System Administrator

Richmond, BC Canada | Information Technology

No. of Openings

3-5

Years of Experience

Five and above

Education Requirement

A bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field is required.

Key Responsibilities

1. Server Management: Administer and maintain servers, ensuring they are secure, up-to-date, and running smoothly. This includes both physical and virtual servers.

2. Security Management: Implement and enforce security measures to protect the organization’s data and systems from threats, such as viruses, malware, and cyberattacks.

3. Backup and Recovery: Establish and maintain data backup systems to prevent data loss and develop disaster recovery plans to minimize downtime in case of system failures.

4. Hardware Management: Maintain and troubleshoot hardware components, including computers, servers, and storage devices.

5. Monitoring and Performance Optimization: Continuously monitor system performance, identify bottlenecks or issues, and optimize system resources for maximum efficiency.

6. Patch Management: Apply security patches and updates to keep software and systems protected from vulnerabilities.

7. Documentation: Maintain detailed records and documentation of the organization’s IT systems, configurations, and processes.

8. Technical Support: Provide technical support to end-users, addressing IT-related issues and troubleshooting problems.

9. Email System Management: Administer email servers and services, ensuring that email communication is secure and operational.

10. Virtualization: Manage virtual environments, such as VMware or Hyper-V, to optimize resource utilization and scalability.

11. Automation: Implement automation scripts and tools to streamline routine tasks and improve system efficiency.

12. Compliance and Policy Enforcement: Ensure that IT systems and practices comply with relevant regulations and internal policies.

13. Vendor Management: Interact with IT vendors, negotiate contracts, and manage relationships with third-party service providers.

14. Training and Knowledge Sharing: Stay current with technology trends and provide training and knowledge sharing to IT staff and end-users.

15. 24/7 On-Call Support: In some cases, sysadmins may be required to provide support outside of regular working hours to address critical issues.

Must-have Qualifications

1. Certifications: Essential certifications may include CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, and CompTIA Security+. Other certifications like Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) or Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) may also be necessary, depending on the organization’s technology stack.

2. Operating Systems Proficiency: Strong expertise in operating systems such as Windows Server, Linux, and Unix is essential.

3. Network Management: Proficiency in network administration, including configuring routers, switches, and firewalls, is a must.

4. Server Administration: Experience in managing and maintaining servers, both physical and virtual, is crucial.

5. Troubleshooting Skills: The ability to diagnose and resolve hardware and software issues is a fundamental skill.

6. Security Awareness: An understanding of security best practices, including firewalls, antivirus software, intrusion detection systems, and data encryption, is essential.

7. Backup and Recovery: Proficiency in data backup and recovery methods to ensure data integrity and availability.

8. Scripting and Automation: Familiarity with scripting languages like PowerShell, Bash, or Python to automate routine tasks.

9. Documentation Skills: The ability to create and maintain clear and organized system documentation is crucial for effective system management.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Advanced Certifications: Additional certifications like Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE), Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), or Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) can be advantageous.

2. Cloud Computing Knowledge: Familiarity with cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud can be beneficial as more organizations are adopting cloud technologies.

3. Virtualization Experience: Proficiency with virtualization technologies like VMware, Hyper-V, or KVM can be an asset.

4. Database Administration: Skills in managing and optimizing databases, such as Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL, or PostgreSQL, can be preferred.

5. Containerization: Knowledge of containerization technologies like Docker and container orchestration platforms like Kubernetes can be valuable.

6. DevOps and Configuration Management: Understanding of DevOps practices and tools, as well as experience with configuration management tools like Ansible, Puppet, or Chef.

7. Network Security: Expertise in network security, including intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS) and firewall management.

8. Project Management Skills: Experience in managing IT projects, from planning to implementation, can be a plus.

9. Communication and Interpersonal Skills: The ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and communicate technical information to non-technical stakeholders.

10. ITIL Foundation: Knowledge of ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) principles and best practices for IT service management.