Junior Cloud Specialist

Schurz Communications; Lansing, Detroit, Ann Arbor (MI, MI, MI); On-site; USD 35,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Base salary $35–$38K

Bonus

401(k) match

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life insurance

Generous PTO

Volunteer time off

Parental leave

Job summary

OTAVA, headquartered in Indianapolis, seeks a Junior Cloud Specialist to join the NOC/Continuity team. The role focuses on cloud hygiene, routine maintenance, patch auditing, and backup verification to ensure a superior customer experience.

You will work with senior engineers on SOPs and runbooks, perform backup checks using Veeam, Zerto, and Actifio, and handle VMware vSphere tasks. Windows/Linux basics and a client-first mindset are essential.

Qualifications

• Familiar with Windows Server and Linux basics.
• Understanding of virtualization concepts and VMware basics.
• Knowledge of data protection concepts including backups and replication.

Responsibilities

• Maintain cloud hygiene and perform routine maintenance tasks.
• Audit patches and verify backup integrity across tools.
• Assist with VM provisioning and snapshot hygiene in VMware vSphere.
• Monitor infrastructure and document runbooks and SOPs.
• Support escalation and ticketing processes for operational tasks.

Skills

Windows Server

Linux

VMware basics

Networking basics

Data protection concepts

Tools

VMware vSphere

Veeam

Zerto

Actifio

PowerShell

Bash

Job description

OTAVA Headquarters
Indianapolis, IN 46225, USA

The Junior Cloud Specialist is a hands-on technical role within our NOC / Continuity team. This role focuses on day-to-day cloud and systems hygiene, routine maintenance, patch auditing, backup verification, and documentation, leading to an exceptional customer experience with OTAVA.

Working closely with senior systems and cloud engineers, the Junior Cloud Specialist follows established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and runbooks to execute recurring administrative tasks across virtualized platforms, Windows, and Linux environments.

Role Responsibilities

• Bring a collaborative, client-first mindset every day
• Act as a professional representative of the OTAVA brand and its partners
• Perform routine audits and searches across patch management and auditing tools to verify system compliance and agent health
• Assist in scheduled maintenance and update cycles for Windows Server and Linux environments (patch deployment, service verification, post-maintenance health checks, etc.)
• Assist with basic virtual machine operations within VMware vSphere environments (e.g., VM provisioning, snapshot cleanup and hygiene, resource adjustments)
• Conduct daily checks and validations on automated backup and replication jobs (e.g., Veeam, Zerto, Actifio).
• Identify and report failed or incomplete backup sessions; follow SOPs for standard retries and basic remediation or elevate to senior engineers
• Perform proactive infrastructure monitoring, using centralized monitoring platforms
• Acknowledge and investigate warning indicators, capacity alerts, or service degradations before they impact customer operations
• Create, update, and maintain clear technical runbooks, checklists, and step-by-step SOPs
• Document standard operational workflows, common issue workarounds, and maintenance results
• Identify opportunities for workflow simplification and assist with basic automation tasks (PowerShell, Bash, or automation agents)
• Support operational requests and maintenance tasks tracked in ticketing systems
• Assist with escalation triage or task assignments following established escalation metrics, ensuring proper ticket updates and work logging
• Perform other duties as required to help the Otava operations team achieve its objectives

Experience:

• Basic administrative familiarity with Windows Server (services, Event Viewer, basic roles) and/or Linux (CLI navigation, file permissions, basic system utilities, package management)
• Foundational understanding of virtualization principles (hypervisors, virtual machines, resource pools, VMware vCenter / vSphere basics)
• Understanding of basic networking principles (IP addressing, subnets, DNS, DHCP, gateways, common network ports and protocols
• Familiarity with data protection concepts (snapshots vs. backups, retention, replication, and basic recovery objectives like RTO/RPO)

Required Experience Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Exceptional attention to detail with a disciplined approach to following checklists, change control guidelines, and established SOPs
• Methodical troubleshooting ability, eager to investigate root causes and find efficiency improvements
• Clear, professional written and verbal communication in English for internal documentation, cross-team handoffs, task coordination, etc.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, prioritize work based on business and customer impact, and perform effectively in a fast-paced environment

Licenses/Certifications:

• CompTIA Cloud+, Network+, or Security+
• VMware Certified Technical Associate (VCTA) / VMware Certified Professional (VCP)
• Microsoft Certified Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) or Windows Server fundamentals

What We Offer:

Attractive compensation package

• base ($35 - $38K)
• plus bonus
• 401(k) match
• medical
• dental
• vision
• life insurance
• generous PTO
• paid volunteer time off
• paid parental leave

and working with world-class co-workers who are just as dedicated and as awesome as you are.

What about Otava?

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. We're about putting people first – our employees and our customers. We have a customer-centric focus and go all in, on helping our customers protect and manage their data. We aim for superior customer service in everything we do and strive to get even better.

Our onboarding process is designed to ensure a seamless integration into the OTAVA team. From day one, you'll be welcomed by a team dedicated to making your transition smooth and enjoyable. Your growth is our priority. Our training programs are tailored in partnership with all our technology vendors to ensure you have the skills and knowledge needed to excel in your position. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting your career, there's always room to learn and grow at OTAVA.

Working at OTAVA means being part of a team that values your expertise, fosters professional growth, and provides opportunities to make a significant impact. Join us as we continue to push boundaries and shape the future of secure, and intelligent multi-cloud solutions.

Joining OTAVA means embarking on a journey of growth, innovation, and professional fulfilment. Our commitment to your success extends beyond recruitment; it's about creating an environment where you can thrive and make a meaningful impact.

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.