Systems Engineer Snr

Job Summary

Deploys, maintains, and administers complex server, virtualization, and core infrastructure platforms in hybrid environments. Monitors availability, performance, and capacity using enterprise monitoring and alerting tools, analyzes trends, and drives corrective and preventive improvements. Provides Tier 3 technical support and serves as a technical lead for complex incidents, major changes, and infrastructure modernization efforts. Troubleshoots and works with external vendors and County ITS as needed to resolve complex system issues. Consults with departments to understand service requirements and to implement reliable, secure, and supportable infrastructure services.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

This is the third in a series of three systems-related job classifications within the Information Technology job family. Deploys, maintains and administers server hardware and operating systems and application software. Provides second and third tier technical support to end user departments and consults with departments to understand complex network needs and service requirements and implement the appropriate integrated network services. This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develops, configures, and maintains servers, virtualization platforms, storage, backups, and related infrastructure services supporting production operations.
• Plans and executes major upgrades, migrations, and lifecycle replacements, including implementation plans, validation steps, risk assessment, maintenance windows, and rollback procedures.
• Provides Tier 3 support for complex incidents, including diagnostic isolation across infrastructure dependencies, root cause analysis, and permanent corrective actions.
• Develops, maintains, and tests backup, recovery, and continuity procedures to ensure recoverability and operational resilience.
• Implements and maintains monitoring, alerting, and performance baselines; tracks trends and produces operational reports and recommendations.
• Acquires, tests, and deploys software and hardware updates, releases, and patches using a defined patching cadence and change controls.
• Develops and maintains runbooks, technical documentation, configuration standards, and operational procedures to support consistent service delivery and faster onboarding.
• Recommends and implements infrastructure standards, security hardening, access controls, and logging practices; ensures adherence to security and disaster recovery requirements.
• Partners with cybersecurity and County ITS teams to remediate vulnerabilities and implement infrastructure controls that improve security posture without disrupting operations.
• Consults with departments and stakeholders to gather requirements and develop supportable infrastructure designs aligned to business needs and integration standards.
• Evaluates vendor solutions and products; supports procurement with technical requirements and recommendations aligned to short- and long-term objectives.
• Coordinates work performed by outside vendors and monitors vendor service level commitments, support engagement, and escalation paths.
• Provides or coordinates user and operational support through established escalation paths with Service Desk and IT Operations.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Administration or a directly related field AND five (5) years of relevant work experience;

OR,

Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:
Valid Texas Driver's License.
As part of the duties for this role, the employee will have access to Criminal Justice Information (CJI) and must meet all CJIS Security Policy requirements, including fingerprint-based background screening and adherence to data handling protocols

Preferred:
Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE).
Certified Novell Engineer (CNE).
Novell Certified Linux Engineer (NCLE).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Policies, practices, procedures, and terminology of enterprise infrastructure operations.
• Federal, State, Local, and County laws, rules, regulations, and guidelines applicable to assigned function.
• Server and infrastructure technologies including Windows Server, virtualization, storage, backup and recovery, monitoring, and systems management.
• Network fundamentals and protocols used in enterprise environments, such as TCP/IP, DHCP, DNS, and SNMP.
• Identity and access concepts as related to infrastructure services (authentication, authorization, least privilege, service accounts).
• Security and resilience concepts including patch management, vulnerability remediation, backup integrity, disaster recovery, and availability planning.
• IT service management concepts including incident, change, and problem management.
• May be required to develop knowledge of and adhere to laws requiring the confidential handling of protected or sensitive information.

• Advanced troubleshooting, systems analysis, and root cause determination across multi-layer infrastructure.
• Planning and executing complex technical changes with risk-based decision making, documentation, and stakeholder communications.
• Vendor coordination, escalation, and service management.
• Verbal and written communication, including translating technical issues into business impact and providing clear status updates during incidents.
• Documentation development including runbooks, standards, and technical procedures.

• Design, implement, manage, and monitor complex infrastructure systems and services with a focus on reliability and operational discipline.
• Lead and execute major upgrades and migrations with minimal downtime and clear validation and rollback.
• Work independently, prioritize effectively, and collaborate as part of a cross-functional team.
• Manage time, balance multiple tasks, and organize diverse activities under shifting priorities.
• Demonstrate strong customer service, professional communication, and ownership of outcomes.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with departments, vendors, County ITS partners, other County employees and officials, and the general public.

Work Environment & Other Information

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 35-40 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to standing, sitting, walking, climbing, crawling, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, twisting, balancing, repetitive motion, and squatting to perform the essential functions. Subject to exposure to variations in extreme heat, cold, mechanical, fume/odor, and dust/mites. Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.

Work Hours: 8 am - 5 pm, Monday-Friday.
Works some holidays, Works some nights, Works some weekends

Location: 5501 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX 78751

Department: County Clerk

Criminal, Driving, Education, and Employment Background Checks Required.

For updates or questions on this position, contact: Jordan.Beswick@traviscountytx.gov

This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.