Junior Systems Administrator

Junior Systems Administrator Location: Fort Belvoir, Virginia Work Model: Full-time onsite Compensation: $82,000–$105,000 Clearance: Active Secret Experience: 2+ years Job Summary A federal technology contractor is seeking a Junior Systems Administrator to support a secure Department of Defense environment at Fort Belvoir. This is a hands-on opportunity for a cleared IT professional ready to move beyond basic help-desk responsibilities. You’ll support Windows systems, Active Directory, user accounts, software deployments and day-to-day infrastructure operations while working alongside experienced systems, network and cybersecurity engineers. The position offers a strong career path for someone interested in advancing into senior systems administration, cloud engineering, networking or cybersecurity. What You’ll Do Administer and support Windows workstations and servers. Create, modify and disable user accounts in Active Directory. Manage group memberships, permissions and access requests. Troubleshoot system, application and authentication issues. Install, configure, patch and upgrade approved software. Support endpoint imaging and workstation deployments. Monitor system health, storage, backups and performance. Assist with vulnerability remediation and security patching. Support Microsoft 365 applications and collaboration tools. Document configurations, incidents and troubleshooting procedures. Resolve escalated tickets from the service-desk team. Follow established DoD security and change-management processes. Assist senior administrators with infrastructure projects. Required Qualifications Active, fully adjudicated Secret clearance. Two or more years of IT support, systems administration or military IT experience. Hands-on experience supporting Windows operating systems. Working knowledge of Active Directory. Experience troubleshooting user accounts, permissions and software issues. Basic understanding of networking concepts, including DNS, DHCP and TCP/IP. CompTIA Security+ certification or ability to obtain it within 60 days. Ability to work onsite at Fort Belvoir five days per week. U.S. citizenship. Strongly Preferred Active CompTIA Security+ certification. Experience supporting a DoD or federal environment. Windows Server administration experience. Experience with Group Policy and account permissions. Familiarity with VMware or another virtualization platform. Experience with SCCM, MECM, WSUS or similar deployment tools. Understanding of system patching and vulnerability remediation. Experience using ServiceNow, Remedy or another ticketing platform. Nice to Have PowerShell scripting experience. Microsoft, CompTIA or VMware certification. Linux administration exposure. Experience with backup and recovery tools. Familiarity with STIGs and security-hardening requirements. Exposure to Azure, AWS or government cloud environments. Experience supporting systems in a classified environment. Ideal Candidate The ideal candidate is a cleared IT professional who has mastered basic technical support and is ready to take greater ownership of systems and infrastructure. They understand Windows environments, Active Directory and user permissions and can independently resolve common system problems. They may not yet be a senior administrator, but they are curious, dependable and comfortable learning from more experienced engineers. They document their work, follow security procedures and understand that supporting a government environment requires attention to detail. They are looking for a position that provides real technical growth rather than keeping them permanently on a basic help desk. Adjacent Backgrounds We’ll Consider Cleared help-desk or desktop-support professionals ready to advance into systems administration. Military IT, signal or communications specialists transitioning into civilian employment. Junior network administrators with strong Windows experience. Field-support technicians who have managed user accounts and workstation deployments. Candidates with one year of commercial experience combined with relevant military technical training. Cleared candidates with strong home-lab experience and relevant certifications. This Role Is Not a Fit For Candidates without an active Secret clearance. Applicants seeking remote or hybrid work. Candidates with no hands-on Windows support experience. Applicants unwilling to perform both user support and systems-administration tasks. Candidates who cannot obtain Security+ within 60 days. Senior administrators looking exclusively for architecture or leadership responsibilities. What Matters Most Active Secret clearance: Critical Onsite availability: Critical Windows and Active Directory experience: High Troubleshooting ability: High Security+ certification: High, but obtainable after hire DoD experience: Preferred Degree: Not required Why This Opportunity Stands Out This position offers a direct path from technical support into systems administration without requiring a degree, advanced certification or extensive engineering experience. The expected salary is $82,000–$105,000, depending on experience and certifications. Benefits include health coverage, paid leave, a 401(k), certification assistance and professional-development opportunities. One Profile. All Possibilities. Apply through Cleared2Hire to be considered for this role and other opportunities matching your clearance, skills, location and career goals.

What you'll do

- Administer Windows workstations and servers including patching, imaging, and software deployments via SCCM/MECM or WSUS

- Create, modify, and disable user accounts and group memberships in Active Directory; manage permissions and access requests

- Troubleshoot authentication, application, and system issues escalated from the service desk

- Monitor system health, storage utilization, backup jobs, and performance metrics

- Support vulnerability remediation by applying security patches in accordance with DoD change-management and STIG requirements

- Support Microsoft 365 applications and collaboration tools for end users

- Document configurations, incidents, and troubleshooting procedures; assist senior administrators on infrastructure projects

Mission

DoD enterprise IT infrastructure support in a classified environment

Required skills

• Windows workstation and server administration
• Active Directory user and group management
• System troubleshooting (accounts, permissions, applications)
• DNS, DHCP, TCP/IP fundamentals
• Software deployment and patch management
• Endpoint imaging and workstation deployment
• Microsoft 365 support
• IT ticketing and incident documentation