Linux System Administrator

• Install, maintain, and update USGS systems and security (ie. keep operating system and security patches on Linux and Red Hat boxes up-to-date); handle any failures, responding within one working day; maintain USGS computer security standards, responding within one working day to any security breaches.
• Maintain and update hardware systems currently used to acquire, process, archive, and distribute daily GPS data files and real-time data streams from approximately 140 stations, but capable of supporting over 200 stations in the future.
• Serve as an advisor and consultant on all system administration. Contractor should maintain, upgrade, develop, and improve system wherever possible.
• Perform penetration tests for vulnerable systems.
• Set up, maintain, and improve continuous integration infrastructure.
• Train and consult with USGS personnel as required.
• Support the rebuilding and streamlining of the USGS GPS software infrastructure by installing and configuring requested software packages and implementing monitoring protocols to ensure that software is kept up and running at all times.
• Document all software and hardware configurations.
• In case of a large earthquake in southern California, give highest priority to repairing and/or replacing any affected or damaged systems and equipment, to resume operations and support USGS Pasadena’s rapid earthquake response activities.
• Attend (in person or by joining a teleconference) a weekly SCGN meeting on Mondays at 11 am (approximately 30 minutes) and respond to communications (via phone, email, etc.) within a 24 hour period of its receipt whenever possible.
• Coordinate and cooperate with other contractors and/or government personnel to simplify and standardize GPS network operations; optimize systems; minimize maintenance, costs, and data latency; and improve network robustness and resiliency.
• Support efforts to fully integrate the USGS SCGN and the USGS/Caltech SCSN.
• Support efforts to standardize and optimize GPS systems and network operations with USGS Menlo Park and other GPS networks.
• Document work through frequent emails to the technical liaison. These reports shall discuss work addressed, progress made, problems encountered, work remaining, and an estimated timeline for task completion. The required work will be updated and specific deadlines restated by the technical liaison, as necessary.

Job Type: Full-time

Required experience:

• Vmware: 1 year
• Red hat: 1 year
• Linux: 3 years

Required licenses or certifications:

• VMware Certifications
• RHCSA – Red Hat Certified System Administrator preferred
• Ability to obtain Public Trust