Systems Administrator: Linux

The Systems Administrator assists with the configuration, system installation and management, system monitoring, performance tuning, diagnostics and troubleshooting, user support coordination, backup and storage management, data center maintenance, and other related networking infrastructure on physical and virtual Linux servers in the Library, NU Data Centers and in hosted environments. Ensure servers adhere to standards, policies and procedures establish by the organization and vendors. Responsible for account creation, security, permissions. Responsible for patching and security on Linux systems. Provides tier 1 support for these systems and addressing basic requirements and changes from developers. Works with senior DevOps on building and providing new systems via Puppet as needed.

Please note: As a member of the Library Technology team, this person may be called at any time to address emergency situations on library systems.During certain times of the year, work hours may be extended or shifted to meet the need for staff during critical operational support activities. 10% of work will take place outside of normal University business hours. Incumbent will be required to participate in rotating 24×7 on-call duties. Requires occasional travel between library facilities on and off campus. Requires occasional physical labor in order to install, remove or relocate computer equipment and other hardware.

Specific Responsibilities:

Strategic Planning

• Provides recommendations regarding infrastructure planning and budgeting.
• Participates in disaster recovery/business continuity planning and exercises including backup and recovery procedures and higher availability configurations.

Administration

• Ensures data/media recoverability by implementing a schedule of system backups and database archive operations.
• Develops and promotes standard operating procedures.
• Assists with maintaining a comprehensive infrastructure configuration database/library of all supporting documentation.
• Creates and maintains user accounts, security, permissions, and file systems in accordance with standards and operational requirements.
• Assist with administration and documentation of firewalls and firewall changes as they arise.
• Handle day-to-day tasks such as server image configurations, system installations, patching, application deployment, user account management, and other routine maintenance

Development

• Performs infrastructure installations and upgrades.
• In collaboration with senior system administrators, performs ongoing support and maintenance for library systems and related applications using PuppetEnterprise.
• Build, rebuild, or update servers and configure hardware and virtual machines (VM), applications, peripherals, services, networking, storage.
• Works with senior system administrators, perform ongoing support and maintenance for library systems and related applications, including, but not limited to hardware/VM upgrades, networking, CPU, memory, and storage systems, performance tuning, monitoring, alerting and backup systems.

Performance

• Administration and debugging of Linux systems.
• Monitors and tunes the system to achieve optimum performance levels.
• Ensures infrastructure integrity by evaluating, implementing, and managing appropriate solutions.
• Performs ongoing support and maintenance for systems and related applications.
• Prioritizes, troubleshoots and resolves issues. Troubleshoot and solve technology problems in production and development environments.
• Monitor security alerts to ensure that appropriate patches are applied in an automated and timely fashion. Tests patches prior to installation. Coordinates application of patches within group and across the library, communicating with business owners.
• Continuously improve our infrastructure to be easy to deploy, scalable, secure and fault-tolerant.
• Part of group that provides on-call after-hours support for library systems and servers.

Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor’s or higher degree in a major such as computer science, information technology, or related; OR appropriate combination of education and experience.
• 2 years system administration or other relevant experience required.
• Experience with followings:
  • Infrastructure (extends across applications): Amazon Web Services (AWS), Apache, LDAP, Linux Operating System, Nagios / Solarwinds, Puppet/Chef/Ansible, Storage hardware, Tomcat, VMware vCloud Director, VMware vSphere
  • Programming Languages and Frameworks: Perl, Python, Shell Scripting

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Communication: Balancing listening and talking; communicates effectively one-to-one and in groups; writes precise, well-organized emails and proposals while using appropriate vocabulary and grammar; gives clear and manageable instructions.
• Collegiality: being helpful, respectful, approachable, and team orientated; building strong working relationships and a positive work environment.
• Efficiency: Planning ahead; managing time well; anticipates contingencies and pays attention to detail; targets projects or initiatives that require special attention and focuses on key tasks when faced with limited time or resources; thinking of a better way of doing things.
• Organization: Plans, organizes and schedules in an efficient, productive manner; anticipates contingencies and pays attention to detail; targets projects or initiatives that require special attention and focuses on key tasks when faced with limited time and/or resources.
• Problem Solving/Analysis: Breaks down problems into smaller components, understands underlying issues, can simplify and process complex issues, understands the difference between critical details and unimportant facts.
• Willingness to Learn: Strong desire to develop and grow in knowledge and experience; learn new programs and technologies.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 2+ years of Linux Systems Administration experience required.
• Experience in automation using languages, such as shell, Python, PHP, or Ruby.
• Computer science degree or related experience preferred but not required.
• Two to four years of related professional experience, preferably with a Library or higher education environment.
• Virtualization Expertise: Minimum 2+ years of implementing and/or maintaining a VMware Infrastructure (3.x or vSphere 4/5). VMware certified professional a plus
• Experience using automation/orchestration tools like Chef, Puppet, Ansible a plus.
• A talent for debugging issues across the stack, from application code to host-level problems.
• Strong knowledge of Linux System Administration (prefer RedHat Linux).
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of managing server environment (physical/virtual), operating systems, and networking standards.
• Proficiency with shell scripting and automation using an interpretive language such as Phython, Perl, Ruby.
• Solid grasp of TCP/IP, subnetting, DHCP, VPNs, and other networking principles.
• Applicable certifications such as LPIC, RHCSA, or OCA.

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Team Leadership: Anticipates and resolves conflicts, turns team diversity into an advantage, uses unique team talents, defines processes and goals, works for consensus
• Product Knowledge: Knows and explains product features/benefits, understands/sells the full product line, understands customer’s business operations and needs, understands/responds to the competition, applies market knowledge
• Initiative: Tackles problems and takes independent action, seeks out new responsibilities, acts on opportunities, generates new ideas, practices self-development.
• Project Management: Establishes project goals, milestones, and procedures, defines roles and responsibilities, acquires project resources, coordinates projects throughout company, monitors project progress, and manages multiple projects.

As per Northwestern University policy, this position requires a criminal background check. Successful applicants will need to submit to a criminal background check prior to employment.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the United States.