Edtech.com's Summary

The Pennsylvania State University is hiring a Systems Administrator (Linux/Cloud) for its Applied Research Laboratory's Digital Engineering Department in Reston, VA. The role involves maintaining and troubleshooting high-performance computing systems, managing cloud tools, implementing upgrades, monitoring backups, and resolving complex end-user issues to support various federal government customers.

Highlights

Maintain high-performance computing systems including operating systems, physical servers/workstations, and applications.
Administer, install, and troubleshoot cloud tooling and applications with a focus on Linux (Red Hat), Kubernetes, and modeling & simulation applications.
Execute and improve scripts and automation tools for system management.
Diagnose and resolve server, workstation, and audio-visual issues; respond to outages during normal working hours.
Monitor system reliability, backups, and emergency response plans.
Evaluate and recommend software and infrastructure improvements.
Assist with Ansible scripting and GitLab pipelines.
Must be eligible for Secret-level security clearance and U.S. citizenship is required.
Position requires either a Bachelor's degree with 1+ years experience or an Associate degree with no experience required; no certifications needed.
Salary range is $62,304 to $102,900 with comprehensive benefits including a 75% tuition discount.

Systems Administrator (Linux/Cloud) Full Description

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants.

Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.

POSITION SPECIFICS

We are searching for a Systems Administrator to join the Reston, VA office of the Digital Engineering Department of the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. You will maintain the integrity of various high-performance computing (HPC) systems including operating systems, physical servers/workstations, and applications; administer, install, and troubleshoot a variety of Cloud tooling and applications, perform systems maintenance tasks such as troubleshooting and performance evaluation as well as back-up and recovery; perform configuration changes to address customer needs; schedule, install, and test system software upgrades; monitor and maintain software licensing.

ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.

You will:

Execute, improve, and monitor scripts and automation tools to aid in systems management
Diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve server, workstation, and audio-visual (A/V) issues and/or respond to outages during normal working hours
Test and implement upgrades and patches to installed operating systems, software container orchestration platforms (Kubernetes), and modeling & simulation (M&S) applications
Maintain reliability of systems by monitoring, running tests, and troubleshooting
Monitor backups and plans for installed systems; review adequacy of emergency response plans
Manage, research, and resolve common as well as complex end-user issues
Evaluate and recommend new or existing software/infrastructure improvements and/or solutions
Create and maintain system documentation of processes, procedures, plans, and configurations with a focus on continuous improvement

Required Skills/Experience areas to include:

Assist with installing, configuring, and updating systems and software, focusing on Linux (Red Hat), basic Ansible scripting, and working with GitLab pipelines
Help diagnose and troubleshoot issues on servers, workstations, and A/V equipment, including responding to outages during normal business hours
Support testing and applying updates, patches, and upgrades for operating systems, Kubernetes platforms, and modeling and simulation (M&S) applications
Current eligibility for access to classified information at the Secret level or higher and may be subject to a government background investigation to upgrade clearance eligibility, if required

Your working location will be fully on-site, located in Reston, VA.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE & REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONSIf filled as IT Platform Administrator (ARL) - Intermediate Professional, this position

requires:Bachelor's Degree1+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience acceptedRequired Certifications:NoneIf filled as IT Platform Administrator (ARL) - Professional, this position requires:Associate DegreeNo prior relevant work experience required; previous relevant work experience accepted in lieu of education.Required Certifications:None

ARL's purpose is to research and develop innovative solutions to challenging scientific, engineering, and technology problems in support of the Navy, the Intel Community (IC), and other federal government customers.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION on ARL, visit our website at www.arl.psu.edu.

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

Notice regarding employment at the Applied Research Laboratory

(ARL):Employees must be eligible to obtain a government security clearance, participate in the ARL drug testing program, and comply with electronic and physical monitoring requirements applicable to federal contractors. ARL operates in a secure information environment involving Unclassified, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), and Classified information. Personal electronic devices brought onsite must be registered and may be restricted from certain areas. You must be a U.S. citizen to apply.

SALARY & BENEFITS
The salary range for this position, including all possible grades, is $62,304.00 - $102,900.00.

Salary Structure - Information on Penn State's salary structure

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. In addition to comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, employees enjoy robust retirement plans and substantial paid time off which includes holidays, vacation and sick time. One of the standout benefits is the generous 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

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Original Job Description