Independent Contractor 3 Month Contract
On-site Assistant Systems Administrator
Department: IT & Management Services
Location: On-site, Cork
Engagement Type: Independent Contractor
Contract Duration: 3 Months
Day Rate: from 200 to 400 per day, DOE.
About the Role
We are seeking a motivated and technically capable Assistant Systems Administrator to support day-to-day IT operations across a complex, fast-paced environment. Working on-site in Cork, the successful candidate will assist in the administration and monitoring of servers, network infrastructure, and end-user systems, while ensuring adherence to IT security, compliance, and service delivery standards.
This role is ideal for a contractor with strong systems administration experience, looking to contribute to a dynamic IT support function, with a focus on hands-on infrastructure maintenance, troubleshooting, and project delivery.
The contractor will liaise with management, departmental staff, ICT service providers, and external vendors as required for the effective delivery of IT services.
Main Duties & Responsibilities
System Maintenance & Monitoring
* Support the installation, configuration, and maintenance of hardware, software, and network systems
* Monitor and optimise system and network performance
* Assist with network maintenance tasks: firmware updates, VLANs, capacity planning
* Contribute to Wi-Fi and LAN upgrade projects, including fibre failover testing
Server Administration
* Support configuration and updates for Windows (2012-2025) and Ubuntu Linux servers
* Assist in application hosting, backup management, and AV/EDR software maintenance
* Help with systems hardening, patching, and audit readiness
Security & Backups
* Administer Active Directory: user accounts, groups, and policies
* Assist with firewall management and Microsoft/third-party patching
* Help enforce ICT policies and prevent unauthorised network access
* Support backup solutions (Veeam, NAS, cloud-based systems)
Troubleshooting & Support
* Contribute to helpdesk operations and ensure timely resolution of support tickets
* Assist with on-site and remote support for users, vendors, and remote locations
* Liaise with external suppliers and resolve issues escalated from Level 1/2
Documentation & Reporting
* Maintain documentation: system configurations, topologies, and asset inventories
* Contribute to updates for procedures, user guides, and backup/testing records
* Track IT hardware and software assets accurately
Collaboration & Learning
* Participate in larger ICT projects (hardware refreshes, software rollouts, etc.)
* Provide support for national system rollouts and local project implementation
* Stay current through training courses and knowledge-sharing within the team
Service Delivery & Improvement
* Foster cross-departmental collaboration to enhance service quality
* Support supervision and health & safety instruction for junior staff (if applicable)
* Embrace and implement change initiatives as part of continuous improvement
Required Qualifications & Experience
* IT-related qualification
* At least 3 years recent experience in a systems administrator role (minimum L2)
* Proficient in:
o Active Directory & Group Policy administration
o VMware or Hyper-V virtual platforms
o Microsoft Exchange 2016/2019/Azure
o Firewall and switch configuration
o Network protocols, subnets, VLANs
o Installation/support of Microsoft Windows server environments
* Strong analytical, organisational, and documentation skills
* Ability to work independently and as part of a team
* Excellent problem-solving, communication, and time management skills
Desirable Experience
* IT helpdesk support and user training
* Virtual server builds and server imaging
* VBScript or DOS scripting for task automation
* Strong MS Office and Server OS proficiency
* Exposure to large-scale IT projects and Data Protection regulations
* Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively
Additional Requirements
* Must be of good character and medically fit for the role
* Must provide evidence of right to work (EU passport or valid work permit)
* Original documentation of qualifications may be requested upon appointment
* Must be able to work on-site in Cork.
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