Salary
$55,182.40 - $60,632.00 Annually
Location
Missoula, Montana
Job Type
Regular, Full-Time
Job Number
00530
Department
Central Services
Division
Information Technologies
Opening Date
04/16/2025
- Description
- Benefits
- Questions
Overview
Keep the City of Missoula connected and secure.
Join a team that powers progress. As a
Systems Administrator with the City, you'll play a vital role in keeping our digital infrastructure strong, secure, and responsive to the needs of our growing community. From managing cloud platforms and server environments to bolstering cybersecurity and supporting citywide IT operations, your work will make a daily impact.
Grow your career while making a difference.
This role offers more than just technical challenges—it’s a chance to grow within a formal career ladder while collaborating with a forward-thinking IT team. You'll be at the forefront of smart solutions, leveraging AI-powered tools and cloud technologies to streamline operations, safeguard information, and improve how city services are delivered.
Where innovation meets service.
Whether you're fine-tuning firewalls, responding to incidents, or deploying secure systems, your contributions will help build a more resilient city. We’re looking for someone who’s as committed to technical excellence as they are to public service—someone who thrives on solving complex problems, working with diverse teams, and staying one step ahead in a constantly evolving field.
Priority screening of applications will begin on Wednesday, April 30, 2025. Applicants applying on or after this date will only be considered if a competitive applicant pool is not received.
How To Apply
Interested candidates should submit the following application materials:
- A completed application
- A cover letter highlighting your interest in the Systems Administrator position and how your experience aligns with the role
- A separate written response (no more than two pages total) addressing the following three areas:
- Networking Experience Describe your experience working with networking concepts, including configuring and managing routing, VLANs, and IP subnets. Feel free to include examples of where and how you've applied these in your work.
- Active Directory & Microsoft Tools Outline your experience managing Active Directory and Group Policy, as well as any experience you have working with Microsoft Entra ID and Intune.
- Windows Server Administration Describe your experience administering Windows Server and virtual devices, including aspects of deployment, configuration, management, and support. Share any relevant examples or projects that showcase your expertise.
Resumes will not be reviewed. All details should be entered on the application.
- The full range for the position is $26.53 - 30.90/hour and will increase each year for longevity and cost of living adjustments.
Essential Functions
This position is part of a formal Career Ladder. Complexity of assigned duties and responsibilities will depend upon the current Career Ladder Level.
- Provide system management by running system updates, monitoring security and vulnerabilities, evaluating threats, recommending and developing protocols, etc.
- Assist with configuration and support of the City’s cloud infrastructure.
- Assist with the administration of Active Directory, including group policy and user account onboarding and offboarding.
- Conduct research, perform assessments, investigate, and report on incidents; collaborate to resolve issues and fix security vulnerabilities; recommend solutions and improvements.
- Provide system support through consultation, remediation, and incident response.
- Manage server backup and endpoint protection software and systems.
- Receive, respond to, and log all incoming support requests in the IT ticket system to ensure operational standards, and accurate and complete documentation.
- Utilize and help evaluate AI-powered solutions to improve solution research, system administration, workflow automation, and documentation; monitor outputs to ensure accuracy and compliance with city policies.
- Manage deployment of server and client operating system and software, including updates, security patches, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
- Provide support to the Network Manager with daily network operations, administration, and system management, including scheduling and prioritizing tasks in conjunction with department goals.
- Proactively communicate work progress and any present or potential issues with supervisor and designated others; provide suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing problems.
- Coordinate cybersecurity training, information/materials, and technical support for City employees, including specific tools and procedures.
- Assist in the implementation and improvement of the IT Department’s Business Continuity Plan.
- Maintain records of system updates, maintenance, and activity; develop procedure manuals and various other documentation.
- Collaborate with other IT staff, clients, and contracted support and support Help Desk Specialists.
- Deploy and configure endpoints including client firewalls, virtual private networks (VPNs), anti-virus, anti-malware, etc.
- Perform other duties, as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills And Abilities
- Knowledge of server hardware, software, operating systems, client devices, and applications with the ability to provide support with deployment, configuration, and administration of systems.
- Knowledge of IP networking, subnets, and VLANs needed to run server infrastructure, including VPNs, remote access, and internet protocols.
- Knowledge of system analysis, including the ability to determine how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
- Knowledge of data backup systems, including modern strategies and best practices.
- Skill in operating personal computers using standard or customized software applications, including troubleshooting, and repairing computers, devices, software, and server problems.
- Skill in training novice, intermediate and advanced users on various aspects of computer and network operations, including the ability to gauge a person’s technical aptitude and communicate with them in an appropriate technical or non-technical language.
- Skill in communicating, in person and writing, with the proven ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with diverse individuals.
- Skill in managing, administering, and implementing Windows server security, configuration of Windows domain controllers including DNS, DHCP, and Active Directory utilizing best practices in maintaining security and resilience of services.
- Skill in administration of cloud-based infrastructure.
- Skill with AI-powered tools for document management and workflow optimization.
- Skill in researching, analyzing, and providing solutions to various complex problems.
- Ability to leverage scripting for efficiency of tasks and automation of routine work.
- Ability to employ best practices for security deployment, configuration and administration of client devices, servers, and applications.
- Ability to learn various job-specific applications, software, and equipment for the purpose of providing support and maintenance to all City systems.
- Ability to understand and follow verbal and written policies, procedures, and instructions, while working independently and as part of a team.
- Ability to adapt to challenges quickly and find remedies to system shutdowns, or other serious software problems.
- Ability to provide problem-solving solutions to various situations with keen detail and accuracy, prioritize tasks with shifting priorities and timeline demands.
- Ability to maintain and exhibit integrity and discretion in handling confidential and sensitive information.
- Ability to learn City and departmental policies, procedures, and practices.
Working Conditions:
- Position requires the ability to lift and maneuver 50 lbs. or less.
- Position requires rotation of standby/on-call shifts to respond to emergencies outside regular hours.
Qualifications And Additional Application Materials
- Any combination of education and experience equivalent to two (2) years’ experience with professional systems administration, operations, or another relevant field.
- Must be able to pass a criminal background investigation.
- Must have a valid Montana driver’s license with a verified acceptable driving record, or the ability to obtain one within 60 days of hire.
- Microsoft, Palo Alto, and Cisco certifications, preferred.
- Experience with Microsoft Solutions and Powershell scripting, preferred.
This summary outlines the benefit programs; actual benefits may vary depending on bargaining unit and employment status.
Benefits
The City of Missoula will reward your contributions to our community with competitive compensation and generous benefits, including but not limited to:
- Market-Competitive Salary
- Work/life balance, including the possibility of flexible schedules and remote work opportunities
- $0 premium for health and dental coverage for employees and affordable premiums for family coverage
- $10,000 Employer-sponsored Accidental Death and Dismemberment Life Insurance Policy
- Options for supplemental life, disability, critical illness, and accident
- Constitutionally guaranteed retirement plan with the City contributing 8.77% of salary on your behalf and the ability to contribute to a supplemental deferred compensation program
- Generous paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
- Pre-tax flexible spending accounts
- The City of Missoula may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Look here to learn more and understand whether you may be eligible.
Additional Benefits Package Information Is Available Here.
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Did you attach both of the following as part of your complete application? A cover letter AND A separate document (no more than two pages) responding to the three supplemental questions listed in the job posting
Required Question
Employer City of Missoula
Address 435 Ryman Street
Human Resources
Missoula, Montana, 59802
Phone 406-552-6130
Website https://www.ci.missoula.mt.us/
