Systems Administrator / ISSO

The Capital Area Division (CAD) of Applied Research Associates, Inc (ARA) is seeking to add a full-time Systems Administrator/ISSO to join our team. The right candidate will have the required skill set in systems and network administration who is eager to gain or strengthen their experience within security. The position requires a meticulous attention to detail, strong analytical and critical problem-solving abilities, and excellent communication skills. The candidate should be capable of maintaining a professional demeanor while working as part of a small team yet be able to operate independently without daily supervision. The environments you will work with include Windows 10, Windows Server 2019-2022, Active Directory/Group Policy with PKI/PKE, CISCO, Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL), VMware vSphere, and more. This is a non-contractual dependent, full-time employment position that is 100% onsite (5 days a week).

Systems Administrator Responsibilities:

• Install, configure, upgrade, and maintain information systems: You'll be responsible for setting up hardware, installing/configuring operating systems, and software to ensure smooth system functionality
• Managing network infrastructure: This involves monitoring, configuring, and maintaining network equipment, such as Cisco routers, switches, and firewalls
• Administering user accounts and access control within Active Directory and Group Policy: You'll handle user management tasks, including creating accounts, assigning access privileges, and enforcing security policies to protect data and systems
• Troubleshooting and resolving technical issues: You'll diagnose and address hardware, software, network, and user problems
• Perform patch management duties for all operating systems, software, and hardware
• Monitoring system performance: You'll monitor system performance metrics, analyze trends, and optimize system resources to enhance efficiency and scalability
• Perform system backups and data recovery: It's crucial to regularly back up data and develop recovery plans to safeguard against data loss and ensure business continuity in the event of system failures or disasters

ISSO Responsibilities:

• Work with Information System Security Manager (ISSM), Information System Security Officer (ISSO) and Facility Security Officer (FSO) staff to ensure information systems and enclaves remain in compliance
• Complete STIG checklists and POA&Ms as required by security policy and as directed by the ISSM
• Assist in the Classified data transfer process in accordance with the approved processes
• Ensure all systems related to classified computing follow the DoD Security Technical Implementation Guide (STIG), and that technical security as directed by ISSM are implemented
• Review ACAS scans and address identified vulnerabilities
• Conduct daily, weekly, and monthly audit review and management of the audit collection system for assigned systems, boundaries, and components
• Assist with the development and maintenance of documentation for DoD RMF to include SSPs, Security assessment reports, POA&Ms, Risk assessments, Contingency plans, and Configuration management plans
• Other duties as assigned

Required Skills:

• Bachelors of Science degree in Computer Science or Engineering or similar
• 2+ years of experience administering a Windows environment (includes Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS, LDAP, and PKI/PKE)
• Cisco router and switch installation, configuration, and administration
• Linux administration and maintenance, preferably Red Hat Enterprise Linux, or CentOS
• VMware vSphere administration and maintenance experience
• Familiarity with Assured Compliance Assessment Solution (ACAS)
• Experience with DoD Risk Management Framework (RMF) and implementation of Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIGs)
• Understanding of Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency Assessment and Authorization Process Manual (DAAPM), National Industrial Security Program Operation Manual (NISPOM) / 32 CFR Part 117
• Ability to troubleshoot and resolve system/network anomalies, errors, and failures
• Experience handling and safeguarding classified and national security information
• Demonstrated ability to work with minimal to no supervision
• Must be a US citizen
• Current and active DoD SECRET clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain a Top Secret/SCI clearance
• Must have at least one of the following IAT Level II certifications: CCNA-Security, SSCP, Security+ CE, or CYSA+ (Must be Active and in Good Standing)

Preferred Skills:

• Demonstrated on-the-job experience with systems administration and infrastructure support for servers, bare-metal and virtualized, network gear, and security appliances/firewalls
• Experience supporting closed and interconnected environments such as SIPRNet or JWICS.
• One or more of the following specialized technical certifications (CCNA, CCNP, RHCSA, RHCE, VMWare Data Center Virtualization Certified)
• Experience with PowerShell Scripting especially related to automation
• Skills related to network design, diagnostics, and optimization
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills
• Ability to work without supervision with a sense of urgency, integrity, and ethics
• Outstanding customer service, and consensus building skills
• Able to adapt to changes in the work environment and maintain a professional demeanor
• Self-Motivated to Learn, and Excel
• Willingness and ability to travel to remote field locations in support of security, configuration, and test events (less than 5%)

COMPANY INFORMATION:

Applied Research Associates, Inc. is an employee-owned international research and engineering company recognized for providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences. The company, founded in Albuquerque, NM, in 1979, currently employs over 1200 professionals. ARA offices throughout the United States and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in defense technologies, civil technologies, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement. The corporation also provides sophisticated technical products for environmental site characterization, pavement analysis, and robotics.

At ARA, employees are our greatest assets. The corporation realizes that employee ownership generates greater creativity and initiative along with higher performance and customer satisfaction levels. ARA gives its employees the tools, training, and opportunities to take more active roles as owners. The culture is challenging; innovation and experimentation are the norm. Employees are eligible for contributions which not only add to the company's success, but also their own through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). The motto, "Engineering and Science for Fun and Profit" sums up the ARA experience. For additional information and an opportunity to join this unique workplace, please visit our website at www.ara.com.

Please apply at www.careers.ara.com for the Systems Administrator / ISSO position.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)