Systems Administrator II (SD)

Apex Systems; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 79,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) with match

ESPP

EAP counseling

Job summary

Apex Systems is seeking a Systems Administrator II to support a Department of Defense customer in San Diego, CA. This role focuses on maintaining, securing, and optimizing enterprise IT systems in a highly secure environment.

The ideal candidate will have hands-on AD administration, Windows Server experience, DoD PKI/CAC management, and DISA STIG compliance, with an Active Secret Clearance and IAT II certification.

Qualifications

• Active Secret Clearance required.
• IAT Level II certification (Security+, CySA+, SSCP, GSEC, GICSP, CCNA Security).
• Bachelor's degree in IT, CS, or related field (or equivalent).
• 3+ years of Systems Administration experience.
• Experience administering Windows Server environments.

Responsibilities

• Administer and maintain Microsoft Active Directory environments (ADUC, DNS, GPO, WSUS).
• Manage user accounts, groups, permissions, and IAM controls.
• Support DoD PKI operations (CAC and certificate management).
• Perform system maintenance, backups, and recovery procedures.

Skills

Active Directory Admin

Windows Server Admin

DNS

GPO

WSUS

PKI Management

DISA STIG Compliance

System Monitoring

Troubleshooting

VPN Administration

Identity & Access

Technical Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in IT / CS

Tools

ADUC (Active Directory Users and Computers)

CAC Management

PKI Tools

WSUS

Job description

Job#: 3046807

Job Description:

Apex Systems is currently seeking a Systems Administrator II to support a Department of Defense customer in San Diego, CA. This individual will be responsible for maintaining, securing, and optimizing enterprise IT systems and infrastructure in a highly secure environment. The ideal candidate will have hands‑on experience administering Active Directory, supporting Windows-based systems, managing DoD PKI credentials, and ensuring compliance with DISA STIG requirements.

Location: San Diego, CA (100% Onsite)

Duration: 6-Month Contract-to-Hire

Pay Rate: $36-$38/hr ($75,000-$80,000 annual equivalent)

Clearance Required: Active Secret Clearance

Certification Required: DoD 8570 IAT Level II

Responsibilities

• Administer and maintain Microsoft Active Directory environments, including:
  • Active Directory Users and Computers (ADUC)
  • DNS
  • Group Policy Objects (GPO)
  • Windows Server Update Services (WSUS)
• Manage user accounts, security groups, permissions, and identity access controls.
• Support Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) operations, including CAC and DoD certificate management.
• Perform system maintenance activities including backups, recovery procedures, and file management.
• Install, configure, test, and maintain operating systems, software, and hardware upgrades.
• Troubleshoot and resolve system, software, hardware, and network-related issues.
• Monitor system performance and ensure overall availability and reliability.
• Support security and compliance initiatives through implementation and remediation of DISA STIG requirements.
• Assist with VPN, network, and email administration.
• Maintain documentation for system configurations, procedures, and operational support activities.
• Support licensing management, patching efforts, and backup solutions.

Required Qualifications

• Active Secret Clearance.
• IAT Level II Certification (one of the following):
  • CompTIA Security+
  • CySA+
  • SSCP
  • GSEC
  • GICSP
  • CCNA Security
• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• 3+ years of Systems Administration experience.
• Experience administering Windows Server environments.
• Strong Active Directory administration experience, including ADUC, DNS, GPO, and WSUS.
• Experience with system backups, recovery processes, and troubleshooting.
• Familiarity with DoD cybersecurity requirements and compliance standards.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting Navy, NIWC, or other DoD environments.
• Hands‑on experience with DoD PKI and CAC management.
• Experience implementing and remediating DISA STIGs.
• Knowledge of VPN administration, network infrastructure, and email systems.
• Experience with enterprise backup and security tools.

Key Skills

• Active Directory Administration
• Windows Server Administration
• DNS, GPO, WSUS
• PKI / CAC Management
• DISA STIG Compliance
• System Monitoring & Troubleshooting
• Backup & Recovery
• VPN & Network Administration
• Identity & Access Management
• Technical Documentation

Everforth Apex Benefits Overview: Everforth Apex offers a range of supplemental benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and other insurance plans that offer an optional layer of financial protection. We offer an ESPP (employee stock purchase program) and a 401K program which allows you to contribute typically within 30 days of starting, with a company match after 12 months of tenure. Everforth Apex also offers a HSA (Health Savings Account on the HDHP plan), a SupportLinc Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with up to 8 free counseling sessions, a corporate discount savings program and other discounts. In terms of professional development, Everforth Apex hosts an on‑demand training program, provides access to certification prep and a library of technical and leadership courses/books/seminars once you have 6+ months of tenure, and certification discounts and other perks to associations that include CompTIA and IIBA. Everforth Apex has a dedicated customer service team for our Consultants that can address questions around benefits and other resources, as well as a certified Career Coach. You can access a full list of our benefits, programs, support teams and resources within our ‘Welcome Packet’ as well, which an Everforth Apex team member can provide.

Everforth Apex Systems is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate or allow discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical conditions), age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, genetic information, registered domestic partner status, marital status, disability, status as a crime victim, protected veteran status, political affiliation, union membership or any other characteristic protected by law. Everforth Apex will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable law.

UnitedHealthcare creates and publishes the Transparency in Coverage Machine‑Readable Files on behalf of Everforth Apex Systems.