Job Opening: Data Center Administrator
Open Signal is seeking a skilled and collaborative individual to join our team as Data Center Administrator, a vital role in tending our network and broadcast technology systems as part of our small IT team in Portland, Oregon.
- Job Title: Data Center Administrator
- Pay: $59,410-$65,775 per year, (DOE, pay is non-negotiable)
- Benefits: 100% coverage of employee health insurance premiums, optional dental insurance, employer paid Life Insurance, Short-Term and Long Term disability, employer-sponsored retirement plans (traditional and Roth 401K) with up to a 4% employer match, 11 paid holidays, an annual winter closure, and generous PTO
- Status: Full-Time (40 hours/week, exempt)
Reporting to the IT Manager, the Data Center Administrator plays a key role in supporting Open Signal’s mission through technical excellence, reliability, and security. The ideal candidate will bring expertise in Linux system administration, data backup and recovery planning, and hands-on infrastructure maintenance. A strong commitment to equity, open source technologies, and community media values will be essential in this position.
Open Signal is Portland’s Community Media Center and public access broadcast station. Our mission is to nurture the change-making power of community media in service of a just and equitable world.
Instructions for Applicants
Interested candidates should submit the following via email to hr@opensignalpdx.org by 11:59 PM August 31st, 2025. Your subject line should be “Application_Data Center Administrator_yourfullname.”
- Resume highlighting relevant experience and including 3 professional references.
- Cover Letter describing your personal interest in the position, alignment with Open Signal’s mission, and answers to the following questions:
- Open Signal has a social justice mission. What are some important considerations and practices that would inform your work as our Data Center Administrator?
- This position requires frequent interpersonal communication and team building. What skills and traits do you possess to make you a strong candidate for this position?
- This position serves a complex and highly customized, open source technology infrastructure. Describe what makes you effective in this sort of structure.
We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool - because we know the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. Racial and gender equity is of utmost importance for our search. If you do not meet all of the required qualifications for this role but feel you can be a great addition to our team, please apply and let us know why we should meet you!
Primary Purpose
The Data Center Administrator manages the organization's data center operations, ensuring system reliability, data integrity, security, and performance. Responsibilities include server and infrastructure maintenance, backup and recovery planning, system monitoring, and providing Tier 3 technical support for escalated issues.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
System Reliability and Monitoring
- Maintain performance and reliability of servers, storage, and network infrastructure
- Monitor system health and logs
- Perform system maintenance, updates, and hardware checks
Data Integrity and Backup
- Maintain data center infrastructure including racks and cabling
- Perform preventive maintenance and support incident response
- Participate in root cause analysis for technical issues
Technical Support
- Provide Tier 3 support for escalated technical issues
- Troubleshoot complex server, network, and infrastructure problems
- Act as subject matter expert for root cause resolution
Other duties
- Participate at least 1 Open Signal committee;
- Participate in meetings and training as needed;
- Participate in a minimum of 10hrs of paid equity volunteering per year;
- Participate in ongoing educational opportunities as possible;
- Open or close building, including alarm system, and parking lot gate as needed;
- Attending ‘All Staff’ meetings;
- Other duties as assigned as related to the Primary Purpose of this position.
Qualifications:
- 3+ years of experience managing servers, storage systems, or data center environments.
- Strong understanding of Linux system administration, with some familiarity with Windows environments.
- Familiarity with open source software package administration and use.
- Familiarity with virtualization platforms and networking fundamentals.
- Experience with data backup systems and disaster recovery planning.
- Ability to work on-site and respond to urgent issues in a timely manner.
Preferred:
- Experience with VMware, Synology, EMC Isilon, or similar technologies.
- Industry certifications (e.g., CompTIA Server+, Network+, or equivalent).
- Linux certifications such as LPIC-1, CompTIA Linux+, or Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA).
Employee Commitment to Equity
At Open Signal, we are deeply committed to fostering a workplace culture that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. We recognize that achieving true equity requires ongoing education, reflection, and action. As such, we expect all staff members to actively engage in regular training opportunities, encouraging an environment where individuals continually challenge themselves to expand their understanding of equity issues. This commitment is not just a requirement but a shared responsibility as we strive to create a workplace that reflects and celebrates the richness of diverse perspectives. Through continuous learning and self-reflection, each staff member contributes to our collective journey towards greater equity and inclusivity. Together, we can build an organization that is not only aware of the challenges but actively working to dismantle barriers and create a more just and equitable community.