ArcGIS Systems Administrator

Ardent; Washington; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Ardent is seeking an experienced ArcGIS Systems Administrator to support installation, configuration, security, and daily admin of an Esri ArcGIS Enterprise environment. This is a full-time, on-site role in Washington, DC, requiring strong GIS and systems skills.

You will manage ArcGIS components, databases, security, and migrations, while collaborating with GIS professionals and IT staff. A Top Secret clearance and CI polygraph must be completed within the first months of employment.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience administering Esri ArcGIS Enterprise systems in a production environment.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in GIS, computer science, information technology, or related field.
• Strong working knowledge of enterprise geodatabase administration (SDE) and relational databases (SQL Server, Oracle, PostgreSQL).
• Experience with Windows Server and/or Linux server environments supporting enterprise apps.
• Familiarity with ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online and Esri tech stack.
• Understanding of GIS security best practices, including user/role management and authentication.
• Experience with system/ platform migrations (ArcGIS upgrades, infra/data migrations) preferred.
• Active Top Secret clearance and willingness to undergo CI polygraph within 3 months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Install, configure, and maintain ArcGIS Enterprise components (Portal for ArcGIS, ArcGIS Server, Data Store, Web Adaptor).
• Administer enterprise and file geodatabases; manage schema, versioning, replication, performance.
• Manage users, roles, groups, and security permissions across ArcGIS Enterprise, Portal, and ArcGIS Online.
• Monitor system health, troubleshoot outages, apply patches and updates.
• Configure and maintain federated server sites and hosting servers; support DB integration (SQL Server, Oracle, PostgreSQL).
• Implement backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity procedures.
• Administer software licensing and deployment of ArcGIS Pro and Esri apps.
• Collaborate with cartographers, analysts, and IT to support geospatial workflows.
• Document configurations, SOPs, and change management.
• Support platform and version migrations (ArcGIS Server/Portal upgrades) and data migrations.

Skills

ArcGIS Enterprise

ArcGIS Server

Portal for ArcGIS

SQL Server

Oracle

PostgreSQL

Windows Server

Linux

ArcGIS Pro

ArcGIS Online

Security best practices

Documentation

Troubleshooting

System migrations

CI polygraph

Education

Bachelor’s degree in GIS / computer science / information technology

Tools

ArcGIS Pro

ArcGIS Online

Esri software suite

Job description

Why do you need to choose between doing important work and having a fulfilling life? At Ardent, we have both. Ardent employees are committed to solving our customers’ most difficult problems—and we are committed to the well-being, personal goals, and professional development of our employee. We are “All In.” We put forth our strongest effort possible to get the mission accomplished and we do it together. We respect the skills and experience you bring to the Ardent team. And we provide a rewarding environment to help you succeed. We offer highly competitive benefits, professional development opportunities, and an exceptional culture that embraces flexibility, innovation, collaboration, and career growth. A collective service mindset underpins our work, and a shared camaraderie to serve clients, colleagues and our communities set us apart. Our full commitment to being "All In" for our employees and our clients is not just our approach, it is our standard.

Ardent is seeking an ArcGIS Systems Administrator to join our team. This is a full-time, on-site position in Washington DC.

Position Description

Ardent is seeking an experienced ArcGIS Systems Administrator to support the installation, configuration, security, and day-to-day administration of an Esri ArcGIS Enterprise environment. This role ensures the GIS platform remains stable, secure, and highly available for mission-critical geospatial operations, and serves as the primary point of contact for system-level GIS support.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Install, configure, and maintain ArcGIS Enterprise components, including Portal for ArcGIS, ArcGIS Server, ArcGIS Data Store, and Web Adaptor, across development, test, and production environments.
• Administer enterprise and file geodatabases, including schema management, versioning, replication, and performance tuning.
• Manage user accounts, roles, groups, and security permissions within ArcGIS Enterprise, Portal, and ArcGIS Online.
• Monitor system health and performance, troubleshoot service outages and errors, and apply patches, upgrades, and security updates.
• Configure and maintain federated server sites and hosting servers, and support integration with relational databases such as SQL Server, Oracle, or PostgreSQL.
• Implement and maintain backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity procedures for the GIS environment.
• Administer software licensing and support deployment of ArcGIS Pro and related Esri applications to end users.
• Collaborate with cartographers, analysts, and IT staff to support geospatial data workflows and resolve system-level issues.
• Document system configurations, standard operating procedures, and change management activities.
• Support platform and version migrations, such as ArcGIS Server or Portal upgrades and infrastructure or data migrations, as needed.

Requirements

• Minimum of 5 years of experience administering Esri ArcGIS Enterprise systems (ArcGIS Server, Portal for ArcGIS, ArcGIS Data Store) in a production environment.
• Bachelor’s degree in GIS, computer science, information technology, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Strong working knowledge of enterprise geodatabase administration (SDE) and relational database platforms such as SQL Server, Oracle, or PostgreSQL.
• Experience administering Windows Server and/or Linux server environments in support of enterprise applications.
• Familiarity with ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online, and the broader Esri technology stack.
• Understanding of GIS security best practices, including user/role management, authentication, and system hardening.
• Experience with system or platform migrations (e.g., ArcGIS version upgrades, infrastructure, or data migrations) is preferred but not required.
• Strong troubleshooting, documentation, and communication skills, with the ability to work independently in a mission-driven environment.
• Active Top Secret clearance is required, along with a willingness to undergo a Counterintelligence (CI) polygraph within three (3) months of hire.
• Due to the nature of the work we support, all candidates in consideration for this role must be willing to undergo the government issued background investigation process.
• We highly encourage all Veterans and those with disabilities to apply.

Ardent is an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the bases of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other basis protected by state, local, or federal law.