Middleware Administrator III (Linux / Unix / WDW / Middleware) (Eagan)

Job Title : Middleware Administrator III (Linux / Unix / WDW / Middleware)

Duration : 6 Months Contract

Location : Eagan, MN

Work Schedule : Core Hours (4 days in office / 1 day remote)

Overview :

Maintains and supports the integrity of a variety of operating system environments (i.e.. Windows, Linux, etc.) and various computer systems.

Duties include the following : administer, install, and troubleshoot issues; perform system maintenance tasks such as system back-up, recovery and file maintenance.; schedule, install, and test system software upgrades; configure software and resolve technical problems; monitor and maintain software licensing and maintenance agreements.

Description :

(NCT) is responsible for the planning, development, implementation, and support of the Client network and compute technology infrastructure. NCT enhances the postal network by implementing network segmentation, which divides the network into smaller parts to mitigate cybersecurity risks and improve performance. The NCT department manages local area, wireless, and wide area network connections for over 32,000 Client facilities, including the data center, internet, cloud, and business partner networks.

NCT manages and oversees the Postal Services cloud services and data center infrastructure, which includes more than 24,000 servers, 110 petabytes of storage, and multiple cloud provider services to enable applications. Additionally, NCT is responsible for keeping the digital networks across the Client landscape and compute infrastructures for applications running optimally, ensuring that they are secure and reliable 24 / 7.

Key Required Skills :

Minimum of 8 years experience as a Systems Administrator (Linux / Unix / WDW / Middleware)

Technical proficiency in two of the three skill areas listed below is required :

Middle Tier administration (Primary Focus Area) - The successful candidate will be able to support Client implemented middle tier technologies, including web and application servers, containers and container management technologies, messaging technologies, cloud platform and services, automation tools, scripting languages and monitoring tools. Current technologies in use include Apache Tomcat, WildFly, Oracle Fusion Middle Tier (OFM), IBM WebSphere, Apache HTTP, Kubernetes, Docker and other types of containers, IBM MQ, Kafka, Zookeeper, RedHat OpenShift, RedHat 3scale Ansible, Google Cloud Platform, Microsoft Azure, Linux shell scripting, Microsoft PowerShell, JYTHON, AppDynamics, Zabbix, SolarWinds, Zabbix, SolarWinds, Neustar and Splunk.

Unix / Linux server administration The successful candidate will be able to administer servers running the Unix and / or Linux operating system in a large, multi-datacenter environment. They will be expected to regularly exercise independent judgment, as well as high level of analytic skill, in solving complex technical problems for the Client in the Linux Server and Virtual ESX environment. This individual serves as the focal point for problem resolution by interacting with Client employees and (multiple) equipment and application vendors to ensure proper application installation and operation, and problem resolution. The individual will also serve as the trainer and mentor to other Linux Administrators at various times. This individual will be expected to work independently with a minimum of guidance or direction.

Windows server administration - The successful candidate will be able to perform complex functional activities in support of servers running the Windows server operating system for the Client. They will be expected to regularly exercise independent judgment, as well as high level of analytic skill, in solving complex technical problems for the Client in the Windows Server and Virtual ESX environment. This individual serves as the focal point for problem resolution by interacting with Client employees and (multiple) equipment and application vendors to ensure proper application installation and operation, and problem resolution. The individual will also serve as the trainer and mentor to the other Windows Administrator position at various times. This individual will be expected to work independently with a minimum of guidance or direction.

List of tasks to be performed :

Provide day to day incident and deployment support of multiple server operating systems, including Unix, Linux and Windows, which includes on-site and remote administration, user support, performance monitoring and tuning, and capacity planning.

Provide day to day incident and deployment support of middle tier applications, including web and application servers, containers and container managers, messaging technologies, cloud platform and services, automation tools, scripting languages and monitoring tools.

Manage incident response via the Client ServiceNow application in accordance with the published Client Change Management Service Level Agreements (SLAs)

Perform a technical leadership role in incident response, maintenance, documentation, and support of a large, complex, distributed server environment.

Perform a technical leadership role in incident response, maintenance, documentation, and support of a large, complex, distributed database environment.

Perform a technical leadership role in incident response, including maintenance, documentation, and support of a large, complex, distributed middleware environment.

Develop growth plans as needed to ensure that the hosting environment can support the projected growth of the application environment.

Develop and implement procedures that support proactive problem detection and avoidance, including disaster recovery planning and implementation.

Create and maintain project plans as necessary in accordance with US Postal Service standards then keeps Client management notified of critical failures or potential missed milestones.

Works with Program Manager, Project Managers, Engineering staff, Client staff and vendors to manage projects, drive outcomes and lead teams.

Analyzes and resolves complex hardware and software problems issues.

Assists Client development community to perform tests and implement software, adds, and changes.

Develops and implements operational management process and procedures.

Tracks inventory and completes and provides documentation required for deploying servers.

Uses alert monitoring tools chosen by Client Management.

Uses systems management and software distribution tools chosen by Client Management.

Uses security management systems and facilitates in backups and restores of data and application code.

Escalates unusual or unexpected findings to Client.

Provides reports to users and managers of systems status on an as requested basis.

Provides weekly status reports and maintains hours worked on projects.

Uses change and case management procedures as required.

Provides action plan for resolution of any / all faults detected.

Performs isolation testing of problem equipment and or software.

Provides documentation of all solutions to problems and document all application guidelines and issues.

Provides reports to Client Management to share solutions found.

Provides and implements escalation process and or procedures.

Follows the appropriate quality assurance program chosen by Client Management.

Provides on-site system or application support for deployment / installation as required.

Tracks inventory and completes and provides documentation required for deploying servers.

Interacts with all Client functional groups to accomplish objectives.

Creates and edits computer-based documentation and trouble ticket systems to document equipment configurations, track changes and problems, and compiles performance data.

Performs assistance, training and information sharing to users and other administrators.

Maintains leadership qualities and attitude in keeping with the standards of the Client.

A minimum of eight (8) to twelve (12) years relevant experience.

o A degree from an accredited College / University in the applicable field of services is preferred. four additional years of relevant experience in lieu of a college degree is required. If the individual's degree is not in the applicable field then four additional years of related experience is required.