Windows Operations Admin

Job Description:

Responsible for the steady-state management, maintenance, and optimization of the Windows Server infrastructure. This role ensures the reliability of server operations through proactive monitoring, robust security management, and efficient resource administration, serving as a key technical resource for operational stability.

Key Responsibilities

• Windows Server Administration: Perform end-to-end administration of Windows Server environments (2016, 2019, 2022). Handle server builds, configuration updates, and general OS troubleshooting.
• Access & Resource Management: Manage local users and groups. Administer file system permissions (NTFS) and network shares to ensure secure and efficient data access.
• Disk & Storage Administration: Manage server disk volumes, partitions, and file systems. Oversee storage allocation and connectivity at the OS level, including RAID configurations and SAN-attached storage.
• Event Log & Health Management: Proactively monitor and analyze Windows System and Security Event Logs. Identify potential hardware/software failures or security breaches and take corrective action.
• Performance Monitoring: Track and analyze server performance metrics (CPU, Memory, Disk I/O, Network). Identify bottlenecks and implement tuning to ensure optimal application performance.
• Data Protection & Backup: Oversee server backup operations. Ensure all critical data is backed up according to policy and perform regular restoration tests to validate Disaster Recovery readiness.
• Security Management: Execute patch management cycles (via WSUS, SCCM, or similar) and manage enterprise AntivirEndpoint Protection agents to maintain a secure environment.
• High Availability: Administer and troubleshoot Microsoft Failover Cluster Services. Ensure the availability of clustered roles and resources across multiple nodes.

Technical Skills & Requirements

• Operating Systems: Advanced knowledge of Windows Server architecture and core services (AD, DNS, DHCP).
• Clustering: Hands-on experience with Microsoft Cluster Services (MSCS) and Failover Clustering management.
• Storage: Proficiency in Windows Disk Management, LVM-like concepts in Windows, and troubleshooting storage latency.
• Security Tools: Experience with patching tools (WSSCCM) and enterprise security suites (CrowdStrike, Symantec, or Microsoft Defender).
• Monitoring: Familiarity with performance monitoring tools (PerfMon, SCOM, or SolarWinds).
• Scripting: Ability to use PowerShell for automating operational tasks and log parsing.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in IT, Computer Science, or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience: 7–9 years in a Windows Server operational or "Steady State" environment.
• Certifications (Preferred):
• Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate.
• ITIL Foundation (v3 or v4) for operational process knowledge.

Soft Skills

• Strong attention to detail regarding system logs and security alerts.
• Excellent troubleshooting skills with a focus on minimizing downtime.
• Clear communication skills for documenting changes and coordinating with stakeholders.
• Ability to work effectively in a high-pressure operational environment.