Junior System Administrator – Patch Management

Description

We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Junior System Administrator to join our Patch Management team within the NERC CIP (Critical Infrastructure Protection) environment. In this role, you will support the patch management process by coordinating with various teams, assisting with pre-patch and post-patch checks, and ensuring successful patch deployments across critical systems. This is an excellent opportunity for an entry-level IT professional interested in gaining hands-on experience in a regulated, high-security environment.

Key Responsibilities:

Pre-Patch Activities:

• Assist in pre-patch preparations, including system health checks and ensuring all prerequisites for patching are met.
• Troubleshoot and resolve any pre-patch issues to ensure systems are ready for patch deployment.

eXACHK Support:

• Provide support for eXACHK (pre-check and post-check issues) during the patching process.
• Assist with troubleshooting and addressing any concerns identified by eXACHK before and after patch deployments.

Patching Process Coordination:

• Coordinate closely with the patch deployment team to ensure smooth execution of patching activities.
• Run verification scripts approximately every hour during patch deployment to ensure system integrity and functionality.

Patch Download Support:

• Support troubleshooting for any issues related to patch downloads, ensuring all required patches are downloaded successfully and ready for deployment.

Ongoing Health Checks During Patching:

• Monitor system health during patching to identify and escalate any issues or anomalies.
• Assist in performing routine system checks throughout the patching process to ensure stability and security compliance.

General Support and Monitoring:

• Oversee the patching process by closely monitoring systems, coordinating efforts between teams, and escalating any issues that may arise.
• Maintain detailed records of patching activities, verification checks, and any incidents during the process.

This role involves two available positions with the following schedules:

Full-Time Role:

• Operates 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, following a typical 9 AM - 5 PM (Eastern Standard Time, EST) schedule.

Part-Time Role:

• Operates 16 hours per week, Saturday and Sunday, also following a 9 AM - 5 PM (EST) schedule.

Requirements

• Basic Knowledge of Systems Administration: Familiarity with operating systems, patch management processes, and IT infrastructure.
• Understanding of NERC CIP Standards (or willingness to learn): Experience in or an interest in working in a highly regulated environment, such as NERC CIP.
• Strong Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to troubleshoot and resolve basic technical issues.
• Excellent Communication and Coordination Skills: Comfortable working in a team environment and coordinating efforts across multiple departments.
• Detail-Oriented: Ability to follow processes accurately and document patching activities.
• Willingness to perform repetitive tasks such as running verification scripts at regular intervals.

Skill(s)

• Prior experience in a patch management or system administration role.
• Exposure to compliance environments such as NERC CIP, ISO 27001, or similar.
• Experience with automation scripts and verification tools.