Network & Systems Administrator

The Network and Systems Administrator provides advanced technical assistance and support for the Houston Zoo’s IT environment, including but not limited to computer hardware and software, various types of networked devices, the network itself, and issues that require advanced problem-solving capabilities.

Our Mission: Houston Zoo connects communities with animals, inspiring action to save wildlife. 

Our Vision: Houston Zoo will be a leader in the global movement to save wildlife.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Monitor and optimize network performance, security, and reliability to ensure the integrity of our network infrastructure. Design, implement, and maintain network infrastructure, with a strong emphasis on HP Aruba solutions
• Serves as an escalation point within the organization for advanced technical issues, working with key vendors appropriate.
• Works collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to complete projects that will improve technical infrastructure and systems.
• Ability to run network cabling which includes terminating connections between locations.
• Willing to work in secure areas that may be occupied by animals.
• Provides Help Desk support as needed to end users and the internal Technology team, resolving issues in a timely manner
• Administer and configure VMware vSphere, vCenter, vSAN, VxRail and other virtualization technologies.
• Monitors Help Desk , serving as a resource and providing training and learning opportunities on network
• Thoroughly documents changes, issues, and resolutions utilizing the Help Desk ticketing application.
• Identifies and reports issues to Infrastructure Manager for escalation outside organization if needed
• Assists management in the development of departmental policies and procedures
• Contributes to saving animals in the wild through: reduction of waste, water and energy use and inspiring guests and staff to take wildlife protecting actions
• Performs other duties as assigned

Education and Experience

• Four (4) year degree in an IT-related discipline or Five (5) years’ experience in advanced IT support capacity with increasing levels of responsibility
• Experience with o Windows 10 and 11, o
• Windows Server 2008 / 2012 / 2016 / 2019 / 2022 M365
• Active Directory, Azure Active Directory
• Intune o 3-5 years of administration of Vmware 6.7-7
• Cisco and HP Aruba Hardware
• Nimble Storage Area Network
• Veeam 
• Perform systems, network, and software engineering to support operational and investigative activities
• Administer and configure Cisco network devices
• Use Manage Engine tools for enhanced IT operations management and automation.

ABOUT HOUSTON ZOO

The Houston Zoo is made up of many moving parts with over 6,000 permanent residents (our animals) for whom we provide housing, meals, medical care, and, yes, even education! There are over 2 million guests each year who come to experience our incredible variety of animals and ecosystems, as well as attend special private and public events and entertainment. Our dedicated staff works around the clock to ensure that the Zoo is always running smoothly for the safety and well-being of our residents and guests. We strive to ensure the protection of all the counterparts of the animals we have at the Zoo and in the wild.