Career Opportunities with City of Des Plaines
A great place to work.
Career Opportunities with City of Des Plaines
A great place to work.
Current job opportunities are posted here as they become available.
| Department: | Information Technology |
| Location: | Des Plaines, IL |
COMPENSATION:
POSITION SUMMARY
The System Administrator is responsible for supporting and maintaining the City’s information technology infrastructure in a municipal environment. This position ensures the reliability, availability, and security of systems supporting Administration, Public Works, Police, and Fire operations.
This role works with highly confidential and sensitive information, including protected employee data, labor-relations materials, investigative records, legal records, public safety systems, and privileged credentials. A high degree of professionalism, discretion, and independent judgment is required.
The System Administrator is designated as a confidential, management-level position due to its involvement in personnel matters, security controls, legal requests, and supervisory responsibilities.
This position also provides technical support for the City’s Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems used in public works operations. The role assists with system monitoring, alarm response coordination, troubleshooting, and documentation under established procedures and in collaboration with senior engineers, operators, and IT leadership. The System Administrator does not serve as the primary owner of SCADA systems.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED/EXERCISED
A. Supervision Received
The System Administrator operates under the general direction of the IT leadership and occasionally the Public Works Departmental leadership. Work is reviewed through reports, evaluation of results, observation, system performance, and adherence to established procedures. This person will directly report to the Director of Information Technology or their designee.
A. Supervision Exercised
Provides day-to-day oversight and technical guidance to IT staff, including the Information Technology Specialist. Responsibilities include coordinating assignments, mentoring staff, contributing to hiring and evaluations, and supporting training and professional development. May provide input regarding performance and conduct matters in accordance with City policies.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
A. Enterprise Systems Administration
Install, configure, maintain, and support servers, storage, operating systems, directory services, identity management systems, and enterprise applications.
Administer and support Microsoft 365 services, including identity, email, collaboration tools, and security features.
Support enterprise content management and records systems, including access controls, backups, and vendor coordination.
Monitor system performance and availability to maintain continuous municipal operations.
Perform routine maintenance, patching, and updates in accordance with change management procedures.
Support backup, recovery, business continuity, and disaster recovery efforts.
B. SCADA Technical Support
Provide technical support and monitoring assistance for SCADA systems supporting water, wastewater, and other public works infrastructure.
Monitor system alerts and coordinate response activities with operators, engineers, electricians, and maintenance staff in accordance with established procedures.
Assist with troubleshooting communications, sensors, and related system components.
Document system events, alarms, and operational activities.
Participate in response efforts during system incidents or outages.
Perform work at treatment facilities, pump stations, lift stations, and operational sites as required.
C. Municipal & Public Safety Systems Support
Provide advanced technical support to municipal departments, including Administration, Public Works, Police, and Fire.
Support systems used for records management, communications, reporting, and operational functions.
Provide Tier 2 and Tier 3 technical support and coordinate vendor escalations as needed.
Support public safety systems in coordination with senior IT staff and departmental leadership.
D. Security, Confidentiality, and Zero Trust Access
Routinely work with highly confidential information, including but not limited to:
Employee personnel records, investigations, and disciplinary materials
Labor-relations information and management strategy
Records related to FOIA requests, subpoenas and litigation
Law enforcement and fire department operational data
Security credentials, privileged accounts, and restricted systems
Follow access control, credential management, and auditing procedures consistent with Zero Trust principles.
Support security and compliance features within enterprise systems, including Microsoft 365.
Assist with authorized audits, investigations, legal requests, and records support activities as directed.
Assist with authorized audits, investigations, litigation support, and records requests in coordination with executive leadership, Human Resources, Legal Counsel, and public safety command staff.
E. Endpoint, Networking & User Support
Oversee user account provisioning, modification, and deprovisioning processes.
Support desktops, laptops, mobile devices, and shared workstations across office and field environments.
Assist with core networking services and troubleshoot connectivity issues across municipal facilities.
Coordinate with vendors and service providers supporting infrastructure and network systems.
F. Documentation & Continuous Improvement
Maintain accurate documentation of systems, configurations, access controls, and inventory.
Maintain inventory records for IT hardware, systems, and related assets.
Participate in infrastructure upgrades, system implementations, and technology initiatives.
Support cross-training and knowledge transfer within the IT team.
Assist with testing, deployment, and validation of new systems and security controls.
Exercise sound judgment in prioritizing work and resolving technical issues within established policies.
Perform all other related duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience
Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
Experience in systems administration or IT infrastructure roles.
Experience supporting Microsoft 365 environments preferred.
Experience working in environments with strict security, confidentiality, and regulatory requirements preferred.
Supervisory or lead experience preferred.
MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of enterprise operating systems, servers, and infrastructure services.
Working knowledge of Microsoft 365 administration, identity management, and collaboration platforms.
Understanding of networking fundamentals and distributed environments.
Familiarity with backup, monitoring, patch management, and system administration tools.
Understanding of cybersecurity best practices, identity management and Zero Trust concepts.
Ability to responsibly manage access to highly sensitive systems and credentials.
Strong troubleshooting, analytical and problem-solving skills.
Ability to document systems and procedures clearly and accurately.
Strong communication skills and ability to work collaboratively across departments.
Ability to exercise discretion, sound judgment and maintain confidentiality at all times.
Willingness to learn SCADA systems, operational processes, and safety procedures.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS/QUALFICATIONS
Work is primarily performed in an office environment, with regular work supporting facilities such as Administrative offices, Police Stations, Fire Stations, and Public Works facility locations.
This position participates in a rotational after-hours support schedule to assist with critical systems and municipal operations.
Occasional after-hours work may be required to perform maintenance, upgrades, or respond to system incidents.
EQUITMENT USED
Requires the frequent use of computers, servers, laptops, tablets, routers, switches/hubs; desk telephones and smart phones, copy machines, printers, fax machines, and various hand tools and automotive vehicles as this position requires traveling to various City locations.
PHYSICAL DEMAMD
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is regularly required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls (keyboard operation); and reach with hands and arms.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
May require working in industrial environments, including exposure to noise, weather conditions, and mechanical equipment.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is predominantly performed in an office setting where the noise level is usually quiet. Occasionally may be exposed to working conditions outside of the office which may include working outside during various types of weather, in extreme temperatures and in confined spaces where the employee would be exposed to dust, fiberglass, paint, gas; electrical hazards from high voltage and hot wires; high noise level around heavy equipment, compressors, and mechanical rooms.
Check out our incredible benefits package!
These benefits make working for the City of Des Plaines more than just a job—it's a pathway to a secure and thriving future!
