Senior Systems Administrator

Salary: Depends on Qualifications
Location : Houston, TX
Job Type: Regular Full-time
Job Number: 15754
Department: Commissioner Precinct 1
Division: Technology
Opening Date: 10/16/2025
Closing Date: 12/31/2025 1:57 PM Central
Max Number of Applicants: 150

Position Description
About the Office of Commissioner Rodney Ellis
There are four precincts in Harris County. The four elected commissioners, along with an elected county judge, serve as members of Harris County Commissioners Court, the administrative head of the county's government. Commissioner Rodney Ellis represents the constituents of Precinct One.

With approximately 1.17 million residents, Harris County Precinct One is a diverse, urban precinct that covers 363 square miles. Precinct One's multi-racial, multi-ethnic population is roughly 33 percent African American, 38 percent Latino, 21 percent Anglo, 6 percent Asian and 2 percent other or multiple races.Precinct One stretches south to Brazoria County and reaches into eastern and northern sections of Harris County. The Precinct's territory includes a large section of Downtown Houston, including the Downtown Harris County Courthouse Complex, Toyota Center, Minute Maid Park and the BBVA Compass Stadium. Other notable landmarks include the 263-acre NRG Park Complex and the renowned Texas Medical Center. The Precinct is also the higher educational home to Houston Community College, Rice University, Texas Southern University, the University of Houston and the University of St. Thomas. Precinct One manages more than 21 parks, 10 community centers, numerous hike-and-bike trails, three maintenance service centers and several area offices, all of which provide an array of services to Precinct One residents.

The Mission of the Office of Commissioner Rodney Ellis:
Commissioner Rodney Ellis' Office, is committed to becoming a national model for delivering responsive public service that utilizes inclusive, innovative, and collaborative approaches to improve the quality of life, advance equality of opportunity, and promote the fair treatment of all people in Harris County. Key Areas of focus for our organization include, but are not limited to:

• Advancing more effective, fair and equitable criminal justice system.
• Furthering economic justice, equity, and opportunity for all Harris County residents, especially those often and historically left behind by government programs.
• Ensuring equitable outcomes in health and access to quality, affordable healthcare
• Fighting for environmental and climate justice that keeps all communities safe and healthy.
• Equitably investing in developing and maintaining resilient infrastructure and transportation for the 21st century
• Building and defending voting rights and a democracy that ensures equitable representation.
• Progressing equity and social and racial justice as common threads through all areas of public policy and public service.

What you will do at Precinct One
Serving as a senior advisor to the IT Manager, the Technology Senior Systems Administrator role is to assist in the development, configuration, deployment, and maintenance of all Commissioner's Precinct One Technology. This includes taking ownership of the on-premise server infrastructure to ensure its stability, performance, scalability, and security. Key responsibilities involve the hands-on administration of Windows Servers, Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, Group Policy framework, and IT Helpdesk. This position will also assist in the design and management of a new server virtualization environment, oversee data backup and recovery operations, and be a primary technical lead for resolving high-level end-user and infrastructure-related issues.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Administer and maintain on-premise Windows Servers, including Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, and File/Print services.
• Manage the entire user account lifecycle, including creation, modification, and deletion of accounts and security groups.
• Develop, test, and manage Group Policy Objects (GPOs) to enforce security policies and configure user and computer settings.
• Asset Management - Maintain an accurate inventory of all technology assets. Ensure all onboarding and offboarding equipment is accurately documented.
• Ensure that repair tools, parts, and components are available for the timely resolution of service tickets.

Operational Management:

• Perform on-site analysis, diagnosis, and resolution of complex desktop problems for end users. Recommend and implement corrective solutions, including off-site repair for remote users as needed. Install, configure, test, maintain, monitor, and troubleshoot end user and network hardware, peripheral devices, printing/scanning devices, presentation equipment, software, and other products in order to deliver required desktop service levels. Construct, install, and test customized configurations based on various platforms and operating systems. Collaborate with Technology team members to ensure efficient operation of the organization's desktop computing environment. Where required, administer and resolve issues with associated end-user workstation network software products. Receive and respond to incoming calls, pages, and/or work orders regarding desktop problems.

Ticket-Based Support Management:

• Process incoming repair tickets and prioritize them based on urgency and Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
• Acknowledge ticket assignments, diagnose hardware & software issues, and follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) to troubleshoot and resolve issues.
• Update ticket statuses, resolutions, and repair timelines in the ticket management system.

Laptop & PC Imaging and Repair:

• PC setup, re-image, application installation, and software break/fix for PCs
• Troubleshoot and repair hardware & software issues for laptops and PCs, including screen repairs, hard drive replacements, motherboard repairs, power issues, and other component failures.
• Provide quick turnaround on repair requests to minimize client downtime.
• Audio/Visual Conferencing Support
• Provide conference room and audio-visual assistance, ensuring seamless operation for meetings and presentations.

Customer Communication:

• Provide clear, professional communication regarding ticket status, expected repair timelines, and troubleshooting instructions to customers.
• Follow up with clients to ensure satisfaction with repairs and that all issues are resolved.

Repair Documentation & Reporting:

• Document repair activities and solutions within the ticketing system, ensuring all information is accurate and up to date.
• Escalate complex issues to senior technicians when necessary while maintaining ownership of the initial ticket.

Adherence to MOUs:

• Meet repair timeframes as defined by MOUs to ensure customer satisfaction and minimal device downtime.
• Manage and resolve multiple tickets simultaneously while maintaining quality standards.
• Meet the requirements of any MOUs between Harris County Commissioner Precinct One and any Harris County Department as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements
Education & Experience:

• Associate's degree in Information Technology or a related field from an accredited college or university

OR:

• Two (2) relevant IT certification-such as CompTIA A+, Network+, Server+, Linux+, Cisco, Microsoft Certified: AZ-104/305/800, MCTS, MCITP, MCP, MCSA, MCSE, 365, or Administrator

WITH:

• Five (5) plus years of experience in Windows Systems Administration.
• Strong, hands-on experience with Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS), DNS, DHCP, and Group Policy.
• Proficiency in administering a server virtualization platform (Microsoft Hyper-V or VMware vSphere).
• Experience with PowerShell scripting to automate administrative tasks
• Experience and knowledge of asset management, databases, and information systems.
• Experience with IT service delivery (ticketing) systems.
• Hands-on hardware troubleshooting experience.

Certification:

• Two (2) professional relevant IT certification-such as CompTIA A+, Network+, Server+, Linux+, Cisco, Microsoft Certified: AZ-104/305/800, MCTS, MCITP, MCP, MCSA, MCSE, 365, or Administrator

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Solid understanding of TCP/IP networking principles.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex technical issues in a mission-critical environment.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with multiple teams.
• Knowledge of PC and desktop hardware to include setup, re-image, application installation, and software break/fix for PCs.
• Working technical knowledge of current network protocols, operating systems, and standards.
• Ability to operate tools, components, and peripheral accessories
• Able to read and understand technical manuals, procedural documentation and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) guides.
• Able to work independently and as part of a team, including across multiple locations
• Administer and maintain on-premise Windows Servers, including Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, and File/Print services.
• Manage the entire user account lifecycle, including creation, modification, and deletion of accounts and security groups.
• Develop, test, and manage Group Policy Objects (GPOs) to enforce security policies and configure user and computer settings.
• Monitor system health, performance, and security, responding to alerts and resolving infrastructure issues.
• Manage the server virtualization environment (Hyper-V/VMware).
• Oversee backup and recovery operations for all on-premise servers and data.
• Provide Tier 3 technical support for infrastructure-related escalations.
• Create and maintain comprehensive documentation for systems, processes, and procedures.
• Collaborate with the networking team to request and implement necessary network changes (IPs, firewall rules, etc.).
• Contribute to the IT team's support efforts by assisting in the resolution of general helpdesk tickets as needed.
• Ability to prioritize tasks in a fast-moving environment

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.
Preferences
Experience:

• Experience with workstation imaging and deployment tools (Microsoft Deployment Toolkit, Windows Deployment Services). (preferred)
• Experience with Microsoft Intune or other Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions. (preferred)
• Helpdesk experience. (preferred)

Licensure:

• Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator. (preferred)

General Information
Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:

• Full-time | Regular

Work Environment:

• Some work may involve a combination of both office and field environments
• Sitting, standing, or walking for extended periods of time.
• Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, power tools, and other computer components
• Lifting and transporting of moderately heavy objects, such as computers and peripherals, at least 15 lbs or more.
• In-district travel is required for the purpose of on-site hardware and software troubleshooting and repair

What You Get in ReturnYou will be surrounded by coworkers who bring their best daily. Passionate people who want to make a difference in the communities Precinct One serves and Harris County as a whole.You will be in a mission-driven organization surrounded by colleagues who bring their best to work each day and collaborate to make a difference in the communities Precinct One serves along with Harris County as a whole.

Harris County employees receive a competitive salary plus medical, dental and vision insurance at no cost to the employee after the first two months of full-time continued employment. Vacation, sick time and floating holidays allow our employees to recharge and balance work and personal time. Mandatory participation in our retirement program allows employees to save for retirement. Various other benefits and discounts lead to the satisfaction and engagement of our employees.
Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards. Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.

HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Harris County offers a highly competitive benefits program, featuring a comprehensive group health plan and defined benefit retirement plan.
The following benefits are offered only to Harris County employees in regular (full-time) positions:
Health & Wellness Benefits

• Medical Coverage
• Dental Coverage
• Vision Coverage
• Wellness Plan
• Life Insurance
• Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Ten (10) days of vacation leave per year (accrual rate increases after 5 years of service)
• Eleven (11) County-observed holidays
• One (1) floating holiday per year
• Paid Parental Leave*
• Sick Leave

Retirement Savings Benefit

• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

The following benefits are available to Harris County employees in full-time and select part-time positions:

• Professional learning & development opportunities
• Retirement pension (TCDRS defined benefit plan)
• Flexible work schedule*
• METRO RideSponsor Program*

* Participation may vary by County department. The employee benefits plans of Harris County are extended to all eligible participants across various departments with the exception of the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department, for which the cited Health & Wellness Benefits are administered through the State of Texas.
In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, group health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Harris County Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.
For plan details, visit the Harris County Benefits & Wellness website:
01

Which of the following best describes your highest level of education completed as it relates to this position?

• High School or GED diploma
• Associate Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree or higher
• None of the above

02

If you selected a college degree in response to the previous question, which of the following best describes your major?

• Information Technology
• Other Related Field
• Unrelated Field
• N/A; No Degree

03

Which of the following best describes your verifiable experience in Windows Systems Administration?(To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history)

• Less than five (5) years
• Five (5) years or more but less than six (6) years
• Six (6) years or more but less than seven (7) years
• Seven (7) years or more
• I do not have this experience

04

In which of the following concepts do you have direct, hands-on experience? Please select all that apply.

• Architecting a new Active Directory environment from scratch.
• Implementing a hybrid identity solution using Microsoft Entra ID Connect or AD FS.
• Building and maintaining an automated OS deployment solution (e.g., MDT, WDS).
• Developing and managing a comprehensive server backup and disaster recovery plan.
• Applying security hardening baselines (e.g., CIS Benchmarks, DISA STIGs) to Windows Servers.
• Working within an IT Service Management (ITSM) framework like ITIL.

05

For the concepts you selected in the previous question, please provide details about your verifiable experience.. *** Do not use "See Resume", as we do not use resumes to assess qualifications.***(To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your application's employment history) If you do not have this experience, please type "None" in the space provided.
06

Which of the following professional licensure/certification do you currently hold?(Select all that apply.)

• CompTIA A+ - Computing Technology Industry Association A+ Certification
• Network+ - Computing Technology Industry Association Network+ Certification
• Server+ - Computing Technology Industry Association Server+ Certification
• Linux+ - Computing Technology Industry Association Linux+ Certification
• Cisco - Cisco Certified (vendor name; applies to certifications like CCNA, CCNP, etc.)
• Microsoft Certified: AZ-104 - Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate
• Microsoft Certified: AZ-305 - Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert
• Microsoft Certified: AZ-800 - Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate
• MCTS - Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist
• MCITP - Microsoft Certified IT Professional
• MCP - Microsoft Certified Professional
• MCSA - Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate
• MCSE - Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert
• 365 - Microsoft 365 (suite of cloud-based productivity and collaboration tools)
• Administrator - Microsoft Certified Administrator (general term, often referring to Microsoft 365 or Azure Administrator certifications)
• None of the above

07

If you made a selection in regard to the previous question, please describe your professional knowledge and/or experience. NOTE: Please DO NOT use "See Resume" as we do not use resumes for qualifications.(Type N/A if not applicable)
08

How would you rate your overall proficiency in the following core technologies? Please use the scale provided to select the level that best represents your current hands-on experience with Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS), Group Policy Management (GPO), Windows DNS & DHCP, PowerShell Scripting, Server Virtualization (Hyper-V / VMware)

• Beginner: I have a basic theoretical understanding but limited practical experience.
• Intermediate: I can perform routine tasks independently but may need guidance for complex problems or new setups.
• Advanced: I can confidently manage, troubleshoot, and implement solutions for complex issues without supervision. I have designed or deployed these systems.
• Expert: I have a deep, architectural understanding and can be considered a subject matter expert. I can teach others and troubleshoot the most challenging problems.
• No, I am not proficient in these programs

09

Please provide details about your verifiable experience to substantiate any 'Advanced' or 'Expert' ratings you selected in the previous question. Describe a specific project, task, or accomplishment that showcases your expertise.
Required Question