Systems Administration Specialist

Systems Administration Specialist I

Location:

25 – Hinds County, MS

Salary: $50,798.15 – $86,674.33 annually

Agency:
State of Mississippi – Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration – MMRS

The Mississippi Management and Reporting System (MMRS) is a division within the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration (DFA). MMRS is tasked with developing, enhancing, maintaining, and supporting a suite of statewide applications that serve as a central repository for accurate, timely, and relevant management information. These applications support critical functions across accounting, purchasing, human resources, and more, forming the backbone of Mississippi’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.

The Systems Administrator Specialist I plays a vital role in ensuring the stability, performance, and security of the state’s IT infrastructure. This position is responsible for executing and monitoring critical IT processes during on and off‑hours to maintain uninterrupted system operations. The incumbent proactively identifies and resolves technical issues, documents system activities for compliance and continuity, and collaborates with cross‑functional teams and vendors to sustain reliable, secure, and efficient IT services.

This role is instrumental in maintaining mission‑critical systems such as MAGIC and SPAHRS, which support core business operations including payroll and financial functions. The position also contributes to the agency’s ongoing modernization efforts, including support for cloud operations within the Azure environment.

• Monitor and execute production job streams across complex enterprise systems to ensure stability and performance.
• Troubleshoot and resolve application and system errors independently, escalating issues as needed.
• Identify system performance anomalies and initiate corrective actions in real time.
• Support infrastructure, database, and network operations during off‑hours, ensuring business continuity.
• Collaborate with internal technical teams, management, and external vendors to resolve incidents and perform maintenance activities.
• Maintain accurate documentation of incidents, resolutions, and system performance metrics to ensure compliance and operational transparency.
• Execute system backups, updates, and scheduled maintenance tasks according to established protocols.
• Participate in process improvement initiatives and contribute to the development of standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Support the agency’s transition to cloud‑based services and assist with Azure operations and monitoring.

• Technical Expertise: Strong working knowledge of Windows and/or Linux server environments, virtualization platforms (VMware, Hyper‑V), and enterprise infrastructure components such as Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, and system backups.
• Problem Solving: Demonstrated ability to independently identify, analyze, and resolve technical issues quickly under pressure.
• Operational Discipline: Working knowledge of managing critical systems during off‑hours with minimal supervision, ensuring adherence to procedures and uptime requirements.
• Communication
  
  Skills:
  
  Clear and concise written and verbal communication, including effective documentation of incidents and procedures.
• Adaptability: Ability to work effectively in a complex, hybrid IT environment that includes legacy systems and modern cloud technologies.
• Collaboration: Strong teamwork skills with the ability to coordinate with internal departments, external vendors, and agency partners.
• Attention to Detail: Commitment to maintaining accurate records, ensuring compliance, and supporting audit readiness.
• Knowledge of cybersecurity principles, patch management, and compliance standards such as HIPAA or CJIS.
• Proven ability to perform independently in a high‑pressure environment with strong prioritization and decision‑making skills.

• Typically requires a Bachelor’s Degree and 2–4+ years of IT experience with emphasis in system administration.
• Agency preferred qualifications:
  Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.
• 3–5 years of hands‑on experience administering enterprise‑level IT systems in a 24/7 operational environment.
• Experience with hybrid cloud environments, particularly Microsoft Azure.
• Familiarity with IT Service Management (ITSM) frameworks and change management processes.

Address 210 East Capitol Street
Suite 800
Jackson, Mississippi, 39201