15+ years of relevant IT operations and systems engineering experience
Active Top Secret (TS) security clearance
Advanced level qualification for Systems Administrator (451) or Network Operations Specialist (441)
Relevant commercial certifications (Cisco, VMware, Microsoft Server, RHEL)
Project Management Professional (PMP) or equivalent certification preferred
Responsibilities
Oversee daily IT operations as the primary operational contact
Manage Tier 3 escalated incidents and service requests in ServiceNow
Lead system setup, maintenance, and fault isolation across various infrastructures
Ensure compliance with DISA STIGs and DoD cybersecurity policies
Conduct daily operational checks and provide status updates
Provide technical expertise for IT requirements analysis and system design
Support cloud migration initiatives in line with DoD directives
Benefits
Comprehensive 7-year IT Lifecycle Plan development
Opportunities for continuous service improvements
Involvement in advanced technical leadership
Collaboration with program management and external vendors
Support for lawful investigation requests and forensic data collection
Full Job Description
We are seeking an IT Systems Subject Matter Expert (SME) / Operations Lead to oversee daily IT operations and provide advanced technical leadership across heterogeneous client-server, network, and database environments. In this dual role, you will manage daily operational activities while designing, evaluating, and implementing technical solutions for base-level infrastructure and end-user services.
You will work directly with program management, government leadership, project managers, and external vendors to drive operational excellence, system availability (99.9% uptime target), lifecycle technology refreshes, and continuous service improvements.
Requirements
Key Responsibilities
Operational Leadership & Management
Oversee daily communications squadron IT operations, serving as a technical lead and primary operational contact.
Manage, update, and analyze Tier 3 escalated incidents and service requests within the Enterprise Information Technology Service Management (EITSM) platform (ServiceNow), meeting strict Service Level Objectives (SLOs).
Lead system setup, maintenance, monitoring, patching, and fault isolation across servers, back-up power systems, storage area networks (SANs), voice/VTC platforms, and non-enterprise network infrastructure.
Maintain strict configuration management in compliance with DISA STIGs, AF/DoD cybersecurity policies, Time Compliance Technical Orders (TCTOs), and TCNOs/NOTAMs.
Conduct daily morning operational checks of controlled systems/networks and deliver status updates by 0900 hours
Technical Architecture & Planning
Provide technical expertise for IT requirements analysis, site surveys, coverage surveys, path profiles, and system design/architecture reviews.
Evaluate Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) software/hardware, conduct trade-off analyses, and deliver Technical Solutions and Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) estimates within required timelines.
Support cloud migration initiatives in alignment with Department of Defense and Air Force CIO directives.
Develop, semi-annually update, and maintain a comprehensive 7-year IT Lifecycle Plan, identifying hardware/software refresh schedules, warranty timelines, and cost optimization opportunities.
Manage and maintain detailed Implementation Plans for vendor-led technical installs, upgrades, and modernization projects.
Quality Assurance and Compliance Monitoring
Support and monitor Quality Assurance (QA) program functions, including:
Coordinate system sanitization and remediation in the event of a Negligent Discharge of Classified Information (NDCI) or network contamination.
Support lawful investigation requests and forensic data collection in coordination with security forces, OSI, and network operations command.
Minimum Requirements
Experience: Minimum of 15 years of relevant IT operations and systems engineering experience.
Security Clearance: Active Top Secret (TS) clearance.
DoD 8140 / DCWF Role Requirement: Advanced level qualification for Systems Administrator (451) or Network Operations Specialist (441). Must meet all certification, education, experience, and continuous learning requirements within 45 business days of appointment.
Education & Certifications: Relevant commercial certifications corresponding to primary computing environments (Cisco, VMware, Microsoft Server, or RHEL).
Preferred Requirements
Project Management Certification: Project Management Professional (PMP) or equivalent certification.
Advanced Technical Certifications: VMware Certified Professional (VCP), Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), or Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate.
Specialized System Experience: Prior experience with CIPS (Cyberspace Infrastructure Planning System), CVC (CIPS Visualization Component), eMASS, eGPS, or DoD IT asset management platforms.
Cloud & Modernization: Hands-on experience developing or transitioning traditional on-premises architectures to cloud environments.
Extensive experience in systems administration, storage systems (SAN), server virtualization (VMware), backup/recovery solutions, and network security architectures.
Proficient with ITIL and Project Management Institute (PMI) best practices.
Proven leadership capability managing complex IT projects across heterogeneous client-server environments.
Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to author technical solutions, briefings, and standard operating procedures.
