Systems Architect - Active Directory

*** Please note that the candidates need to be on our W2 only******

• Client: State of South Carolina
• Job ID: 14260
• Job Title: Systems Architect - Advanced (On-Prem Systems Engineer)
• Will close to submissions on 11/3 at 5:00PM EST.
• Interview Process: 2 rounds, virtual
• Duration of the Contract: 12 months; Possibility for Extension: Yes
• Work Location: Role is 100% remote; Candidate location: Candidate must currently reside in Eastern Time Zone.

Required Skills & Experience

• 5+ years of experience with Active Directory: domain services, replication, delegation, permissions, and domain controller troubleshooting.
• 5+ years of experience with Group Policy: design, scoping, filtering, troubleshooting, and change control in a large environment.
• 5+ years of experience with PowerShell: modules, error handling, remote execution, scheduled and unattended scripts, and AD/GPO automation.
• 3+ years of experience with implementation of CIS benchmarks (or equivalent hardening baselines) on Windows endpoints via GPO and scripting.
• 5+ years of experience with Windows Server administration and lifecycle management across a large server estate, including build, patching, upgrading, and decommissioning.
• Experience with documenting while working: SOPs, runbooks, and change records kept current, with no after-the-fact write-ups.
• Experience working from a tracked work queue (such as Azure DevOps boards) and within formal service request and change control processes.

Preferred / Nice-to-Have

• Experience with task automation and orchestration beyond PowerShell, such as scheduled workflows and automation platforms.
• Endpoint patch management experience, including third-party application and Windows OS patching.
• Third-party application packaging and deployment automation, including application bundles (such as PDQ).
• PKI and AD Certificate Services operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Execute the Active Directory, Group Policy, and permissions work backlog: GPO creation, modification, testing, and retirement, plus delegation and access changes.
• Implement CIS baselines through GPO and scripted remediation, working from the Senior Server Administrator's analysis and direction. The Senior reviews and orchestrates; this role implement.
• Design, write, and maintain PowerShell for administration, automating, auditing, remediation, and reporting across endpoints and AD.
• Identify repetitive operational tasks and automate them, replacing manual procedures with tested, documented scripts.
• Manage the Windows Server lifecycle at enterprise scale: build, configuration, patching, upgrading, troubleshooting, and decommissioning.
• Receive work as assigned and prioritized by the Server Operations Team Manager, including work routed through the Senior Server Administrator or the Server Administrator under the Manager's oversight.
• Log, update, and track all work items in Azure DevOps.
• Work service requests and change controls through the Service Management tool, following the team's change process.
• Store all work product and documentation in Azure DevOps as work is performed, including scripts, code, GPO documentation, runbooks, and SOPs. All work products are the property of the branch.
• Cross-skill with the Senior Server Administrator so that AD/GPO and CIS knowledge is shared, not held by one person.
• Take on additional on-premises duties as team responsibilities are realigned, as directed by the Manager.

Success Metrics / Deliverables

• Success is assessed against metrics established with the Manager and tracked in Azure DevOps, including AD/GPO backlog reduction, CIS items implemented, and script and documentation coverage.
• AD/GPO backlog reduced and tracked in Azure DevOps.
• CIS items implemented per the Senior's direction, with before and after state recorded.
• Core administrative and remediation tasks covered by tested, documented PowerShell, with a baseline script library in Azure DevOps.
• All work product, including scripts, code, and documentation, stored in Azure DevOps as property of the branch, with no work held locally or in personal storage.
• Tested coverage on AD/GPO and PowerShell-based processes, so that more than one person can run and support them.
• SOPs for recurring AD/GPO and hardening tasks written and reviewed by the Senior.