Journeyman Linux Systems Administrator

GovCIO is seeking a Journeyman Linux Systems Administrator to support critical infrastructure operations, patch cycles, and lifecycle maintenance activities for the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). This operational role focuses on the daily administration, configuration management, performance monitoring, and standard security patching of enterprise-level Linux architectures. This position will be located in Kearneysville, WV, and will be a hybrid position.

The Journeyman Linux Systems Administrator serves as the core operational specialist responsible for executing predefined baseline maintenance, routine updates, and standard compliance enforcement. Core responsibilities include:

• Administer, configure, and maintain Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) servers across physical and virtual production environments to ensure high system uptime.
• Handle daily virtualization operations within VMware vSphere, including virtual machine (VM) provisioning from templates, resource allocation, and basic host maintenance.
• Execute automated patch cycles and push configuration updates using BMC True Sight Server Automation (TSSA).
• Run, modify, and maintain existing Ansible playbooks to streamline routine system configurations and eliminate repetitive daily administrative workflows.
• Enforce federal security baselines by applying patches, running vulnerability scans, and remediating configurations against DISA STIG guidelines.
• Monitor daily system performance indicators, triage incoming infrastructure alerts, and resolve standard hardware/software incidents.
• Escalate highly complex architectural anomalies or structural system bugs to the senior engineering and architecture staff.
• Document operational workflows, maintaining localized Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and capturing hardware/software baseline modifications.
• Participate in a scheduled on-call rotation to provide necessary after-hours support for critical operational system issues.

High School with 6 - 9 years (or commensurate experience)

Required Skills & Experience

• Certifications: DoD 8570 IAT Level II or higher (e.g., Security+ CE, CySA+) and a recognized Linux certification (e.g., RHCE, RHCSA).
• Linux Maintenance: 5+ years of hands-on experience as a Linux Systems Administrator managing Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) operational environments.
• VMware Administration: Practical, daily familiarity with VMware vSphere (ESXi/vCenter) for deploying, cloning, and managing virtualized systems.
• Ansible Execution: Solid experience executing, troubleshooting, and editing existing Ansible/YAML scripts for standard configuration management.
• Patching & Compliance: Proven history of deploying security patches and validating operational environments against DISA STIG frameworks.
• Scripting Foundation: Proficiency utilizing scripting languages like Bash or Python to maintain system hygiene and automate manual administrative tasks.

Clearance Level: Must have an active Secret clearance  

Preferred Skills & Experience

• USCG/DHS Operations: Prior experience supporting U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) or Department of Homeland Security (DHS) operational environments.
• TSSA Utilization: Direct hands-on operational experience using BMC True Sight Server Automation for endpoint management.
• Containerization Exposure: Basic baseline exposure to containerization environments (OpenShift, Docker, or Kubernetes) and how they function in workflows.
• Cloud Infrastructure: Fundamental knowledge of public or hybrid cloud systems (such as AWS or Azure).