Junior Systems Administrator - Linux & Server Virtualization
Bethpage, NY - Hybrid Remote
Compensation: $30 - $37 per hour
ABOUT THE ROLE
Join the IT team of a leading fiber optic network provider as a Junior Systems Administrator in a full-time, entry-level role focused on Linux operations and server virtualization. This position is ideal for entry level candidates or early-career technologists eager to gain hands-on experience supporting enterprise server environments. You will assist with Linux server administration, virtual machine lifecycle tasks, monitoring, patching, and documentation, while learning the tools, standards, and procedures of a fast-paced infrastructure team. If you are curious, coachable, and ready to build real enterprise skills, this role offers structured growth, mentorship, and exposure to a high-availability environment where your work directly supports one of the region's most critical fiber networks. You'll collaborate across network, security, database, and application teams, and gain exposure to modern infrastructure technologies and automation tools in a hybrid remote setting.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
- Assist with day-to-day administration of Linux servers, including user access, services, packages, filesystems, logs, and basic troubleshooting
- Support server virtualization activities such as provisioning, decommissioning, snapshots, resource checks, console access, and basic VM configuration under guidance from senior team members
- Help monitor server health, capacity, availability, and performance using approved monitoring tools and established runbooks
- Perform routine operational tasks including patching support, reboot coordination, log review, service validation, and post-maintenance checks
- Document server configurations, support procedures, troubleshooting steps, and known issues in a clear and audit-friendly manner
- Use basic scripting (primarily Bash and introductory Python) to automate repetitive tasks and improve operational consistency
- Work with network, security, database, and application teams to support incidents, changes, and service requests
- Follow change management, access control, backup, and incident response procedures
- Participate in after-hours maintenance or on-call support as experience grows and business needs require
WHAT YOU BRING
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Information Systems, Cybersecurity, Engineering, or related field; relevant internship, co-op, lab, military, certification, or equivalent hands-on experience considered
- 0-2 years of experience in Linux, server administration, virtualization, IT operations, help desk escalation, lab support, or infrastructure support
- Foundational knowledge of Linux distributions (Oracle Linux, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Rocky Linux, Ubuntu, Debian, or similar)
- Basic understanding of virtualization concepts (hypervisors, virtual machines, snapshots, templates/images, resource allocation)
- Basic networking awareness (TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, SSH, firewalls, VLAN concepts, troubleshooting commands)
- Comfortable using command-line tools (ssh, systemctl, journalctl, df, du, top, ps, grep, find, tar, curl, ping, traceroute, ncat/nc)
- Strong problem-solving mindset, attention to detail, and ability to follow documented procedures carefully
- Clear written and verbal communication skills; ability to document work performed and escalate issues appropriately
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple priorities
- Internship, coursework, home lab, or hands-on exposure to Linux servers or virtualized environments is a plus
- Exposure to Nutanix AHV/Prism, VMware vSphere, Proxmox, KVM, Hyper-V, or cloud-based VMs is a plus
- Introductory experience with Bash scripting, Python, Ansible, Git, or infrastructure automation is a plus
- Familiarity with monitoring or log analysis tools (Nagios, Prometheus, Grafana, Splunk, or similar) is a plus
- Relevant certifications (Linux+, LPIC-1, RHCSA, VMware VCTA, Nutanix Certified Associate, Network+, Security+) are helpful but not required
WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU
- Full-time, entry-level opportunity to build real enterprise infrastructure skills at a leading fiber optic network provider-hands-on Linux and virtualization work from day one
- Structured growth path across Linux administration, server virtualization, monitoring, and automation, with mentorship from an experienced infrastructure team
- Exposure to a fast-paced, high-availability environment where your work directly supports one of the region's most critical fiber networks
- Collaborative, cross-functional team culture that values curiosity, coachability, and a commitment to doing things the right way
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