TITLE: IT Specialist (Systems Administration), IS-2210, Grades 11, 12; $61,425 to $95,705/yr
TYPE OF POSITION: Trust Fund (non-federal) Indefinite
DIVISION: - High Energy Astrophysics Division
LOCATION: Cambridge, Massachusetts
AREA OF CONSIDERATION: All qualified U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents

First consideration may be made 14 days after the opening date. Selection may be made at either of the above grade levels.

The IT Specialist (Systems Administrator) at the Chandra X-ray Center’s Operations Control Center will perform all aspects of IT systems management on a network of Windows and Linux workstations and servers. The Chandra X-Ray Observatory is the nation’s major asset in the field of x-ray astrophysics. Operating the spacecraft and its scientific instruments with maximum efficiency, and ensuring their health and safety, require computer systems that are accessible at all times and that robustly protect the integrity of the Observatory’s operations and science data. Primary duties of the employee include systems security, user training accounts and services (such as on-line user documentation and perform user training), writing utilities, scripts and system procedures. The Systems Administrator will receive line supervision from the Supervisor of the Facilities and Systems Team (FST). The employee will be assigned primary responsibilities in the areas of LAN security, user accounts and services (such as on-line user documentation and perform user training), writing utilities, scripts and system procedures.

DUTIES:
Duties at the grade 11 level may include: Support Windows and Linux servers and desktops. Develop plans or implementing new services and expanding roles of servers; Allocate system resources (such as disk, CPU, memory) to provide adequate user accounts, electronic mail, and printing, as well as optimize performance and ease of use. Monitor use of resources to limit LAN access to only currently authorized personnel; Responsible for installation and maintenance of server and client software for use in conjunction with current operating system versions. Manage server and client configuration to optimize performance and provide high availability for Wide Area Network (WAN) file system access; Responsible for all aspects of management of the OCC LAN including: allocation of system resources, operation of LAN, maintenance of hardware and software, backups, installation of new hardware and software, and monitoring assigned licenses and service agreements; Interfaces with manufacturers as a point of contact for maintenance of the LAN, both with respect to hardware and software; Serve as point of contact for OCC computer users requiring assistance or instruction in the use of the OCC LAN.

Duties at the grade 12 level, in addition to the above, may include: Responsible for LAN security by staying abreast of Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) advisories and vendor-supplied security problems and fixes. Designs, recommends, and implements security improvements and security problem resolutions; Conceive, implement, and make recommendations based on studies relating to OCC computing needs and performance including system backup and recovery strategy, LAN performance, optimization of system resources (disk, CPU, memory), application evaluation, writing utilities such as shell scripts to provide LAN resource information to users, and others as required by supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS : In addition to the qualifications described below for the specific grade levels, all candidates must possess Knowledge of operating systems including Windows and Linux; Knowledge of systems and network monitoring systems setup and configuration and maintenance; Knowledge of current network technologies such as Ethernet and current networking protocols such as TCP/IP; Knowledge of current networking and data communication hardware and software on firewalls, routers, switches, hubs, T1 interfaces, virtual private network, intrusion detection systems, wireless access points, and the detailed knowledge of their implementations within the networks; Knowledge of the Local Area Networks and understanding of this technology's capabilities and limitations and common problems; Knowledge of current LAN services such as accounts, authentication, email, ftp, printing, and web; Knowledge of current network file systems and network attached storage and storage area networks; Knowledge of current IT security concepts and technologies; Knowledge of system backup and recovery technologies; Skill in assessing and responding to anomalous system behavior including server and client crashes, disk crashes, network failure, and devise and implement recovery plans for such events; Ability to define, perform, and provide recommendations based on studies relating to LAN security, system performance, network performance, equipment and software evaluation. Experience with 24/7 operations is highly desired.

Candidates for grade 11 must possess a minimum of one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the grade 9 level in the normal line of progression for the occupation of systems or network administrator, which should demonstrate skill in organizing a complex system of computers into a cohesive LAN; skill in interfacing with programmers and scientists to understand the needs of system users and translate these into concrete hardware and software requirements; skill in oral communication; ability to develop preventative maintenance plans; ability to carry out inventory control and resource planning; and ability to plan, organize, and prioritize work. Experience with 24/7 operations highly desired. One of the following may substitute for the above required experience for grade 11:

1. Three years of graduate level education in computer science, information science, information systems management, mathematics, statistics, operations research, engineering, or a field such as a physical science where the course work required the development or adaptation of computer programs and systems and provided knowledge equivalent to graduate level education in the computer field, which provided the candidate with the required knowledge, skills and abilities; or
2. Ph.D. or equivalent degree in one of the fields cited above, which provided the candidate with the required knowledge, skills and abilities; or
3. Combination of successfully completed graduate level education and experience equivalent to the above.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Please reference Job Posting #29-31, and submit your resume via email to saoresumes@cfa.harvard.edu. or to the mailing address below. Please note that the email address is for application materials only. Applicants who have experience in a research environment are encouraged to augment their resume by elaborating on their software and research experience by 1) briefly relating research projects and their objectives, and 2) describing how specific software was applied to the scientific research being conducted.

NOTE: Candidates must be U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents and have experience working with computer and network security. Appointment will be subject to the applicant’s successful/satisfactory completion of a pre-appointment background check and subsequent background investigation, including fingerprinting. New employees are also subject to a one year probationary period. Relocation expenses will not be paid.

Please complete the Applicant Survey Form, which is used to collect information from candidates during the search process to evaluate the effectiveness of the Institution's search and recruit efforts. Please print all responses. The information provided is not a part of the selection process and will be used for statistical purposes only. Your voluntary responses will have no effect on your consideration.

The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in our workplace.

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Mailing address:
Recruiter 461 (JP#29-31)
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
60 Garden Street, MS 17
Cambridge, MA 02138