Associate Systems Specialist - Unix / Linux - Full-time / Part-time

“Want to know what it’s like to work in IT at The Home Depot?”

POSITION PURPOSE –

The Associate Systems Specialist works in a 24x7 data center environment, maintaining and supporting all UNIX distributed systems hardware and operating system software components. Supporting over 2,000 sites, the candidate will work with multi-tiered teams spanning all levels of engineering across multiple IT disciplines. This position will be a part of a front line support team that handles the inflow of ticket and alert driven issues, ensuring a high state of readiness and adherence to support SLAs and team metrics.

Day to day support functions will include actively monitoring system generated alerts, ticket queues, team inboxes and associate engagements. The candidate will ensure file systems are under threshold, determine top system performance consumers and perform basic troubleshooting of all UNIX servers deployed in our store, non-store and data center environments.

Associates will be able to receive incoming calls from users, perform initial fault isolation, perform ticket creation and incident support as well as facilitate change related requests using documented processes and procedures. Responsibilities will include escalating business impacting incidents according to documented escalation guidelines. Good written and verbal skills will aid in inter-team communication and provide a seamless customer support experience.

MAJOR TASKS, RESPONSIBILITIES AND KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES –

20%: Investigates, diagnoses, and takes prescribed actions on all operational events, alarms and incidents escalated from level 1 support technicians based on mean time to recover service levels and incident severity.

10%: Participates on business impacting incidents and problem management (high number of repeat incidents) support activities with the main goal of assisting in the diagnostics of the error logs in order to recover services quickly.

20%: Develop, implements and operate all network\system infrastructure and procedures; Perform scheduled Preventive maintenance such as (file system cleanup, rack realignment, support tools client upgrades, backup job failure remediation.

10%: Ensure that all routine maintenance tasks (security patch management, firmware updates, etc.) are completed on all operational infrastructures.

10%:Monitor and manage batch schedules to ensure service levels is being delivered on a daily basis Maintains all operational documentation, processes, and (management and diagnostic) tools ensuring that spares are maintained at the agreed service

10%: Ensures that all infrastructure equipment is maintained according to policies and recommendations and perform regular checks on infrastructure.

10%: Develop automation tools using standard scripting languages Powershell(Windows), Kornshell (Linux), TcL (Cisco) and REXX(MVS) to improve stability and increase efficiency of system

10%: Implement Low Impact infrastructure\application changes such as upgrades and patching of operating systems and non-business critical applications.

NATURE AND SCOPE –

Position Reports to: IT Supervisor; no direct responsibility for supervising others.

ENVIRONMENTAL JOB REQUIREMENTS –

Located in a comfortable indoor area. Any unpleasant conditions would be infrequent and not objectionable.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS –

EDUCATION REQUIRED –

The knowledge, skills and abilities typically acquired through the completion of a high school diplomas and/or GED.

YEARS OF RELEVANT WORK EXPERIENCE - 07

PHYSICAL JOB REQUIREMENTS –

Most of the time is spent sitting in a comfortable position and there is frequent opportunity to move about. On rare occasions there may be a need to move or lift light articles.

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS –

Bachelor’s Degree is preferred. Knowledge of Network Switches, Routers, Firewalls, and Access Points Knowledge of Operating Systems (Windows, UNIX, and IOS) Knowledge of Server Hardware Knowledge of Host Systems Knowledge of Storage Area Networks (SANs)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS –

• Have at least 2 years’ experience working with UNIX hardware and software

• Have some experience with high availability hardware and software

• Familiar with SAN and NAS storage solutions

• Proficient in the use of incident ticketing systems like HP Service Manager

• Proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite and Unix/Linux OS

• Provide first level operational support, including creating / updating documentation

• Excellent communication, organization, time management and multi-tasking skills

• Ability to listen to users issues and translate to determine appropriate technical solution

• Problem solving and analytical skills

• Able to prioritize multiple competing demands

• Drive to deliver excellent customer service

• Able to work a part-time flexible 12-hour shift schedule including overnights

• 2 years or more experience in an enterprise class data center preferred

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND COMPETENCIES –

Maintaining a high degree of technical competence and knowledge that involves the understanding of concepts and facilities utilized in support of computer and network systems. Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of personnel, both verbally and in writing. Ability to quickly analyze and resolve systems problems as they occur. Ability to utilize operational experience and knowledge to effectively write methods, standards and procedures in a clear and concise manner to ensure ease of use. Ability to verbally communicate with all levels of associates within the organizations.