Systems Administrator Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

Your job description is the first contact between your company and your new recruit. With millions of people searching for jobs on Indeed each month, a great job description can help you attract the most qualified candidates to your open position. To get you started, here are some tips for creating an effective job description.

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Systems Administrator job title

An effective job title wiil typically include a general term, the level of experience and any special requirements. The general term will optimize your job title to show up in a general search for jobs of the same nature. The level of experience will help you attract the most qualified applicants by outlining the amount of responsibility and prior knowledge required. And if your position is specialized, consider including the specialization in the job title as well. But avoid using internal titles, abbreviations or acronyms to make sure people understand what your job posting is before clicking.

  • IT Systems Administrator
  • Windows Systems Administrator
  • Senior Systems Administrator
  • Linux system administrator
  • Mac OS X System Administrator
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Systems Administrator Job Description Examples:

Systems Administrator job summary

A good job description starts with an attention-grabbing summary of the position and its role within your company. Your summary should provide an overview of your company and expectations for the position. Outline the types of activities and responsibilities required for the job so job seekers can determine if they are qualified, or if the job is suitable for them.

Example of a Systems Administrator job summary

The Systems Administrator will maintain, upgrade and provide support for clients software, hardware, and networks. The Systems Administrator needs to be able to diagnose and resolve problems quickly be available to respond to help desk requests after hours. The individual should be able easily to communicate technical concerns and solutions to many different people with varying degrees of technical knowledge as well as work with individuals in all department to help solve their technical issues. The Systems Administrator is also responsible for maintaining our system infrastructure, including firewalls, testing computer equipment, backing up databases, installing and updating malware software, installing and rebuilding existing servers as well as other processes.

Systems Administrator responsibilities and duties

The responsibilities and duties section is the most important part of the job description. Here you should outline the functions this position will perform on a regular basis, how the job functions within the organization and the title of the manager the person will report to.

  • Manage system infrastructure including, databases, testing computer equipment, firewalls, malware and other software and hardware.
  • Provide technical support for both hardware and software issues that may arise.
  • Monitor the system daily and respond quickly to any security breaches or usability concerns.
  • Backup systems and verify that backups have been completed.
  • Regularly upgrade systems as needed.
  • Assist in integrating new applications and technologies into the current system.

Systems Administrator qualifications and skills

Next, outline the required and preferred skills for your position. This may include education, previous job experience, certifications and technical skills. You may also include soft skills and personality traits that you expect from a successful candidate. While it may be tempting to include a long list of skills and requirements, including too many could dissuade qualified candidates from applying. Keep your list of qualifications concise, but provide enough detail with relevant keywords and terms.

  • Associate degree or higher in related field.
  • 2+ years experience as a system administrator.
  • Ability to respond to help desk requests after hours.
  • Expert knowledge of system security concerns and vulnerabilities.
  • In-depth knowledge and experience with VMware.
  • Familiarity with Linux operating systems.

Job Description Examples

Need help writing a job description for a specific role? Use these job description examples to create your next great job posting. Or if you’re ready to hire, post your job on Indeed.

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