Systems Administrator

Barone Consulting LLC; Bethesda (MD); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

A consulting firm specializing in technical assistance is seeking a SETA systems administrator in Bethesda, MD. The role involves supporting government research with IT system administration and information security compliance. Ideal candidates will have a degree in IT, 3-5 years of experience, and strong troubleshooting skills in collaborative IT environments. Additional knowledge of cybersecurity frameworks and incident response is essential.

Qualifications

• Experience maintaining and administering IT systems including operating systems and endpoint devices.
• Knowledge of security frameworks like NIST 800-53 and experience conducting incident response.
• 3–5 years of experience as a Systems Administrator or similar role.

Responsibilities

• Support system administration and information security compliance.
• Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Collect, monitor, and report on key performance indicators.

Skills

System administration

Information system security

User account management

Troubleshooting IT issues

Cybersecurity incident response

Technical documentation

Collaboration tools configuration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology or related discipline

Tools

Active Directory

PowerShell

Bash

Ansible

Job description

We are seeking a Scientific, Engineering, and Technical Assistance (SETA) systems administrators with Information System Security experience to join our team in support of a government research funding organization dedicated to investing in high-risk, high-payoff research programs to tackle some of the most difficult challenges of national security.

The successful candidate will support the government leadership with system administration and information system security including the operation, maintenance and improvement of IT systems and websites ensuring compliance with organizational requirements.

Responsibilities

• Researching and assisting in the development of IT-focused solutions translating user needs into technical requirements and executing approved requirements.
• Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Troubleshoot IT-related issues
• Support virtual meetings through configuration and operation of associated IT equipment.
• Maintain, analyze and update IT inventory tracking repository
• Maintain oversight, operations, maintenance, and security compliance of inventory to include laptops, operating systems, applications and licenses.
• Maintain oversight, operations, maintenance, and security compliance of a collaborative compute environment including licenses, the platform, accounts, system configuration and operations.
• Conduct cybersecurity incident responses
• Collect, monitor and report on key performance indicators.
• Administer compliance assessments, verify certification and program compliance, and assist with and execute remediation strategies.
• Ensure information security standards and accreditations are met, updated and maintained for continuous compliance. This includes preparation of technical documentation and reports.
• Identifying and assessing IT capability gaps and supporting plans of action and milestones.
• Assisting with dashboards and reports to measure performance, compliance, and risks of IT investments.

Qualifications

Required:

• Experience maintaining and administering IT systems including operating systems (Windows), applications, licenses, and endpoint devices (e.g., laptops, desktops)
• Skilled in administering user accounts, access control, and system configurations in collaborative IT platforms (e.g., Active Directory, M365, or comparable systems).
• Strong ability to diagnose and resolve IT-related issues, including user support and Service Desk requests (e.g., data transfers, access provisioning).
• Hands‑on experience configuring, operating, and troubleshooting video conferencing and collaboration tools including classified and unclassified system.
• Experience maintaining IT asset tracking repositories, ensuring accurate records of hardware, software, and licenses.
• Knowledge of security frameworks (e.g., NIST 800‑53, RMF, ISO 27001) and experience conducting incident response, compliance assessments, and implementing remediation strategies.
• Ability to create SOPs, technical documentation, compliance reports, and dashboards for stakeholders and auditors.
• Proven ability to translate user needs into actionable technical requirements and implement approved solutions.
• Experience collecting, monitoring, and reporting on key performance indicators (KPIs) and IT investment risks.
• Ability to work effectively with IT, Security, and business stakeholders in compliance‑driven environments.
• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related discipline (or equivalent work experience).
• 3–5 years of experience as a Systems Administrator, IT Support Specialist, or similar role.
• Experience supporting government R&D organizations (DARPA, IARPA, ARPA‑E, etc.).
• Experience with automation tools (PowerShell, Bash, Ansible, or other scripting) to streamline system administration and reporting tasks.
• Knowledge of patch management systems and enterprise configuration management tools.
• Understanding of data backup, recovery, and continuity‑of‑operations planning.
• Prior involvement in maintaining or supporting Authority to Operate (ATO) processes or similar compliance accreditations.
• Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Administrator Associate or other relevant Microsoft certifications.
• CompTIA Security+.

Why Join Us?

This role offers the opportunity to work at the intersection of advanced research and national mission impact. You will collaborate with leading research teams to support groundbreaking technologies with real‑world applications in defense and intelligence.