FT - Systems Administrator

FT
- Systems Administrator

Dallas Campus
- Dallas, TX 75204

Job Summary The IT Systems Administrator is responsible for the reliable, secure, and compliant operation of Dallas Theological Seminary's on-premises and cloud-based infrastructure. This role ensures that core enterprise systems-servers, identity platforms, storage, visualization, and cloud services-are available, auditable, and aligned with both institutional priorities and regulatory requirements. In keeping with Dallas Theological Seminary's mission, this position emphasizes operational excellence, security stewardship, documentation, and service-oriented support within a higher-education and ministry context.

Primary Responsibilities Systems & Infrastructure Operations

• Administer, maintain, and monitor Windows and Linux server environments (physical and virtual).
• Manage virtualization platforms (e.g., VMware, vSphere/ vCenter or equivalent).
• Support on-premises and cloud infrastructure, including Microsoft Azure services.
• Maintain storage platforms, backup systems, and disaster recovery capabilities.
• Ensure system availability, performance, capacity planning, and lifecycle management.

Microsoft 365 & Identity Platforms

• Administer Microsoft 365 services, including Entra  (Azure AD), Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, and related services.
• Support hybrid identity and authentication services, including MFA and Conditional Access.
• Manage Active Directory, group policies, DNS, DHCP, and certificate services.
• Enforce least-privilege access models and partner with IAM and Security initiatives.

Security Risk & Compliance (Security-Weighted)

• Apply operating system and application patches in accordance with formal change controls.
• Monitor systems for security events, configuration drift, and unauthorized access.
• Support GLBA safeguards related to:
  • Access controls for systems storing or processing Restricted or Confidential data.
  • Audit logging, retention, and evidence collection.
  • Secure configuration baselines and vulnerability remediation.
• Participate in security incident response, containment, and forensic support.
• Assist in regulatory audits, risk assessments, and security control testing.

Backup, Recovery & Continuity

• Ensure reliable, tested backups of all critical systems and data.
• Document and periodically test restore and disaster recovery procedures.
• Maintain data retention, off-site storage, and immutable backup protections where appropriate.

Documentation, Automation & Continuous Improvement

• Create and maintain accurate system documentation, diagrams, SOPs, and runbooks.
• Automate routine administrative tasks using Power Shell or equivalent tools.
• Drive standardization and repeatability across infrastructure services.

Support & Collaboration

• Provide Tier 3 escalation support for complex infrastructure incidents.
• Collaborate with Service Desk, Network, Security, and Application Teams.
• Coordinate with vendors and service providers as required.
• Participate in infrastructure projects from planning through operational handoff.

Maintenance

• Perform approved maintenance during defined maintenance windows.

Explicit ITIL Practice Alignment The Systems Administrator contributes directly to the following ITIL practices:
Incident Management

• Restore service availability for infrastructure-related incidents.
• Act as Tier 3 escalation for unresolved service disruptions.
• Provide root-cause input and technical findings for incident reviews.
• Maintain incident documentation and operational notes.

Change Enablement (Change Management)

• Implement infrastructure changes using approved change processes.
• Plan, test, document, and execute changes with rollback strategies.
• Participate in change reviews and post-implementation validation.

Problem Management

• Identify recurring incidents and system weaknesses.
• Perform root-cause analysis and recommend permanent solutions.
• Implement preventative measures to reduce incident volume and risk.

Information Security Management

• Maintain secure configurations and monitoring controls.
• Support audit evidence collection and compliance reporting.
• Assist in risk identification, mitigation planning, and remediation tracking.

Service Configuration Management

• Maintain accurate configuration documentation and system inventories.
• Ensure infrastructure changes are reflected in documentation and diagrams.

Required Qualifications Technical Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in systems administration or infrastructure engineering.
• Strong experience with Windows Server and Active Directory administration.
• Experience supporting Microsoft 365 and Entra .
• Experience with virtualization technologies (VMware or equivalent).
• Working knowledge of backup, disaster recovery, and storage concepts.
• Proficiency with scripting and automation (Power Shell preferred).
• Experience operating in regulated or compliance-driven environments.

Professional Qualifications

• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and documentation skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical…