WHAT DOES A JUNIOR SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR DO?

Published: Dec 24, 2025 - The Junior System Administrator provides on-site and remote support for IT hardware, software, and communication systems, ensuring smooth daily operations. This role involves installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting systems while adhering to security policies and standardized procedures. The administrator also manages IT assets, assists cross-functional teams, and handles multiple projects in high-pressure environments.

A Review of Professional Skills and Functions for Junior System Administrator

1. Junior System Administrator Duties

  • Provide Support: Provide local and remote end-user support, resolving technical issues and providing technical assistance for Windows and Mac operating systems
  • User Setup: Set up new and existing users with relevant equipment and appropriate access to the company’s systems (Active Directory, Email, etc.)
  • System Management: Implement, install, maintain, configure, monitor, troubleshoot, and evaluate existing and new Microsoft Windows Server/desktop operating systems, with a willingness to learn about Linux-based operating systems that the company utilizes
  • Software Support: Install, configure, and troubleshoot software applications used within the company
  • Hardware Maintenance: Implement, install, maintain, configure, and troubleshoot new and existing hardware equipment
  • Office IT: Maintain, monitor, and troubleshoot additional office IT/networking equipment, including but not limited to the VOIP phone system, CCTV system, network infrastructure, access control system, WAN interfaces, and firewall devices
  • Network Security: Maintain network security through inspection of network equipment, review of firewall rules, rotation of authentication keys on wireless access points, as well as VPN services
  • Security Measures: Implement security measures using special software and tools
  • Documentation Tasks: Document, create, and maintain internal procedures
  • Process Improvement: Recommend improvements to existing processes, procedures, policies, and systems
  • Backup Management: Configure, test, and monitor backups to ensure continuity and a minimum of data loss in the event of failure
  • Asset Update: Update and maintenance of the office asset and other registers

2. Junior System Administrator Details

  • Help Desk: Provide help desk support to users regarding PC, Phone, Printers, Email, and Office 365
  • Customer Service: Provide excellent customer service to employees on a wide array of computer/technology questions
  • Issue Troubleshooting: Troubleshoot hardware and software issues both in person and over the phone
  • Computer Setup: Perform computer set-ups for users
  • Backup Operations: Provide Network backup operations
  • VMware Management: Create and maintain virtual machines in the VMware vSphere environment
  • Server Installation: Install, test, and monitor servers, firewalls, and new software
  • Antivirus Maintenance: Install, monitor, and maintain antivirus solutions in corporate and branch locales
  • System Security: Ensure the security and privacy of networks and computer systems
  • Upgrade Scheduling: Organize and schedule upgrades and maintenance with minimal impact on daily business operations

3. Junior System Administrator Responsibilities

  • Core Support: Assist the core team with the configuration and maintenance of complex tactical and commercial computer systems
  • Developer Support: Provide timely technical support for developers and work with them to solve existing problems
  • Lab Administration: Conduct day-to-day system administration of the hardware and software in a software test and integration lab
  • System Operations: Provides hands-on system administration support, system maintenance, and operations support
  • Issue Diagnosis: Diagnose and correct computer, server, and network system issues
  • Incident Handling: Initiate customer contact, escalate to appropriate parties, and resolve incidents
  • Technical Response: Responds to technical issues as they arise
  • Network Administration: Install, maintain, administer, and troubleshoot LAN, WAN, computer hardware, and software
  • System Integration: Integrate systems using multiple operating systems (Solaris, Linux(RedHat), Windows)

4. Junior System Administrator Accountabilities

  • Backup Monitoring: Perform and monitor the daily backups and replication for all Items Processing applications utilizing Veeam and CommVault
  • Device Support: Support 150+ devices in a mixed virtual and physical environment
  • OS Patching: Perform monthly operating system patches based on priorities consistent with bank policy and within system maintenance windows
  • Vulnerability Research: Research and resolve network vulnerabilities within the system maintenance windows
  • Network Reporting: Provide exception reporting and conduct monthly analysis related to network activity
  • Disaster Recovery: Assist in disaster recovery testing and business continuity planning, including the development and maintenance of applicable policies and procedures
  • Admin Support: Help support the System Administrator with various tasks and duties
  • Policy Compliance: Monitor and or ensure compliance with federal and state laws and regulations, including Bank Secrecy Act and Anti-Money Laundering, in addition to bank operating policies and procedures

5. Junior System Administrator Functions

  • Server Management: Configuring, maintaining, and troubleshooting Linux and Windows Servers
  • Server Setup: Setting up Linux and Windows servers in the Oracle Cloud and on-prem
  • Software Installation: Installing and configuring system software on servers
  • Storage Setup: Setting up Network storage
  • Network Configuration: Configuring and troubleshooting Network issues
  • Jenkins Administration: Creating, administering, and maintaining the Jenkins environment
  • Kubernetes Administration: Creating, administering, and maintaining a Kubernetes environment
  • Database Maintenance: Maintaining Database environments
  • Technical Support: Providing high-quality technical support for the DocEng Development, Integration, and Production Environment
  • Tool Development: Researching and developing system tools for use in the DocEng infrastructure
  • Issue Resolution: Investigating, troubleshooting, and resolving DocEng Infrastructure issues reported by users
  • Team Collaboration: Working with and learning from a team of Senior System Administrators and software developers

6. Junior System Administrator Overview

  • Endpoint Management: Work closely with IT, Information Security, and Licensing Teams to manage and maintain configuration standards, security baselines, and license compliance of all endpoints
  • IT Support: Provides support for all Information Technology services to include answering questions, troubleshooting problems, teaching or instructing customers regarding software or hardware functionality, and communicating policy
  • Asset Deployment: Asset Management activities, including building and completing laptop deployments, onboarding/assigning laptops to new employees, automated OS deployment tasks, and documenting OS images for all platforms
  • Documentation Development: Develop and maintain documentation and procedures for all aspects of endpoint configuration, installations, maintenance, and operations, and provide input to technical standards and procedures
  • Patch Deployment: Assist with deploying and managing saturation of 3rd-party application patches, Microsoft patches, and macOS patches
  • IAM Requests: Be responsible for fulfilling ticketing system IAM requests associated with on-boards, off-boards, internal role changes in O365, Azure AD, AWS
  • Endpoint Reporting: Manage and report on endpoint client saturation for Windows and macOS Laptops, and compute endpoints within Azure and AWS
  • Cloud Operations: Provide operational support for AWS and Azure environments and associated infrastructure, enterprise applications, on on-premises hardware, all within a mission-critical, high-availability, 24x7x365 environment
  • Vendor Troubleshooting: Troubleshoot technical issues, diagnose, and work with 3rd party vendors to provide technical resolution
  • BI Reporting: Leverage PowerBI and other tools to generate asset management, client installation, and software inventory reports and dashboards
  • Issue Troubleshooting: Troubleshoot a multitude of issues across a wide range of applications and endpoint hardware for the internal customer base
  • ITIL Practices: Leverage ITIL best practices within Ticketing Systems to manage all customer requests for technical support, projects, asset management, and change management
  • Department Planning: Contributes to department planning meetings and provides input on system options, risks, and impacts on departmental processes and goals

7. Junior System Administrator Details and Accountabilities

  • Support Services: Provide 1st and 2nd line support to teams in the office, in-studios, and remote
  • Call Logging: Service desk call logging and tracking
  • System Monitoring: Monitor and maintain systems
  • Workstation Deployment: Workstation builds and application deployments
  • Issue Resolution: Troubleshoot and problem-solving
  • Equipment Handling: Pack and move heavy equipment
  • Project Assistance: Work with senior team members on projects
  • Asset Management: Prepare documentation, asset management, and manage loan equipment
  • Policy Compliance: Follow strict company and departmental policies, procedures, and processes

8. Junior System Administrator Tasks

  • Project Support: Support the clients with on-time and on-budget IT projects
  • Migration Assistance: Assist with IT Migrations, including Exchange to Exchange Online, File Server to SharePoint, Domain to Azure AD, Google to Microsoft 365, and more
  • Server Administration: Administer Hyper-V, Domain Controller, Application, and File Server Upgrades
  • Upgrade Coordination: Coordinate IT Upgrades with customers to minimize the impact on their day-to-day business
  • Client Communication: Communicate with clients and teammates to ensure the execution of Upgrades meets and exceeds expectations
  • Process Improvement: Work to continuously improve IT Upgrade processes and documentation for future efficiency and success
  • Escalation Support: Aid the Help Desk Team in solving escalated Support Requests for Server and Infrastructure issues
  • Help Desk Backup: Assist the Help Desk Team with first-line backup during peak call times and busy periods

9. Junior System Administrator Roles

  • Troubleshooting Support: First-level troubleshooting for PCs, printers, servers, cloud-based software, and related equipment
  • Vendor Coordination: Working with vendors to resolve issues with software and hardware
  • Network Monitoring: Monitoring the network and hardware for potential problems
  • Issue Guidance: Talking staff or customers through a series of actions, either face-to-face or over the telephone, to help set up systems or resolve issues
  • Application Support: Understanding and supporting the roll-out of new applications
  • User Setup: Setting up new users' accounts, hardware, and profiles, as well as dealing with password issues
  • Case Management: Prioritizing and managing many open cases at one time
  • Relationship Building: Rapidly establishing a good working relationship with staff and vendors

10. Junior System Administrator Additional Details

  • End User Support: Provide support to end users in the home Site and corporate sites on all local IT hardware and software issues
  • Hardware Software Setup: Install, configure, and maintain local IT hardware and software according to policies in place
  • Failure Diagnosis: Identify the cause of hardware and software failures and provide corrective action to rectify the problem
  • Solution Identification: Identify solutions that will reduce or eliminate the recurrence of hardware and software problems
  • Email Operations: Ensure email and other communication systems are operating properly, efficiently, and in accordance with corporate security and retention policies
  • Application Support: Answer queries and provide OS and Office application support to end users
  • Procedure Development: Assist in the development of and adhere to standardised hardware and software installation and support procedures
  • Business Support: Provide support to other business units in the company through IT management
  • Issue Resolution: Ensure IT Issues are being resolved promptly according to the policies in place
  • Asset Maintenance: Maintain asset database, maintenance contracts, and carry out regular hardware and software audits
  • Guide Documentation: Document and maintain accurate installation and procedure guides for the local site
  • Area Organisation: Keep the Server room and IT area organised and tidy
  • Project Management: Work calmly in high-pressure situations and manage multiple ongoing projects

11. Junior System Administrator Essential Functions

  • User Support: Provide day-to-day operational and technical support to end users
  • Directory Maintenance: Maintain the Windows Active Directory, DNS, 0365, File Service, DHCP, SharePoint, and Backup
  • Data Security: Ensure the flow of information and data is backed up daily, and server systems' data is secure and safe
  • System Setup: Handle hardware and software setup, configuration, testing, and support
  • First Level Support: Provide first-level support for any issues regarding IT systems
  • Network Maintenance: Perform day-to-day maintenance, troubleshooting, and monitoring of network infrastructure and IT equipment in the server room
  • PC Setup: Provide PC setup and liaise with the system suppliers
  • Server Patching: Apply server patching and security updates for the IT systems
  • System Support: Provide support for the IP camera, video conferencing, and telephone systems

12. Junior System Administrator Role Purpose

  • IT Support: Provides support for the implementation, troubleshooting, and maintenance of Information Technology (IT) systems
  • System Management: Manages IT system infrastructure and any processes related to these systems
  • Operations Support: Provides support to IT systems, including day-to-day operations, monitoring, and problem resolution for all of the client/server/storage/network devices, mobile devices, etc
  • Tier Support: Provides Tier 1 (Help Desk) and Tier 2 (Escalation) problem identification, diagnosis, and resolution
  • Status Communication: Provides support for the escalation and communication of status to agency management and internal customers
  • Dispatch Support: Provides support for the dispatch system and hardware problems and remains involved in the resolution process
  • Virtual Management: Configures and manages Virtual and storage environments
  • OS Administration: Linux, UNIX, and Windows operating systems
  • OS Installation: Installs/loads operating system software, troubleshoots, maintains integrity, and configures virtual, storage, and network components, along with implementing operating systems enhancements to improve reliability and performance

13. Junior System Administrator General Responsibilities

  • Device Imaging: Image laptops and desktops with appropriate OS (e.g, MacOS, Windows, Ubuntu Linux, etc.)
  • System Maintenance: Maintain the availability and security of infrastructure through routine maintenance and patching of systems
  • Inventory Management: Manage and keep up-to-date department inventory, including hardware, software, IP addresses, domains, certificates, etc.
  • Issue Escalation: Identify problems that need escalation, gather facts, and escalate to the Tier-2 team appropriately
  • Software Rollout: Support the roll-out of end-user software and systems management tools
  • Task Automation: Work with the IT Development team on task automation
  • User Support: Provide world-class support during core company hours
  • Onboarding Management: Manage and maintain the new-user onboarding process

14. Junior System Administrator Key Accountabilities

  • Ticket Response: Rapidly respond to support requests in the IT ticketing system
  • Request Management: Manage the assignment, escalation, and timely resolution of incoming support requests
  • Troubleshooting Documentation: Effectively document troubleshooting steps and resolutions in the IT ticketing system
  • Detail Focus: Pay attention to detail and work well under pressure to complete requests promptly
  • User Setup: Set up or remove users, software, and computers per documented standards
  • Inventory Management: Effectively manage IT inventory assignments and device lifecycle replacements
  • Vendor Procurement: Procure and evaluate pricing for inventory through approved vendors
  • Programming Development: Desire to further develop programming experience to support internal systems
  • Automation Support: Learn and contribute to supporting, troubleshooting, and developing HPS Business Process Automation
  • Tech Learning: Learn new software and technologies quickly
  • Technical Documentation: Assist in writing and maintaining technical documentation
  • Customer Engagement: Engage HPS employees and clients with a calm, helpful attitude

15. Junior System Administrator Roles and Details

  • Backup Management: Maintains and monitors Backup servers, Backup agents, Storage, Virtual or Physical enterprise automated tape libraries
  • Maintenance Planning: Plans, schedules, and performs proactive maintenance, including hardware and software upgrades and patch installation, mainly on Windows and UNIX platforms
  • System Tuning: Performs backup environment system tuning, including monitoring, troubleshooting, and optimizing performance
  • Workload Balancing: Assists in determining workload balancing
  • Service Oversight: Proactively oversees the resolution of backup/recovery service disruptions and the implementation of preventative measures
  • Problem Analysis: Analyzes and solves complex problems of network (operating) systems, hardware, and software components
  • System Research: Researches, tests, implements, and provides recommendations to IT management for the cost-effective implementation and utilization of systems to manage and support back-end and users’ systems and software, software distribution and control, systems management, storage, and server systems and software
  • Data Protection: Designs, tests, and implements measures, systems, and software to protect, backup, restore, and store business data for short and long-term retention periods
  • Technical Advisory: Advises application developers, technical specialists, management, and users about network (operating) systems, components, and peripheral devices, based on trends, developments, experiences, and company/industry best practices
  • Performance Reporting: Ensures regular reporting to management regarding performance and service levels of managed systems, to inform responsible management about major deviations and/or corrective actions
  • Team Guidance: Provides guidance and direction to other System Administrators
  • Business Support: Maintains close relations with local management staff to ensure the local business processes are continuously and adequately supported and developed by IT
  • Project Participation: Participates in projects with other IT departments and/or external vendors
  • Security Audits: Performs continuous research and audits to ensure continuous and high levels of performance, security, and availability of network and operating systems and peripheral devices
  • Industry Awareness: Remains up-to-date with the latest network computer systems, operating systems, innovations, and industry best practices

16. Junior System Administrator Responsibilities and Key Tasks

  • System Administration: Provide Windows and Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) system administration
  • Help Desk Interface: Interface with the site Help Desk and the trouble reporting system
  • Audit Reviews: Conduct period audit reviews under customer guidance
  • Hardware Configuration: Configure hardware and software for servers, RAID, storage arrays, and library storage devices
  • Virtual Management: Create, configure, maintain, patch, and troubleshoot virtual systems under VMWare and Citrix architectures
  • Account Management: Create, modify, and manage user accounts, computer accounts, security groups, and security policies
  • Change Planning: Develop change plans for all Unix/Linux modifications
  • DNS Maintenance: Maintain Domain Name Service configuration integrated across Windows/Linux
  • Linux Administration: Maintain/administer/update Unix/Linux operating systems, products, applications, and services, including approved third-party Unix/Linux applications
  • User Security: Establish new user accounts, assign privileges, and maintain system security, troubleshooting system and software problems

17. Junior System Administrator Duties and Roles

  • Incident Response: Under limited supervision, respond to inquiries about incidents assigned to the Network Services team concerning backend systems issues and network connectivity
  • Escalation Support: Provide level 1 support for all escalated help desk calls and open tickets
  • Resolution Learning: Provide timely resolutions and be OK with not knowing but learning
  • Infrastructure Monitoring: Monitor all server, storage, and network infrastructure components using the requisite tools
  • Server Patching: Be responsible for patching server infrastructure systems, as well as updating other backend software components
  • Backup Assistance: Assist with backup management, including but not limited to monitoring backup jobs, rotating backup media, and troubleshooting related issues
  • Cabling Support: Assist team with cabling and patching requests, including coordination with external vendors
  • Vendor Interface: Interface with external consultants/developers as well as network engineers on issues and proposed upgrades to existing applications
  • Knowledge Documentation: Document knowledge and act as a peer group leader to train other support tiers

18. Junior System Administrator Responsibilities

  • Windows Support: Install, configure, and troubleshoot Windows OS and Microsoft Office applications
  • O365 Administration: Perform administrative tasks in Office 365
  • Network Troubleshooting: Troubleshoot network connectivity issues
  • Network Configuration: Install, configure, and troubleshoot network equipment (Cisco Meraki, Sonicwall)
  • Engineer Assistance: Work alongside senior engineers to assist with O365 migrations, new office build-outs, and network setups
  • End User Support: End-user IT support for workstations, mobile and desk phones, and peripherals
  • Software Maintenance: Install and maintain end-user and server software
  • Account Management: Assign user accounts and permissions for IT systems
  • Backup Management: Manage file server local and external backups and restoration
  • Image Deployment: Build and deploy system images
  • Service Improvement: Deliver continuous IT service improvements
  • Onboarding Support: Assist with onboarding new hires into the organization

19. Junior System Administrator Functions

  • Contractor Support: Provide support to the daily activities of N-iX contractors
  • Workstation Setup: Be responsible for the setup of new workstations
  • Relocation Support: Support team relocation processes
  • Desktop Troubleshooting: Troubleshoot desktop operating system, office IT hardware, and desktop application issues
  • Activity Reporting: Provide a report of activities to the IT Support Team lead
  • OS Installation: Desktop and server-based OS installation and configuration
  • Troubleshooting Docs: Create troubleshooting documentation
  • Ticket Updates: Update support tickets within a Helpdesk System
  • System Explanation: Explain systems to technical and non-technical clients/end users
  • Mobile Management: Maintain mobile devices utilizing MDM software
  • Security Maintenance: Maintain OS updates and security configurations

20. Junior System Administrator Details and Accountabilities

  • Documentation Management: Create, review, and maintain system and privileged user documentation
  • System Hardening: Server/workstation, network, and software installations and hardening
  • System Maintenance: Server/workstation, network, and software maintenance, monitoring, and vulnerability management
  • User Support: User support software and system troubleshooting, account and password issues
  • Data Backup: Backups and restores of systems, databases, and network equipment
  • Project Work: Server and network-related projects and development work
  • Hardware Installation: Install software and hardware, repair hardware and peripherals
  • Program Testing: Test programs, updates, and customizations
  • Workstation Management: Be responsible for installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of Windows, Linux, and Mac workstations using Microsoft SCCM, Intune, Foreman, and Jamf
  • Infrastructure Maintenance: Maintenance, monitoring, backup, scripting, and troubleshooting of IT infrastructure in the cloud (AWS, Azure) and on-premises (VMWare)
  • Network Maintenance: Maintenance of network infrastructure (routers, switches, Wi-Fi equipment)