Job Description & Details
This is a hands-on Systems Administrator role based out of Staunton, VA, focused on keeping the lights on for both Windows and Red Hat Linux environments. It is a straightforward infrastructure gig where you will be knee-deep in server maintenance, patching, and daily troubleshooting without getting bogged down in endless architectural debates.
What You'll Actually Be Doing
You will be managing the daily grind of server uptime, handling everything from Tier 1 to Tier 3 support tickets when hardware or software decides to break. A huge chunk of your day will involve routine monitoring, applying security patches, running backups, and dealing with vulnerability remediation. You will also be the person keeping documentation and inventory updated, which means you need to be organized even when things are breaking simultaneously.
The Core Tech Stack
You need solid, battle-tested experience with Windows Server and Red Hat Linux (RHEL) because these two operating systems form the absolute backbone of their infrastructure. The team relies on you knowing your way around server monitoring tools, backup protocols, and patching cycles. Without deep, hands-on familiarity with both RHEL command-line operations and Windows admin tools, you will struggle to keep up with the troubleshooting load here.
Interview Expectations
Expect the hiring manager to throw a scenario your way about a production server suddenly dropping off the network and asking you to walk them through your exact triage steps. They are secretly looking for your methodical troubleshooting process rather than just a memorized textbook answer. You will also likely get probed on how you handle patch management failures and how you verify backups actually work before an audit hits.
Application Advice
Skip the generic IT buzzwords and make sure your resume explicitly highlights your hands-on experience with both Red Hat Linux and Windows Server environments. Weave in keywords like "system monitoring," "patching," "vulnerability remediation," and "backup and recovery" so the ATS picks you up immediately. If you have specific examples of resolving thorny hardware or OS-level issues in past contract roles, put those front and center.