Freelance Data Center Monitoring Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Company Description
The world around us is changing. Retail is in a state of major transition, and consumers have more options than ever. As a leading provider of global information and advisory services, NPD is at the forefront of helping our clients, the world's biggest brands and retailers understand and profit from these changes.
Since 1966, we have been helping businesses track industry trends and understand their customers in order to get the right products in the right places for the right people at the right prices. We serve more than a dozen industries including consumer electronics, entertainment, fashion, food / foodservice, toys, video games, and more.
We want to lead manufacturers and retailers on collaborating via the effective use of our information in line reviews and joint business planning.
Job Description
We are seeking a Data Center Engineer for a 24x7 support of 600 + multi-vendor, global server environment (Windows and Linux), enterprise backups, and data center monitoring in our Port Washington headquarters and global offices. We seek candidates who possess a broad set of technology skills across many areas associated with Microsoft technologies, Linux, VMWare, Network Operations, PC Help Desk and Enterprise Technology. The individual must demonstrate the ability to monitor NPD's high availability infrastructure while performing assigned tasks and daily operational duties.
As part of a global team your responsibilities will include:
• Responsible for proactive monitoring of physical and virtual server environment within our data centers as well as global locations.
• Perform execution of enterprise backups and restores. Maintain policies across physical and virtual media pools.
• Responsible for monitoring data center environmental conditions (HVACs, PDUs, UPS, generators), and addressing system alarms across the global infrastructure.
• Responsible for racking and stacking of servers and related devices. Also responsible for cable management of systems and decommissioning of retired hardware.
• Demonstrate the ability to follow SOP and provide escalation to engineering teams or senior management when required.
• Provide level 1 engineering and operational support for NPD's clients and end users during off-hours and weekends.
Qualifications
Technical Qualifications:
• Solid knowledge of MS platforms (MS Office, Windows 7, 2003, 2008, 2012). Familiarity of MS Exchange, SharePoint and Linux/UNIX platforms is a plus.
• Understanding of Active Directory, DNS/DHCP and computing hardware.
• Understanding of networking concepts relating to devices, functionality and topologies (TCP/IP, UDP, SNMP, FTP, HTTP, SMTP, VLAN).
• Understanding of ITIL methodology, Change control, Incident and problem management.
• Understanding of SAN/storage platforms (Fibre Channel, Brocade, IBM, HP storage frames)
• Experience with tape backup and restore technologies (Data Protector, StoreOnce, Backup Exec, Enterprise Vault, NetBackup).
• Experience with racking server hardware (HP, Dell) and cable management of systems.
• Experience with HP (12000, 5800, 5900, 5100, 3800 series) and Cisco (2900, 3600, 6500 series) network switches.
• Knowledge of file share, access provisioning, NTFS permissions, etc.
• Knowledge of remote troubleshooting tools like WebEx, DameWare, RDP, ping, nslookup, tracert, etc.
• Knowledge of enterprise tools such as SolarWinds, ManageEngine, HP Insight Manager (SIM), DRAC, iLO, SecurityManager, etc.
Business and Communication:
• Ability to multi-tasks and work with various technical teams simultaneously.
• Demonstrates excellent troubleshooting and problem research skills.
• Ability to interface effectively via phone or email with both technical and non-technical users.
• Demonstrates strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Flexibility to work extended shifts and attend training sessions outside scheduled hours.
Education and Experience:
• 3-5 years IT experience in a business environment.
• 1-3 years' experience working in a Data Center or NOC is preferred.
• BA/BS in related field or equivalent work experience.
Additional Information
*NPD is an EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER.