IT Specialist (SysAdmin), IS-2210-11/12

IT Specialist (SysAdmin), IS-2210-11/12 Application Deadline: 8 May 2026 Department: Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory Employment Type: Full Time Location: Cambridge, MA Compensation: $84,579 - $109,959 / year Description Opening Date: February 5, 2026 Closing Date: May 8, 2026 Series/Grade: 2210/11,12 Type of Position: Trust Indefinite (Non-Federal) Division: Information Technology Services Location: Cambridge, MA Area Of Consideration: This position is open to all eligible candidates. What are Trust Fund Positions? Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service and have a separate benefit program. Conditions of Employment Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation, as required. Complete a Probationary Period if applicable. Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer. The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply. Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. Overview The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) is a leading institution at the forefront of scientific exploration of the universe. SAO operates as part of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA) and engages in a wide range of research and educational activities. Summary The position is a Software Administrator role, working with a variety of enterprise software platforms. The incumbent should understand IT concepts, including network, compute, and storage technologies, and be skilled in planning, executing, and monitoring application projects across short- and long-term timelines. Major Duties Software Management: Skillfully install and configure a wide range of enterprise software applications, including ERP systems (e.g., Oracle), CRM platforms, collaboration tools such as Google Suite, MS Teams, and Slack. Ensure applications are properly integrated into existing systems. Participate in regular software maintenance tasks, including applying updates, patches, and security fixes to critical enterprise applications. Participate in major software upgrades. Support and Issue Resolution: Provide technical support to end users by promptly addressing software-related queries, concerns, and issues. Utilize a strong problem-solving approach to troubleshooting complex issues in enterprise and legacy software applications. Monitor performance metrics of enterprise applications and proactively identify areas for improvement. Optimize configurations to enhance user experience and efficiency. Project and Lifecycle Management: Participate in planning, testing, and deploying new systems, upgrades, and modernization initiatives. Evaluate emerging technologies and contribute to requirements development. Coordinate with vendors, contractors, and internal stakeholders to support system lifecycle activities. Documentation and Knowledge Sharing: Maintain comprehensive documentation of software installations, configurations, and troubleshooting steps for various enterprise applications. Share knowledge to expedite problem resolution across platforms. Provide technical advice to project teams, end users, and leadership on software capabilities, limitations, and best practices. Participate in planning for new software acquisitions, upgrades, and modernization initiatives. Compliance and Security: Implement stringent security measures, access controls, and authentication mechanisms to safeguard enterprise software systems. Enforce security controls in accordance with agency policies, NIST standards, and cybersecurity directives. Respond to and take action on information provided by vulnerability scans, implement patch management, and system hardening. Support audits, POA&Ms, and continuous monitoring activities. Perform other related duties as assigned. Qualification Requirements Basic Requirements: Attention to Detail – Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail. Customer Service – Works with clients and customers to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, and satisfy their expectations. Oral Communication – Expresses information effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information. Problem Solving – Identifies problems, determines accuracy and relevance of information, uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations. Additional Requirements: Candidates must possess at least one year of specialized experience at or above grade 9 level in similar positions. Specialized experience is experience that has provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the work of this position. OR Education: All academic degrees and coursework must be from accredited institutions. Undergraduate or graduate education: Degree in computer science, engineering, information science, information systems management, mathematics, operations research, statistics, technology management, or a degree that provided a minimum of 24 semester hours in one or more of the fields identified above and required the development or adaptation of applications, systems or networks. Grade 11: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. OR 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required Experience and knowledge in software installation, support, maintenance, and upgrades. Knowledge of security protocols and best practices for enterprise software administration; knowledge of cybersecurity principles, system hardening, access control, encryption, and vulnerability mitigation. Knowledge of and skill in deploying software containerization platforms as well as integration with cloud environments. Effective communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across teams. The ability to write concise, user-oriented documentation for software and/or hardware systems, and to write system maintenance documentation. Knowledge of operating systems, databases, APIs, authentication services, and cloud environments. Skill in scripting/automation to support deployment, monitoring, and troubleshooting. Knowledge of ITIL, change management, and configuration management practices. Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins. Relocation expenses are not paid. The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact View email address on click.appcast.io. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case‑by‑case basis. The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that a workforce comprising a variety of educational, cultural, and experiential backgrounds supports and enhances our daily work life and contributes to the richness of our exhibitions and programs. See Smithsonian EEO program information: The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is an equal opportunity employer. Please visit the SAO website at #J-18808-Ljbffr Smithsonian Institution