Lead IT Systems Administrator

Overview

Position: Lead IT Systems Administrator

Location: Headquarters – Pasadena, CA 91101;
Los Angeles, CA (on-site support as needed; must be based in the Los Angeles area to supplement on-site work)

Reports To: Director of Digital Systems

Department: IT

Role

Summary:

211 LA is seeking a mid- to senior-level IT Systems Administrator Lead with extensive hands-on IT experience to safeguard critical systems, lead technical innovation, and help shape the organization’s overall IT strategy. This lead position will drive breakthrough innovations, spearhead complex assignments, and be accountable for tangible outcomes, while directly supporting 211 LA’s mission of connecting Los Angeles County residents to vital social services and disaster support.

The ideal candidate blends deep technical expertise with on-the-ground presence in LA, crafting practical solutions for the information and referral industry.

• Lead the maintenance and evolution of essential IT infrastructure, including operating systems, security tools, servers, email systems, end-user devices, and software/hardware critical to 211 LA’s call center and data operations.
• Own and drive IT projects that align with broader business initiatives, ensuring 211 LA remains operationally resilient during public health emergencies, natural disasters, and high-volume crisis periods.
• Manage business-critical IT tasks to provide 211 LA with a competitive advantage in service delivery, donor management, and community partner integrations.
• Enhance business processes through innovation, automation, and analytics that yield meaningful insights for leadership.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners (e.g., county agencies, vendors, disaster response entities), communicating project status, activities, and achievements clearly across all levels.
• Collaborate and coordinate closely with the Help Desk team. While the Sys Admin will not directly manage Help Desk staff, they will work alongside them daily, providing technical support and guidance to ensure seamless IT operations.

• General Systems Administration: Perform advanced server administration (user/group management, security permissions, group policies) while mentoring junior staff on best practices. Proactively monitor system health, investigate event-log warnings/errors, and ensure seamless integration of all system architecture components.
• AWS System Operations: Manage and operate AWS infrastructure (EC2, networking, storage, databases) with a focus on redundancy for 211 LA’s 24/7 operations. Implement and audit security measures for AWS resources, configure/maintain security groups using AWS IAM, and ensure compliance with 211 LA’s data protection standards. Automate operational tasks and deployments using AWS Cloud Formation and Systems Manager. Design, document, and test backup and disaster recovery strategies for AWS environments, ensuring rapid restoration during emergencies.
• AWS Development Operations: Define automated monitoring, deployment, and repair strategies using modern Ops tools. Build and maintain tools for deployment, monitoring, and operations, reducing manual toil. Assist with CI/CD processes, mentor internal teams on Dev Ops culture, and ensure adherence to best practices. Manage infrastructure performance and application deployments to support 211 LA’s evolving needs.
• Linux Administration: Utilize essential command-line tools for file, directory, and process management. Perform Linux administration, including basic firewall and SELinux configuration. Implement/manage users, groups, security, and essential container management.
• Database Administration: Build and maintain high-availability database systems aligned with the roles of 211 LA staff and partners. Design and implement databases, define user access, and enable secure data distribution. Implement high-speed transaction recovery techniques, back up data, and tune parameters for fast query responses. Monitor database performance, run tests/evaluations, and ensure data security and integrity (especially for sensitive caller data).
• Application Services Administration: Maintain a secure IT…