Requires concentration while working on highly technical information in an open office environment where there are frequent interruptions
• • Requires managing multiple and competing priorities
• • May require irregular work hours, including night and/or weekend work
• • Requires frequent and extended periods of desktop or laptop computer use
• • Requires excellent oral and written communications skills
• • Requires conflict resolution skills
• • Requires constant use of computer input/output devices
• • Occasional light lifting of under 50lbs.
• • Occasionally travel around the state using a state vehicle.

What's in it for you?

• PEBB Insurance with exceptional medical, vision and dental plans with employees paying 1 to 5% of the total premium.
• Leave accrual starting at 8 hours of sick and 8 hours of vacation leave per month, with your vacation leave accruals increasing every 5 years.
• Access to an additional four days of discretionary leave - 3 days of personal business leave and one day of Governor's Leave each year.
• Eleven paid holidays per year.
• Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) including a pension and employer contributions to the Individual Account Program.
• Optional benefits (such as term