Unix Linux System Administrator

Job Description: RFS 1019620 - UNIX/Linux Administrator

Location : Saskchawan

Mode: Contract

Position Overview

A successful candidate will assist in maintaining a secure, reliable, and highly available data centre environment while supporting server operations, storage management, backup and recovery, performance monitoring, and infrastructure maintenance.

The role involves working closely with infrastructure teams, service providers, vendors, and internal stakeholders to ensure the stability, security, and performance of the organization's midrange server environment.

Key Responsibilities

1. UNIX/Linux Server Administration

• Configure, administer, maintain, and support UNIX and Linux-based server environments.
• Monitor server availability, system health, capacity, and performance.
• Install and maintain operating system patches, updates, service packs, and security fixes.
• Troubleshoot server-related hardware, software, and operating system issues.
• Perform server restarts, shutdowns, upgrades, and rebuilds as required.
• Maintain system configurations, server images, and operational documentation.

2. Data Centre and Infrastructure Support

• Assist in maintaining a secure, stable, and highly available data centre environment.
• Monitor infrastructure resources, including rack space, power, cooling, cabling, network connectivity, and physical security.
• Coordinate hardware maintenance and infrastructure upgrades.
• Monitor server hardware and respond to alerts and potential failures.
• Ensure infrastructure operations comply with organizational policies and procedures.

3. Storage Management

• Monitor and manage enterprise storage systems and storage utilization.
• Support storage allocation, capacity planning, and performance optimization.
• Monitor disk space, storage thresholds, and potential capacity constraints.
• Assist with storage backup, recovery, mirroring, and data movement activities.
• Maintain storage utilization reports and identify potential performance issues.

4. Backup and Disaster Recovery

• Monitor and manage backup and recovery operations.
• Support disaster recovery planning and recovery procedures.
• Monitor backup jobs and investigate backup failures.
• Maintain backup schedules and recovery documentation.
• Support Veritas NetBackup operations and related monitoring activities.

5. Performance and Capacity Management

• Monitor CPU, memory, LPARs, disk space, and overall server performance.
• Analyze server utilization and identify performance bottlenecks.
• Establish performance thresholds and generate exception reports.
• Assist with capacity planning and forecasting based on workload trends.
• Prepare daily, weekly, and monthly infrastructure performance reports.

6. Incident, Problem and Security Management

• Follow ITIL-based incident and problem management processes.
• Investigate and resolve infrastructure-related incidents and service requests.
• Collaborate with other technical teams to troubleshoot and resolve issues.
• Escalate complex technical problems when necessary.
• Support user account administration, access controls, security monitoring, and system patching.
• Assist with antivirus updates, security compliance, and vulnerability remediation.

7. Monitoring and Technical Documentation

• Monitor UNIX/Linux server environments using tools such as Nagios or equivalent monitoring solutions.
• Monitor AIX environments, including associated Oracle databases, SAP, GIS, and backup systems.
• Maintain technical documentation, including server configurations, IP addresses, network diagrams, server build documents, and maintenance records.
• Prepare infrastructure status reports, asset summaries, and service-level reports.
• Track infrastructure assets and changes using asset management processes and tools such as SAP.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Experience in UNIX/Linux server configuration, administration, and technical support.
• Hands-on exposure to IBM AIX and Linux/Red Hat environments.
• Knowledge of server monitoring, troubleshooting, patching, and maintenance.
• Understanding of backup, recovery, and disaster recovery processes.
• Knowledge of ITIL-based incident and problem management processes.
• Computer Science or Computer Engineering degree, or equivalent experience preferred.
• ITIL Certification (Foundation or Service Manager) as specified in the client requirements.
• Demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement.

Preferred / Desired Experience

• Experience with SAN/NAS storage technologies.
• Knowledge of IBM SVC and NetApp storage solutions.
• Experience with Veritas NetBackup.
• Exposure to Azure Linux hosts and Azure storage.
• Experience with Nagios or similar server monitoring tools.
• Familiarity with Oracle database and enterprise infrastructure environments.