Systems Administrator Tier 2

DataPerk; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

BCBS Health

Dental and Vision

Disability Insurance

Life Insurance

Simple IRA

Paid Holidays

Paid PTO

Job summary

DataPerk is seeking a Systems Administrator – Tier 2 Team Lead to join our Birmingham, AL engagement. This role blends hands-on systems administration with day-to-day leadership of a small, high-performing support team onsite at the client location.

You will serve as the primary escalation point, mentor technicians, and drive service excellence while collaborating with client leadership. A strong background in Windows Server, Azure, and security tooling is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience.
• Must possess two or more of the following certifications: MS-900, SC-900, AZ-900, CompTIA A+/Network+/Security+, Cisco Cybersecurity/Networking, Fortinet NSE 1-3.
• Experience leading small teams in a managed services or enterprise IT environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide advanced troubleshooting for escalated hardware, software, networking, and systems issues.
• Lead onsite Tier 2 team, mentor Tier 1/2 technicians, and ensure SLA compliance.
• Manage servers, workstations, backups, and network infrastructure per DataPerk standards.
• Coordinate with client management and DataPerk leadership for service delivery and improvements.
• Implement security tooling and monitoring, maintain accurate documentation.

Skills

Windows Server

PowerShell

Azure

Networking

Server virtualization

Scripting

Team leadership

Troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Ninja One

Altaro

Fortigate

Cisco Meraki

ESET

SentinelOne

PowerChute

Active Directory

Hyper-V

Job description

Systems Administrator – Tier 2 Team Lead

Birmingham, AL (Onsite at Client Location)

Lead with excellence. Innovate with purpose. Grow with DataPerk. For more than two decades, DataPerk has been a trusted technology partner for organizations across the Southeast, delivering secure, scalable, and thoughtfully engineered IT solutions. Our mission is rooted in providing exceptional service through proactive support, simplified technology, and outstanding collaboration with our clients and community. We are seeking an experienced Systems Administrator – Tier 2 Team Lead to support one of our largest clients in Birmingham, AL. This role combines hands-on Tier 2 technical responsibilities with day-to-day leadership of a small, high-performing support team. This individual will serve as the onsite technical point of escalation, ensure service quality, and help cultivate a culture of excellence, accountability, and continual growth. This role is ideal for a seasoned technician who loves solving complex problems and also thrives in a leadership position—someone who is ready to guide a team, shape client relationships, and represent DataPerk at a high level.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Responsibilities (Tier 2)

• Provide advanced troubleshooting and resolution for escalated hardware, software, networking, and systems issues
• Manage and maintain servers, workstations, backups, and network infrastructure in accordance with DataPerk standards
• Collaborate closely with the client's management team as well as our internal staff, project teams, and leadership to ensure seamless service delivery
• Support the deployment and configuration of new systems, applications, and security tools
• Ensure documentation is accurate, thorough, and up to date

Team Lead Responsibilities

• Serve as the onsite lead for a dedicated support team at one of DataPerk’s largest client locations
• Provide coaching, mentoring, and daily guidance to Tier 1 and Tier 2 technicians
• Oversee task assignment, prioritization, and workflow management to ensure SLA compliance
• Act as the primary technical escalation point for complex issues and client-impacting events
• Conduct regular check-ins, performance feedback, and help cultivate a culture of continuous improvement
• Partner with DataPerk leadership to identify training needs, process improvements, and efficiency opportunities
• Foster a positive, professional, and solutions-oriented relationship with the client’s key stakeholders
• Lead by example, demonstrating accountability, strong communication, and exceptional customer service

What Makes This Role Unique

• The opportunity to lead while still engaging in hands-on systems administration
• High visibility at one of DataPerk’s most important client sites
• A leadership role within a company that values innovation, collaboration, and professional growth
• A chance to build a high-performing team and directly influence client satisfaction and service excellence

Other Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Basic Networking

• Understand physical network infrastructure and perform cable troubleshooting.
• Identify and explain differences between various types of switches (managed, non-managed, layer 2/3, etc.).
• Demonstrate knowledge of DHCP and DNS, including their roles in network troubleshooting.
• Configure DHCP and DNS on Windows Server, Fortigate, Cisco, and Meraki.
• Navigate Fortinet OS, perform firmware upgrades, and troubleshoot SSL-VPN and client configurations.
• Navigate Meraki controller, troubleshoot SSL-VPN, and manage client configurations.
• Navigate Unifi controller for wireless setup and troubleshooting.
• Test and troubleshoot network faults.
• Create and review work instructions.

Cabling

• Identify various cabling types (Fiber, Cat5-Cat7).
• Recognize basic tools and hardware for cabling (plates, biscuits, fish poles, etc.).
• Terminate Copper Cabling (Jack and RJ45).

Server Administration

• Navigate Windows Server OS and demonstrate knowledge of server roles.
• Troubleshoot Windows Server domains.
• Understand server backups (Altaro), both local and remote.
• Manage file sharing, drive mapping, and server/client relationships.
• Configure and deploy UPS (PowerChute).
• Configure and deploy NAS (PowerChute).

Security

• Install and troubleshoot ESET, Cisco Umbrella, and Sentinel One.
• Review spam emails and perform PC virus cleanup.

Service Management

• Navigate Ninja One platform, install agents, and review managed devices.
• Provide Microsoft service support and engage their support structure.
• Coordinate with first- and third-party software vendors as needed.
• Complete managed service sheets and reviews.
• Perform on-call duties as required.

Tier 2 Technician Server Responsibilities

• Install, configure, and troubleshoot Windows virtual server environments and Hyper-V Hosts.
• Manage Azure servers and services.
• Configure, maintain, and troubleshoot Windows domain environments.
• Utilize PowerShell and scripting for automation.
• Proficiently handle storage technologies (RAID configurations, SAN, NAS).
• Implement backup solutions and disaster recovery procedures.
• Add/Remove roles from Windows Server and manage enterprise software installations.
• Assist with complex server environments and projects.
• Intermediate Server Engineering capabilities.

Benefits

We offer an excellent benefits package including BCBS Health, Dental and Vision plans, Short and Long-Term Disability, Life Insurance, Simple IRA plan, Paid Holidays and Paid PTO. Our company culture is built on appreciation, collaboration and continued learning!

Requirements

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience.

Certifications:

• Must possess two or more of the following:
  • Microsoft 365 Certified: Fundamentals (MS-900)
  • Microsoft Certified: Security, Compliance, and Identity Fundamentals (SC-900)
  • Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)
  • CompTIA A+ / Network+ / Security+
  • Cisco Certified Support Technician (Cybersecurity and/or Networking)
  • Fortinet NSE 1-3
• Plus two or more from the following:
  • Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate
  • Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer Associate
  • Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Administration Fundamentals
  • CompTIA Server+
  • CompTIA Security+
  • Certified Ethical Hacker
  • VMware Certified Professional (VCP)
  • Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE)
  • Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
  • Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Administration Fundamentals