GLO - Systems Administrator (Systems Administrator III)

The Texas General Land Office is seeking a Systems Administrator III (Systems Administrator) within the Information Technology Services Department of the agency.

The Systems Administrator performs complex (journey-level) systems administration work involving maintaining the configuration and operation, and reliability of systems and installing and upgrading computer components and system software. Works under general supervision, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Employees at this level may work more independently than those at the previous levels and may routinely assist other staff in performing work of greater complexity. Employees may: Maintain workstation/server data integrity by using appropriate software and hardware solutions along with implementing a schedule of backups for data archiving. Configure automation routines using scripting and other programming languages. Study existing information processing systems to evaluate effectiveness, and develop new systems to improve production or workflow as required.

The Systems Administrator plays a vital role in maintaining and enhancing the agency’s core IT infrastructure. This includes administering servers, virtualization platforms, and enterprise cloud services to ensure reliable and secure operations. The position supports the agency’s cloud-smart strategy by implementing and maintaining hybrid infrastructure solutions that integrate on-premises systems with Microsoft Azure and AWS environments.

This role contributes to the modernization and automation of IT operations by developing scripts and tools that improve efficiency and reduce manual workload. The Systems Administrator partners closely with engineering, operations, and security teams to support system monitoring, patching, incident response, and disaster recovery activities, ensuring continuous service availability and compliance with state IT security standards.

Operating as a hands-on technical contributor, the Systems Administrator serves as a subject-matter expert in infrastructure reliability, performance optimization, and system hardening. The individual in this role will demonstrate initiative, problem-solving acumen, and a commitment to delivering dependable technology services that empower agency employees and protect the agency’s mission-critical systems.

The Information Technology Services (ITS) team advances the mission of the State of Texas General Land Office through technology. We deliver innovative technology solutions and services to the agency and are a value partner in our mission success. We are committed to operating with a growth mindset, developing sustainable solutions, providing excellent customer service, and safeguarding the IT resources of the agency. ITS leverages the capabilities of the most advanced technology platforms to drive innovation, transparency, and connection for Texans.

Our Mission:
The Texas General Land Office primarily serves the schoolchildren, veterans, and the environment of Texas. The agency does so by preserving our history, maximizing state revenue through innovative administration, and through the prudent stewardship of state lands and natural resources.

What Your Contributions to the GLO Will be:

• Administers and maintains agency server, virtualization, and cloud-based environments; installs, configures, patches, and monitors systems to ensure reliable and secure operations.
• Performs systems administration and support for end-user computing platforms and device management systems that enable secure, efficient, and compliant workstation and mobile environments.
• Provides Tier 2 and Tier 3 technical support for system-related incidents and requests; troubleshoots complex issues and coordinates with other teams and stakeholders to resolve them.
• Implements and manages system monitoring, alerting, backup, and disaster recovery processes to maintain service availability and data protection.
• Supports lifecycle management for infrastructure components, including upgrades, migrations, and decommissioning, in coordination with IT leadership.
• Develops and maintains scripts, automation, and deployment tools to streamline routine operational tasks and improve efficiency.
• Ensures compliance with security and operational standards, including TAC 202, agency policies, and IT change management practices.
• Maintains accurate system documentation, configuration records, and operational procedures to support knowledge transfer and governance requirements.
• Three years of experience in systems administration, cloud infrastructure management, or server operations.
• Education with substitution option if needed

Minimum Qualifications:

Location Requirement:

This position is based in Austin, TX. Candidates must be currently located in the Austin area or willing to relocate at their own expense. Relocation assistance is not provided.

Physical Requirements:

This position requires the employee to primarily perform sedentary office work; however, mobility (moving around the worksite) is routinely required to carry out some duties. This position requires extensive computer, telephone and client/ customer contact and communication. It requires the ability to move and position oneself as needed for filing and similar routine office duties. The job also requires normal cognitive abilities requiring the ability to learn, recall, and apply certain practices and policies. It requires the stamina to maintain attention to detail despite interruptions. Ability to read printed materials and computer screens. The individual must be able to move and transport records, documents, boxes, and all related information and materials, weighing up to 20 pounds when required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in computer science, information systems, or a related field.
• Experience monitoring, troubleshooting, and resolving complex system performance and security issues across on-premises and cloud environments.
• Experience designing, implementing, and administering ITIL-based or Agile operational processes to improve service delivery and efficiency.
• Experience designing, implementing, and managing ServiceNow ITSM processes, including Incident, Problem, Change, and Request Management, as well as Configuration Management Databases (CMDBs) and related integrations with other platforms and information sources.
• Experience implementing or managing system performance monitoring platforms such as SolarWinds or equivalent tools.
• Experience maintaining and supporting Windows Server, virtualization platforms (VMware vSphere/ESXi, vCenter, Site Recovery Manager), and enterprise cloud environments such as Microsoft Azure or Amazon Web Services (AWS).
• Experience with end-user computing and device management systems, including Microsoft Intune, System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM), ZENworks Configuration Manager, or similar platforms.
• Experience implementing or supporting backup, recovery, and disaster recovery solutions, as well as automation and scripting using Windows PowerShell or comparable scripting environments.
• Experience designing, implementing, and managing Microsoft 365 services, including Exchange, Teams, SharePoint Online, and the Power Platform.
• Familiarity with security compliance standards such as TAC 202, NIST, and CIS benchmarks, and tools such as Netwrix or LogRhythm for auditing, logging, and SIEM operations.
• Experience administering middle-tier platforms such as Adobe ColdFusion, Red Hat JBoss, or Apache Tomcat.
• Experience supporting or integrating identity management systems such as Okta or other identity providers.

Relevant Professional Certifications Such As:

• ServiceNow Certified System Administrator
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate or Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE)
• VMware Certified Professional – Data Center Virtualization (VCP-DCV) or VMware Certified Professional – Cloud (VCP-Cloud)
• AWS Certified SysOps Administrator
• CompTIA Server+, Network+, or Security+
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
• Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) or Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)

Compensation And Benefits:

·       Free Parking

• Defined Retirement Benefit Plan Optional 401(k) and 457 accounts
• Medical Insurance - State pays 100% of the health plan premium for eligible full-time employees and 50% of the premium for their eligible dependents. The State pays 50% of the eligible part-time employees’ premium and 25% for eligible dependents.
• Optional Benefits such as dental, vision, and life insurance.
• Minimum of 96+ Hours of Annual Leave a year **Annual leave increases with length of service.
• Professional Development Opportunities: The GLO offers numerous courses to help our employees grow using resources through LinkedIn Learning and our EAP provider.

Veterans:
Use your military skills to qualify for this position or other jobs! Go to www.texasskillstowork.com to translate your military work experience and training courses into civilian job terms, qualifications and skill sets. Also, you can compare this position to military occupations (MOS) at the Texas State Auditor's Office by pasting this link into your browser:

Military Crosswalk for Occupational Category - Information Technology 

How To Apply:

• To be considered, please complete a State of Texas Application for Employment and apply online at www.workintexas.com or in the CAPPS Career Section.
• You may apply for the job directly through the CAPPS Career Section. It is not necessary to apply both through Work in Texas and the CAPPS Career Section.
• Applications must be fully completed with a detailed job history, including job title, employment dates, employer name, supervisor's name and phone number, and a summary of responsibilities. Incomplete applications may lead to disqualification. Please be aware that resumes will not be accepted in place of a completed application.
• In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.
• A position utilizing this classification will be designated as security sensitive according to the Texas Labor Code, Section 301.042.
• Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.