Senior Windows Administrator

The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) manages the efficient flow of electricity on more than 11,000 circuit-miles of high-voltage transmission lines, dispatching power from hundreds of generating units across the state.

The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) applies cutting-edge technology to operating a reliable electricity system, managing competitive markets for wholesale electricity, and planning for the Empire State's energy future.  The NYISO’s Information Technology department invites applications for a full-time Senior Windows Administrator to join our team.

The Senior Windows Administrator architects, manages and administers large, multi-site and cloud, Microsoft server and client environments; responsible for system architecture, design and implementation; operating system, firmware and software package creation and installation, upgrades, patching, system integrity, security, disaster recovery, and performance; creates, maintains, and adheres to Windows team administration and user standards and procedures; leads or participates on project teams and collaborates with application developers and infrastructure peers as necessary; performs backup and restoration procedures; leads and/or supports audit efforts and ensures compliance with corporate and regulatory standards; mentors and trains associate and Windows administrators; provides expertise in strategic IT planning; establishes and maintains working relationships with IT partners, business customers, and vendors; creates and maintains technical documentation.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES

• Performs advanced and/or highly complex work with minimal or no supervision.  Establishes work plan for department based on organizational goals; sets independent objectives to accomplish specific tasks supporting the larger plan. 
• Leads functional or virtual departmental or inter-departmental teams and demonstrates accountability for completion of team-wide objectives. Acts as key contributor and represents team for larger organizational teams; regularly interacts with peer departments, business partners, market participants, vendors, and other external constituents. 
• Demonstrates the highest proficiency with assigned technology platforms and disciplines; has broad knowledge of ancillary information technologies, methodologies and platforms.  Has broad knowledge of IT service management, governance, continuity, financial, project, and lifecycle management.  Has basic understanding of the energy vertical, energy markets, the electric industry, and the NYISO’s business & operations. 
• Represents the organization to external entities.  May speak or present at external conferences and seminars or write papers and formal correspondence on behalf of the NYISO.
• Creates, installs, patches and upgrades Microsoft and VMware operating systems, hardware platforms, and server/client software packages.
• Performs on-going performance tuning, system infrastructure assessment (i.e. Hardware, software), and resource optimization. Architects, tests, implements and supports system architectures and configurations, and system management technologies. This includes physical and virtual technologies. 
• Architects, tests, implements and supports automation of infrastructure provisioning and management.
• Leads and participates in capacity planning and system lifecycle management.
• In partnership with other subject matter experts and our Business Continuity department, design, test and implement complex solutions that support high availability and inter-site and intra-site fail over capabilities. This includes a monthly review of recovery plans and yearly testing for cyber infrastructure protection (CIP) assets. Provisions and controls user permissions and privileges with strict adherence to access guidelines following SOC1 and CIP standards. 
• Due to the significance of the industry and the organization’s role within it, a rigorous change management process must be adhered to in order to minimize risks to the computing environment.  Must demonstrate adherence to these processes. Subject matter experts are expected to champion their changes from initiation through deployment. 
• Provides technical support to software development, infrastructure, IT operations, and inter-departmental teams. 
• Communicates regularly with software development, infrastructure, and operational staff to ensure system integrity and security.
• Designs and maintains Microsoft systems (i.e. Azure Active Directory tenant, Microsoft Windows OS, Exchange, SharePoint, M365, Azure Virtual Desktop), in addition to ancillary applications, adhere to all established NYISO and regulatory (i.e., NERC CIP, SOC1) standards. Requires ability to interpret and follow complex policies and procedures. Per compliance policies: maintain up to date written documentation, perform prescribed recovery tests, complete required paperwork and attestations. Subject matter expert is held accountable for adherence to these standards. Manages data and information requests to support internal and external audit requests. Audit requests are from external auditors as well as industry specific regulation agencies e.g., NERC, FERC. Investigate and resolve any compliance issue. There is zero tolerance for errors in following compliance policies and procedures. 
• Provides 24x7 technical support on a rotational basis. Due to our industry, advanced troubleshooting skills and analytics are required to ensure production services are restored within very short timeframe. For example, some services require a restoration time within 30 minutes. Subject matter experts are expected to be available within five minutes.
• Mentors and trains associate and Windows administrators.
• Establishes and communicates NYISO Microsoft and VMware system standards and policies and procedures.
• Participates in ongoing IT strategic planning with primary focus on Microsoft and VMware system technologies.
• Establishes and maintains working relationship with key strategic vendors to understand technical direction of server technologies.
• Develop and champion innovative solutions that improve operational efficiency through the automation of administrative tasks necessary to maintain portfolio of infrastructure assets.
• Participates in procurement activities and support contract management.
• Leads and/or participates in license management and compliance.
• Understands networking and storage technologies and participates in planning and troubleshooting network and storage services for Microsoft and VMware infrastructure.
• Creates and maintains detailed documentation of Microsoft and VMware system configurations and functions

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's Degree (BS), Computer Science, Information Systems, or similar technical program required; Master’s Degree (MS) desired.
• Minimum seven years’ experience as a Windows System Administrator.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

MSP, MCSE, Azure Certified Administrator, VMware Certified Professional (VCP) certification preferred

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to read, analyze and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from members of the business community.  Ability to speak effectively before other technical staff and stakeholders.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
• Intermediate competency in Windows operating environment using MS Office applications, e-mail and Internet programs.
• Advanced, hands-on experience with Microsoft administration (i.e.. Group Policy, Active Directory, Exchange, SharePoint, Microsoft distributed file systems) including Cisco Systems, server virtualization technologies, server automation technologies, and server clustering technologies.
• Thorough understanding of advanced networking concepts, storage area networking concepts, system backup concepts and hardware administration/support.
• Desirable competencies: Scripting languages (i.e. Batch, PowerShell, Python)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.  The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, sit and use hands to perform routine office tasks.  The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.  Contact with staff and public will occur.  Travel may be required to attend and/or conduct meetings, conferences and training.­­­­­­­­­­­­ This position may require work on nights, weekends or holidays. 

At the NYISO, we realize the importance of balancing the availability of remote work with the inherent value of bringing people together to attain success in the areas of maximum collaboration, relationship building and growth, teamwork, innovation and problem solving, as well as professional development and mentoring. In this role, you will be required to work onsite from our Rensselaer, NY location several days per workweek, with the option to work remotely on the remaining days. You will also be expected to respond to all business needs that may require any increase to the regular onsite requirements.

The NYISO takes pride in recruiting, developing and retaining highly talented individuals. In addition to competitive salaries, we offer a comprehensive benefits package and innovative reward programs.

All offers of employment will be made contingent upon the successful completion of a drug screening and background check.

The NYISO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and as such, does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices.

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