Position Overview
This role supports the USDA Forest Service by delivering advanced IT systems administration with a specialized focus on geospatial and remote sensing technologies. As a key technical resource, the specialist will ensure reliable, secure, and high-performance computing environments across on-premise, cloud, and hybrid infrastructures.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the administration and optimization of enterprise IT systems, including desktops, servers, network devices, and NAS storage platforms.
- Advise on system architecture design, particularly as it relates to geospatial data processing, analysis, and dissemination performance.
- Collaborate with federal IT leadership in the Forest Service and USDA to align infrastructure initiatives with enterprise goals, including cloud-based storage and computing solutions.
- Oversee on-site information security protocols and technologies to protect sensitive geospatial and operational data.
- Act as a primary technical consultant to federal program teams, providing guidance on IT strategy, system capabilities, and technology integration.
- Support the deployment and management of remote sensing software, geospatial platforms, and data distribution systems, including hardware and software evaluation.
Required Expertise
- Minimum of two years of hands-on experience in IT systems development, client support, and project coordination.
- Proven track record managing systems for large-scale geospatial data, including high-resolution imagery archives and LiDAR product delivery.
- Strong background in administering Windows and Linux environments, including Windows Server 2016+, CentOS, Red Hat, and Debian.
- Experience supporting enterprise desktops and laptops running Windows 10 and managing network-attached storage solutions.
- Direct experience with geospatial software platforms such as ERDAS, eCognition, Esri products, and ArcGIS Server.
- Ability to assess system performance, analyze technical options, and recommend effective solutions based on data-driven evaluation.
- History of producing technical reports, performance summaries, and system documentation.
Preferred Background
- Experience supporting IT infrastructure for large-scale, enterprise-level geospatial operations.
Technical Environment
The role operates within a multi-platform environment including Windows NAS devices, Windows Server (2016 and later), Linux distributions (CentOS, Red Hat, Debian), Windows 10 workstations, ERDAS, eCognition, Esri software, ArcGIS Server, remote sensing applications, and cloud-based processing and storage systems.
Work Arrangement
This is a hybrid position based in Washington, DC, or Salt Lake City, UT. The work model supports both on-site coordination with federal partners and remote system management, reflecting the operational needs of the program.
