Linux Systems Administrator

Job Purpose:

Installs, configures, maintains and performs system integration testing of UNIX based operating systems, related utilities and hardware. Responsible for troubleshooting UNIX-based hardware and software problems. Monitors systems activities and fine tunes system parameters and configuration to optimize performance and ensure security of systems. Performs capacity analysis, monitors and controls usage of disk space. Develops procedures for routine administration including backup/restore, shutdown, and startup. Provides recommendations for improving the server environment, such as capacity thresholds, security gaps, patch levels and hardware recalls.

This is highly technical work, primarily concerned with planning, installing, customizing, and maintaining Linux and Cloud hosted operating systems, operating system software, complex vendor application software, and the supporting server infrastructure. This position may require planning and implementing security measures to safeguard computer resources. This position will also be responsible for designing, implementing, and testing a disaster recovery plan for critical business processes, which utilize these operating systems and sub-systems. The primary task will include the installation, administration, patching, and troubleshooting of applications running on the Linux servers or supported by the work unit, including Storage, WebSphere and all edge components (HTTP, caching proxies, load balancers), Web Intelligence, IBM Storage Protect, IBM Workload Manager, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, WebLogic, GitHub, Microsoft Azure, Azure DevOps, SAP Business Objects, Maestro Listserv, Ivanti Neurons and SiteScope and desktop tools.

About the Candidate:

Qualifications

Education - Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or other related field. Or equivalent work experience.

Required Experience

This position requires the following experience and/or knowledge:   

1.      A minimum of 3 years of IT work experience. Requires a high level of expertise in multiple system environments with emphasis in UNIX-based systems.

2.      High School Diploma or equivalent (GED) required and 2 years of experience.

3.      Bachelor of science degree (or equivalent) in computer science, engineering, or relevant field and 1 year experience

4.      Master of science degree (or equivalent) in computer science, engineering, or relevant field

Preferred Experience

• Knowledge of DevOps concepts continuous integration and continuous delivery.

• Knowledge of data processing concepts, terminology, and applications, and systems and network terminology and concepts.

• Knowledge of one or more high-level computer programming languages.

• Knowledge of the client / server development environment.

• Knowledge of internet and web-based design concepts

• Ability to learn new programming languages, hardware platforms, communications methodologies and conform to Lottery programming standards.

• Ability to develop, test and debug computer programs.

• Ability to think logically, analyze and solve problems.

• Ability to interpret technical information and communicate effectively to non-technical staff and management.

• Ability to identify, analyze and define user system needs.

• Ability to develop and present technical documentation, specifications and reports.

• Ability to prepare applications or systems design specifications based on analysis of user functional requirements.

• Ability to collaborate with appropriate sources.

• Ability to research and develop technical solutions to problems in a timely manner.

• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments and to supervise staff as delegated.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

• Knowledge of mathematics and accounting principles.

  Primary Job duties and tasks

• Develop and maintain a consistent style guide for design documentation.

• Write clear, concise, and well-organized documentation using appropriate technical language.

• Installation and configuration: Installing, configuring, and maintaining Linux systems, operating systems, and physical and virtual servers.

• Maintenance: Performing system maintenance, updates, and server configurations

• Security: Maintaining system security, performing security audits, and granting permissions

• Troubleshooting: Troubleshooting issues, identifying, and fixing bugs, and rectifying issues using monitoring systems

• Support: Providing technical support and training users for applications

• Coordination: Coordinating internal teams to address system and application failures

• Building and implementing new development tools and infrastructure

• Understanding the needs of stakeholders and conveying them to developers

• Working on ways to automate and improve development and release processes.

• Testing and examining code written by others and analyzing results.

• Ensuring that systems are safe and secure against cybersecurity threats.

• Identifying technical problems and developing software updates and fixes

• Working with software developers and software engineers to ensure that development follows established processes and works as intended.

• Planning projects and being involved in project management decisions.

• Each employee is expected to be knowledgeable of the Lottery’s Responsible Gaming program, including the No Underage Play and Play Within Your Means messaging, and will ensure retailers and players are aware of the program and provided information, as necessary.

• Designs, installs, tests, configures, maintains, upgrades, administers, monitors, and troubleshoots operating systems software,

• Establishes viable test development, quality assurance, standby and production systems. Develop procedures for moving code from one environment to the other.

• Installs system software into appropriate test, quality assurance, production, or standby environments.

• Develops, maintains, reviews, and follows change control procedures for production, quality assurance, test, and standby server systems.

• Reviews planning and implementation documentation and verifies successful installation.

• Attendance is an essential function of this position.

• Stays abreast of and judiciously implements the most current release of Linux server products, including patches for security vulnerabilities. Research compatibility issues with other vendor software and utilities. Evaluates and tests new server or desktop products and features as relevant.

• Obtains relevant documentation for problem analysis and determination in instances of system failure.

• Designs back out / backup / restore procedures.

• Evaluates new hardware and software as necessary.

• Designs, implements, and tunes optimum configuration values to ensure stable and efficient Linux server environments, using established industry methods and best practices.

• Remains current on Linux systems administration skills including performance tuning.

• Prepares procedural documentation for Information Resources staff for all processes from power-up to power-down, including error recovery, gathering information from the system dump facilities.

• Research and apply firmware as needed.

• Works with vendor support while engaged in problem determination or technical research.

• Provides on-call support after normal working hours as needed.

• Provides training and direction to junior staff members, application programmers, and others as necessary and appropriate.

• Assists other Information Resource staff and end-users in understanding and interpreting vendor documentation and manuals of operations.

• Maintains familiarity with Linux server software and infrastructure supported by this work unit.

• Reports to management on status of products in specific areas of expertise.

• Installs and configures Linux server hardware and software as required.

• Strives to always provide excellent customer service.

• Takes necessary steps to maintain a high level of professional expertise.

• Performs administrative duties, including submission of timesheets, in a prompt manner.

• Performs other related duties as assigned by management. May be required to supervise others.