Full-Time Senior System Administrator

METROPOLITAN KNOXVILLE AIRPORT AUTHORITY

The Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority (MKAA) was established in 1978 as a nonprofit agency to own and operate the city's aviation system, McGhee Tyson Airport and Downtown Island Airport, and has recently celebrated a full 87-years in service to the East Tennessee area.  Being centrally located within a one day's drive or a few hours flight from major cities, MKAA continues to be integral to the air transportation system. If you are interested in helping contribute to the future success of the McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS) and Downtown Island Airport (DKX), please read further.  

The Position:

The Senior System Administrator position is responsible for the day-to-day operational maintenance, design, support, and upgrades of operating systems, workstations, and servers such as access control systems, phone systems, audio/video systems, LAN/WAN/VPN, and other networks & systems. Performs complex software installations and upgrades to operating systems and software packages. Installs and configures new computer equipment and telecommunications equipment including servers, routers, switches, firewalls, and other types of devices. Monitors and tunes the system to achieve optimum performance levels. Ensures workstation/server/system data integrity by evaluating, implementing, and managing appropriate software and hardware solutions of varying complexities. Ensures data/media recoverability by developing and implementing a schedule of system backups and database archive operations. Conducts hardware and software audits of workstations/servers/systems to ensure compliance with established standards, policies, and configuration guidelines. This role will be the Subject Matter Expert for Office 365, virtual environment, Windows servers, storage system, networking equipment, and phone systems. May develop and implement new standards, policies, and procedures.

***NOTE: This is a fully on-site position.

Responsibilities:

• Provides prompt, courteous, professional, high-quality, and consistent support to MKAA team members and provides mentoring to IT staff.
• Troubleshoots and resolves issues with a customer service mindset.
• Stays calm and maintains professional composure during stressful situations.
• Creates installation and setup documentation for supported systems. Regularly updates the downtime/disaster procedures with pertinent information.
• Identifies ways to improve current services and engages with team on issues and problems.
• Is responsible for and takes initiative to continuously improve the integrity, stability, and user experience of all systems.
• Performs disaster recovery planning & testing.
• Identifies trends in recurring problems and makes changes to prevent such problems.
• Researches and stays current with hardware, software, and computer-related procedures and methods.
• Performs hardware migrations, OS/firmware upgrades, software maintenance/conversion, and performs capacity planning.
• Identifies areas where technology or changes to technology can improve efficiency.
• Monitors technology systems to optimize performance, resource use, and configurations.
• Instills a high degree of confidence in end users by designing dependable systems and providing prompt response times to reported issues.
• Develops and maintains security groups for granting access to file systems and networks.
• Ensures that minimum access is granted to file systems and network connections.
• Ensures that storage systems are protected, and that all OS’s, software, and firmware are routinely patched and at vendor supported levels.
• Identifies hardware, software, and other technical situations that may present security risks and takes action to correct.
• Participates in various planning and design assignments, including development of alternate network architectures, cost-benefit analysis, development of basic infrastructure requirements, equipment specifications, and cost estimates.
• Conducts periodic site surveys, facilitates meetings, and commissions equipment.
• Writes Technology Master Plans and other detailed ongoing documentation.
• Develops and maintains current network diagrams.
• Performs related work as required.

The Ideal Candidate:

While being flexible and patient in providing customer service, the ideal candidate should have a keen focus on cyber security, uptime, and resiliency; must be able to translate high-level objectives to technology solutions; be effective in verbal and written communications, well-organized, able to manage time wisely, and establish and maintain effective working relationships.  As a continuous learner & researcher, this candidate should also have knowledge of networking and computer infrastructure; modern office practices and equipment, including applicable software; working knowledge of the Microsoft 365 platforms; current network and server systems is a plus. 

 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Required Education and Experience:  Bachelor’s degree in information technology, computer science, computer engineering or related discipline and 7 years of experience in the maintenance of computers, associated peripherals, networks, and telecommunications, including voice over IP. An equivalent amount of education and work experience may be considered with accompanying technical certifications or demonstrated proficiency in this discipline.
• Required Licenses or Certifications:   Driver’s License; Preferred Certifications: Cisco (CCNA, CCNP), CompTIA Network , Software , Hardware , VMWare VCP, Microsoft MCSA/MCSE, or similar certifications.

Salary and Compensation:

The hiring range for this position is $79,894.71 to $103,863.12.  MKAA offers a very competitive benefits package for this position, including medical/dental/vision benefits, disability/life insurance, vacation leave, sick leave, and a 401(a)-retirement program.  

Deadline to Apply:  

For best consideration, apply by Sunday, February 23, 2025.  ***Position open until filled.

Please apply through this website (preferred), or mail resume to P.O. Box 15600 | Knoxville, TN 37901 | Attention: HR. Resumes/Applications must be received by the stated deadline, or postmarked by the deadline date, to be considered. No phone calls or emails please.

Applicants must submit ALL of the following in order to be considered: Official Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority Application or resume (Applicants submitting resumes must submit a completed signed copy of the MKAA application prior to being interviewed).

Selection Process:

Applications (and additional documents, if applicable) will be reviewed to identify applicants whose qualifications most closely meet the needs of the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority.  Employment process includes a security background check and physical (if applicable), which includes drug testing.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a long-term basis.

The Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority conducts random employee drug screening.

The Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Salary : $79,895 - $103,863