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Datacenter Operations Specialist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Datacenter Operations Specialist information

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$31.5K

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$111.5K

How much do datacenter operations specialist jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for datacenter operations specialist in the United States is $62,966.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $51,500.00 and $69,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the most common challenges faced by Datacenter Operations Specialists, and how can they be effectively managed?

Datacenter Operations Specialists often face challenges such as maintaining uptime during hardware failures, managing multiple simultaneous tasks, and responding quickly to unexpected incidents. They must be adept at troubleshooting under pressure and coordinating with IT, network, and facilities teams to resolve issues efficiently. Proactive monitoring, clear documentation, and ongoing communication with colleagues are key strategies for handling these challenges and ensuring smooth datacenter operations.

What is the difference between Datacenter Operations Specialist vs Network Operations Technician?

AspectDatacenter Operations SpecialistNetwork Operations Technician
CertificationsData center certifications (e.g., CDCP, CCNA)Network certifications (e.g., CCNA, CompTIA Network+)
Work EnvironmentData centers, server rooms, infrastructure facilitiesNetwork operation centers, server rooms, network infrastructure
Employer & Industry UsageIT service providers, large enterprises, cloud providersTelecommunications, ISPs, large corporations
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for infrastructure management rolesOften compared for network troubleshooting roles

The main difference between a Datacenter Operations Specialist and a Network Operations Technician lies in their focus areas. The specialist manages overall data center infrastructure, including servers, power, and cooling, while the technician primarily troubleshoots and maintains network connectivity. Both roles require relevant certifications and work in similar environments, but their core responsibilities differ based on infrastructure versus network focus.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Datacenter Operations Specialist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Datacenter Operations Specialist, you need solid knowledge of server hardware, network infrastructure, and data center best practices, often supported by a degree in IT or related certifications like CompTIA Server+ or Cisco CCNA. Familiarity with monitoring tools, ticketing systems, and remote management platforms is typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication make professionals stand out in this role. These skills are crucial for maintaining uptime, ensuring operational efficiency, and quickly resolving critical issues in a high-stakes technical environment.

What does a Datacenter Operations Specialist do?

A Datacenter Operations Specialist is responsible for maintaining the physical and technical operations of a data center. Their duties include monitoring server performance, managing hardware installations, troubleshooting system issues, and ensuring network uptime. They also oversee environmental controls, security measures, and regular maintenance tasks to keep the data center running efficiently. This role is critical for ensuring the reliability and security of the organization’s IT infrastructure.
More about Datacenter Operations Specialist jobs
What job categories do people searching Datacenter Operations Specialist jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Datacenter Operations Specialist jobs are:
Infographic showing various Datacenter Operations Specialist job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 3% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $62,966 per year, or $30.3 per hour.
Critical Environment Technician - CTJ - Poly with Security Clearance

Critical Environment Technician - CTJ - Poly with Security Clearance

Microsoft Corporation

San Antonio, TX

Other

Posted 14 hours ago


Microsoft rating

8.6

Company rating: 8.6 out of 10

Based on 125 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

47th of 186 rated software companies


Job description

Overview Business Function Overview Microsoft's Cloud Operations & Innovation (CO+I) is the engine that powers our cloud services. As a Microsoft Senior Critical Environment Technician (CET) on the U.S. Government Airgap team, you will perform a key role in delivering the core infrastructure and foundational technologies for Microsoft's dedicated online services supporting the U.S. Government. While our U.S. Government dedicated datacenter operations team has a sharp focus on serving our U.S. Government customers and helping them achieve federal missions, together, all of Microsoft's Cloud Operations & Innovation (CO+I) infrastructure is comprised of a large global portfolio of more than 200 datacenters in 32 countries and millions of servers. Our foundation is built upon and managed by a team of subject matter experts working to support services for more than 1 billion customers and 20 million businesses in over 90 countries worldwide. Microsoft's mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond. Responsibilities Responsibilities: * Serve as an operations specialist in one major area of CE operations (e.g., electrical, mechanical, controls, generators) and works on advanced tasks independently.
* Inspect and supervise critical environment-related facility equipment (e.g., controls, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning [HVAC], mechanical systems), building, and grounds regularly for unsafe or abnormal conditions and escalate per applicable policies and standards. * Utilize internal computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) to track all equipment assets and to complete work order requests for maintenance work.
* Safely and quickly respond to and leads onsite incident response teams for all abnormal conditions that impact operations, and coordinates with other critical facilities professionals to perform corrective repairs without supervision.
* Enhance, develop new or follow preexisting emergency operating procedures (EOPs), methods of procedure (MOPs), and standard operating procedures (SOPs) in relation to CE operations and incidents.
* Perform various types of maintenance (e.g., planned, predictive, corrective) and repairs following methods of procedure (MOPs), and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for CE equipment (e.g., electrical, mechanical, cooling systems) and escalate when appropriate.
* Have a hands-on understanding of how equipment works and how to troubleshoot equipment, systems, subsystems, and components independently within their trained discipline(s).
* Provides consultation to lower-level colleagues in troubleshooting systems and problems. * Understands, follows, and ensures safety and security requirements (e.g., job hazard assessments [JHAs], environmental health and safety (EH&S), toolbox talks), and business processes and procedures to properly perform work in a safe, quality, and reliable manner in accordance with applicable federal, state, local, and Microsoft requirements.
* Embody our culture and values Ownership * Maintains a clear understanding of the importance of the mission-critical data that resides in an AGC Data Center secure work area and thereby appreciate the need to always maintain a 100% available and secure operational environment.
* Maintains pride and a sense of accountability for the service quality, completeness, and resulting user experience, display accountability and ownership of the data center facilities.
* Learns the customer's mission and maintains a strong customer focus to understand the impact of their work when completing tickets and assigned tasks. Security * Understand, follow, and always ensure secure operations. This includes successfully maintaining the required security clearance required for site access. Site security procedures must be maintained to ensure customer trust.
* Work activities occur in a high security, high compliance environment subject to customer regulations. Complex activities must be completed with no external connectivity so advanced critical thinking skills are a must. The work environment allows no Personnel Electronics Devices such as cell phones and smart watches are prohibited in operational areas.
* Multiple support functions will require constant transitioning between secure and non-secure work areas that will require comprehensive procedures to ensure spaces are accessed and secured utilizing multiple security tools and methods for compliance.
* Complies with strict security and data management procedures and policies that are subject to constant physical security and customer audits, to include strict limitations on how equipment is stored within or transitioned out of secure work areas.
* Completes all required security training, escorts uncleared vendors or IT support on-premises, and appropriately takes action and alerts others to security concerns and/or incidents. Qualifications Required Qualifications: * High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent AND 1+ year(s) mission critical services work/applied learning experience (e.g., high availability assembly/manufacturing/critical infrastructure environments such as data centers, oil and gas refineries, hospitals, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, or related fields)
* OR equivalent experience. Other Requirements: Security Clearance Requirements: Candidates must be able to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements are required for this role. These requirements include, but are not limited to the following specialized security screenings: * The successful candidate must have an active U.S. Government Top Secret Clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) based on a Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) with Polygraph. Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements are required for this role. Failure to maintain or obtain the appropriate U.S. Government clearance and/or customer screening requirements may result in employment action up to and including termination.
* Clearance Verification: This position requires successful verification of the stated security clearance to meet federal government customer requirements. You will be asked to provide clearance verification information prior to an offer of employment.
* Microsoft Cloud Background Check: This position will be required to pass the Microsoft Cloud background check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter. Citizenship & Citizenship Verification: This position requires verification of U.S. citizenship due to citizenship-based legal restrictions. Specifically, this position supports United States federal, state, and/or local United States government agency customer and is subject to certain citizenship-based restrictions where required or permitted by applicable law. To meet this legal requirement, citizenship will be verified via a valid passport, or other approved documents, or verified US government Clearance. Preferred Qualifications: * High School Diploma, GED, or equivalent AND 3+ years mission critical services work/applied learning experience (e.g., high availability assembly/manufacturing/critical infrastructure environments such as data centers, oil and gas refineries, hospitals, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, or related fields)
* OR equivalent experience.
* 1+ year(s) experience in a specialized area (e.g., mechanical field, electrical field, controls field) or related field. Critical Environment Ops ATR-D - The typical base pay range for this role across the U.S. is USD $34.13 - $56.54 per hour. There is a different range applicable to specific work locations, within the San Francisco Bay area and New York City metropolitan area, and the base pay range for this role in those locations is USD $45.24 - $63.61 per hour. Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation. Find additional benefits and pay information here: https://careers.microsoft.com/us/en/us-corporate-pay This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.

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About Microsoft

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Our infrastructure is comprised of a large global portfolio of more than 100 datacenters and 1 million servers. Our foundation is built upon and managed by a team of subject matter experts working to support services for more than 1 billion customers and 20 million businesses in over 90 countries worldwide. With environmental sustainability and optimization at the forefront of our datacenter design and operations, we continue to grow and evolve as we meet the ever-changing business demands that hold Microsoft as a world-class cloud provider.

Industry

Computer and computer peripheral equipment and software wholesalers

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Redmond, WA, US

Year founded

1975

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