Senior Systems Programmer-Server Operations (IT Services) Civil Service

City of Dallas; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 74,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Dallas seeks a Senior Systems Administrator to ensure the health and performance of our Microsoft server environment and related subsystems. You will lead virtualization, Active Directory, DNS/DHCP, and cloud integrations while mentoring junior staff in a collaborative IT team.

With a minimum of 10 years in enterprise IT, you will oversee Microsoft 365, SCCM, security best practices, and disaster recovery planning to support city departments and services.

Qualifications

• Ten years of experience with Microsoft server systems and virtualization.
• Experience with Azure and AWS cloud platforms.
• Strong problem-solving and mentoring abilities.

Responsibilities

• Manage and optimize Microsoft server systems for high availability.
• Administer VMware and Microsoft virtualization technologies.
• Design and manage Active Directory environments.
• Configure DNS and DHCP for reliability and performance.
• Manage cloud resources on Azure and AWS.
• Administer Microsoft 365 services (Exchange Online, SharePoint, Teams).
• Oversee SCCM for software deployment and compliance.
• Implement security best practices and patch management.
• Develop and maintain backup and disaster recovery plans.
• Document systems configurations and procedures.

Skills

Systems administration

Mainframe knowledge

OS & systems programming

Networking basics

Change management

Troubleshooting

Communication skills

Relationship building

Hardware knowledge

Documentation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in computer science / MIS / science / math / business

Tools

Windows Server

VMware vSphere/ESXi

Hyper-V

Active Directory

DNS & DHCP

Azure

AWS

Microsoft 365 administration

SCCM

Job description

Dallas is Growing. Grow With Us.

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Job Summary

Provides senior level support for Email, Large Area Networks (LAN), and/or Mainframe Systems by ensuring the operating systems and subsystems run smoothly to meet goals for availability, response time, reliability, and specific needs of user departments.

Job Description

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Senior Systems Administrator to join our dynamic IT team. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 10 years of experience in supporting Microsoft server systems and operating systems, VMware and Microsoft virtualization, Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, Azure & AWS cloud, Microsoft 365, and SCCM. This role requires a deep understanding of complex IT environments, a proactive approach to problem-solving, and the ability to lead and mentor junior staff.

Key Responsibilities

• System Administration: Manage, maintain, and optimize Microsoft server systems and operating systems, ensuring high availability and performance.
• Virtualization: Administer and support VMware and Microsoft virtualization technologies, including setup, configuration, and troubleshooting.
• Active Directory: Design, implement, and manage Active Directory environments, including user and group management, GPOs, and domain services.
• DNS & DHCP: Configure and maintain DNS and DHCP servers to ensure network reliability and performance.
• Cloud Services: Support and manage cloud infrastructure on Azure and AWS, including deployment, monitoring, and maintenance of cloud resources.
• Microsoft 365: Administer Microsoft 365 services, including Exchange Online, SharePoint, Teams, and related applications.
• SCCM: Oversee the deployment, management, and troubleshooting of SCCM for software distribution, updates, and compliance.
• Security: Implement and maintain security best practices across all systems, including patch management, vulnerability assessments, and incident response.
• Backup & Recovery: Develop and manage backup and disaster recovery plans to ensure data integrity and availability.
• Documentation: Maintain comprehensive documentation of systems, configurations, and procedures.
• Mentorship: Provide guidance and mentorship to junior IT staff, fostering a collaborative and supportive team environment.

Essential Functions

• 1 Administers all software applications and systems for the city providing senior level expertise and leadership to ensure support, development, troubleshooting, and implementation of effective software solutions; manages and oversees all of the City's Enterprise System's infrastructure.
• 2 Coordinates, facilitates, and performs all upgrades and changes to one or more operating systems or other wide area of systems programming such as disk space management or capacity planning to ensure effective computer utilization; serves as a lead programmer for lower-level programmers.
• 3 Installs or assists in installing new releases, upgrades, and fixes to assigned software and writes other system- level programs under direction of senior programmers to ensure effective processing.
• 4 Develops and writes complex program changes to systems-level programs to provide a smooth operating system and adequate data storage capacity; designs special file access or storage techniques, software and hardware interfaces, and interfaces to networks to ensure effective information availability and updates systems documentation to reflect new installations, updates, and changes; develops and documents standards and policies for computer resource users.
• 5 Investigates, researches, and discovers new technologies and makes recommendations on applicability to City systems; assists in planning and implementing major upgrades or conversions to new methodologies to provide an efficient and up-to-date system for users.
• 6 Administers, manages, and monitors systems; programs, analyzes, and troubleshoots account, administration, client installation, upgrade and update of email systems, email record retrieval, and Public Folder administration; provides support for handheld devices used within the City and its departments.
• 7 Creates performance measures to monitor the usage of computer resources and designs programs to report these measures; assists in preparation of high tech procurement bid and contract documents to ensure suitable technical parameters are met.
• 8 Ensures that validated deliverables meet functional and design specifications and requirements to meet business needs; creates and delivers Traceability Matrix Test Summary Report; develops process changes to ensure continuous improvement across software systems.
• 9 Updates systems documentation to reflect new installations, updates, and changes; develops and documents standards and policies for computer resource users.
• 10 Performs any and all other work as needed or assigned.

Knowledge And Skills

• 1 Knowledge of administering software and hardware systems including devices and other equipment.
• 2 Knowledge of mainframe computer architecture.
• 3 Knowledge of mainframe and computer hardware and software.
• 4 Knowledge of one or more operating systems and systems programming.
• 5 Knowledge of communications protocols.
• 6 Knowledge of network administration.
• 7 Knowledge of change management principles, methodologies, and tools.
• 8 Ability to analyze and diagnose systems problems.
• 9 Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.
• 10 Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a computer science, MIS, science, math or business field.

Experience

• Four (4) years of administration and programming experience in Microsoft Windows environment.

Equivalencies

• High school diploma or GED plus eight (8) years of the required experience will meet the education and experience requirements.
• An associate degree in any field plus six (6) years of the required experience will meet the education and experience requirements.
• A bachelor’s degree or higher in a non-specified field plus six (6) years of the required experience will meet the education and experience requirements.
• A Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) Certification plus four (4) years of the required experience will meet the education and experience requirements.
• A master’s degree or higher in a specified field plus two (2) years of the required experience will meet the education and experience requirements.

Other Requirements

• Technical Skills: Extensive knowledge and hands-on experience with:
• Microsoft Windows Server 2016/2019/2022
• VMware vSphere/ESXi
• Microsoft Hyper-V
• Active Directory
• DNS & DHCP
• Azure & AWS cloud platforms
• Microsoft 365 administration
• System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM)
• Soft Skills: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, ability to work independently and as part of a team, and a proactive approach to learning and implementing new technologies.
• No felony or class A misdemeanor convictions.
• No class B misdemeanor convictions within the last ten (10) years.
• No family violence convictions.
• Cannot currently be on deferred adjudication for any felony, class A misdemeanor or class B misdemeanor charge.
• Availability to work varying shifts (days, evenings, nights) including weekends, holidays and/or overtime.

Preferences

• Relevant certifications such as Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator, AWS Certified SysOps Administrator, VMware Certified Professional (VCP), Microsoft Certified: Windows Server, or similar are highly desirable.
• One (1) year of AI environment management, licensing, governance

Salary Range

$73,590.40 - $91,977.60

The salary listed on this job posting is the starting salary range; amount offered will depend on qualifications.

City of Dallas is an Equal Opportunity Employer.