Data Center Technician

Transform technology into opportunity as a Data Center Technician with GDIT. A career in enterprise IT means connecting and enhancing the systems that matter most. At GDIT you’ll be at the forefront of innovation and play a meaningful part in improving how agencies operate.

GDIT is seeking a Data Center Technician to support the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Disease (NIAID) as well as other institutes within NIH. In this role, you will be part of a team of nine system administrators / engineers responsible for maintaining, monitoring, and sup-porting the physical infrastructure of the institutes data centers. You will work closely with other Institutes and internal operational teams to ensure the reliability, security, and efficiency of the datacenter environments. Your duties will include hardware installation, troubleshooting, repairs, and assisting with network and server configurations.

This is an onsite position in Rockville, MD.

How a Data Center Technician Will Make an Impact:

• Collaborate with other members of the Data Center team as well as other operations teams within NIAID to manage and maintain the datacenters according to defined policy.
• Provide support for implementation, troubleshooting, and maintenance.
• Provide data center support to respond to emergency incidents that affect mission-essential services.
• Monitor, engage and oversee vendors and subcontractors supporting the data centers.
• Install, configure, and decommission physical servers, network equipment, and storage systems.
• Monitor datacenter systems and equipment to identify and resolve issues promptly, including network connectivity, power, cooling, and hardware failures.
• Manage network cabling, power distribution units (PDUs), and connections for all hardware. Ensure proper labeling and documentation for all cabling setups.
• Follow data center documentation as assigned.
• Working with the Datacenter manager to coordinate the installation and maintenance of data center equipment.
• Track inventory of datacenter equipment, hardware, and consumables. Manage parts, spares, and supplies required for daily operations.
• Responsible for racking and stacking of servers and related devices.
• Maintain accurate documentation of procedures, configurations, and incidents. Prepare reports on system performance, downtime, and maintenance schedules.
• Assist other team in performing root cause analysis for operational issues as they occur.

What You’ll Need to Succeed:

Required Technical Skills:

• High school diploma and 5+ year of experience working in data centers, network operations or hardware support roles
• Familiarity with enterprise server and networking equipment from vendors like Dell, HP, Cisco, etc.
• CompTIA A+, Network+
• Familiarity with power systems, cooling, and environmental controls in a datacenter setting
• Experience with cabling standards and best practices (CAT6, fiber, etc.)
• Knowledge of hardware troubleshooting and replacement (servers, switches, storage devices)
• Knowledge of rack standards, properties and selection criteria, and power rail/strip options, cold aisle/hot aisle containment
• Experience with quickly diagnosing and resolving technical issues with minimal supervision

• Ability to working in tight spaces and datacenter environments
• Ability to lift and move heavy equipment (up to 50 lbs.)
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a NIH public trust

Preferred Skills:

• Associate's or bachelor’s degree in information technology, Computer Science, or related field preferred
• Certified Data Center Professional (CDCP): Covers fundamentals of data center de-sign, management, and operations
• Data Center Certified Associate (DCCA) or equivalent
• Familiarity with StruxureWare Data Center Expert software
• Ability to document processes and procedures clearly
• Experience monitoring environmental sensors and determining issues prior to im-pact to systems
• Datacenter-specific certifications (e.g., Cisco CCNA, VMware VCP)
• Strong communication skills to interact with team members and stakeholders
• Track record of working effectively within a team, and support to peers toward im-proved processes and results
• Ability to work in a climate-controlled datacenter environment with potential exposure to loud noise, fluctuating temperatures, and confined spaces

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