Systems Administrator (Defense-NIST 800)

Job Title: Systems Administrator

Location: Amityville, NY (Long Island)

Employment Type: Contract - expected 6-12 months or longer

Industry: Defense

Compensation: $45 - $60 / hour

Schedule: 18-27 hours per week of actual work with possible 40 hours of paid time per week

Active Secret clearance required

About the Opportunity:

1. System Hardening and Configuration - Configure and harden Windows systems to meet NIST 800-53 baseline security controls. Apply standardized settings to protect these systems against known vulnerabilities, ensuring alignment with Continuous Monitoring requirements. (IS 109 and I01 currently require this effort, new systems/clients need to be built for new contractual efforts. Additionally, hard drives for the Network Analyzer need to be cloned for these contractual obligations and external back up system needs to be configured.)

2. Patch Management and System Maintenance - Ensure compliance with NIST's continuous monitoring standards by managing and performing regular patching and updates of operating systems, antivirus software, and network devices. All information systems require some form of maintenance, including patching and antivirus updates.

3. User Support and Incident Response - Provide technical support to users by troubleshooting and promptly addressing system-related issues to minimize operational disruptions.

4. Vulnerability Scanning and Remediation - As part of the Continuous Monitoring (ConMon) process, assist with monthly vulnerability scans and follow up on findings to ensure timely remediation in accordance with NIST 800-53 requirements.

5. UWAN Monitoring and Support - Responsible for monitoring and troubleshooting the uWAN to respond to network issues and maintain secure, continuous connectivity.

6. General Systems Administration - Oversee the administration of various systems, including desktops, servers, network storage, VMware, and SecureStux. Use imaging software (Macrium) to image any new systems and create backups to safeguard against system failures. (There will be a need to transition from Windows 10 LTSC to Windows 11 for Band 4-8 PC IS 102.)

7. Enforce least privilege and separation of duties. The roles of ISSM/ISSO and DTA accounts should have their privileges restricted to only what is necessary to fulfill their responsibilities. Currently, both roles have administrative rights because the ISSM/ISSO has taken on tasks that should be exclusive to the system administrator for maintaining the information systems.

What You'll Bring:

Min 7 years of experience in systems administration that includes experience with NIST 800 series security controls

Min 5 years of MS Windows administration experience

Min 2 years of experience with vulnerability scanning and remediation

What Sets You Apart:

Bachelor's degree (BSCS or similar)

Sys admin experience supporting desktops, servers, network storage, VMware, and SecureStux and the use of imaging software (Macrium a plus)

NIST 800-53 requirements experience

About Acara Solutions

Acara is a premier recruiting and workforce solutions provider-we help companies compete for talent. With a legacy of experience in various industries worldwide, we partner with clients, listen to their needs, and customize visionary talent solutions that drive desired business outcomes. We leverage decades of experience to deliver contingent staffing, direct placement, executive search, and workforce services worldwide.