Senior Systems & Database Administrator (Library Information Systems Assistant Manager)

Full Job Description

The Senior Systems & Database Administrator serves as the technical lead and deputy to the Information Systems (IS) Manager. This is a highly hands-on, senior technical role designed for an experienced IT professional who enjoys deep technical work, system modernization, and architectural problem-solving.

This position acts as the IS Manager’s full technical backup and plays a critical role in stabilizing, modernizing, and migrating legacy infrastructure to sustainable, cloud-forward solutions. The Senior Systems & Database Administrator leads database-focused initiatives, virtualization and server modernization, application replacement efforts, and contributes to network and security decisions. This role collaborates closely with a Systems Administrator and a Platform Administrator and helps guide technical direction across the department.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Leadership

• Serve as the IS Manager’s full technical backup, with authority to implement emergency infrastructure changes, approve technical designs, and escalate vendor issues as needed.
• Participate in project prioritization and help identify opportunities to improve system reliability, scalability, and sustainability.
• Act as a senior technical resource and informal mentor to IS staff through collaboration, design review, and shared problem-solving.
• Work independently, make sound technical decisions, and remain calm during incidents.
• Attend professional meetings, in-service programs, and external professional development events; keep current with developments in library technologies.
• Communicate professionally with diverse groups both verbally and in writing.
• Set priorities and meet deadlines; adaptability and judgment to reprioritize as needed.
• Model engaging and consistent customer service to both library staff and patrons.
• Establish and maintain working relationships with other staff and the general public; work collaboratively.

Database Administration & Modernization

• Provide advanced support for the Library’s mission-critical Integrated Library System (ILS) PostgreSQL database, including writing complex queries, updating tables, analyzing workflows, and identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Lead efforts to migrate non-mission-critical, internally hosted databases and applications to SaaS or cloud-based alternatives.
• Collaborate with the IS Manager on database-related responsibilities such as backups, performance considerations, upgrades, and disaster recovery planning.
• Support and modernize SQL-based workflows across PostgreSQL and other SQL platforms as systems are retired or replaced.

Infrastructure, Virtualization & Servers

• Maintain and support existing Xen/KVM virtualization environments.
• Lead virtualization migrations to robust open-source platforms such as XCP-ng or Proxmox.
• Plan and execute hardware refreshes, operating system upgrades, and server consolidations.
• Administer and modernize Ubuntu-based application, database, and utility servers (DNS, DHCP, cron jobs, automation scripts).

Application Modernization & Automation

• Analyze legacy systems and design sustainable, modern replacements.
• Lead replacement of legacy Perl CGI and PHP-based tools with modern, maintainable solutions.
• Design and implement workflow-based replacements using existing platforms such as Google Workspace, AppSheet, Airtable, and other cloud tools whenever possible.
  Build lightweight internal tools or scripts using Bash, Python, SQL, or small web frameworks (e.g., Flask) when appropriate.
• Occasionally integrate APIs and automate system workflows to reduce manual effort and technical debt.
• Support migration of infrastructure and applications to AWS or Google Cloud Platform, using primarily managed services.
• Perform limited hands-on cloud infrastructure work as needed.

Networking & Security Collaboration

• Perform hands-on network configuration and maintenance, including firewall rules, VLAN design, and routing changes.
• Review and validate network changes performed by other team members, etc.
• Serve as a second set of eyes on network security decisions, patching strategies, vulnerability remediation, and incident response.

Documentation & Communication

• Produce clear, maintainable documentation for all systems and applications modernized or implemented.
• Occasionally present technical concepts and changes to non-technical staff in an accessible manner.
• Collaborate with vendors, cooperative partners, and internal stakeholders.
• Communicate and bring projects to completion.

Requirements

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field; three (3) or more years of progressively advanced experience in systems administration, infrastructure engineering, or related IT roles; or equivalent combination of training and experience as determined by GRPL management.
  

Preferred:

• Strong working knowledge of SQL and relational databases, with PostgreSQL experience preferred.
• Experience administering Linux-based server environments, particularly Ubuntu.
• Hands-on experience with virtualization platforms (Xen, KVM, XCP-ng, Proxmox, or similar).
• Practical networking experience, including firewalls, VLANs, and routing.
• Scripting or programming experience using Bash, Python, and SQL.
• Experience supporting or working with an Integrated Library System (ILS), Evergreen preferred.
• Prior experience modernizing legacy applications or migrating on-prem systems to cloud-hosted solutions.
• Familiarity with AWS and/or Google Cloud Platform managed services.
• Experience with Ansible or other configuration management tools.
• Experience designing or reviewing network security architectures.
• Prior work in a public-sector, library, or highly mission-driven organization.
  

Qualifications

Core Competencies

• Systems Thinking & Architecture: Architects fault-tolerant, scalable solutions that prioritize long-term resilience over "quick-fix" patches.
• SQL & Data Fluency: Masters high-performance query design and schema optimization.
  Infrastructure Modernization: Leads the transition from legacy stacks to cloud-native architectures.
• Technical Documentation: Ensures the "why" behind a design is as clear as the "how" to eliminate tribal knowledge and accelerate team velocity.
• Collaborative Leadership: Influences cross-functional teams and stakeholders through technical credibility.
• Pragmatic Automation: Designs lean, repeatable workflows that favor maintainability over over-engineered complexity.
  

Additional Information

Please note the following:

• A cover letter is required
  • Please attach a cover letter in pdf format that describes your interest in the position, your interest in working at GRPL, and how these might tie in with personal or professional goals
• All communication regarding this position will be done via email; it is your responsibility to ensure that your email address is up-to-date on your account profile
• To be eligible for this position, you must apply through the City of Grand Rapids Job Opportunities page

Please visit the library's jobs page for a list of other open positions at Grand Rapids Public Library.

All inquiries related to this posting should be directed to:GRPL proudly promotes diversity and inclusion in employment, and strives to maintain a workplace culture where respect and positive recognition of differences are cultivated.

Grand Rapids Public Library provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination of any type without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, height, weight, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. GRPL will make reasonable accommodations for employees and job applicants with disabilities.

This applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruiting, hiring, transfer, training, promotion, discipline, termination, leaves of absence, compensation, and benefits, as well as work-related events and activities.