System Administrator Junior - TS/SCI

Dunhill Professional Search & Government Solutions; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Dunhill Professional Search & Government Solutions is seeking a System Administrator Junior to support mission-critical IT infrastructure in a highly regulated government environment in Arlington, VA. You will handle user accounts, server operations, patching, monitoring, and documentation with after-hours support as required.

Focus on Windows and Linux systems, automation via PowerShell and Bash, and adherence to security baselines and change management processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in IT or related field or equivalent experience.
• 0–3 years in IT/Systems administration, 1–3 years preferred for this environment.
• Strong knowledge of Windows Server, Microsoft 365, Teams, SharePoint; basic Linux familiarity.
• Able to analyze, troubleshoot, and escalate issues per procedures.
• Must have TS/SCI clearance and DoD 8140 compliant IAT-II (Security+).
• Must be able to work 3 days a week onsite in Arlington, VA.

Responsibilities

• Administer user accounts, group memberships, permissions, and RBAC per policy.
• Install, configure, patch, and health-monitor Windows and Linux servers and related infrastructure.
• Monitor logs, performance, storage, services, and alerts; escalate as needed.
• Execute backup, restore, and recovery procedures; verify jobs complete.
• Troubleshoot server, OS, application, hardware, connectivity, and auth issues.
• Develop basic PowerShell, Bash scripts to automate tasks.
• Maintain configuration records, SOPs, inventories, and change docs for audits.
• Apply hardening standards and least‑privilege across systems.

Skills

Windows OS

Linux OS

Troubleshooting

Change management

Scripting: PowerShell/Bash

Security best practices

Audit/compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree in IT/CS

Tools

PowerShell

Windows Server

Azure

Linux

Job description

**Hybrid -- 3 days a week in Arlington, VA**

The System Administrator Junior supports the daily administration, maintenance, security, and availability of mission‑critical IT infrastructure in a highly regulated government environment, with a focus on user account management and core server operations. This role performs routine configuration, patching, monitoring, backup verification, and troubleshooting under established procedures while maintaining accurate system documentation and contributing to after‑hours support as required.

The administrator uses scripting and automation tools to streamline recurring administrative activities, assists in identifying performance or security anomalies, and applies approved security baselines and hardening standards across Windows and Linux systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Administer user accounts, group memberships, permissions, and role‑based access controls in alignment with approved security and operational policies.
• Perform routine installation, configuration, patching, and health monitoring of Windows and/or Linux servers and associated infrastructure components.
• Monitor event logs, performance metrics, storage utilization, system services, and alerts to identify operational or security issues and elevate per established procedures.
• Execute documented backup, restoration, and recovery procedures, verifying that scheduled backup jobs complete successfully and resolving exceptions.
• Troubleshoot common server, operating system, application, hardware, connectivity, and authentication problems using standard diagnostic methods and tools.
• Develop and maintain basic PowerShell, Bash, or comparable scripts to automate account management, reporting, system health checks, and other repeatable tasks.
• Maintain configuration records, operating procedures, troubleshooting guides, asset inventories, and change documentation to support audit and operational needs.
• Apply system‑hardening standards, vulnerability remediation instructions, least‑privilege principles, and approved configuration baselines across supported systems.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field, or equivalent relevant experience consistent with entry‑level IT administrator roles.
• 0-3 years of hands‑on experience in information technology, systems administration, infrastructure support, or closely related technical roles, with at least 1-3 years preferred for this environment.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft operating systems and products (e.g., Windows, Windows Server, Microsoft 365, Teams, SharePoint) and basic familiarity with Linux administration.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze, troubleshoot, and resolve routine system hardware, software, or networking problems and follow escalation protocols for complex issues.
• Ability to plan and coordinate deployment of updates or new technology in accordance with change management procedures and maintenance windows.
• Must have a current TS/SCI clearance.
• Must have a DoD 8140 compliant certification for IAT-II such as Security+.
• Must be able to work 3 days a week onsite in Arlington, VA

Preferred Qualifications

• Microsoft Windows Server, Azure, Linux, or comparable platform certification.
• Experience with cloud infrastructure, digital workspace, and storage technologies in an enterprise or federal IT environment.
• Familiarity with system hardening, vulnerability remediation, and least‑privilege access control practices.