ASD 4, 5 & 6 Systems Administrator

The Access Foundation Branch within Mission Capability Division is a cross functional, integrated team of analysts, developers, engineers, Radio Frequency (RF) technicians and project specialists working to deliver critical capabilities against some of ASD’s hardest SIGINT access problems.

Shoal Bay Receiving Station (SBRS) based in Darwin and Australian Defence Satellite Communications Station (ADSCS) based in Geraldton are remote intelligence facilities managed by ASD. Working at our sites will offer a unique and challenging work environment where experienced public sector professionals work alongside highly skilled technical experts to achieve exciting outcomes for ASD. 

We are seeking energetic, highly organised and task-orientated ASD 4, 5 & 6 System Administrators to undertake a broad range of work in support of ASD’s mission. You will play a critical role in supporting the internal infrastructure of one of the largest organisations within the National Intelligence Community.

You will be required to work closely between the two sites and other areas across the organisation.

Due to the unique nature of the work conducted at this location, staff may be provided the opportunity to obtain a range of additional qualifications including construction cards and truck and forklift licenses.

You will play a pivotal role in ensuring the critical capabilities used by our workforce are fit-for-purpose, responsive to sensitive and time-critical mission requirements, and built on technology stacks in line with industry advances. You will design, build, monitor and manage systems and platforms with a strong focus on agility, security, and resilience. We will provide you with an environment where you can develop and push the limits of your technical abilities to keep pace in an evolving technological environment.

ASD 4 Systems Administrator

• Accountable for organising their workflow, making decisions within their defined parameters relating to area of responsibility and will seek guidance when required.
• Perform maintenance, troubleshooting of systems and associated functions using supplied instructions and tools.
• Apply knowledge of systems administration to perform support processes, activities and tasks.
• Acquire and maintain knowledge from relevant vendors utilising support products and processes to meet outcomes.
• Install, upgrade and de-install hardware and software.
• Interpret and comply with business processes and legislative, policy and regulatory frameworks.
• Produce concise technical systems documentation and knowledge artefacts supporting operational continuity.
• Good understanding of Radio Frequency Fundamentals for communication.

ASD 5 Systems Administrator

• Accountable under routine direction to perform and achieve moderately complex systems administration support work within an integrated workforce.
• Make independent decisions relating to their area of responsibility.
• Identify and contribute to business process improvement activities.
• Install and de-install hardware and software.
• Resolve incidents and problems using expertise in systems administration, taking the initiative to identify alternative courses of action.

ASD 6 Systems Administrator

• Manage systems administration projects of a technical and specialised nature.
• Manage stakeholder relationships and escalated enquiries/cases and issues.
• Have experience in producing highly technical systems administrator outcomes.
• Have experience in managing day-to-day workflow and BAU operations.
• Be able to exercise considerable degree of independence and perform a leadership role.
• Produce concise technical systems documentation and knowledge artefacts supporting operational continuity.
• Work independently with the opportunity for reasonable autonomy and accountability for the achievement of outcomes of their work.
• Perform critical and complex engineering activities and provide advice in the field of systems engineering under limited direction.
• Apply engineering knowledge and experience to identify risks and uncertainties and consider these in planning, decision-making and priority setting.
• Assess technical and design packages including scoping, planning, reviewing, providing recommendations and contributing to the implementation of actions.
• Working knowledge of RF Spectrum concepts, including basics of modulation and digital signals processing (distribution, demodulation), including Satellite communications.

Further information can be found at: I’m changing my career | Australian Signals Directorate (asd.gov.au).

ASD is seeking applicants to fill current and anticipated vacancies and to create a merit pool for future vacancies. In line with the Australian Public Service Commissioner’s Direction 2022, upon completion of the recruitment activity, the merit pool will be available to locations across Australia.

An ideal candidate can demonstrate an ability to work collaboratively to achieve results, have a demonstrated aptitude and willingness to learn, and adapt to different technologies and platforms. 

We are currently seeking candidates to work under general direction to:

• Build and maintain ICT infrastructure, including operating system and application configuration and hardening, local security configuration (e.g. application and security policies), and network configuration (e.g. interfaces, routing tables).
• Develop and enhance monitoring and alerting.
• Manage cloud hosting platforms, support services, configuration, automation and monitoring.
• Build, configure, and maintain network solutions including security groups, VPNs, firewalls, virtual appliances, as well as cloud-native routing and switching technologies.
• Install and manage physical hardware including servers, storage platforms, and network devices.
• Has a solid understanding of RF Spectrum concepts, including basics of modulation and digital signals processing (distribution, demodulation).

To be eligible for employment with ASD, you must meet all of the following eligibility criteria:

• Australian Citizenship - Applicants must be an Australian citizen. Only in exceptional circumstances can this requirement be waivered. 
• Organisational Suitability Assessment – The preferred applicant will be required to undergo an Organisational Suitability Assessment (see Organisational Assessment section).
• Security Clearance - It is a condition of employment that applicants are willing and able to obtain and maintain the requisite security clearance for the duration of their employment with ASD.
• Health Assessment - The preferred applicant may be required to undergo a medical examination conducted by the Agency’s preferred medical provider. 

Please ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements outlined in the Information Pack prior to submitting an application.

Desirable Qualifications, Experience or Training

Qualifications:

A bachelor's degree or Certificate in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field is desirable.

Experience or Training:

Experience, or training across a breadth of ICT skills, disciplines and platforms is desirable. 

These could include but are not limited to:

• Operating systems such as Microsoft Windows or Linux.
• Virtualisation solutions.
• Networking technologies.
• Databases.
• Desktop environments.
• Web services.
• ICT Storage Systems.
• Cloud Systems with experience in on premise platform migrations.
• Application packaging and deployment, including Docker, Kubernetes, Helm.
• Microsoft Configuration Manager.
• Scripting technologies.
• DevOps practices including automation with application of Infrastructure as Code.
• Broad experience across multiple fields with a few in-depth specialisations.

Staff are required to have knowledge of and compliance to relevant legislative frameworks, government decision-making and the Australian Signals Directorate’s mission and policy requirements.