Senior Systems Administrator
U.S. Department of State · 5001+ employees
What the role involves
- Administering computer systems
- Managing network operations
- Providing IT support
What they ask for
Two years of tertiary study in computer science or information systems; three years IT experience as systems analyst/administrator; fluent English; security certificate; background investigation; Microsoft Office, Access, SQL, SharePoint, Windows/Unix commands; PABX knowledge.
- 3+ yrs experience
- Associate degree
- Security clearance
About the job
About
Announcement Number: Wellington-2026-17 Hiring Agency: Embassy Wellington Position Title: Senior Systems Administrator Open Period: 10/30/2026 - 11/18/2026 Format MM/DD/YYYY Vacancy Time Zone: GMT+13 Series/Grade: LE - 1805 8 Salary: NZD $85,991 - NZD $116,079 /Per Year Work Schedule: Full-time - 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday Promotion Potential: LE-8
Duty Location(s):
1
in
Wellington, NZ
Telework Eligible: No For More Info:
HR
000000000
NewZealandHRMailbox@state.gov
Overview Hiring Path:
- Open to the public
Who May Apply/Clarification From the Agency: This position is open to:
- All Interested Applicants / All Sources
For USEFM - FP grade is FP-06. Actual FP salary authorized by Washington D.C. Security Clearance Required: Public Trust - Background Investigation Appointment Type Permanent Appointment Type Details: Indefinite subject to successful completion of probationary period. Marketing Statement: We encourage you to review the 8 Qualities of Overseas Employees: · Composure & Integrity: Stay calm, effective, and honest under pressure. · Cultural Adaptability: Collaborate respectfully across cultures, races, and backgrounds. · Change & Initiative: Embrace new challenges and take pride in completing assignments to high standards. · Experience & Motivation: Bring proven skills and a strong drive to support our mission. · Information Integration & Resourcefulness: Apply guidelines quickly to solve complex problems efficiently. · Tactfulness: Communicate professionally and respectfully as a representative of our diplomatic mission. · Planning & Organizing: Prioritize workloads strategically to maximize operational efficiency. · Working with Others: Foster positive, cooperative relationships as a dedicated team player. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO): The U.S. Mission provides equal opportunity and fair and equitable treatment in employment to all people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age (40 years or older); disability; genetic information; or pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. Summary: The U.S. Mission in New Zealand is seeking eligible and qualified applicants for the Senior Systems Administrator position in the Diplomatic Technology section based in Wellington. Supervisory Position: No Relocation Expenses Reimbursed: No
Duties Serves as a Systems Administrator and advisor to the Computer Systems Manager (CSM) and Information Management Officer (IMO) on matters pertaining to all unclassified Department of State (DoS) owned -operated, computer systems. Provides oversight of, but not limited to, Embassy Wellington's OpenNet Local Area Network (LAN), consisting of approximately 145 client workstations, 38 EMO Laptops, and 13 OpenNet Servers. Serves as a technical expert for systems analysis, design, development, configuration, operation, and optimization of DoS unclassified networks. Advises other Agencies at Post on a broad range of IT issues. Ensures continuity of operations. Prioritizes trouble tickets and ensures timely customer service response as outlined in the International Cooperative Administrative Support Service (ICASS) standards. Responsible for assisting the Systems Manager in managing all operations and activities for the Information Systems Center (ISC) at Post. Prioritizes scheduled and un-scheduled workloads and the allocation of human resources to meet these requirements. Performs general administrative tasks and other duties as assigned. Serves as acting Systems Manager during CSM's absence from Post. The incumbent has regional support responsibility and provides back-up IT coverage to constituent Posts in Consulate Auckland. In addition, serves as the primary Telephone Technician for Post's PABX and voice mail system, and manages vendor relationship and COR duties for telephone contracts at Post.
Qualifications and Evaluations Requirements: All selected candidates must be able to obtain and hold a:
- security certificate
All selected candidates will be subject to a background investigation and may be subject to a pre-employment medical exam.
Selected candidate must be able to begin working within a reasonable period of time (4 weeks) upon receipt of agency authorization and/or clearances/certifications or their candidacy may end.
Education Requirements: Completion of two years full time tertiary studies (or the equivalent hours of study part-time) in Computer Science or Information Systems is required. Please address this factor in your ERA application under Education. Evaluations: You will be evaluated against the qualifications and requirements in this vacancy announcement.
You may be asked to complete a pre-employment language or skills test.
You must complete the application form and provide the required documents. Your application must address all the position qualifications and requirements including education, experience, language, and any knowledge/skills/abilities listed. If you fail to submit a complete application, then your application may be disqualified for this position. Qualifications: Experience: Three years of IT-related technical experience as a systems analyst, systems administrator or network administrator. Please address this factor in your ERA application under Major Duties and Responsibilities. Language: Level 4 - Fluent; speaking/reading/writing, may include the ability to translate. This may be tested. Please address this language requirement in your ERA application. Job Knowledge: Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite; Microsoft Access 2013; SQL server operations; Website design, SharePoint design. Windows Shell commands and Unix commands. Knowledge of telecommunication services, and good understanding of PABX and telephony systems. Please address this factor in your ERA application under Major Duties and Responsibilities. Skills And Abilities: The incumbent will be given on-the job and regional training, to become familiar with Department of State policies, guidelines, standards and applications. Please address this factor in your ERA application under Major Duties and Responsibilities.
Benefits and Other Info Benefits: Agency Benefits: The U.S. Mission offers a competitive compensation and benefits package for local employees. Locally Employed Staff are entitled to some special benefits e.g. both U.S. and New Zealand Holidays - an approximate total of 20 days; and 8.7% contribution by the employer to an employee's retirement. For Eligible Family Member (EFM) applicants, benefits should be discussed with the HR Office. The pay plan is assigned by the HR Office and confirmed by Washington, D.C. Other Information: Eligible and qualified applicants receive a hiring preference in the order listed below:
- Appointment Eligible Family Member (AEFM) / U.S. citizen Eligible Family Member (USEFM) who is a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran*
- AEFM / USEFM
Applicants must accurately describe their status in their application; failure to do so may result in a determination of ineligibility for a hiring preference.
- IMPORTANT: Applicants who claim status as a preference-eligible U.S. Veteran must submit a copy of the most recent Member Copy Four (4) of the DD-214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, and, if applicable, a letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. If claiming conditional eligibility for U.S. Veterans’ preference, applicants must submit proof of conditional eligibility. U.S. Veterans’ preference must be claimed on the application to be properly taken into account.
For complete definitions of AEFM, USEFM, EFM, Member of Household, etc., please visit the 3 FAM 7210 Definitions. Additional Employment Considerations The following apply to EFMs, USEFMs, and AEFMs only: An EFM employed on a PSA or FMA with a regular work schedule (full-time or part-time) is subject to the New Employee 90-Day Application Limitation and must work 90 calendar days in the current position before applying for other positions advertised at the Mission. An EFM employed on a temporary PSA or Temporary Appointment (TEMP) with an intermittent work schedule is not subject to the New Employee 90-Day Application Limitation and may apply for advertised Mission vacancies at any time. The following apply to Locally Employed staff only: Current employees serving a probationary period are not eligible. Current employees with an Overall Summary Rating of Needs Improvement, Unsatisfactory, or an MBC score of less than 100 points on their most recent Employee Performance Report are not eligible. The following apply to all candidates: Candidates who have already accepted a conditional offer of employment may NOT be extended a second conditional offer of employment unless and until they withdraw their candidacy for the first position in writing.
How to Apply How to Apply: Click the “Apply to This Vacancy” button at the top of the page to begin your application. For an instructional video on how to apply click here. Please address all relevant experience, education, language skills (including English), and job related skills or requirements in your application. You may edit your application any time before the vacancy closing date. If you fail to submit a complete application by the vacancy closing date of this vacancy, then your application may be disqualified for this position. For a copy of the complete position description, please contact the HR Office at NewZealandHRMailbox@state.gov. To request a reasonable accommodation, please contact the HR Office. The U.S. Government is not able to sponsor a work visa for applicants who do not already have work authorization for New Zealand. Required Documents: Please upload all applicable documents to your application. If you fail to submit a complete application, then your application may be disqualified for this position.
All Applicants:
- Residency Permit (if applicable)
- Work Permit (if applicable)
- University Degree (if applicable)
- Driver’s License (if applicable)
- Resume/CV (if applicable)
In addition, Eligible Family Member (EFM) Applicants must submit:
- Copy of Sponsor's Travel Orders/Assignment Notification (or equivalent)
- Passport copy
- DD-214 - Member Copy 4, Letter from Veterans’ Affairs, or other supporting documentation (if applicable)
- SF-50 (if applicable)
Next Steps: The HR Office will contact successful applicants via email. For more information on applying for jobs or employment with us, please visit the U.S. Mission website: https://nz.usembassy.gov/job-opportunities/ Thank you for your application and your interest in working with us.
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