Senior Systems Engineer #587

Contributes to the sections work effort in responding to incidents from other sections including the help desk. Supports tasks which may include helping to develop standard operating procedures assignments and coordination of work efforts to address issues. Assists users with computer needs such as installing and configuring software/hardware on their PC; troubleshoots problems with user systems. Provisions new accounts for users. Supports the sections work effort to develop processes and procedures to streamline the resolution of issues. Provides technical support for Senate information technology or telecommunications services systems hardware software and storage solutions to the users; supports Senate offices contract support vendors and other technical staff in troubleshooting and managing the various Senate environments. Maintains and monitors LAN/WAN and SAN operations and solves LAN/WAN and SAN applications problems; installs integrates customizes enhances troubleshoots and tests LAN and SAN hardware and software. Assists in installing upgrading customizing tuning and maintaining databases for optimal performance and availability; assists in developing testing and implementing database store procedures functions triggers views and packages. Conducts acceptance and integration testing; assists vendor systems implementation by troubleshooting related system issues affecting Senate users. Analyzes designs develops implements and maintains applications to meet the needs of Senate users; assists with product evaluations and implementation. Attends internal training provided by subject matter experts to understand operational tasks documents support needs and share the information within the assigned section. Other duties as assigned.

Conditions of employment

• For conditions of employment and citizenship requirements please visit the job announcement on the United States Senate Career Page at Work Experience
  • Five to eight years of relevant work experience(GED) three to six (Associates) one to three year(Bachelors) one to two (Masters).

  Required Special Skills/ Knowledge

  • As part of our hiring process we may conduct a skills assessment to better understand an applicants proficiency in key areas relevant to the role.
  • Manages current storage capacity and ensures storage is available to support all computing environments; plans for future storage growth; monitors and confirms that system files and application products are successfully backed-up; performs necessary installations patches and upgrades.
  • Works escalated issues from lower-tier team members. Mentors/relays information on solutions to train others.
  • Analyzes new hardware and software releases for their impact on the Senate environment; tests new releases on Senate supported platforms; develops product configuration standards for use in the Senate environment.
  • Creates develops modifies instructs and provides technical assistance on business continuity plans and processes.

  Desired Qualifications

  • Expert level experience in any database type administration role.
  • 3 Years of experience with managing and administrating databases.
  • 2 Years of experience in Linux operating system.
  • Ability to set up real-time alerting for failed jobs builds and databases ensuring quick resolution of incidents in production or pre-production environments.
  • Ability to install configure and maintain at least one of MSSQL MySQL PostgreSQL or MongoDB in production development and staging environments.
  • Knowledge of optimizing database performance by configuring indexes managing query efficiency and tuning the database for workload-specific performance. This includes memory management cache optimization and monitoring tools like Ops Manager to proactively address performance bottlenecks.
  • Ability to configure and implement proactive monitoring alerting and performance tools e.g. PGMonitor Ops Manager or similar.
  • Ability to design and maintain a Disaster Recovery architecture utilizing replication over a WAN for MySQL and PostgreSQL.
  • Working knowledge of Structured Query Language (SQL) Syntax including the ability to manage the data within a PostgreSQL or MySQL database.
  • Knowledge of setting up backup and recovery strategies for seamless customer support.
  • Experience with databases in cloud environments ensuring backups and scaling are automated is a plus.
  • Scripting and development skills (Ansible Bash Python and PowerShell).

  Desired Certifications

  • PostgreSQL Database Administration Certified Professional.
  • MongoDB Associate Database Administrator.
  • Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator (LFCS).

  Working Conditions

  • The U.S. Senate network cannot be taken offline for maintenance during the workday or while the Senate is in session. As such maintenance windows may only occur at night on weekends and occasionally on holidays. Employees who perform systems upgrades maintenance wiring backups support our alternate data centers will have schedules that include working nights weekends and holidays.
  • This position directly supports essential services of the U.S. Senate. As such this position requires the employee be available and prepared to work during a lapse in inclement weather on holidays weekends and during late nights to ensure essential services to the Senate continue without the context of government furloughs this position is considered excepted.
  • Since this position requires onsite presence in support of the U.S. Senate when in session this position requires the employee to be available and prepared to work during government a lapse in inclement weather on holidays and during late night overnight and weekend the context of government furloughs this position is considered excepted.

  Security Clearance

  • This position requires that the applicant obtain and maintain a Secret U.S. Government security clearance.
  • Applicants must be U.S. citizens in order for the SAA to submit your application for a security clearance.

  Education

  High School Diploma/ GED.

  Additional information

  The Sergeant at Arms is an equal opportunity employer in accordance with the requirements of Senate rules regulations and applicable Federal Laws. This agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process please notify the agency. Decisions to grant reasonable accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Please email with Applicant Accommodation in the subject line. No moving relocation or pre-employment travel expenses will be paid for this position or while in application for this position.

  Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government passionate about the ideals of our American republic and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

  A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

  Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.