Senior Server Administrator

Central Alabama Water CAW; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Central Alabama Water CAW is seeking a Senior Server Administrator for its Birmingham Main Campus. The role focuses on hands-on server administration, Active Directory, Microsoft 365, and enterprise app support across 450 users in 14 sites.

You will manage physical, virtual, and cloud server environments, implement security controls per NIST, and participate in disaster recovery and data center operations. A Bachelor's in IT or related field is required.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive server administration experience, strong Active Directory and Microsoft 365 skills, virtualization experience, and working knowledge of networking concepts.
• 3+ years in senior-level infrastructure administration preferred

Responsibilities

• Manage and maintain physical, virtual, and cloud-based server environments across enterprise IT and Operational Technology systems.
• Administer Windows Server, VMware/Hyper-V virtualization platforms, and hybrid cloud environments.
• Optimize server performance, capacity planning, and resource allocation.
• Support hybrid identity synchronization and perform server patching and lifecycle management (install, configure, patch, upgrade, and monitor).
• Monitor server health, system alerts, storage thresholds, and fault conditions.
• Lead incident response and root-cause analysis for outages and performance issues.
• Plan future upgrade/replacement needs to meet business objectives and modernize capabilities.

Skills

Active Directory

Microsoft 365

Virtualization

Networking concepts

Server administration

PowerShell automation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field

Tools

PowerShell

VMware

Hyper-V

Windows Server

Microsoft 365

Active Directory

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Senior Server Administrator

Full Time Birmingham Main Campus, Birmingham, AL, US

2 days ago Requisition ID: 1007

Job Information

Job Title: Senior Server Administrator Department: Information Technology

Grade: N

General Responsibilities:

Senior Server Administrator to support and maintain a hybrid of physical, virtual, and cloud-based enterprise server infrastructure serving approximately 450 users across 14 sites. This is a hands-on technical role focused primarily on server administration, Active Directory, Microsoft 365, and enterprise application support, with limited networking responsibilities.

Essential Job Functions:

Key Responsibilities Server Infrastructure Administration

• Manage and maintain physical, virtual, and cloud-based server environments across enterprise IT and Operational Technology systems.
• Administer Windows Server, VMware/Hyper-V virtualization platforms, and hybrid cloud environments.
• Optimize server performance, capacity planning, and resource allocation.
• Support hybrid identity synchronization and perform server patching and lifecycle management (install, configure, patch, upgrade, and monitor).
• Monitor server health, system alerts, storage thresholds, and fault conditions.
• Lead incident response and root-cause analysis for outages and performance issues.
• Plan future upgrade/replacement needs to meet business objectives and modernize capabilities.

Virtualization & On-Prem Infrastructure

• Administer VMware, vCenter, and Hyper-V environments, manage VM lifecycle, and support backup and disaster recovery operations.

Cybersecurity & Compliance

• Implement server hardening standards aligned with NIST Cybersecurity Framework and water-sector best practices.
• Maintain endpoint protection, vulnerability remediation, patch management, and privileged access controls.
• Support cybersecurity audits, penetration testing, and regulatory compliance initiatives.
• Coordinate with cybersecurity teams on ransomware prevention and recovery preparedness.

Backup, Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity

• Manage enterprise backup systems and replication technologies.
• Maintain disaster recovery plans for server infrastructure and critical utility applications.
• Conduct recovery testing and failover exercises regularly.
• Ensure redundancy for mission-critical infrastructure supporting water operations continuity.

Storage & Data Center Management

• Administer SAN/NAS storage systems and data center infrastructure.
• Maintain server room environmental controls, UPS integrations, rack systems, and hardware lifecycle replacements.
• Coordinate hardware warranty renewals and vendor support escalations.

Active Directory & Identity Services

• Administer Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS, DHCP, LDAP, and authentication services.
• Manage user access controls and server role-based permissions.
• Support identity federation and secure authentication integrations.

Networking (Limited Scope)

• DHCP, DNS, GPO, ADFS, IIS, and RDP roles and services.
• Perform occasional VLAN changes, switch configuration, and troubleshooting on Cisco Meraki and Juniper access-layer switches for routing, switching, wireless, and security.
• Experience with Network Management in setting up and configuring routers, switches, and wireless technologies. This includes experience with LAN/WAN management and routing protocols such as BGP, EIGRP and OSPF and network protocols TCP/IP, UDP, FTP, SFTP, and HTTPS.

Projects & Continuous Improvement

• Participate in infrastructure projects, maintain documentation, and automate tasks using PowerShell where appropriate.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive server administration experience, strong Active Directory and Microsoft 365 skills, virtualization experience, and working knowledge of networking concepts.
• 3+ years in senior-level infrastructure administration preferred

Preferred Qualifications

• PowerShell automation and scripting, regulated-environment experience, and familiarity with Microsoft security tools.

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field (or equivalent experience).

Certifications

Valid Driver’s License required

One or more of the following:

• Microsoft Certified: Windows Server and/or Azure Administrator
• CCNP Routing & Switching
• CCNP Collaboration
• Juniper Enterprise Routing & Switching

Experience:

Five (5) years of experience in an enterprise environment:

• Administering network systems design, setting up, and troubleshooting
• Experience in configuring Storage Area Networks and Disaster Recovery

Server Platforms

• Windows Server (2016/2019/2022) and Active Directory
• Microsoft 365 and Azure

Infrastructure Services

• Active Directory
• DNS/DHCP
• Group Policy

Backup & Recovery

• SAN/NAS systems
• RAID/storage replication
• disk array management and creating and maintaining LUNs.

Additional Qualifications

• Understanding of VoIP and PSTN phone systems
• Working knowledge of SQL databases
• Understanding IT security concepts with a strong understanding of NTFS file security and Share permissions.

Supervision:

None

Physical Demands:

• Ability to stand, walk or sit for extended periods
• Reaching by excreting hand(s) or arms(s) in any direction
• Finger dexterity is required to manipulate objects with fingers rather than with whole hand(s) or arm(s), for example, using a keyboard
• Communication skills using the spoken word
• Ability to see within normal parameters
• Ability to hear within normal parameters
• Ability to move about
• Ability to lift 25 pounds
• Moderate noise (business office)
• Night and weekend hours as needed
• Exposed to cold temperatures in the data center
• Occasionally visit job sites, in plants and outdoors, exposed to extreme hot/cold/wet weather conditions