Systems Administrator at Skyward IT Solutions in Rockville, MD

**This position is contingent on contract award**
We are Skyward.That is, a love for people, for improvement, for human advancement through information technology. We are a people-centered business with a desire to serve others. We are diverse and unified; creative and collaborative; a collection of complementary, not competing talents. And though on the surface we remain relaxed, beneath, a torrent of energy links us to our civic tech mission.
We stand by our values, and we won't compromise on any of them.
Integrity: We're conscientious, intentional, and empathetic. Our words and actions align. That's our character. Please don't ask us to play another part, we're poor actors. Compassionate: If we may borrow a quote from Theodore Roosevelt: "No one cares how much you know until they know how much you care." Because our team is thoughtful and supportive, caring deeply for each other, our clients, and our work, this comes naturally. Inquisitive: We remain students by failing openly and turning lessons into solutions.Unconventional: For us, life isn't what happens outside of work. Work happens inside of life and our culture erases the line often dividing the two. Authentic: Made possible only because we embody the values listed above. We're relaxed and fun yet intensely curious and driven. Team members are placed with thought, care, and precision to ensure that Trust, Truth, and Transparency continue to represent our brand.
Because of that, we continue Onward, Upward, and Skyward.
We need a Systems AdministratorAre you someone who is the "go-to IT person" in your group of friends or at your workplace? You know, the person who asks, "did you turn it off and back on again?" If you are someone who loves managing, troubleshooting and proactively updating hardware and software assets to prevent downtime, please hit that apply button!
Come join us if you're motivated to learn from others, to learn from mistakes, to be part of a future-looking and growth-oriented team.
Let's go Skyward together.

What you'll do:

Be part of a team that is supporting the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) by disseminating data to researchers who are studying ways to improve the quality and reduce the cost of care provided to chronically ill Medicare beneficiaries. (No big deal).
Manage an Enterprise SAS environment using Python code for automating administrative tasks.
Supervise and manage the daily activities of configuration and operation of systems which may be mainframe, mini, or client/server based.
Optimize system operation and resource utilization.
Perform system capacity analysis and planning.
Help users in accessing and using business systems.
Install and configure software and hardware.
Set up accounts and workstations.
Troubleshoot issues and outages.
Ensure security through access controls, backups and firewalls
Upgrade systems with new releases and models

What we'd like you to have:

Bachelor's degree or equivalent and two (2) years of general experience, or six (6) years of experience with no bachelor's degree.
High level of understanding and managing applications in a Linux based environment.
Proficiency in scripting languages such as Python, Bash, Powershell, etc.
Experience with databases, networks (LAN, WAN) and patch management.
Knowledge of system security (e.g., intrusion detection systems) and data backup/recovery.
Familiarity with various operating systems and platforms.
Resourcefulness and problem-solving aptitude.
Excellent communication skills.

What would blow us away:

Your entire experience has been supporting the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Even if you don't meet 100% of the qualifications, we encourage you to apply. At Skyward, we're focused on hiring individuals with the right skills and passion to grow, not just checking off every box.

And now the important part. What we offer you:

Medical, dental, vision insurance (fully paid for employees)
15 days of paid leave
7 days of sick leave
2 days bereavement leave
11 paid Federal holidays
Up to 40 hours for jury duty
401K with 4% employer contribution (and no vesting period)
Up to 4 weeks of paid paternity and maternity leave
Company provided laptop
$5,000 per year for professional development
$600 per year for technical supplies and equipment
$2,000 referral bonus
Life and disability insurance
HSA and FSA
Legal Shield and ID Shield Voluntary Benefits
Opportunity to work in a collaborative, motivated team focused on modernizing government services with cutting-edge technology and innovative solutions. Who says government work can't be exciting!

We know great work deserves great pay. That's why we ensure our compensation is not only competitive but also fair and transparent, as required by Maryland law. Expect a salary that matches your skills, experience, location, and the value you bring to the table -because you're worth it!At Skyward, we believe diverse teams are the key to innovation and success. We are committed to creating an inclusive and equitable environment where everyone, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, or background, can thrive. We strongly encourage applications from women, people of color, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. We support flexible working hours and remote opportunities to help maintain a healthy work-life balance for all employees, including caregivers and those with unique needs. Applicants must have the ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust security clearance due to the nature of our work as a government contractor. Offers of employment with Skyward are contingent upon acceptable results of a background investigation.