Azure Database Administrator Associate Jobs in Chicago, IL

Position: M365 Administrator
Location: Chicago, IL (Onsite)
Client: DoE (Department of Energy)
Must be an US Citizen ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The Senior M365 Administrator provides leadership in the design, deployment, administration, and sustainment of the Microsoft 365 environment supporting the Department of Energy Office of Science. This role encompasses management of Exchange Online, Teams (including voice services), SharePoint Online, OneDrive, and Azure Active Directory (Entra ID). The Senior M365 Administrator ensures the secure, compliant, and efficient operation of all M365 services, aligned with DOE standards, federal policies, and cybersecurity requirements. This position is on-site at either DOE Headquarters in Chicago IL, supporting mission-critical operations and driving continuous improvement across the M365 platform. Operations Support and Maintenance
The Senior M365 Administrator ensures the reliable, secure, and compliant operation of the Microsoft 365 environment supporting the DOE Office of Science. This individual plays a key role in monitoring, maintaining, and enhancing all M365 services, delivering expert-level support for daily operations, troubleshooting, security, compliance, and service improvements. The administrator works proactively to sustain service health and performance while collaborating with peers and leadership to align with federal policies and organizational goals.
• Administer and optimize Microsoft 365 services, including Exchange Online, Teams (with voice), SharePoint Online, OneDrive, and Azure AD / Entra ID.
• Manage and enforce Conditional Access policies, MFA, and identity protection in accordance with DOE cybersecurity policies.
• Oversee external sharing settings and guest account lifecycle management, including Azure AD B2B configurations.
• Maintain Exchange hybrid configuration and ensure proper mail flow, policy management, and routing.
• Configure and support calendar sharing, resource mailboxes, distribution groups, shared mailboxes, and dynamic groups.
• Provide Tier III support for M365-related incidents, coordinating with Tier I/II teams as necessary.
• Perform monthly server patching of Azure and on-premises infrastructure.
• Develop and maintain M365 governance, security, and compliance policies, including DLP, retention, and sensitivity labels.
• Conduct eDiscovery searches, content searches, and provide results in response to legal or compliance requests.
• Create, maintain, and deliver reports on M365 service health, usage, licensing, and compliance posture.
• Plan and implement M365 service updates, feature deployments, and lifecycle management activities.
• Automate administrative tasks using PowerShell and Microsoft Graph API.
• Collaborate with cybersecurity, networking, and operations teams to ensure secure integrations and compliance.
• Provide input on M365 roadmap planning and service improvement initiatives. KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS
The candidate should be proficient in the following areas:
• Microsoft 365 administration (Exchange Online, Teams, SharePoint Online, OneDrive)
• Azure AD / Entra ID (hybrid identity management, Conditional Access, MFA, SSO)
• Exchange Hybrid architecture and mail routing
• Microsoft Teams (including voice features, number assignment, policies)
• Azure AD B2B / guest access management and governance
• Calendar sharing configurations, shared mailboxes, dynamic distribution groups
• Information Protection (DLP, sensitivity labels, retention policies)
• Compliance center, eDiscovery, and content search features
• PowerShell scripting and automation for M365
• Microsoft Graph API (preferred)
• Intune administration (preferred, for M365 device compliance if applicable)
• Strong documentation and process development skills
• Understanding of federal compliance frameworks (NIST 800-53, FIPS 140-3, FedRAMP) EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE
• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology or related field, or equivalent work experience
• Extensive experience in M365 and enterprise messaging administration PREFERRED CERTIFICATIONS
• Microsoft 365 Certified: Enterprise Administrator Expert
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate
• Microsoft Certified: Identity and Access Administrator Associate
• ITIL® 4 Foundation (preferred for federal process alignment) COMMUNICATIONS / INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS
Effective communication and interpersonal skills are critical to the success of the Senior M365 Administrator. This position requires not only deep technical expertise, but also the ability to clearly convey complex information, proactively engage with colleagues and leadership, and foster collaboration across teams. The administrator must demonstrate accountability, initiative, and professionalism in all interactions to ensure the reliable and secure delivery of M365 services within a complex federal environment.
• Strong Communication Skills: Clearly and effectively communicates technical concepts, status updates, risks, and recommendations to both technical and non-technical audiences, including leadership.
• Proactive Follow-Up: Follows up on tasks, incidents, and requests without the need for reminders, ensuring accountability and progress visibility.
• Multitasking Ability: Capable of managing multiple assignments and priorities simultaneously while maintaining quality and focus.
• Productivity and Efficiency: Consistently delivers accurate, high-quality work within expected timeframes.
• Technical Proficiency: Demonstrates mastery of M365 services and technologies, with the ability to solve complex technical challenges.
• Self-Motivation: Operates independently with minimal supervision, taking initiative to drive solutions.
• Team Collaboration: Works cooperatively with peers, leadership, and external partners. Engages others when challenges arise and contributes to a positive team dynamic.
• Knowledge Sharing: Actively mentors, coaches, and shares knowledge with colleagues to build team capability.
• Problem-Solving Skills: Quickly identifies, analyzes, and resolves issues with sound judgment.
• Accountability: Takes full ownership of responsibilities and outcomes; does not deflect or delay.
• Adaptability: Adjusts to changing technologies, priorities, and requirements with flexibility.
• Customer Service Orientation: Prioritizes internal and external customer satisfaction, ensuring service excellence.
• Attention to Detail: Consistently ensures precision and accuracy in configurations, documentation, and communications.
• Leadership Communication: Keeps leadership informed of critical issues, progress, and potential risks in a timely and constructive manner. WORKING CONDITIONS / PHYSICAL EFFORT
• Responsibilities may require occasional evening or weekend work with little advanced notice.
• Available for on-call 24x7 support as part of a rotation for critical Office of Science IT infrastructure services.