As a member of the OMERS Enterprise Systems & Cloud team, the Senior System Administrator will be responsible to manage and maintain a large server inventory spanning multiple business units in a collaborative, process-oriented organization. The team member will use their range of technology expertise to install, patch, backup, troubleshoot and optimize server VM’s and related components with a focus on Red Hat Linux and Windows Server. Your affinity to continuously improve and develop automation, scripting, performance and security monitoring will enhance OMERS capabilities, availability and delivery times. Working together with network, security, applications, active directory, and engineering teams you’ll ensure high performance, uptime, scalability, efficiency, supportability and security of IT infrastructure and the supported applications.

The successful candidate will be hired primarily for their senior/expert level knowledge of Red Hat Enterprise Linux in a hybrid cloud. As well, the ability to administer key aspects of Windows Server for availability, patching and routine change. The newest member will be part of an operations team that uses a wide range of skills, technologies and tools to manage a large enterprise class environment. They will incorporate their knowledge of scripting and automation to maintain availability while looking to continuously improve and innovate on existing processes.

As a member of this team, you will be responsible for:

Operational Management

• Manage all OMERS servers, infrastructure and supporting tools/technologies with a focus on Red Hat Linux

• Install, configure, and manage Red Hat Linux and Windows Server VMs in Hybrid Cloud (VMWare) and Azure Cloud (Cloud Operations)

• Write and maintain automation scripts using bash, PowerShell and/or other languages

• Automate repetitive tasks, manage servers and perform complex operations by creating routines and playbooks in Ansible / Terraform

• Monitor server performance and capacity, prepare reports and optimize

• Perform daily infrastructure dashboard monitoring and server health checks, including key service / performance indicators, patch and vulnerability management, and backup completion

• Plan and implement server configuration changes per business request, in compliance with Change Management Policy

• Support application teams for sizing, performance benchmarking and cost efficiency

• Support all other technical teams on server related activities

• Adhere to security standards and safeguard infrastructure via security tools and SIEM exceptions

• Plan and implement monthly security patches on OS and tools

• Periodic reviews of OS and Tools Currency, Server Hardening, standards and procedures

• Track, manage and evolve continuous improvement actions in Azure DevOps

• Ensure servers report to management tools and are licensed

• Maintain accuracy of CMDB CI’s

24x7 on-call server support (rotation with rest of team)

• Monitoring and responding to change tasks and service requests

• Timely Resolution of incidents and participation in major incidents

• Data protection, SRM, DR/SCM

• Backup and Restore requests using Avamar

• Setup & ensure backup schedules/retentions, batch process schedules are in continuous alignment with business requirements

• Server Security and Audit

• Networking, Routing and Load Balancing

• File sharing (Network Drives, NFS, SMB)

• 24x7 monitoring, alerting and responding to alerts (Solarwinds)

• Manage break-fix activities with OEM vendors

• Root cause analysis and problem record resolution

• Thoughtfully contribute to CAB, change/problem management and service improvement calls

Projects, Strategy & Planning

• Plan, coordinate and build servers per business request and in compliance with standard

• Server decommissions per request and in compliance with standard

• Plan and implement server upgrade per business/architectural requirements

• Assist server transition from projects to operations based on operations checklist

• Contribute to continuous operations process improvements, take ownership of deliverables

• Provide monthly server related usage report for demand trending and budget plans

To succeed in this role, you have:

Formal Education & Certification

• University degree in Information Technology, with at least 5 to 7 years of relevant experience for managing server environments, Certifications in RHEL, VMware, ITIL, VCE, Microsoft

Knowledge & Experience

• Advanced knowledge and extensive experience of Install, Management and troubleshoot of Red Hat Linux, VMware vSphere, Windows Server, scripting

• Working knowledge, Avamar backup, Ivanti (patch management), Service Now, Satellite, Centrify, BeyondTrust, Microsoft Azure, Cloud Operations, vRealize Suite (nice to have)

• Server performance tuning and use of monitoring tools

• Security protocols, hardening, permissions

Personal Attributes

• Highly self-motivated and directed, with keen attention to detail and strong interpersonal skills.

• Strong customer service orientation

• Experience working in a team-oriented, collaborative environment

• Proven analytical and problem-solving abilities

• Ability to effectively prioritize tasks in a high-pressure environment

• Strong written and oral communication skills

• Project management skills a definite asset

Our story:

Founded in 1962, OMERS is one of Canada’s largest defined benefit pension plans, with $127.4 billion in net assets as at June 30, 2023. OMERS is a jointly-sponsored pension plan, with more than 1,000 participating employers ranging from large cities to local agencies, and over half a million active, deferred and retired members. OMERS members include union and non-union employees of municipalities, school boards, local boards, transit systems, electrical utilities, emergency services and children’s aid societies across Ontario. Contributions to the Plan are funded equally by members and employers. OMERS teams work in Toronto, London, New York, Amsterdam, Luxembourg, Singapore, Sydney and other major cities across North America and Europe – serving members and employers and originating and managing a diversified portfolio of high-quality investments in public markets, private equity, infrastructure and real estate.

OMERS is committed to having a workforce that reflects the communities in which we live and work. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to a barrier-free recruitment and selection process. At OMERS inclusion and diversity means belonging. How we create a sense of belonging is through our employees and our vast network of Employee Resource Groups. Whether you are passionate about gender, pride, or visible minorities, we have groups that are focused on making a difference in all of our lives.