Position Overview
The Microsoft Azure System Administrator is responsible for the operation, maintenance, security, and performance optimization of cloud-based systems supporting federal client environments, including in Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Education (ED).
This role ensures the availability, integrity, and security of Azure-hosted applications and databases, while maintaining compliance with federal cybersecurity, accessibility (Section 508), and data protection requirements.
The position operates within a FedRAMP-aligned, Azure PaaS environment and supports continuous monitoring, system hardening, and lifecycle management activities required under federal contracts.
Key Responsibilities
1. Azure Cloud Operations and Maintenance
- Administer and maintain Microsoft Azure PaaS environments (development, test, production).
- Ensure high availability, performance, and scalability of applications and databases.
- Perform routine system maintenance, patching, upgrades, and configuration management.
- Monitor and report on system health, uptime, and resource utilization.
2. System Security and Compliance
- Implement and maintain cloud security controls aligned to NIST, FedRAMP, and HHS and ED requirements.
- Support continuous monitoring activities, including:
- Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) implementation and log analysis
- Vulnerability scanning and remediation
- Security patching and updates
- Maintain and support:
- Web Application Firewalls (WAF)
- SSL certificate lifecycle management
- Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM) integrations
- Assist with Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M) tracking, risk management, and audit readiness.
- Ensure protection of system confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
3. Monitoring, Performance, and Analytics
- Conduct:
- Server and application log analysis
- Performance monitoring and tuning
- Storage and capacity management
- Support traffic analysis and system usage reporting
- Proactively identify and resolve system bottlenecks or risks.
4. Dev/Test/Prod Environment Management
- Maintain segregated Azure environments (development, test, production).
- Support deployment pipelines and configuration across environments.
- Collaborate with developers on release management and system improvements.
5. Incident Response & Troubleshooting
- Respond to system incidents, outages, and performance issues.
- Support federal incident reporting requirements.
- Provide root cause analysis and corrective action recommendations.
6. Documentation & Reporting
- Maintain system documentation, including:
- Architecture diagrams
- Configuration baselines
- Standard operating procedures
- Contribute to:
- Monthly and quarterly reporting
- System performance metrics
- Compliance documentation
7. Accessibility & IT Standards Compliance
- Ensure systems and outputs align with:
- Section 508 accessibility standards (WCAG 2.0 AA)
- Federal records management requirements
- Support remediation efforts for accessibility compliance.
8. Collaboration & Stakeholder Support
- Work closely with:
- Project Management
- Developers
- Security teams
- Federal stakeholders (COR, agency IT)
- Provide technical support and guidance to internal and external users.
Required Qualifications
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field (or equivalent experience)
Experience
- 3–7+ years of experience in:
- Cloud administration (Azure preferred)
- Systems administration in secure environments
- Strong preference given for Drupal experience
- Experience supporting federal or regulated environments strongly preferred
Technical Skills
- Microsoft Azure (App Services, Azure SQL, Storage, Networking)
- Azure monitoring tools (Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, Application Insights)
- Security tools (SIEM, vulnerability scanning tools)
- Identity and access management (Azure AD, RBAC)
- Networking fundamentals (DNS, VPNs, firewalls)
- Drupal stack administration
Compliance & Frameworks
- Familiarity with:
- NIST 800-53 / 800-171
- FedRAMP
- CUI handling requirements
- Experience supporting Authority to Operate (ATO) environments preferred
Preferred Qualifications
- Azure certifications (e.g., AZ-104, AZ-500)
- Experience with:
- DevOps pipelines (CI/CD)
- Infrastructure as Code (ARM, Bicep, Terraform)
- Experience supporting 508 compliance in web platforms
- Prior work with HHS, ED, or similar federal agencies
Core Competencies
- Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills
- Attention to detail in compliance-driven environments
- Ability to operate in high-accountability federal contracts
- Effective communication with technical and non-technical stakeholders
Working Conditions
- Remote-first environment with potential client-driven requirements
- Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance
FLSA Status
Exempt
Employment Type
Full-Time or Part-Time based on contract needs.