Datacenter Administrator

Schurz Communications; Ann Arbor (MI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) match

Paid PTO

Job summary

Otava is seeking a Data Center Administrator to support, maintain, troubleshoot, and optimize our data center infrastructure. You will work hands-on across server, network, power, cabling, and related hardware while collaborating with clients and internal teams to ensure reliable, secure, and highly available environments.

Responsibilities include daily operations, onsite and remote support, rack-and-stack, cabling, inventory, and incident resolution within SLAs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in data center operations, infrastructure support, or related field.
• 2+ years in data center operations or related technical environment.
• Hands-on experience with server and network hardware installation, troubleshooting, and decommissioning.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily operational support and monitoring across data center environments.
• Perform data center walkthroughs, monitor infrastructure, alarms, access control and security systems.
• Provide on-site and remote support for clients and internal teams.
• Rack, stack, cable, troubleshoot, replace, and decommission servers and network hardware.
• Install and maintain copper and fiber connectivity, cabling, and power distribution.

Skills

Data center operations

Server hardware

Network hardware

TCP/IP

Linux/Windows Server

Cable management

Troubleshooting

Customer service

Scripting (Python/PowerShell/Bash)

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/IT/Engineering

Tools

Dell servers

HPE servers

Job description

The Data Center Administrator is responsible for supporting, maintaining, troubleshooting, and optimizing OTAVA’s data center infrastructure and operations. This role provides hands‑on technical support across server, network, power, cabling, and physical infrastructure while working closely with clients and internal teams to maintain reliable, secure, and highly available data center environments. The ideal candidate brings hands‑on data center experience, strong infrastructure and troubleshooting skills, and a passion for delivering exceptional technical support and operational excellence.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily operational support and monitoring across OTAVA’s data center environments
• Perform daily data center walkthroughs and monitor critical infrastructure, environmental conditions, alarms, access control, and security systems
• Provide smart‑hands remote and on‑site support for OTAVA clients and internal teams
• Rack, stack, cable, troubleshoot, replace, and decommission servers, network switches, routers, power distribution devices, and related data center hardware
• Install and maintain copper and fiber connectivity, equipment grounding, cable management, and other infrastructure required for data center operations
• Perform local and network‑based hardware administration and coordinate repair or replacement of server and network hardware
• Diagnose, troubleshoot, resolve, and escape hardware and network‑related incidents through established support processes and Service Level Agreements (SLAs)
• Support server and equipment decommissioning activities, including secure data wiping and removal of End‑of‑Life (EOL) equipment
• Assist in maintaining 100% critical system uptime and promptly respond to and escape infrastructure alarms, risks, and issues
• Support on‑site deployment of new clients and infrastructure, including coordination with vendors for power, network, rack, cage, and cabling installations
• Collaborate with Network, Systems, NOC, Deployment Engineering, and Data Center Operations teams on incidents, maintenance, migrations, and client deployments
• Maintain accurate ticket updates, inventory records, troubleshooting documentation, and operational procedures
• Participate in scheduled maintenance windows and on‑call or after‑hours support activities as required
• Deliver exceptional customer service while supporting enterprise clients
• Perform additional duties and responsibilities as assigned

Experience

• 2+ years of experience in data center operations, infrastructure support, systems administration, networking, or a related technical environment preferred
• Hands‑on experience installing, troubleshooting, maintaining, and decommissioning server and network hardware
• Experience with rack‑and‑stack activities, structured cabling, copper and fiber connectivity, cable management, and power distribution
• Hands‑on experience with enterprise server hardware such as Dell, HPE, or similar platforms preferred
• Experience working within ticketing systems and established incident, change, and escalation processes
• Experience supporting customer‑facing or managed services environments preferred
• Familiarity with compliance‑driven environments such as SOC 2, HIPAA, and PCI is a plus

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong understanding of server and network hardware and data center infrastructure
• Working knowledge of TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VLANs, VPNs, and common networking concepts
• Working knowledge of Linux and/or Windows Server environments
• Ability to troubleshoot hardware, connectivity, cabling, power, and basic network issues
• Familiarity with RAID, SAN/storage technologies, x86 architecture, and enterprise server platforms
• Understanding of structured cabling, copper and fiber connectivity, and cable management best practices
• Understanding of data center infrastructure including UPS systems, generators, PDUs, HVAC/cooling, environmental monitoring, access control, and physical security systems
• Basic scripting or automation experience with Python, PowerShell, Bash, or similar tools is a plus
• Ability to diagnose and resolve technical issues in a production data center environment
• Excellent customer service and communication skills
• Ability to effectively communicate technical concepts to both technical and non‑technical audiences
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, organizational, and documentation skills
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across technical teams

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, related field or equivalent experience in data center operations, infrastructure support, systems administration, networking, or a related technical role.

Certifications

• One or more relevant industry recognized certifications such as CCNA, Network+, CompTIA Server+, Linux+, ITIL, or similar certifications are a plus

What We Offer:

Competitive base salary ( $70 – 90K depending on experience and certifications ) plus bonus, 401(k) match, health insurance, generous PTO, paid volunteer time off, and working with world‑class co‑workers who are just as dedicated and as awesome as you are.

What about Otava?

At Otava, we are people empowering people to enable growth. We are excited for you to join us!
As a global leader in secure, compliant, enterprise‑class cloud hosting, we deliver a full range of solutions from colocation to private and hybrid cloud computing. We’re creative thinkers who love to serve others, automate where possible, and change when required. Above all, we love to help our clients. We aim for superior client service in everything we do and strive to get even better.

Sound like you? Come join us!

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.