Server Administrator (Data Center & Cybersecurity)

TITLE: Server Administrator (Data Center & Cybersecurity)

LOCATION: North Central Office

The Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools (KCKPS) is a nationally recognized urban school district that serves approximately 22,000 students, and 60+ different languages are spoken in the homes of our students. KCKPS is home to Sumner Academy, the #6 highest-rated high school in the nation and the #1 high school in Kansas, according to the US News rankings.

With Head Start/preschools, 28 elementary schools, 7 middle schools, and 5 college and career academies/high schools, we are the fifth largest district in the state of Kansas, and our student population is approximately 51% Hispanic, 27% African American, 11% White, and 7% Asian. To serve our students, the district employs approximately 4,000 employees, including more than 1,600 teachers.

SUMMARY: The Server Administrator (Data Center & Cybersecurity) is responsible for secure, reliable operation of the school district’s data center, server systems, and supporting infrastructure. This role combines hands-on systems administration with cybersecurity operations, including monitoring, incident response support, vulnerability management, and the administration of endpoint and identity security controls. The position also owns backup and recovery processes and participates in scheduled maintenance windows and on-call support that may require evening/weekend work.

JOB GOAL: To ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of district systems and data by operating a resilient data center environment, maintaining secure server and identity services, and implementing effective cybersecurity and backup/recovery practices that support teaching, learning, and district operations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

• Operate, maintain, and secure the district data center environment, including physical servers, storage, virtualization platforms, and core services.
• Administer Windows Server environments including Active Directory, Group Policy, file services, and related authentication/authorization services.
• Implement and maintain enterprise backup, retention, and disaster recovery processes; perform routine restore tests and document results.
• Monitor infrastructure and security telemetry; analyze alerts and coordinate response actions with IT leadership and managed service partners as applicable.
• Support vulnerability management activities (scanning coordination, remediation tracking, patch prioritization, and verification).
• Administer endpoint and identity security controls, including device compliance baselines, patch/update policies, and RBAC/least-privilege reviews.
• Manage and tune security tooling and workflows (e.g., SIEM/XDR/EDR dashboards, detection rules, alerting, and automated response playbooks).
• Troubleshoot and resolve server, storage, network, and application issues; perform root-cause analysis and implement preventive measures.
• Support enterprise networking operations in coordination with Network/Telecom staff, including Cisco switching/routing fundamentals, VLANs, and network troubleshooting; assist with VOIP service continuity.
• Maintain system documentation (architecture, configuration standards, runbooks, change records, and recovery procedures).
• Plan and execute upgrades, patching, and maintenance for servers and data center systems during approved maintenance windows.
• Support district cybersecurity initiatives such as user awareness efforts, security standards alignment (e.g., NIST), and continuous improvement projects.
• Collaborate with vendors and district stakeholders to implement infrastructure projects, security enhancements, and operational improvements.
• Participate in on-call rotation and respond to outages and security events that may occur evenings/weekends.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associate degree in Information Technology, Computer Information Systems, Computer Science, or a closely related field; bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Two (2) or more years of progressive experience supporting networks, servers, or infrastructure in a large environment; K–12 public school experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated proficiency with enterprise systems and security operations, including:
• Windows Server administration; Active Directory and Group Policy
• Endpoint management and security policy deployment (e.g., Microsoft Intune) and patch management practices
• Security monitoring and response workflows using SIEM/XDR/EDR platforms
• RBAC administration, access reviews, and least-privilege implementation
• Scripting/automation for administration and remediation (e.g., PowerShell)
• Enterprise networking fundamentals (Cisco environments, VLANs, network troubleshooting) and support for VOIP continuity
• Backup/restore, retention, and disaster recovery testing

REQUIRED CERTIFICATIONS:

• CompTIA A+
• CompTIA Network+
• CompTIA Security+

• CompTIA CySA+
• Nutanix NCP-MCI

COMMUNICATION/ORGANIZATION:

• Maintains communication with district staff, as necessary.
• Utilizes existing technology effectively in the performance of duties.
• Performs other related work as required.
  
  

REASONING ABILITY:

• Ability to solve practical problems.
• Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, or schedule form.
• Flexibility is required to work with others, work with data utilizing defined but different processes, and operate equipment using a variety of standardized methods.
  
  

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, walk, stand, and talk or hear.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move equipment up to 50 pounds.
• The employee must occasionally push items of 50 pounds, such as pushing on a bike or a wheelchair or moving/rearranging furniture.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and depth perception.
  
  

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually loud and is a standard acceptable level for this environment.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Specific knowledge-based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include computer operations (including peripheral equipment) and safety practices and procedures.
Some problem-solving may be required to identify issues and select action plans.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT: 261 Days.

SALARY: Salary and benefits established by the Board of Education.

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

REPORT TO: Network Manager

EVALUATION: Performance will be evaluated by the immediate supervisor in accordance with Board Policy.

Applications will be reviewed prior to the closing date for this position.

For more information regarding Title IX please contact:

District Compliance Coordinator

2010 N. 59^th Street

Kansas City, KS 66104

913-279-2262

Title IX@kckps.org