Senior Systems & Database Administrator (Library Information Systems Assistant Manager)

Description

General Summary

The Senior Systems & Database Administrator serves as the technical lead and deputy to the Information Systems (IS) Manager. This is a highly hands-on, senior technical role designed for an experienced IT professional who enjoys deep technical work, system modernization, and architectural problem-solving.

This position acts as the IS Manager’s full technical backup and plays a critical role in stabilizing, modernizing, and migrating legacy infrastructure to sustainable, cloud-forward solutions. The Senior Systems & Database Administrator leads database-focused initiatives, virtualization and server modernization, application replacement efforts, and contributes to network and security decisions. This role collaborates closely with a Systems Administrator and a Platform Administrator and helps guide technical direction across the department.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Leadership

• Serve as the IS Manager’s full technical backup, with authority to implement emergency infrastructure changes, approve technical designs, and escalate vendor issues as needed.

• Participate in project prioritization and help identify opportunities to improve system reliability, scalability, and sustainability.

• Act as a senior technical resource and informal mentor to IS staff through collaboration, design review, and shared problem-solving.

• Work independently, make sound technical decisions, and remain calm during incidents.

• Attend professional meetings, in-service programs, and external professional development events; keep current with developments in library technologies.

• Communicate professionally with diverse groups both verbally and in writing.

• Set priorities and meet deadlines; adaptability and judgment to reprioritize as needed.

• Model engaging and consistent customer service to both library staff and patrons.

• Establish and maintain working relationships with other staff and the general public; work collaboratively.

Database Administration & Modernization

• Provide advanced support for the Library’s mission-critical Integrated Library System (ILS) PostgreSQL database, including writing complex queries, updating tables, analyzing workflows, and identifying opportunities for improvement.

• Lead efforts to migrate non-mission-critical, internally hosted databases and applications to SaaS or cloud-based alternatives.

• Collaborate with the IS Manager on database-related responsibilities such as backups, performance considerations, upgrades, and disaster recovery planning.

• Support and modernize SQL-based workflows across PostgreSQL and other SQL platforms as systems are retired or replaced.

Infrastructure, Virtualization & Servers

• Maintain and support existing Xen/KVM virtualization environments.

• Lead virtualization migrations to robust open-source platforms such as XCP-ng or Proxmox.

• Plan and execute hardware refreshes, operating system upgrades, and server consolidations.

• Administer and modernize Ubuntu-based application, database, and utility servers (DNS, DHCP, cron jobs, automation scripts).

Application Modernization & Automation

• Analyze legacy systems and design sustainable, modern replacements.

• Lead replacement of legacy Perl CGI and PHP-based tools with modern, maintainable solutions.

• Design and implement workflow-based replacements using existing platforms such as Google Workspace, AppSheet, Airtable, and other cloud tools whenever possible.

• Build lightweight internal tools or scripts using Bash, Python, SQL, or small web frameworks (e.g., Flask) when appropriate.

• Occasionally integrate APIs and automate system workflows to reduce manual effort and technical debt.

• Support migration of infrastructure and applications to AWS or Google Cloud Platform, using primarily managed services.

• Perform limited hands-on cloud infrastructure work as needed.

Networking & Security Collaboration

• Perform hands-on network configuration and maintenance, including firewall rules, VLAN design, and routing changes.

• Review and validate network changes performed by other team members, etc.

• Serve as a second set of eyes on network security decisions, patching strategies, vulnerability remediation, and incident response.

Documentation & Communication

• Produce clear, maintainable documentation for all systems and applications modernized or implemented.

• Occasionally present technical concepts and changes to non-technical staff in an accessible manner.

• Collaborate with vendors, cooperative partners, and internal stakeholders.

• Communicate and bring projects to completion.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field; three (3) or more years of progressively advanced experience in systems administration, infrastructure engineering, or related IT roles; or equivalent combination of training and experience as determined by GRPL management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong working knowledge of SQL and relational databases, with PostgreSQL experience preferred.

• Experience administering Linux-based server environments, particularly Ubuntu.

• Hands-on experience with virtualization platforms (Xen, KVM, XCP-ng, Proxmox, or similar).

• Practical networking experience, including firewalls, VLANs, and routing.

• Scripting or programming experience using Bash, Python, and SQL.

• Experience supporting or working with an Integrated Library System (ILS), Evergreen preferred.

• Prior experience modernizing legacy applications or migrating on-prem systems to cloud-hosted solutions.

• Familiarity with AWS and/or Google Cloud Platform managed services.

• Experience with Ansible or other configuration management tools.

• Experience designing or reviewing network security architectures.

• Prior work in a public-sector, library, or highly mission-driven organization.

Core Competencies

• Systems Thinking & Architecture: Architects fault-tolerant, scalable solutions that prioritize long-term resilience over "quick-fix" patches.

• SQL & Data Fluency: Masters high-performance query design and schema optimization. 

• Infrastructure Modernization: Leads the transition from legacy stacks to cloud-native architectures. 

• Technical Documentation: Ensures the "why" behind a design is as clear as the "how" to eliminate tribal knowledge and accelerate team velocity.

• Collaborative Leadership: Influences cross-functional teams and stakeholders through technical credibility. 

• Pragmatic Automation: Designs lean, repeatable workflows that favor maintainability over over-engineered complexity.

Other Information

Please note the following:

• A cover letter is required

  • Applicants should attach a cover letter in PDF format that describes their interest in the position, their interest in working at GRPL, and how these interests connect with personal or professional goals.

• All communication regarding this position will be done via email. Please ensure that your email address is up-to-date on your account profile.

• To be eligible for this position, you must apply through the City of Grand Rapids Job Opportunities page here.