IT Specialist (Network/SysAdmin)

Full Job Description

The IT Specialist (Network/SYSADMIN) is responsible for the SMA, Hilo, HI network, system, virtual machine and data storage administration.

The incumbent is responsible for the operation of complex systems in a functioning astronomical observatory.

Individuals must have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the four competencies listed below. Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.

Customer Service - Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services.

Oral Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.

Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.

AND Experience for GS-12 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to GS-11 which is directly related to the work of this position and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position.

For this position, specialized experience is experience that includes IT support activities such as network administration, system administration, virtual machine administration, data storage administration, user support, or writing or modifying computer software professionally Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Part-time and/or unpaid experience related to this position will be considered to determine the total number of years and months of experience.

Be sure to note the number of paid or unpaid hours worked each week. Major Duties:

Linux Network administration. The SMA relies on complex network infrastructure based on the linux operating system for telescope operations.

Linux network administration duties include: oversight of network operations and rapid response to outages; linux terminal command line based configuration of switches, routers, and firewalls to maintain network security; optimizing routing paths; documenting network architecture; planning, designing, and costing network improvements or expansions; specification, acquisition, and installation of network hardware; maintaining network hardware; network software and security upgrades using linux and command line tools; and coordination with IT staff at other Maunakea observatories, the University of Hawaii, the SAO, and the Smithsonian.

Linux System administration. The SMA is controlled by a heterogenous collection of computers, primarily Red Hat Linux systems.

Linux system administration duties include: oversight of computing operations and rapid response to outages; monitoring system status for anomalies or security issues; system configuration via the linux terminal and command line; linux system software and security upgrades; oversight of software license and support contracts; analysis of computing requirements; and planning, designing, and costing improvements or expansions.

Linux Virtual machine administration. The primary SMA linux servers are virtualized and run on linux servers.

VM administration duties include: deployment of linux VMs and containers; analysis of server loads and balancing them with VM resources; migration of VMs between physical hosts; system software and security upgrades; maintenance of VM hosts; specification, acquisition, and installation of VM host hardware; and planning, designing, and costing improvements or expansions.

Data storage administration. SMA observations produce data at a rate that can exceed 1 TB per night.

Data storage administration duties include: maintenance of data storage servers and backup systems using the Linux command line, including cloud storage; specification, acquisition, and installation of storage hardware; planning, designing, and costing improvements or expansions; and oversight of cloud storage contracts.