Senior Systems Administrator

ASD requires multiple EL1 equivalent System Administrators to fill positions across the organisation. A merit pool will be created for future positions that may arise.

Must have NV1, NV2 or PV clearance for positions. Candidates selected must hold a current AGSVA clearance to commence to contract with ASD. Please clearly indicate the level held within your responses.

Systems Administrators perform and achieve system administration work within an integrated workforce.

The System Administrator will lead and manage system administrative support activities in a key capability domain, and be able to contribute in a complex business environment, which is in an emerging domain and operates at a rapid pace.

All positions will require OSA prior to engagement. 

Further information on the OSA is available at:
https://www.asd.gov.au/careers/how-apply/candidate-information (https://www.asd.gov.au/careers/how-apply/candidate-information)

Key duties and responsibilities

• Lead and manage installation, configuration and maintenance of multiple systems.
• Use of automation tools for development of, and continuous configuration management of system builds.
• Manage and provide advice for ongoing hardware and operating system support.
• Provide guidance and uplift capability of other team members. Work as a member of an integrated team and effectively prioritise, allocate tasks, participate in and contribute to design reviews, stakeholder meetings and agile processes.
• Work with system administrators and software developers to continuously improve processes and procedures.
• Navigate a complex business environment with only limited direction and in doing so, be prepared to approach a wide variety of engaged stakeholders.
• Communicate with diverse stakeholder groups in technical and business process terms.
• Write documentation in accordance with ASD policies and procedures

Technical skills:
• Holds a Degree in Computer Science or related field. 

• Proficient in operating systems, networking, database management, and security protocols. 

• Proficient in installing, repairing, and maintaining network systems.

• Proficient in programming languages.

Essential criteria

1. ITOP 4 – IT infrastructure: Level 4 (SFIA) Provides technical expertise to enable the correct application of operational procedures. Contributes to the planning and implementation of infrastructure maintenance and updates. Implements agreed infrastructure changes and maintenance routines. Uses infrastructure management tools to determine load and performance statistics. Configures tools and/or creates scripts to automate the provisioning, testing and deployment of new and changed infrastructure. Maintains operational procedures and checks that they are executed following agreed standards. Investigates and enables the resolution of operational issues. Provides reports and proposals for improvement, to specialists, users and managers.

2. DESN 5 – Systems design: Level 5 (SFIA) Designs large or complex systems and undertakes impact analysis on major design options and trade-offs. Ensures that the system design balances functional and non-functional requirements. Reviews systems designs and ensures that appropriate methods, tools and techniques are applied effectively. Makes recommendations and assesses and manages associated risks. Adopts and adapts system design methods, tools and techniques. Contributes to development of system design policies, standards and selection of architecture components.

3. HSIN 4 – Systems installation and removal: Level 4 (SFIA) Undertakes or supervises complex installations and de-installations of systems or components, including handover to the client. Develops procedures and standards for installation and handover to maintain and improve the installation service. Schedules installation work around client priorities and resource availability. Ensures adherence to established safety and quality procedures.

4. SYSP 5 – System software: Level 5 (SFIA) Ensures that system software is provisioned and configured to facilitate the achievement of service objectives. Evaluates new system software and recommends adoption if appropriate. Plans the provisioning and testing of new versions of system software. Investigates and coordinates the resolution of potential and actual service problems. Ensures that operational procedures and diagnostics for system software are current, accessible and well understood.

5. SINT 4 – Systems integration and build: Level 4 (SFIA) Provides technical expertise to enable the configuration of system components and equipment for systems testing. Collaborates with technical teams to develop and agree system integration plans and report on progress. Defines complex/new integration builds. Ensures that integration test environments are correctly configured. Designs, performs and reports results of tests of the integration build. Identifies and documents system integration components for recording in the configuration management system. Recommends and implements improvements to processes and tools.

6. Our ideal candidates will bring the following attributes:
• Strong written and verbal communication skills;
• Desire to be accountable for their actions;
• Strong stakeholder management skills;
• Demonstrate leadership behaviours;
• Willing to challenge the traditional ways of doing business;
• Thrive in dynamic environments and comfortable with ambiguity;
• Outcome-focused mindset; and
• Adaptability, resilience, flexibility and teamwork, including regionally dispersed teams, if applicable.

About the organisation

The Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) is a statutory agency in the Defence portfolio that defends Australia against global threats and advances our national interests through the provision of foreign signals intelligence, cyber security and offensive cyber operations as directed by the Australian Government.