Administrator Sr.-Systems

Westlake Chemical; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Westlake Chemical seeks a Windows Administrator to provide Windows OS and server management across North American locations, covering hardware installation, software deployment, and SOP updates. You will support corporate server admins and IT coordinators, assist with infrastructure projects, and ensure Windows services run reliably.

The role requires strong communication, teamwork, and the ability to lead complex tasks during maintenance windows, with on-call rotation and weekend/evening hours

Qualifications

• College diploma or university degree in computer science or related field.
• 10 years equivalent work experience.
• Certifications in Microsoft Windows Enterprise Products including Exchange and Server operating systems preferred or demonstrated by experience.
• Significant experience with Azure and AWS cloud environments.
• Significant technical experience with designing, building, installing, configuring and supporting Windows servers in physical, virtual and cloud environments.
• Hands-on performance tuning and troubleshooting experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide Windows Administrative & support services for Westlake corporate entities, including hardware and software installation.
• Provide technical support to corporate server admins and IT coordinators across North American locations.
• Assist with implementation of system infrastructure projects.
• Maintain standard Windows services (Print, file, DNS, DHCP) across environments.
• Monitor server logs and other monitoring tools for abnormal activity.

Skills

Communication

Customer service

Root cause analysis

Team leadership

On-call readiness

Independent work

Education

CS degree or college diploma

10 years equivalent experience

Azure & AWS experience

Windows Enterprise Certifications

Hands-on performance tuning

Tools

Azure

AWS

Windows Server

Backup & recovery tools

Job description

Westlake offers you the potential to enrich your work life and career experience in an entrepreneurial environment. We work together to enhance peoples' lives through our products and presence in the communities in which we operate.

SUMMARY

As a Windows Administrator, provide all Westlake Corporate entities with Windows Administrative & support services, including hardware installation, software installation, and specifications for requisitioning computer hardware and software. Provide technical support to corporate server admin and to the IT Coordinators supporting all North American locations. Assist with implementation of system infrastructure projects.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

General Description

• Works independently/receives minimal guidance
• Solves complex problems
• In-depth knowledge & experience with some specific work related areas
• Acts as a resource for colleagues with less experience
• May lead the work of project teams, may formally train junior staff
• Resolves most issues when alerted by on-call emergency phone during assigned rotation period

Operating System Administration

• Responsible for keeping a subset of Westlake servers up-to-date with the latest Microsoft Windows operating system security patches.
• Maintains standard Windows services like Print, file, DNS, DHCP in physical, virtual and cloud environments.
• Responsible for monitoring a subset of Westlake server logs and other monitoring tools for abnormal operations and security activities.
• Reviews and updates Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to ensure consistent server management.
• Maintains departmental network share for all server software and upgrades. Adds additional software and patches as needed.
• Able to validate permissions and groups in existing file server folder structure.
• Verifies assigned daily backup jobs are completed as scheduled. Capable of resolving most issues related to failed backup jobs.
• Able to solve most third level application support issues

Special Projects

• Leads team to install new operating systems for Windows servers; follows change management process for approvals.
• Leads team to replace software for major applications.
• Assess latest server technology, backup devices, etc. and recommends choices as technology evolves.
• Evaluates packaged software based on user requirement and vendor specifications.
• Assist senior team members determine configuration requirements, e.g., Server, PC, Bandwidth, etc.
• At the direction of senior team members setup evaluation copy of software for testing by users and IT.
• Any additional responsibilities or tasks as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Strong technical documentation skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and customer service orientation.
• Frequently presents ideas in both technical and non-technical user-friendly language dependent on the intended audience.
• Performs root cause analysis of IT operational issues as required.
• Experience working in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.
• Ability to effectively lead complex tasks in a high-pressure environment.
• Able to work weekend and evening hours for maintenance and emergency work

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• College diploma or university degree in the field of computer science and 10 years equivalent work experience.
• Certifications in Microsoft Windows Enterprise Products including Exchange and Server operating systems is preferred. May be substituted with experience.
• Significant experience working in Azure and AWS cloud environments.
• Significant technical experience with designing, building, installing, configuring and supporting Windows servers in physical, virtual and cloud environments.
• Hands-on performance tuning and troubleshooting experience.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; stand; walk; use hands to touch, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate as normally based in an office. Some of the work may be required in the operating units which can require usage of required PPE including safety glasses, hearing protection, etc. May also result in exposure to outside elements and may require usage of stairs and elevators. Travel up to 25% including air travel or auto travel.

Westlake is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristics protected by applicable legislation.