Contract Remote Linux System Administrator Jobs in Massachusetts

Boston University Information Services & Technology (IS&T) is seeking applicants with diverse skills and experience to join our innovative and inclusive community.
Join us as a Linux Systems Administrator II where you will contribute to the implementation, operation, and support of IS&T Linux based services. You will have the opportunity to leverage your technical expertise to assess client system's needs, advocate for and implement technology solutions; and refine existing processes and procedure to help ensure the availability, reliability and responsiveness of University systems. As part of the Infrastructure Operations team, you will report to the Assistant Director and collaborate with multiple technology groups across campus to administer and advance the underlying server technology that enables a wide variety of University client services. This position has options for hybrid or remote, to be discussed during the interview. This position includes a rotating 24/7 on-call support, with occasional night and weekend support for critical University business cycles and routine maintenance.
You Will:

• Manage and maintain server operating systems, hardware, and core infrastructure to ensure reliability, performance, and security
• Monitor systems proactively to identify issues, trends, and opportunities for improvement
• Troubleshoot and resolve incidents, partnering with teams and vendors for timely resolution
• Provide Level 2 support for complex technical issues escalated from the Help Desk
• Participate in a 24/7 on-call rotation to support critical operations and incident response
• Apply system upgrades, patches, and maintenance to keep environments current and secure
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to test, implement, and transition systems into production
• Maintain clear system documentation, standards, and recovery procedures
• Support business continuity and disaster recovery planning and testing
• Automate monitoring and operational tasks to improve efficiency and service quality
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance system performance and reliability
• Partner with vendors to troubleshoot issues and optimize support outcomes

Required Skills

You Will Have:

• 2+ years of relevant work experience or relevant post-secondary education, including a combination of these two.
• Experience with (CentOS/RHEL) Linux systems administration, demonstrating a good understanding of basic Linux utilities and infrastructure, with ability to diagnose Linux operating system and associated hardware & software issues.
• Experience with scripting in a Linux environment and comfortable with working in CLI.
• Experience with administration skills that include monitoring performance, patching, backup & restore, internal firewalls, and SSL certificate management of Linux servers, as well as the automation of any or all these tasks.
• Experience with installing, configuring, and upgrading Linux applications, various specialized third-party applications, and peripherals, and knowledge of TCP/IP LAN networking principles and application protocols (e.g., HTTP, HTTPS, SMTP and FTP).
• Experience with a variety of tools, leveraged in a complex enterprise environment, such as Configuration Management systems, Version Control Systems (e.g., git), remote assistance, image deployment, various native and centrally managed encryption solutions.

Bonus Qualifications:
If you do not meet these, you are still encouraged to apply; we value employees with a willingness to learn. 

• Experience with, and understanding of, Linux virtualization and containerization technologies (e.g., VMWare, OpenShift, Kubernetes), infrastructure-as-code tools including Ansible and Terraform, and cloud-native deployment practices would be advantageous and would enhance the candidate's ability to contribute to ongoing infrastructure modernization initiatives.

Boston University offers an excellent benefits package including:

• Time Off: In addition to PTO and leave policy, BU employees have a paid intersession break and 13 paid holidays. 
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with full vesting after 2 years of eligible service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive tuition assistance program for yourself and family members.
• Check out https://www.bu.edu/wellness/ and https://www.bu.edu/hr/part-time-employee-perks/ for more information!

Boston University IS&T invests in our staff and their personal and professional growth. We promote staff learning including lunch and learn sessions, an extensive library of online courses, Fun Advisory Board (FAB) arranges a number of events throughout the year and opportunities to engage with peers at NERCOMP and EDUCAUSE events.

If you require a reasonable accommodation in order to complete the employment application process, please contact the Equal Opportunity Office at 617-353-6474.

We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, or veteran status. We, at IS&T, appreciate each individual's knowledge, experiences and insights which enhance who we are, and as our DEIA knowledge and practice grows, we will ensure that our Mission, Vision, & Practices remain equitable and welcoming to all.

Required Experience