Systems Administrator - T1

Acuity is seeking a motivated Tier 1 Systems Administrator to support a mission-focused federal technology environment. This is an excellent opportunity for a recent college graduate, transitioning military professional, or early-career technologist who has a strong technical foundation and is eager to build hands-on experience supporting enterprise systems and users.

We are looking for someone who is smart, articulate, curious, customer-service oriented, and eager to learn. The ideal candidate does not need to know every technology on day one. More important is the ability to learn quickly, troubleshoot logically, communicate professionally, take initiative, and proactively seek solutions.

Successful candidates will be comfortable asking questions, researching unfamiliar issues, accepting feedback, and taking ownership of problems through resolution. This role is well suited for someone who wants to grow into a systems administration, cloud, infrastructure, or cybersecurity career.

We are hiring for the following shifts:

• Front end days: 6 am to 6:30 pm local time. Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and every other Wednesday
• Back end nights: 6 pm to 6:30 am local time. Thursday, Friday, Saturday, every other Wednesday

• Provide Tier 1 technical and systems administration support within a federal enterprise environment.

• Assist with the administration, monitoring, maintenance, and troubleshooting of Windows-based systems and applications.

• Support user accounts, permissions, password resets, and access management using Microsoft Active Directory and related tools.

• Assist with Windows Server, Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Azure, and other Microsoft enterprise technologies.

• Troubleshoot basic hardware, software, operating system, network connectivity, and application issues.

• Respond to user incidents and service requests in a timely, professional, and customer-focused manner.

• Document issues, troubleshooting steps, and resolutions within the program's ticketing or IT service management system.

• Escalate more complex technical issues to senior administrators or engineering teams while providing complete and accurate troubleshooting information.

• Assist with system patching, software installation, configuration, vulnerability remediation, and routine maintenance activities.

• Support workstation, server, and application configuration activities as assigned.

• Follow established security, configuration management, change management, and operational procedures.

• Develop familiarity with enterprise technologies such as Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Azure, SCCM/endpoint management tools, virtualization, and scripting.

• Participate in technical training and actively develop new systems administration skills.

• Work collaboratively with engineers, administrators, cybersecurity personnel, service desk teams, and government customers.

• Proactively identify opportunities to improve processes, documentation, and customer support.

• Take ownership of assigned tasks and follow them through completion.

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Information Systems, Engineering, or another related technical discipline; recent graduates are encouraged to apply.

• Foundational knowledge of computer systems, operating systems, networking, or systems administration gained through coursework, internships, military experience, certifications, labs, help desk experience, or other hands-on technical experience.

• Familiarity with Microsoft Windows operating systems.

• Basic understanding of one or more of the following:

  • Windows Server

  • Active Directory

  • Group Policy

  • Microsoft 365

  • Azure

  • SharePoint

  • Networking concepts

  • Virtualization

  • PowerShell or other scripting languages

• Demonstrated technical aptitude and ability to learn new technologies quickly.

• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

• Professional, customer-service-oriented approach when working with users and teammates.

• Ability to clearly explain technical information to both technical and nontechnical users.

• Self-motivated with a willingness to ask questions, seek out answers, and take initiative.

• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a technical team.

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to completing tasks accurately.

• Demonstrated reliability, accountability, and willingness to take ownership of assigned work.

• Ability and willingness to continuously learn and develop technical skills.

Security Clearance

• US Citizen and must be eligible to obtain and maintain the U.S. Government security clearance required for the program.

• Acuity is willing to sponsor the required security clearance for qualified candidates.

• Candidates who currently hold or previously held a U.S. Government security clearance are encouraged to apply.

Preferred Qualifications

The following are helpful but not required:

• Internship, military, help desk, technical support, systems administration, networking, cloud, or cybersecurity experience.

• Hands-on experience from a university lab, home lab, certification program, or personal technical projects.

• Exposure to Windows Server administration.

• Experience with Active Directory, Group Policy, DNS, DHCP, or user-account administration.

• Exposure to Microsoft Azure or Microsoft 365.

• Familiarity with SharePoint, SQL Server, SCCM/Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager, or Intune.

• Basic PowerShell, Python, Bash, or other scripting experience.

• Familiarity with virtualization technologies such as VMware, Hyper-V, or Proxmox.

• Experience using ServiceNow, Remedy, Jira, or another ticketing/ITSM platform.

• Exposure to system patching, vulnerability scanning, endpoint security, or cybersecurity practices.

• CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, Microsoft, Azure, or similar certifications.

What Success Looks Like

The successful Tier 1 Systems Administrator will be someone who:

• Learns quickly and is excited to develop new technical skills.

• Takes initiative instead of waiting to be told every next step.

• Approaches unfamiliar technical problems with curiosity and persistence.

• Provides excellent customer service and communicates professionally.

• Knows when to troubleshoot independently and when to ask for assistance.

• Takes ownership of assigned issues and follows through until they are resolved or properly escalated.

• Accepts coaching and incorporates feedback quickly.

• Is dependable, proactive, organized, and accountable.

• Wants to grow into increasing levels of technical responsibility.

Acuity recognizes that strong technology professionals are developed through a combination of foundational knowledge, hands-on experience, curiosity, mentorship, and opportunity. Candidates who demonstrate strong technical aptitude, initiative, communication skills, and a willingness to learn are encouraged to apply even if they have not yet worked with every technology listed in this posting.