Job Summary:
The IT Operations Specialist II is an experienced technical contributor responsible for the operation, maintenance, support, and continued reliability of the company’s systems and network infrastructure. Working within established architecture, policies, and technical standards, this position independently handles a broad range of infrastructure responsibilities and takes primary responsibility for assigned systems, services, projects, and operational tasks.
The IT Operations Specialist II is expected to troubleshoot technical issues, identify and recommend improvements, participate in infrastructure projects, maintain accurate technical documentation, and apply a security first approach to all work performed. The position maintains broad knowledge of the company’s technology environment while developing deeper expertise in one or more technical areas.
The IT Operations Specialist II will actively use the company’s ticketing system to document work performed, maintain accurate status information, prioritize assigned work based on business impact and urgency, and track time worked throughout each day.
IT Operations Specialist II Responsibilities:
- Technology Operations and Maintenance: Independently install, configure, operate, maintain, and support company infrastructure according to established architecture, standards, and procedures. Technologies may include Windows Server, Linux Server, Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft Active Directory, Microsoft 365, IIS, FTP, Fortinet and SonicWall firewalls, switches, virtualization platforms, on-prem and cloud infrastructure, and other technologies adopted by the company.
- Operational Responsibility: Independently take responsibility for assigned infrastructure work, including systems, services, projects, incidents, and operational tasks. Maintain broad knowledge of the company’s technology environment and collaborate with other IT personnel to ensure critical systems remain supportable across the team.
- Troubleshooting and Support: Independently diagnose and resolve routine and complex infrastructure issues using appropriate troubleshooting methods, logs, monitoring data, documentation, and technical judgment. Escalate unfamiliar, high risk, or unresolved issues with relevant findings, and actions already taken.
- Project Execution: Independently complete assigned infrastructure projects and technical initiatives within established requirements and architecture. Determine appropriate implementation steps, perform testing and validation, communicate risks or blockers, and maintain necessary implementation and support documentation.
- Documentation: Develop and maintain accurate technical documentation for systems, configurations, processes, procedures, implementation standards, network designs, and diagrams. Ensure documentation created or updated as part of assigned work remains current, clear, and usable by other IT personnel.
- User, Device, and Identity Management: Administer and maintain users, devices, access, policies, and related configurations within Active Directory, Microsoft 365, Intune, and other identity and device management platforms according to established security and access standards.
- Security and Compliance: Apply a security first approach to infrastructure administration and ensure work complies with organizational policies, technical standards, applicable security requirements, and established compliance controls. Identify potential security or compliance gaps encountered during normal work and promptly escalate or recommend remediation as appropriate.
- Automation and Operational Efficiency: Develop and maintain scripts, tools, monitoring, and automation that improve reliability, diagnostics, repeatability, and operational efficiency. Identify repetitive or error prone processes that may benefit from automation or standardization.
- Technical Improvements: Proactively identify reliability, performance, security, maintainability, documentation, and efficiency improvements within the environment. Evaluate potential solutions and provide technical recommendations to the IT Systems Manager or senior technical staff when appropriate.
- Vendor Relations: Work directly with technology vendors and service providers to troubleshoot issues, obtain technical information, coordinate support, and maintain effective working relationships. Escalate significant service, contractual, architectural, or business impact concerns to the IT Systems Manager.
- Knowledge Sharing and Teamwork: Share technical knowledge with other IT personnel, contribute to training, and assist coworkers when appropriate. Establish and maintain respectful, cooperative, and effective working relationships with colleagues, customers, vendors, and other stakeholders.
- Professional Development: Maintain current knowledge of technologies used or being evaluated by the company and continue developing technical skills appropriate to the position.
- Independence, Judgment, and Communication: Work independently within established architecture, policies, standards, and priorities. Exercise sound technical judgment and seek guidance when work involves significant risk, unfamiliar architecture, substantial business impact, or decisions outside established standards. Communicate effectively both orally and in writing, including timely communication of progress, risks, blockers, and significant technical findings.
- Other Duties: Perform other duties and responsibilities relevant to the position as assigned.
- Minimum five years of professional experience administering, supporting, and maintaining production technology infrastructure and business critical systems.
- Experience supporting a broad combination of infrastructure technologies, such as Windows Server, Linux, Microsoft SQL Server, web/application servers, firewalls, networking, load balancers, virtualization, identity services, cloud infrastructure, and related enterprise technologies.
- Ability to independently investigate and resolve infrastructure issues using logs, monitoring data, documentation, and systematic troubleshooting methods, and to escalate unresolved issues with relevant findings.
- Working knowledge of core infrastructure concepts, including networking, DNS, operating systems, identity and authentication, certificates, security, virtualization or cloud infrastructure, storage, backup and recovery, and application hosting fundamentals.
- Experience creating and maintaining technical documentation and working within established security, change management, and operational procedures.
- PowerShell, Bash, Python, or comparable scripting and automation technologies
- Docker, Kubernetes and container technologies
- Microsoft Azure Virtual Machines
- Microsoft Azure Active Directory / Entra ID
- Infrastructure monitoring and observability platforms
- Backup and disaster recovery technologies
Qualifications:
Relevant industry certifications or equivalent practical experience are preferred.
Preferred Skills:
Network security and firewall administration
Remote Workspace Requirements:
Each employee's remote workspace to meet the following minimum standards.
The employee must:
Ensure the workspace is a dedicated work area.
Ensure the workspace is safe and free from hazards.
Ensure the workspace has adequate ventilation, lighting, and smoke detectors.
Ensure the workspace is suitable for the effective performance of their job duties.
Ensure the workspace is free from excessive noise and distraction.
Have a reliable, high speed internet connection.
**Applicants must include a Detailed Resume and 3 Professional References, along with the application.
**Applicants must submit to and pass a drug screen and background check, prior to hire in.
** Applicants MUST be a CURRENT Texas or Louisiana resident at time of application and hire in.
**Applicants must have a valid Driver's License and Social Security Card.
