Windows System Administrator

Job Type Contract Description

Founded in 2007, Initiate Government Solutions (IGS) is a Woman-Owned Small Business and a fully remote IT services provider supporting federal partners nationwide. We deliver innovative Enterprise IT and Health Services solutions with a strong focus on data analytics, health informatics, cloud migration, AI, and the modernization of federal information systems.

Our vision is to be a health IT trendsetter, continuing to solve the nation’s most challenging healthcare IT issues by conceiving, designing, and building solid, creative, and innovative open-source solutions. 

Our mission is to innovate, design, and deliver tailored solutions that balance technical advancement with cost-awareness while providing exceptional service.

Assignment of Work and Travel:

This is a remote access assignment. Candidates will work remotely daily and will remotely access VA systems and therein use approved VA provided communications systems. Travel is not required; however, the candidate may be required to attend onsite client meetings as requested.

Please note this is a 1099 assignment for 4 months. 

We are seeking an experienced and skilled Windows System Administrator to join our IT team. As a key member of our infrastructure support team, you will be responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining our Windows-based systems, networks, and applications.  This position offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on veteran healthcare, while working in a dynamic, mission-driven environment that values collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. 

Responsibilities and Duties (Included but not limited to):

• Perform monthly security patching and vulnerability remediation for Windows Operating Systems (OSs).
• Harden Windows servers per VA Security Technical Implementation Guide (STIG) guidelines. 
• Patch all systems, Windows, to minimize security vulnerabilities and stay in Authority to Operate (ATO) compliance.
• Provide updated ATO documentation for each system as necessary.
• Schedule and maintain backup jobs for all systems (Windows) (backup varies from system to system; generally, data consists of physical systems that are primarily Windows. 
• Administer backup servers (Windows) for Microsoft Data Protector Manager and HP Data Protector or similar software. Troubleshoot and repair failed backups and bottlenecks. 
• Upgrade backup software approximately twice per year. 
• Generate daily and weekly reports from each backup application for backup success/failures, which shall be delivered as part of the Weekly Status Report.
• Conduct Back-up software installation/upgrade/patching. 
• Conduct Back-up load balancing and optimizations. 
• Administer HP Data Protector, Commvault or similar devices, policies, backup specifications, templates, and global configuration settings. 
• Monitor and adjust to keep optimal system performance and identify any input/output (I/O) bottlenecks during backup. 
• Create and maintain Pre/Post backup scripts (custom scripts ran before and after back-up job) as part of the Weekly Status Report. Any failed back-up issues shall be reported weekly by telephone or email to Technical PM. 
• Integrate and administer HP Command View Tape Library. 
• Administer Commvault or other backup software being used in the environment and associated devices. 
• Perform data restorations approximately twice per quarter as directed by Technical PM. 
• Provide Build guides, Configuration guide, Backup Management Plan, Lifecycle migration plan for all Systems.
• Install, configure and maintain approved OS versions which can include Windows 2019, including OS patching, drivers and hardware firmware. 
• Perform operating system upgrades and patching weekly or as needed. 
• Administer Microsoft HYPER-V clusters and Virtual Machine Manager.
• Conduct System optimization and updating. 
• Conduct Server performance bottleneck troubleshooting. 
• Maintain or create group policies/ local policies required by security entities. 
• Maintain Microsoft Forefront Threat Management Gateway (TMG) servers as the firewall for the project  by creating/removing/modifying security policies monthly or as needed. 
• Maintain Applications (commercially available and VA developed applications) through Microsoft terminal services application deployment services. 
• Administer System Center Operations Manager – upgrade, configuration & maintenance. 
• Verify weekly backups by checking the backup application log. 
• Report on any system issues and document any system addition or modifications as part of the Monthly Platform Support Health Report. 
• Provide Configuration Guides for each system and Bug/Fix Documentation. 

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Computer Science, Systems, Business or related scientific/technical discipline.
• 5 to 10 years of experience in a professional work environment (additional year of experience if years if education requirement is not met) 
• Windows 2019, 2016, 2012 R2, 2008 R2, 2016 administration 
• Prior experience with an ATO process  
• Patching, Installing, configuring and maintaining Windows Servers; advanced troubleshooting, and advanced Windows Server communications and hosting within Azure Cloud Environments 
• Experience with PowerShell scripting for Azure based server administration and automation 
• Experience working with Azure Resource Manager (ARM) Templates and Azure Resource Groups 
• Experience with Azure Containers and related orchestration tools like Docker and/or Kubernetes  
• Experience managing Azure virtual machines, virtual networks, and related Azure cloud storage 

Preferred Qualifications and Core Competencies:

• Current VA Public Trust 
• Microsoft Certification highly desired  
• Prior, successful experience working in a remote environment? 
• Previous, experience supporting the VA  
• VA Public Trust 

Successful IGS employees embody the following Core Values:

• Integrity, Honesty, and Ethics: We conduct our business with the highest level of ethics. Doing things like being accountable for mistakes, accepting helpful criticism, and following through on commitments to ourselves, each other, and our customers. 
• Empathy, Emotional Intelligence: How we interact with others including peers, colleagues, stakeholders, and customers’ matters. We take collective responsibility to create an environment where colleagues and customers feel valued, included, and respected. We work within a diverse, integrated, and collaborative team to drive towards accomplishing the larger mission. We conscientiously and meticulously learn about our customers’ and end-users’ business drivers and challenges to ensure solutions meet not only technical needs but also support their mission.
• Strong Work Ethic (Reliability, Dedication, Productivity): We are driven by a strong, self-motivated, and results-driven work ethic. We are reliable, accountable, proactive, and tenacious and will do what it takes to get the job done. 
• Life-Long Learner (Curious, Perspective, Goal Oriented): We challenge ourselves to continually learn and improve ourselves. We strive to be an expert in our field, continuously honing our craft, and finding solutions where others see problems.  

Compensation: There are a host of factors that can influence final salary, including, but not limited to, geographic location, Federal Government contract labor categories and contract wage rates, relevant prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, education, and certifications.

Benefits: Initiate Government Solutions offers competitive compensation and a robust benefits package, including comprehensive medical, dental, and vision care, matching 401K and profit sharing, paid time off, training time for personal development, flexible spending accounts, employer-paid life insurance, employer-paid short and long term disability coverage, an education assistance program with potential merit increases for obtaining a work-related certification, employee recognition, and referral programs, spot bonuses, and other benefits that help provide financial protection for the employee and their family.

Initiate Government Solutions participates in the Electronic Employment Verification Program.