Job Description

IT Specialist (SysAdmin), IS-2210-11/12

Application Deadline: 1 October 2026

Department: Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Cambridge, MA

Compensation: $84,579 - $131,790 / year

Description

OPENING DATE: September 02, 2026

CLOSING DATE: October 01, 2026

SERIES/GRADE: 2210/11,12

TYPE OF POSITION: Trust Indefinite (Non-Federal)

DIVISION: Information Technology Services

LOCATION: Cambridge, MA

AREA OF CONSIDERATION: This position is open to all eligible candidates.

SAO is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.

This is a career ladder opportunity with promotion potential to grade 12. Selection will be made at grade level 11. The candidate may be non-competitively promoted to the next higher grade level, up to grade 12, upon the supervisor's recommendation, based on classification requirements, satisfactory performance, and the employee's qualifications.

What are Trust Fund Positions?

Trust Fund positions are unique to the Smithsonian. They are paid for from a variety of sources, including the Smithsonian endowment, revenue from our business activities, donations, grants and contracts. Trust employees are not part of the civil service, nor does trust fund employment lead to Federal status. The salary ranges for trust positions are generally the same as for federal positions and in many cases trust and federal employees work side by side. Trust employees have their own benefit program, which may include Health, Dental & Vision Insurance, Life Insurance, Transit/Commuter Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance, Annual and Sick Leave, Family Friendly Leave, 403b Retirement Plan, Discounts for Smithsonian Memberships, Museum Stores and Restaurants, Credit Union, Flexible Spending Account (Health & Dependent Care).

Conditions of Employment

• Pass Pre-employment Background Check and Subsequent Background Investigation, as required.
• Complete a Probationary Period if applicable.
• Maintain a Bank Account for Direct Deposit/Electronic Transfer.
• The position is open to all candidates eligible to work in the United States. Proof of eligibility to work in U.S. is not required to apply.
• Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

OVERVIEW

INTRODUCTION

The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) is at the forefront, internationally, of the scientific exploration of the universe. SAO combines its resources with those of the Harvard College Observatory to form the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA). The CfA is the best-known astrophysics center in the world. Its programs range from ground-based astronomy and astrophysics research to space-based research, the engineering and development of major scientific instrumentation for space launch and use in large ground-based facilities, and research designed to improve science education. The research objectives of SAO are carried out primarily with the support of Government and Smithsonian Institution funds, with additional philanthropic support. Government funds are in the form of Federal appropriations or the form of contracts and grants from other agencies. In contrast, Institution funds are available to SAO through grants from the Institution's Restricted Funds, Special Purpose Funds, Bureau Activities, Business Activities, and non-Federal contracts and grants.

SUMMARY

This position is a Unix/Linux Systems Administrator role, responsible for the administration, maintenance, and optimization of Unix-based computing environments supporting scientific research and institutional operations. The incumbent should have a strong foundation in Unix/Linux system administration and be skilled in planning, executing, and monitoring systems across short-and long-term timelines.

MAJOR DUTIES

Systems Administration:

Administer, configure, and maintain Unix/Linux-based operating systems across a variety of server environments including physical, virtual, and cloud-based infrastructure. Manage user accounts, permissions, file systems, and storage systems including SAN and NAS technologies. Perform routine system monitoring, capacity planning, and performance turning to ensure optimal availability and reliability. Execute disruption to operations.

Skillfully install and configure a wide range of enterprise software applications, including ERP systems (e.g., Oracle), CRM platforms, collaboration tools, including Google Suite, MS Teams, and Slack. Ensure applications are properly integrated into existing systems. Participate in regular software maintenance tasks, including applying updates, patches, and security fixes to critical enterprise applications. Participate in the execution of major software upgrades for enterprise applications.

Support and Issue Resolution:

Provide technical support to end users and research staff by promptly diagnosing and resolving Unix/Linux system issues. Utilize a systematic troubleshooting approach to address complex problems across enterprise and legacy computing environments. Monitor system performance metrics and proactively identify areas for improvement. Optimize system configurations to enhance user experience and operational efficiency.

Project and Lifecycle Management:

Participates in planning, testing, and deploying new systems, upgrades, and modernization initiatives. Evaluates emerging technologies and contributes to requirements development. Coordinates with vendors, contractors, and internal stakeholders to support system lifecycle activities including procurement, deployment, and decommissioning.

Documentation and Knowledge Sharing:

Maintain comprehensive documentation of Unix/Linux system configurations, installations, and troubleshooting procedures. Share knowledge to expedite problem resolution across platforms. Provide technical guidance to project teams, end users, and leadership on system capabilities, limitation, and best practices. Participate in planning for new software acquisitions, upgrades, and modernization initiatives.

Compliance and Security:

Implement and enforce stringent security measures, access controls, and authentication mechanisms to safeguard Unix/Linux systems. Implement security controls in accordance with agency policies, NIST standards, and cybersecurity directives. Respond to and act on information provided by vulnerability scans, implement patch management, and system hardening. Supports audits, POA&Ms, and continuous monitoring activities.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

Basic Requirements:

For all positions, individuals must have IT-related experience demonstrating each of the four competencies listed below.

1. Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail.
2. Customer Service - Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside the Government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services.
3. Oral Communication - Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
4. Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations.

Additional Requirements:

Candidates must possess at least one year of specialized experience at or above the grade 9 level in similar positions. Specialized experience is experience that has provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the work of the position, such as the duties listed above.

OR

Education:

All academic degrees and coursework must be from accredited or pre-accredited institutions. Undergraduate or Graduate Education: Degree in computer science, engineering, information science, information systems management, mathematics, operations research, statistics, or technology management or degree that provided a minimum of 24 semester hours in one or more of the fields identified above and required the development or adaptation of applications, systems or networks.

Grade 11: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree

OR

3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required:

• Experience and knowledge in software installation, support, maintenance, and upgrades.
• Knowledge of security protocols and best practices for enterprise software administration. Knowledge of cybersecurity principles, system hardening, access control, encryption, and vulnerability mitigation.
• Knowledge of and skill in deploying software containerization platforms as well as integration with cloud environments.
• Effective communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across teams.
• The ability to write concise, readable, user-oriented documentation for software and/or hardware systems, and to write system maintenance documentation, is essential.
• Knowledge of operating systems, databases, APIs, authentication services, and cloud environments.
• Skilled in scripting/automation to support deployment, monitoring, and troubleshooting
• Knowledge of ITIL, change management, and configuration management practices.

Any false statement in your application may result in rejection of your application and may also result in termination after employment begins.

Join us in "Inspiring Generations through Knowledge and Discovery."

Resumes should include a description of your paid and non-paid work experience that is related to this job; starting and ending dates of job (month and year); and average number of hours worked per week.

What To Expect Next: Once the vacancy announcement closes, a review of your resume will be compared against the qualification and experience requirements related to this job. After review of applicant resumes is complete, qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager.

Relocation expenses are not paid.

The Smithsonian Institution provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation should contact hr@cfa.harvard.edu. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. To learn more, please review the Smithsonian’s Accommodation Procedures.

The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is an equal opportunity employer. Please visit the SAO website at http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/