IT Systems Administrator 2

About Us:

Hello! We're the Justice Information Technology Services (JITS) team, we provide vital Information Technology (IT) infrastructure which Montanan's rely upon to support state and local law enforcement. Our dynamic team manages IT systems, services, and interfaces to support approximately 900 DOJ employees, and over 3,000 Criminal Justice Information Network (CJIN) customers working together to safeguard Montana ! We directly support DOJ staff involved with legal cases concerning the State and its people, Montana missing persons, victim services, children's justice, consumer protection, criminal investigations, highway safety, motor vehicle licensing, gambling control, and forensic laboratory services.

The list is long but if you enjoy diversity, this challenging, exciting, and rewarding position may be what you are looking for.

The Role:

We are looking for a highly motivated and technically proficient IT Systems Administrator to significantly enhance our IT infrastructure. This hands-on role involves the implementation, improvement, and ongoing maintenance of our enterprise servers, storage, and networks.

The ideal candidate thrives in a dynamic environment, possesses strong attention to detail, and is skilled in organization, multitasking, and effective documentation. Excellent professional communication is essential, along with the ability to interact effectively with a diverse workforce.

What You'll Do:

• Resolve escalated issues requiring systems modification
• Diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve hardware, software, network, or system technical issues
• Install or replace network hardware or software
• Plan and implement systems maintenance activities
• Produce, review and update support documentation (for example: knowledge base articles, system information and login details, audit logs, etc.)
• Maintain environment backup and recovery
• Configure hardware or software to meet system requirements
• Monitor, evaluate and optimize network, server, and storage performance
• Implement or adjust infrastructure according to evolving security landscape

*A first review of applicants will occur on January 27, 2026 and weekly thereafter.

Ready to Apply?

What We're Looking For:

Qualifications:

• Two years of education in the field of Information Technology.
• Three years of job-related experience in a network or systems administrator role.
• Other combinations of education, certification or experience may be substituted.
• Valid Driver License or ability to obtain one in 60 days of hire.
• Note: Don't quite meet all the requirements, but still confident you could crush it as a Sys Admin? Show us. Other combinations of education and experience will be considered.

Minimum Physical/Mental Requirements:

• May require 8 or more hours a day working with a computer.
• May require more than a 40-hour workweek.
• May require weekend work and on-call to perform systems upgrades, systems changes, or respond to issues.
• May occasionally need to lift, move and install computer hardware up to 25 lbs.

Preferred Skills:

• Extensive knowledge of the concepts and theories of computer science, including software development, systems and network administration, security management, system performance monitoring, and disaster recovery.
• Knowledge of project planning and management.
• Requires skill in managing complex and varied system development and administration projects; isolating and resolving advanced technical problems; communicating well with people of varied technical levels; managing multiple tasks and workflow; adapting and synthesizing diverse administrative requirements and functions into consistent management strategies; developing project plans; and establishing project goals, timelines, and standards.
• Requires the ability to develop and administer short and long-range project plans; design and implement components of complex network systems; exercise sound judgment in resolving complex technical and operational problems; anticipate and resolve technical problems; establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; coordinate the activities of others.
• Strong skills and experience with Prox Mox, Cisco UCS, Cisco Meraki, Cisco Switching, Palo Alto Firewalls, Cisco Firewalls, NetAPP Storage, Linux administration and 3,2,1 backup and recovery is highly preferential.
• Experience managing Microsoft 365 tenant space, exchange, and Microsoft Azure will also be considered as important skillsets.

Why Join Us?

• Awesome State of Montana Benefits: Paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, health, dental, vision coverage, and retirement plans.

• Student Loan Forgiveness: Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

• Fun Work Environment: Be part of a team that values creativity, innovation, and collaboration.
• Salary: $36.00 - $39.00
• Located in beautiful Helena, Montana !
• Waiting on your stellar resume.

Submit your resume and cover letter electronically. If you have any questions, email Bri Smith at briana.smith2@mt.gov.

• T his is a permanent full-time position located in Helena, Montana.
• Special Information: Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States. A valid driver's license is required with less than 12 conviction points in the most recent completed 36 months.

Special Instructions :

The selection procedures to be used in evaluating the applicant's qualification may include, but are not limited to, an evaluation of the cover letter, resume, a structured interview, performance test, academic transcripts, reference/background checks and fingerprint checks.

Additional materials, references or information submitted by the applicant, but not requested, will not be considered.

Successful applicant(s) will be subject to:

• Criminal History Fingerprint / Name-based Check
• Intensive Background Check
• Driving History

HOW TO APPLY:

To be considered for this position, you must attach a cover letter and resume at the time of application .

Tip: When attaching your resume, you must mark the attachment as a "Relevant File".

Your Resume : Please include all work experience as well as job duties that demonstrate your qualifications for this position. Include dates of employment (month & year- start & end) and the reason you left each job.

A complete online state application is not required. To initiate an application, attach the resume to be considered for this position. Failure to attach résumé will result in an incomplete application that will not be considered further/

Only electronic applications will be accepted. Materials submitted but not requested will not be considered in the selection process.

All documents for Veteran or Disability preference must be received or date stamped by the closing date. Please submit preference documentation to Terri Christianson at Terese.Christianson@mt.gov via File Transfer Service .

To request an accommodation with the application process, please contact the HR office.

Your service is rewarded with competitive compensation and generous State of Montana Benefits.

• Medical, dental and vision coverage
• Retirement plans
• Generous paid vacation, sick and holidays
• Pre-tax Flexibility Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program

State of Montana employment may qualify for student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program .

This Organization Participates in E-Verify .

Minorities are under-represented in this position and are encouraged to apply.

Minorities are under-represented in this position and are encouraged to apply.

Closing Date/Time: Ongoing

• 

• Montana Department of Justice

• 1 (406) 459-3741

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