IT INFRASTRUCTURE SPECIALIST

State of Arkansas; Conway (AR); On-site; USD 55,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Arkansas invites applications for an IT Infrastructure Specialist to support ArkansasIDEAS and related services. This grant-funded role ensures reliability, security, and availability of IT infrastructure, including servers, networks, and storage, while contributing to system administration, troubleshooting, and automation.

Under the guidance of senior staff, you will monitor VMware, help with upgrades, document configurations, and develop basic Ansible automation to improve

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Familiarity with VMware virtualization and IT infrastructure concepts.
• Knowledge of security best practices and system hardening concepts.

Responsibilities

• Monitor the VMware virtualization environment and related infrastructure for reliable operations.
• Communicate infrastructure performance and needs with team members and stakeholders.
• Troubleshoot server, storage, networking, and OS issues to maintain availability.
• Assist with system hardening, patches, and backups to support security and reliability.
• Document configurations, processes, and resolutions for internal records.
• Collaborate on upgrades, migrations, and evaluating new technologies and tools.

Skills

Networking concepts

Operating systems

Server infrastructure

Storage technologies

Information security

Troubleshooting

Documentation

Communication

Automation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Information Technology or Computer Science

Tools

VMware

Ansible

Storage technologies

Job description

Position Number: 22133913
County: Faulkner Anticipated Starting Salary: $54,924.06 Job Summary The IT Infrastructure Specialist provides technical support and maintenance for IT systems. This includes servers, networks, operating systems, and storage systems that support ArkansasIDEAS, the statewide professional development resource for K-12 educators. This grant-funded position is dedicated to ensuring the reliability, security, and availability of technology services that enable educators to meet licensure requirements, pursue professional growth, and improve student outcomes. Working as part of a small, highly skilled technology team, the IT Infrastructure Specialist assists with system administration, troubleshooting, automation efforts, and infrastructure improvements to support uninterrupted access to critical educational content.

Responsibilities

• Support the administration and maintenance of the VMware virtualization environment and related infrastructure to ensure reliable system operations.
• Work with team members and stakeholders to communicate infrastructure performance, operational needs, and integration requirements.
• Troubleshoot and resolve server, virtualization, storage, networking, and operating system issues, escalating complex problems when appropriate to maintain system availability.
• Assist with system hardening activities, vulnerability remediation, software updates, and infrastructure improvements to support secure and reliable services.
• Monitor system health and communicate system status, identified risks, and support activities while contributing to documentation and knowledge sharing within the IT team.
• Participate in infrastructure upgrades, migrations, and platform improvement projects under the guidance of senior technical staff and assist in evaluating new technologies and tools.
• Monitor system performance, availability, security, backups, and patching activities to help ensure reliable and secure operations.
• Assist with the implementation, maintenance, and enhancement of infrastructure supporting Moodle, PostgreSQL, video streaming, and other ArkansasIDEAS services, with a focus on system reliability and performance.
• Develop and maintain basic Ansible automation, configuration management processes, and standardized system deployments to improve operational efficiency and consistency.
• Participate in infrastructure upgrades, migrations, and system improvements under the guidance of senior team members and assist with evaluating new technologies and tools.
• Provide technical support for applications and services by troubleshooting infrastructure and platform-related issues and coordinating with internal and external stakeholders as needed.
• Create and maintain technical documentation, system diagrams, standard operating procedures, configuration records, and disaster recovery documentation to support operational continuity, knowledge sharing, and business continuity.
• Collaborate with senior technical staff to identify opportunities for process improvement and implement best practices for system administration and support.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Knowledge of computer networking concepts, operating systems, server infrastructure, and storage technologies.
• Knowledge of information security principles and industry best practices.
• Ability to troubleshoot and resolve hardware, software, networking, and system performance issues.
• Ability to install, configure, maintain, and monitor IT infrastructure components.
• Ability to develop and maintain technical documentation.
• Ability to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Skill in identifying opportunities for process improvement and automation.
• Ability to work independently while contributing to a collaborative team environment.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and respond effectively to operational needs.

Preferred Qualifications

1 plus years of experience in any of the following:

• Moodle LMS / PHP Applications, Linux administration, or VMware virtualization platforms
• Supporting web application hosting environments with database services, in operations,

data center operations, or managed services department.

Position Information

Job Series: Information Technology — Infrastructure Support

Classification: IT Infrastructure Specialist

Class Code: IIS09P

Pay Grade: IST04

Salary Range: $54,924 — $89,613

Job Summary

The IT Infrastructure Specialist assists in maintaining and supporting an agency’s or organization’s information technology infrastructure, including servers, networks, and storage systems. This role focuses on monitoring system performance, troubleshooting issues, and ensuring the reliability and efficiency of infrastructure components. Under the guidance of senior information technology personnel, the IT Infrastructure Specialist contributes to projects and gains hands‑on experience with enterprise‑level systems and technologies. This is a foundational and preparatory role designed to develop skills and knowledge required for career growth in infrastructure support.

Primary Responsibilities

Monitor and report on the performance of information technology infrastructure systems, including servers and networks. Assist in troubleshooting and resolving basic technical issues to minimize downtime. Support the implementation of upgrades, patches, and backups under supervision. Document system configurations, processes, and resolutions for internal records. Collaborate with team members on infrastructure‑related projects and initiatives. Learn and apply security protocols to protect systems and data. Provide basic technical support to end‑users and elevate complex issues to senior infrastructure support personnel. Stay informed about emerging technologies and best practices in IT infrastructure.

Knowledge And Skills

Strong willingness to learn and adapt to new technologies and responsibilities. Basic analytical and problem‑solving skills. Good organizational and documentation skills. Attention to detail and ability to follow instructions accurately.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field.

Basic understanding of networking concepts, operating systems, and system hardware.

Familiarity with common tools such as troubleshooting software, ticketing systems, or diagnostic utilities.

Satisfaction of the minimum qualifications, including years of experience and service, does not entitle employees to automatic progression within the job series. Promotion to the next classification level is at the discretion of the department and the Office of Personnel Management, taking into consideration the employee’s demonstrated skills, competencies, performance, workload responsibilities, and organizational needs.

Licensure/Certifications N/A OTHER JOB RELATED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR ALL OR PART OF THESE BASIC REQUIREMENTS, EXCEPT FOR CERTIFICATION OR LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS, UPON APPROVAL OF THE QUALIFICATIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE.

The State of Arkansas is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.