Junior Systems Administrator (Data Center)

As a Junior Systems Administrator at Peraton, you will be responsible for supporting various operational activities in our MIDS Data Center. This includes coordinating with the site lead, managing facilities and material handling, and communicating effectively with customers and suppliers to resolve issues and fulfill requests. You'll also conduct site audits, maintain infrastructure diagrams, and assist with rack building and equipment installation. Overall, your role will be both technical and customer-facing, providing a mix of hands-on tasks and strategic problem-solving.

To qualify for the Junior Systems Administrator role at Peraton, you need a bachelor’s degree and at least two years of relevant experience in IT, particularly in a data center environment. Alternatively, if you have a high school diploma, six years of equivalent experience can be considered. Familiarity with technical standards, server setup, and ITSM tools like SNOW is crucial. Additionally, candidates must be U.S. citizens and able to obtain necessary agency clearance, ensuring compliance with security requirements.

Success as a Junior Systems Administrator at Peraton hinges on a mix of technical and interpersonal skills. Proficiency in managing IT infrastructure, especially with servers and SAN, is vital. You'll also need to be comfortable with hands-on tasks such as cabling and using IT tools like Microsoft Office Suite. Strong communication skills will be essential for interacting with customers and team members. A proactive attitude and eagerness to learn will set you apart in this dynamic environment.

The call rotation for a Junior Systems Administrator at Peraton means that you will be part of a team responsible for on-call support, addressing issues that may arise after regular working hours. This arrangement allows you to gain varied experiences and respond to real-time challenges, further enhancing your technical skills. While on-call, you’ll support the facility operations, ensuring that services remain uninterrupted. This aspect of the job nurtures quick thinking and enhances your problem-solving abilities in a practical setting.

As a Junior Systems Administrator at Peraton, you can expect a competitive salary within the range of $51,000 to $82,000 annually. This range reflects various factors including your experience, skills, and educational background. Being part of a dynamic team in a leading national security company not only means job satisfaction but also the opportunity to grow and enhance your earning potential as you advance your career.

When answering this question, provide specific examples of your previous roles in managing data center operations. Talk about the tasks you have performed, such as equipment installation, oversight of technical standards, or handling problem tickets. Highlight any relevant tools you’ve used and the skills you gained working in a collaborative environment.

You can showcase your customer service skills by discussing a situation where you effectively addressed a customer's inquiry or resolved an issue. Emphasize your communication skills, ability to empathize with customers, and the steps you took to ensure their satisfaction. Highlighting how you handled follow-ups or additional support will demonstrate your commitment to excellent service.

Describe any hands-on experiences you've had with building racks and installing servers. Be sure to mention specifics like types of hardware you’ve worked with, cabling techniques you mastered, or any challenges you overcame during installations. This will highlight your technical skills and problem-solving abilities, both crucial in a Junior Systems Administrator role.

Discuss the ways you actively seek to stay updated, whether that’s attending workshops, reading industry blogs, or being part of online forums. Mention specific resources or organizations you follow to demonstrate your commitment to continual learning, which is vital in a constantly evolving field like IT.

Talk about your systematic approach to troubleshooting, starting from analyzing symptoms, checking configurations, and utilizing diagnostic tools to pinpoint issues. Give examples of successful troubleshooting experiences and what you learned from those moments. Evidence of logical thinking and persistence is essential.

Provide an example of a successful team project and your role within it. Emphasize collaboration, communication, and the importance of each team member's contribution. You'll want to illustrate how your teamwork led to achieving project goals, demonstrating interpersonal skills important for a Junior Systems Administrator.

Mention any ITSM tools you've used, such as SNOW or others, and describe your experience with them. Discuss how you have leveraged these tools for incident management, problem resolution, or change management. This shows your practical understanding and readiness to contribute effectively to Peraton’s operations.

Express your enthusiasm for the mission-driven work Peraton engages in. Highlight your passion for IT infrastructure and security and your desire to work with a team that tackles critical challenges. Discuss how your career goals align with Peraton’s values and the impact you hope to have in this role.

Share your strategies for managing stress, such as prioritizing tasks, employing time management techniques, or using effective communication with your team. Provide an example where you performed under pressure to illustrate your ability to remain level-headed and productive, which is essential in a data center role.

Show your familiarity with laws and regulations pertaining to data security and the importance of compliance. Discuss any relevant training or experience you have had in enforcing protocols and ensuring that procedures are followed, along with your understanding of how these regulations protect sensitive data.