Systems Administrator III
Position: System Administrator III Location: Remote (supporting NOAA DSRC, Boulder, CO) Terms: Full Time Clearance: Public Trust (High Risk Eligible) Travel: 0–10% RESULTS. INNOVATION. VALUES. ACCOUNTABILITY. RIVA Solutions is a mission-driven IT services company supporting Federal agencies through digital transformation, modernization, and innovative technology solutions. Our teams deliver measurable outcomes while supporting critical government missions. Program Overview The System Administrator III supports NOAA’s Earth System Research Laboratories (ESRL) and the N-Wave national network program by providing advanced multi-platform systems administration support across scientific, research, and operational environments. Position Overview RIVA Solutions is seeking a System Administrator III to provide experienced systems administration support for NOAA research and operational programs. This role is responsible for managing complex infrastructure, supporting cybersecurity compliance, maintaining operational continuity, and contributing to cloud, virtualization, and enterprise systems initiatives. Core Responsibilities Install software releases, system upgrades, and patches; evaluate and resolve software-related issues. Perform system backup and recovery activities and maintain data integrity across enterprise environments. Design, configure, install, maintain, manage, and upgrade UNIX/Linux, Windows, and macOS systems and peripherals. Implement and maintain Federal security policies and compliance requirements across managed systems. Manage network load balancing, web infrastructure, firewall rules, and DNS configurations. Conduct vulnerability scanning and coordinate remediation in accordance with NOAA security policies. Support Assessment & Authorization (A&A) activities and Risk Management Framework (RMF) requirements. Manage and monitor enterprise backup solutions and contribute to backup architecture planning. Develop and maintain technical documentation including operating procedures, design documents, and test plans. Triage, assign, escalate, and track user trouble tickets while maintaining operational logs through Graylog and BigFix. Support virtualization platforms, container technologies, and cloud-based infrastructure. Assist with IT asset tracking and inventory management activities. Participate in on-call support rotations and respond to critical incidents. Provide guidance and mentorship to junior systems administration staff as required. Support Continuity of Operations (COOP) planning and execution.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field, or equivalent experience. 4–6 years of enterprise systems administration experience in multi-platform environments. Proficiency administering UNIX/Linux systems including shell scripting and command-line operations. Strong experience with Windows Server administration, desktop environments, and Active Directory. Solid understanding of TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, firewalls, VPNs, and networking fundamentals. Experience with patch management, vulnerability scanning, and security hardening. Familiarity with FISMA, NIST 800-53, Risk Management Framework (RMF), and Federal cybersecurity requirements. Experience with enterprise backup and recovery platforms such as Druva or comparable tools. Ability to exercise independent judgment and manage complex technical tasks with minimal supervision. Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust background investigation. U.S. Citizen or otherwise authorized to work in the United States.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with macOS fleet management using Jamf Pro and Apple Business Manager. Familiarity with BigFix, Graylog, PDQ Suite, and enterprise monitoring tools. Experience supporting VMware, KVM, Docker, Kubernetes, or similar platforms. Exposure to AWS, Azure, NOAA cloud services, or other Federal cloud environments. Experience supporting scientific research or high-performance computing environments. Knowledge of NOAA, DOC, or other Federal agency IT security policies and procedures. Experience with Jira, ServiceNow, or similar ticket management platforms. CompTIA Security+, LPIC, Red Hat, or related technical certifications. Salary $115,000 RIVA Benefits Paid Time Off / Sick Leave Health, Dental, and Vision Coverage Life Insurance 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match HSA/FSA Spending Accounts Long- and Short-Term Disability Pet Insurance Wellness Program Initiatives RIVA Flex (Flexible Hours and Hybrid Support, where applicable) Additional Workplace Benefits Equal Opportunity Statement RIVA Solutions is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.