Founded in 2007, Initiate Government Solutions (IGS) a Woman Owned Small Business. We are a fully remote IT services provider that delivers innovative Enterprise IT and Health Services solutions across the federal sector. Our focus is on data analytics, health informatics, cloud migration, and the modernization of federal information systems.

IGS uses ISO 9001:2015, 20000-1:2018, 27001:2013, 28001:2007, CMMI/SVC3, CMMI/DEV3 best practices, and PMBOK® methods to provide clients with a strategy to build solid foundations to grow capabilities and revenue. Our range of IT services and delivery methodologies are tailored to our customers’ unique needs to achieve maximum value.

IGS is currently recruiting for a remote Windows System Administrator to support our work with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Assignment of Work and Travel:

This is a remote access assignment. Candidate will work remotely daily and will remotely access VA systems and therein use approved VA provided communications systems. Travel is not required; however, the candidate may be required to attend onsite client meetings as requested.

Responsibilities and Duties (Included but not limited to):

• Manage, Install, upgrade, patch and configure Windows 2016, 2019 and 2021 systems or other Window’s Systems as they come online.
• Install standard applications (ex. Office365 or similar, ERWIN or similar, SQL server, Python, PowerBI, Jupiter Lab, Visual Studio, Toad and other similar items), configure Roles, Features, policies and settings to meet VA requirements.
• Work with HP hardware to include ProLiant DL Series Servers, Blades and Blade Chassis hardware.
• Attach systems to a SAN, configure Multipath IO Policy for redundancy and to optimize performance.
• Configure network interface controller (NIC) teaming for network redundancy, update drivers and apply settings to optimize throughput and performance.
• Configure Mellanox NICs and network switches and software.
• Configure Windows Clustering for High Availability, allocate resources to the appropriate Roles to meet the application requirements.
• Use standard tools and services utilized in enterprise Windows environments to include Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, SMB, RDP, sFTP, WDS, and Group Policies.
• Add systems to our monitoring tools (SCOM and SolarWinds)
• Configure SSL/TLS Certs for securing application traffic.
• Provide support 24 hours/day, 7 days/week, 365 days/year, the coverage off business hours and holidays can be on-call.
• Work with the Backup team to configure systems for backups (Commvault)
• Work with other teams to evaluate requirements and propose solutions.
• Configure Visio and office applications for generating and maintaining documentation.
• Monitor systems daily to limit downtime.
• Troubleshoot and address issues as they occur, move cluster instances if necessary to limit downtime.
• Review system Event logs daily.
• Review status of the cluster daily, check cluster events.
• Review notifications from our monitoring environments.
• Apply system patches monthly, or as needed to address system vulnerabilities.
• Perform maintenance tasks such as firmware and driver updates as needed.
• Address vulnerabilities identified by Nessus and Penetration Scans monthly in compliance with ATO and VA.
• Configure allocated storage from the SAN team, grow and assign volumes to the appropriate cluster roles.
• Harden servers per VA / DoD Security Technical Implementation Guidelines (STIG) guidelines.
• Perform operating system upgrades and patching weekly or as needed to maintain functionality.
• Perform monthly security patching and vulnerability remediation.
• Administer Microsoft HYPER-V and Virtual Machine Manager.
• Perform Physical and Virtual server builds.
• Monitor Enclave server, storage, and networking performance.
• Conduct System optimization and updating.
• Conduct General Windows System troubleshooting.
• Conduct Server performance bottleneck troubleshooting.
• Maintain or create group policies/ local policies required by VA security entities.
• Assist with troubleshooting Remote Desktop (RDP) issues from clients.
• Maintain SSH File Transfer Protocol, (sFTP) system and create user accounts tied to specific directories and maintain security both in transit and at rest.
• Maintain sFTP Security compliance to retain the ATO/ required by VA and DoD.
• Assist VA and external users on how to transfer files via sFTP.
• Update the Windows Administration Technical Guide on Configurations and Topology with any enhancements or changes as needed by government PM.
• Document all Windows Administration activities in the Weekly Progress Report.

• Master's degree in information technology, Information Systems, or other related disciplines.
• 10 years of experience, an additional relevant 10 years of experience may be substituted for education.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust
• Must be eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship due to clearance.
• Five (5) years of Microsoft server administration and support experience, with three of those years in a healthcare setting.
• Minimum three (3) years of experience in life cycle maintenance and support of clinical IT systems and applications, with two of those years in a healthcare setting.
• Five (5) years of Microsoft Office Applications experience.
• Microsoft Windows Server minimum 2012.
• Experience with Azure native cloud services.
• Experience using Configuration and Change Management processes.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications and Core Competencies:

• ITILv3 certification is highly desired.
• Working knowledge of ITIL's Incident, Service, and Change management methodologies.
• Working knowledge of the Veterans Administration or branch of the government.
• Active VA Public Trust.

Successful IGS employees embody the following Core Values:

• Integrity, Honesty, and Ethics: We conduct our business with the highest level of ethics. Doing things like being accountable for mistakes, accepting helpful criticism, and following through on commitments to ourselves, each other, and our customers.
• Empathy, Emotional Intelligence: How we interact with others including peers, colleagues, stakeholders, and customers matters. We take collective responsibility to create an environment where colleagues and customers feel valued, included, and respected. We work within a diverse, integrated, and collaborative team to drive towards accomplishing the larger mission. We conscientiously and meticulously learn about our customers’ and end-users’ business drivers and challenges to ensure solutions meet not only technical needs but also support their mission.
• Strong Work Ethic (Reliability, Dedication, Productivity): We are driven by a strong, self-motivated, and results-driven work ethic. We are reliable, accountable, proactive, and tenacious and will do what it takes to get the job done.
• Life-Long Learner (Curious, Perspective, Goal Orientated): We challenge ourselves to continually learn and improve ourselves. We strive to be an expert in our field, continuously honing our craft, and finding solutions where others see problems.

Compensation: There are a host of factors that can influence final salary, including, but not limited to, geographic location, Federal Government contract labor categories and contract wage rates, relevant prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, education, and certifications.

Initiate Government Solutions offers competitive compensation and a robust benefits package, including comprehensive medical, dental, and vision care, matching 401K and profit sharing, paid time off, training time for personal development, flexible spending accounts, employer-paid life insurance, employer-paid short and long term disability coverage, an education assistance program with potential merit increases for obtaining a work-related certification, employee recognition, and referral programs, spot bonuses, and other benefits that help provide financial protection for the employee and their family.

Initiate Government Solutions participates in the Electronic Employment Verification Program.

Initiate Government Solutions is an equal opportunity employer. Our company policy is to provide equal opportunity in all areas of employment practice without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital status, veteran status, citizenship, or disability.