The State of Wisconsin WHS is looking for a Systems Engineer II.

The Information Technology Department at the Wisconsin Historical Society manages the

technology and computer infrastructure that drives the Agency’s business systems and

automation requirements. The IT department maintains and implements systems and web

applications that support the business needs and mission of the Wisconsin Historical Society.

Under the general supervision of the Chief Information Officer the Systems Administrator is

responsible for managing and maintaining our Windows-based server infrastructure, managing

centralized and distributed IAM, and setting up best practices for system administration. This

role is vital for ensuring the availability, performance, and security of our IT systems. This role

will partner closely with Systems Administrators and other teams at the Division of Enterprise

Technology, our main service provider, as well as in-house developers, engineers, analysts, and

support staff.

There is an emphasis on performance tuning, cost optimization, security, backups, disaster

recovery, and continuous improvement. WHS is exploring containerization (RedHat OpenShift)

and cloud solutions for a variety of use cases as the organization continues to modernize rapidly,

this role is an exciting opportunity to learn, mature, and grow individually and as an

organization.

Qualified candidates will have a strong background in Windows system administration, a passion

for optimizing system performance, automation, security, and comfortable supporting multiple

lines of business at a multi-faceted organization.

Responsibilities:

• Support, monitor, and maintain servers, applications, and databases, minimizing

downtime and data loss.

• Regularly patch software on Windows Servers using manual or automated methods

• Help facilitate data lifecycle management in AWS and/or other cloud storage providers.

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• Plan, design, and request server infrastructure that aligns with project requirements and

future scalability.

• Monitor and optimize system performance, troubleshoot issues, and ensure seamless

access to applications and databases.

• Implement and enforce best practices for system security, access control, and data

protection, including backups, patch management, and encryption.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including database administrators, application

developers, and network engineers, to ensure system integration and data consistency.

• Create and maintain comprehensive documentation of system configurations,

procedures, and policies.

• Automate routine system administration tasks to enhance efficiency and reliability.

• As needed, engineer integrations and workflows between cloud-based systems with

existing on-premises infrastructure, ensuring seamless data transfer and other

operations between the two environments.

• Stay updated with Microsoft technologies and industry best practices, making

recommendations for system improvements.

• Perform regular system audits to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities.

• Become quickly familiarized with commercial of the shelf applications in the WHS

Application Portfolio to support application patching and various integrations.

• Monitor and optimize performance, troubleshoot issues, and ensure the availability of

data to end-users.

• Implement and enforce best practices for data security and access control, including

backups, encryption, and access permissions.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including application developers and database

administrators, support staff, and power-users.

• Create and maintain documentation of system configurations and procedures.

• Automate routine maintenance tasks to improve efficiency and reliability.

• Perform periodic audits of systems to identify and mitigate potential vulnerabilities.

• Implement best practices and operational standards in support of core organizational

functions

• Development of technical documentation and subsequent revisions

• This position is expected to participate in cross-functional teams in needs assessment,

gathering business requirements, design, testing, implementation and post-production

support and evaluation.

• Administer authentication and authorization through Single Sign On (Entra ID) for Cloud

and SaaS solutions.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

1\. Experience as a Windows System Administrator in an enterprise environment.

2\. Strong knowledge of Windows Server operating systems and Active Directory.

3\. Experience with M365 products, including SharePoint, Teams, and Power Platform.

4\. Strong understanding of network and security principles, including firewall

configurations and access controls.

5\. Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.

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6\. Ability to work independently and as part of a team, with outstanding communication

and collaboration skills.

7\. Strong organizational and project management skills.

8\. Knowledge of industry best practices and a commitment to implementing them.

9\. Knowledge of Cloud platforms such as AWS and Azure.

10\. Scripting and automation skills (e.g., PowerShell).

11\. Familiarity with security principles, including encryption, authentication, and

authorization.

12\. Ability to conduct research into systems issues and products as required.

13\. Ability to communicate ideas in both technical and user-friendly language.

14\. Ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment.

15\. Ability to quickly master new technologies as needed.

Top Skills & Years of Experience: 5+ years of experience in the following:

Must have:

• Windows Server Administration, software patching

• Experience with MS SQL database backups and management.

• Scripting and automation skills (e.g., PowerShell).

Nice to have:

• Experience implementing SAML based SSO technology (Entra ID) with SaaS and onpremise systems

• Google Workspace Administration

• Experience with cloud infrastructure and storage (e.g., Azure, AWS)

Interview Process: Microsoft Teams with Video

Onsite or Remote? Candidates MUST be WI residents or willing to relocate to WI prior to starting the role at their own expense. This is a hybrid position, so on-site work is required some days based on project and operational demands, but WHS is a great place to work right in the heart of downtown Madison and the UW-Madison Campus. Remote work is allowed and encouraged when possible.

Public parking options are available nearby, public transportation is a half-block away, bike racks are available just outside of our doors. Commuting expenses are not covered by WHS.