Systems Administrator II

Southwest Power Pool (SPP) is about more than power. We’re about the power of relationships. Our employees have the opportunity to work together to ensure electricity is delivered reliably and affordably to the millions of people living in our service territory. We have been voted one of Arkansas’ Best Places to work by Arkansas Business and we are looking for a member of our team who is passionate about our mission to keep the lights on!

We have a core ideology here at SPP that we stand by: Do the right thing, for the right reason, in the right way.

We believe in supporting our employees through a fantastic benefits package:

• Competitive pay with bonus opportunities
• Excellent insurance package including three great medical plans to choose from, employer-paid short term disability, long term disability, and life insurance
• Relocation assistance
• Flexible working environment for positions that are eligible where employees have the flexibility to work from home and come in where collaborative in person work is needed.
• Fantastic contributions to your retirement through a 401(k) savings plan with employer-match benefits and a defined benefit plan fully funded by SPP

We are seeking a System Administrator I or II to join our team. As a key contributor, you will:

Play a crucial role in our security strategy, performing monthly operating system security patching on Windows servers. In an environment that values innovation and growth, you'll not only contribute to a secure IT infrastructure but also thrive in a workplace recognized for its commitment to professional development and work-life balance. Elevate your career with us, where your skills are not just valued but contribute to making us the best place to work.

Essential Functions

• Plan, test, and implement operating system security patches and upgrades across SPP’s IT infrastructure.
• Collaborate with IT teams and vendors to ensure seamless integration of patches and upgrades.
• Each month, this work consists of opening change requests for the current month’s patching efforts, coordinating patching schedules with multiple teams across SPP, gathering any required Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) evidence before and after patching, applying the required security patches, and closing out all change requests when the monthly patching is completed. Each month this workload requires each team member to carefully plan, and adhere to their plan, to allow for the completion of the security patch installations by the required end date.
• There are some months where the patching team has to apply hardware/firmware security updates, and other third-party software security updates, alongside their normal patching requirements.

The statements contained herein describe the scope of the responsibility and essential functions of this position, but should not be considered to be an all-inclusive listing of work duties and responsibilities. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned including work in other areas to cover absences, or relief to equalize peak work periods or otherwise balance the workload.

To be successful as System Administrator I or II, we're looking for:

• Bachelor’s degree or certification in an Information Technology related field or combined equivalent experience.
• Level II: A minimum of three years infrastructure support experience
• Level I: No experience
• The incumbent’s experience must demonstrate intermediate computing and problem solving skills
• An intermediate knowledge of enterprise server operating systems, applications, hardware configurations, and hardware upgrade or repair
• Knowledge of tcp/ip v4 and v6 networking as it pertains to systems configuration
• Ability to convey written and oral communications are essential
• Technical certification or the ability to secure such certification within twelve months of employment, as approved by the supervisor of the Systems Administration team.
• Examples of certification are, but not limited to:
  • Azure Fundamentals
  • AWS Cloud Practitioner
  • VMWare Certified Associate
  • Microsoft Technology Associate
  • Red Hat System Administration I (Class certificate)

Preferred:

• Scripting and/or programming skills are preferred

Work Environment:

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment.

Physical Demands:

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to make decisions, interpret data, and problem solve.
• The employee frequently is required to stand or sit for extended periods; use hands to operate a computer keyboard and standard office equipment.
• The employee must occasionally lift and move up to 10 pounds.
• Requires the ability to work and collaborate with managers and employees at all levels to exchange ideas, information, and opinions to facilitate the task.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.

Position Type and Expected Hours of Work:

• This is a full-time position. Days and hours of workweek are Monday through Friday; 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Working extended hours may be required. Participation in on-call rotation.

Travel Requirement:

This position requires minimal travel (approximately 10%).

SPP is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans and is committed to excellence. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us at HR@spp.org and let us know the nature of your request. We will only respond to messages left that involve a request for a reasonable accommodation in the application process. We will accommodate the needs of any qualified candidate who requests a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

At SPP we value Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Visit our website to learn more: LINK

Full job descriptions will be made available to those selected for an interview.

Education

• Bachelors or better

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)