Systems Administrator

As the Systems Administrator for the U.S. District Court, you'll be a core member of the IT team responsible for keeping the court's server and applications infrastructure running reliably and securely. You'll oversee server administration, tackle complex updates, manage our backup infrastructure, and maintain the documentation and security standards that a federal court demands. When things go wrong, you'll be on the front lines: troubleshooting issues, leading triage efforts, and digging into root causes to prevent recurrence. You'll work closely with IT colleagues and collaborate directly with supervisors, managers, and judges both locally and across the district.

Representative Duties:

• Administering and supporting Windows Server 2019/2022/2025, VMware vSphere, VMware Horizon, Proxmox, and Red Hat Linux (RHEL) environments
• Troubleshooting and triaging Active Directory, IIS, Exchange Online, and SQL Server issues
• Managing data backup and recovery using Veeam — designing, testing, and maintaining procedures that protect critical systems
• Conducting security assessments and implementing hardware/software solutions to protect the network
• Contributing to server design, testing, and deployment of new or upgraded systems
• Supporting LAN/WAN infrastructure and collaborating with teams across the district
• Building and maintaining clear, thorough systems documentation
• Researching and recommending hardware and software procurement

You'll collaborate with IT colleagues, court managers, and judges — giving you visibility and cross-functional exposure you won't find in a siloed enterprise role.

Qualifications:

We're looking for a systems-minded professional with at least two years of hands-on experience as a Systems Administrator — someone who has progressed through roles involving systems analysis, implementation, integration, and IT project management. You're comfortable owning problems end-to-end, communicating clearly with both technical peers and non-technical stakeholders (including judges and court leadership), and keeping multiple projects moving at once without losing attention to detail.

Just as important as your technical skills is how you work. We value teammates who are collaborative, adaptable, and bring a service-first mindset to every interaction. The court environment is professional and fast-moving — you'll need to exercise sound judgment, represent the IT team with credibility, and meet the moment when things get complex or change quickly.

This role does involve occasional lifting of hardware and some travel within the district, including rare overnight stays. A professional demeanor and appearance are expected.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Hands-on administration of Microsoft Server 2019/2022/2025, including Active Directory and Group Policy management
• Experience with virtualization platforms — Proxmox, VMware vSphere, and/or VMware Horizon View
• Patch and asset management tools (PDQ, KACE) and systems management suites (Microsoft System Center, WSUS, MDT, VMware DEM)
• Backup and recovery experience in a Microsoft server environment (from design through administration) including immutable backups
• Enterprise monitoring, logging, or vulnerability scanning tools — SolarWinds, Splunk, or Nessus
• Experience administering RedHat based Linux application servers
• Working knowledge of enterprise networking equipment and architecture
• SharePoint Online administration and site management
• Scripting ability in PowerShell, Bash, and/or SQL
• Certifications: Microsoft MCSA/MCSE, Comptia Security+, Cisco CCNA, VMware VCP, RHCSA

Education and Experience:

The completion of a degree in computer science, information systems management (or other related field), or significant experience in a directly related field is preferred.

How to Apply:

To be considered for this position, please email your cover letter, resume, salary history, and the Judicial Branch Federal Employment Application (AO 78) to HR_Department@ctd.uscourts.gov.

Applications for Judicial Branch Federal Employment (AO 78) may be obtained at:

https://www.uscourts.gov/forms/human-resources-forms/application-judicial-branch-federal-employment

The court will not reimburse external candidates for interview travel or relocation expenses. Due to the volume of applications, only applicants selected for an interview will be notified. No phone calls please.

Benefits:

• A minimum of 12 paid holidays per year
• Paid annual leave in the amount of 13 days per year for the first three years, 20 days per year after three years, and 26 days per year after fifteen years
• Paid sick leave in the amount of 13 days per year
• Retirement benefits
• Optional participation in Thrift Savings Plan
• Optional participation in choice of Federal Employees’ Health Benefits
• Optional participation in choice of Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance
• Optional participation in the Flexible Benefits Program
• Optional participation in the Commuter Benefit Program
• Optional participation in Long-Term Care Insurance
• Credit, time in-service, for prior government service for employees of other federal agencies, as well as time for those with prior military service, will be taken into consideration when computing leave accrual and retirement benefits.

Conditions of Employment:

• Applicants must be U.S. citizens or eligible to work in the United States.
• Successful candidate will undergo a full fingerprint and background records check. Any applicant selected for a position will be hired provisionally pending successful completion of the background investigation.
• Mandatory electronic direct deposit of salary payment.
• Employees are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees (available to applicants to view at the court website: www.ctd.uscourts.gov).
• Employees of the U.S. District Court are Excepted Service Appointments. Excepted service appointments are at will and can be terminated with or without cause by the court.

The United States District Court is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity and inclusion.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $67,396.00 - $109,556.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Security clearance:

• Confidential (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• Hartford, CT 06103 (Preferred)

Ability to Relocate:

• Hartford, CT 06103: Relocate before starting work (Preferred)

Work Location: In person