Junior Systems Administrator
The Junior Systems Administrator at Confidential Client supports system monitoring, operations, and maintenance in a 24x7 environment for a federal government customer in Colorado Springs. This on-site role requires active Secret clearance and involves providing first-level technical support, troubleshooting hardware and software, managing user accounts, and assisting with installations, with a focus on secure and reliable system and network administration in defense-related programs.
About Careertakes
👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, IT.
Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.
What You’ll Do
This on-site role supports operations and maintenance for mission-critical systems at Schriever AFB / Colorado Springs (Cimarron Hills, CO). You will provide first-level technical support, monitor systems 24x7, and assist subject-matter experts with deployments and troubleshooting.
- Performs daily system monitoring, operations, and maintenance in a 24x7 operations and test environment
- Provide first-level technical support to end users (warfighters) and perform initial troubleshooting of local hardware, software, and networks
- Document, escalate, and report events/issues; follow direction from supervisors and SMEs during test and real-world events
- Assist with hardware and software installations and user account provisioning per ISSO guidance
- Support other operational and administrative duties as required
Key Responsibilities
- Maintain uptime and perform routine checks on servers, network gear, and supporting infrastructure
- Troubleshoot and resolve hardware, OS, application, and network issues (triage and escalate as needed)
- Create and maintain user accounts, permissions, and local access controls
- Coordinate with on-site SMEs for system changes, patches, and installations
- Maintain accurate logs and incident documentation in accordance with local procedures
Required Qualifications
- US Citizenship required
- Active Secret clearance required (TS/SCI preferred)
- Entry-level to early career: typically advanced degree with 0–1+ years, or bachelor’s degree with 0–3+ years, or equivalent experience
- Experience with system and/or network administration across UNIX/Linux and Windows environments
- Familiarity with Cisco and Juniper networking gear
- Strong troubleshooting skills for hardware and software components
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
- Experience or knowledge of Missile Defense Systems is a significant plus
- Ability to work in a 24x7 operational environment and follow formal procedures
Required Certifications & Ongoing Expectations
- Must possess and maintain a DoD 8140 IAT Level II (or higher) certification for the contract period (examples: Security+ CE, CCNA Security, CySA+, GICSP, GSEC, SSCP, CASP+ CE, CISSP)
- Candidate is responsible for maintaining certification currency (CEs) throughout the contract
Compensation & Location
- Location: Schriever AFB / Colorado Springs (Cimarron Hills, CO) — on-site
- Employment type: Contract, Full-time
- Annual base salary range (Colorado disclosure): USD $85,000 – $105,000 per year
- This range is provided in compliance with applicable pay-transparency rules and represents the employer’s general guideline. Final offers consider experience, certifications, and job responsibilities.
Physical Demands & Work Environment
- Regular sitting, walking, standing, and occasional stair/step use; may require walking from parking to worksite
- Occasional stooping, kneeling, reaching, and forward bending
- Repetitive hand/finger motion and manual dexterity required
- Vision: close and distance vision, depth perception, color differentiation
- Hearing and verbal communication in quiet and noisy environments
- Lifting up to ~20 pounds may be required
- Position may involve stress related to mission-critical operations
Preferred Attributes
- Strong communication skills and ability to work with military and civilian personnel
- Detail-oriented with good documentation practices
- Willingness to learn and grow technical skills in a mission-focused environment
Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency
Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.
If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.
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