Position Title: Systems Administrator
Posting Number: S300P
Department: Information Technology Services
Position Type: Staff
Job Description:
We are seeking a seasoned Systems Administrator with experience in large, distributed campus environments to join our 45+ person ITS team at Hillsdale College. You will be responsible for designing, provisioning, monitoring, and troubleshooting the server infrastructure that supports the College’s academic and operational missions. As a vital member of the Network and System Administration team, you will ensure the reliability and security of both on-premises and cloud-integrated systems that serve our faculty, staff, and students.
Working closely with the broader ITS department, this role focuses on maintaining a robust hybrid environment. You will serve as an expert in the design and optimization of Windows servers and Hyper-V virtualization within a large enterprise network. This position requires deep technical expertise in managing Azure Cloud infrastructure, specifically focusing on Azure Active Directory (Entra ID), Single Sign-On (SSO), and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) to ensure seamless and secure access across the College’s digital landscape.
Essential Job Functions
Server Infrastructure Management and Support
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Design, deploy, and manage the College’s server infrastructure, including physical hardware, Hyper-V clusters, and storage platforms (Pure Storage) to ensure high availability and performance.
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Maintain and optimize Virtualization environments, focusing on Hyper-V administration, disaster recovery (DR) operations, and performance tuning for a large enterprise network.
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Administer Microsoft Defender Suite, including Defender for Endpoint, Defender for Identity, and Defender for Cloud, to proactively identify threats, manage vulnerabilities, and respond to security incidents across the hybrid environment.
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Manage Identity and Access by serving as an expert in Windows Active Directory, Group Policy (GPO), and the hybrid integration of Microsoft Entra (formerly Azure AD), including SSO and MFA.
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Administer Web and Application Servers, providing management and support for Microsoft IIS (ASP.NET/.NET Core) as well as Linux-based stacks (Apache, MySQL, PHP).
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Automate and Streamline administrative tasks using PowerShell scripting to increase efficiency, reduce manual errors, and improve service levels across the server fleet.
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Monitor and Analyze system health using tools like Zabbix and Azure Monitor to proactively identify bottlenecks, security vulnerabilities, and hardware trends.
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Perform Lifecycle Management, including predicting hardware needs, purchasing, and implementing upgrades, patches, and reconfigurations for both on-premises and cloud-based systems.
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Ensure Data Protection & Cyber Resilience by managing immutable cloud-based backups using Dell APEX / Druva. This includes configuring policies to protect against ransomware, accidental deletion, and unauthorized data modification.
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Collaborate on Network Services, managing critical services including DNS, DHCP, SNMP, and HTTP/HTTPS, while maintaining a solid understanding of routing and VLANs.
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Support Modern Endpoints by managing Windows Intune for device configuration and supporting Microsoft 365/Office 365 collaboration tools.
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Provide periodic after-hours support and travel to remote campus locations as needed to address critical infrastructure issues and meet the demands of a 24/7 residential campus.
Operational Excellence
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Collaborate across all ITS Teams to align server infrastructure with the College’s academic and operational goals.
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Document and Share Knowledge by contributing to a central knowledge management system, including server configurations, troubleshooting guides, and recovery procedures.
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Prepare and present reports for ITS leadership on infrastructure health, capacity planning, and security compliance.
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Engage in at least 40 hours of continuing education annually to stay current with Windows Server advancements, virtualization technologies, and security best practices.
Required Qualifications:
Education and Experience
Minimum Requirements
Experience: At least 4 years of experience as a Systems Administrator in an enterprise or educational environment, with a proven track record of managing high-availability infrastructure.
Education: Associate degree or higher in BIS, MIS, Computer Science, or equivalent professional experience.
Desired Training and Certifications
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ITIL 4 Foundation
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Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate
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Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate
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CompTIA Security+
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MCSE / MCSA (Legacy certifications)
Other Skills:
Other Skills
Expert-level Skills
Hyper-V & Virtualization: Deep expertise in Hyper-V clusters, performance optimization, and disaster recovery.-
Identity Management: Advanced knowledge of Windows Active Directory, Group Policy, and Microsoft Entra configuration.
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Windows Server Administration: Proficiency in managing modern Windows Server environments and IIS (ASP.NET support).
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Scripting & Automation: High proficiency in PowerShell for system automation and configuration management.
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Core Network Services: Expertise in DNS management, DHCP, and web protocol (HTTP/HTTPS) troubleshooting.
Proficient-level Skills
Linux Administration: Experience configuring and managing Debian, Ubuntu, or CentOS environments.-
Storage & Hardware: Familiarity with Pure Storage or similar enterprise storage platforms and hardware procurement.
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Cloud & Hybrid Systems: Working knowledge of Azure Cloud services, Microsoft Intune, and Cloudflare WAF/Domain management.
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Database Support: Ability to perform basic administration for Microsoft SQL Server and MySQL.
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Monitoring Tools: Experience with systems analysis and monitoring platforms like Zabbix.
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Compliance: Knowledge of HIPAA and FERPA regulations within a network and server environment.
Code of Commitment
Be a good representative of Hillsdale College, promoting its mission, original Articles of Association, and Staff Code of Commitment. The teaching of Christian faith shall remain a conspicuous aim of the College.
Physical Demands:
Physical Requirements: Must be able to work on-site in Hillsdale, MI; able to lift or move up to 25 lbs, climb ladders, and install equipment in confined spaces (under desks, ceilings, etc.).
Open Date: 07/27/2026
Open Until Filled: Yes
Supplemental Questions:
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Documents Needed To Apply (Required Documents & Optional Documents): Required Documents
Optional Documents
PI69c5c39b6970-25404-41170387
