Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) Administrator

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) Administrator

We are GDIT. The people supporting and securing some of the most complex government, defense, and intelligence projects across the country. We ensure today is safe and tomorrow is smarter. Our work has meaning and impact on the world around us, but also on us, and that’s important. GDIT is your place. You make it your own by embracing autonomy, seizing opportunity, and being trusted to deliver your best every day.

GDIT has an opening for a Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) Administrator supporting the Army National Guard (ARNG) in Falls Church, VA. This is an IT Service Management contract in support of the operation, modernization, expansion, and further evolution of the ARNG’s global Information Technology (IT) services including networking, compute, storage, infrastructure, applications, hosting, and program management services. The GECOS program supports the ARNG enterprise IT infrastructure, its Wide Area Network (WAN), authentication and directory services, cybersecurity, application hosting, and associated services. GECOS uses the ITIL framework as the basis for delivering quality-measured IT services to the ARNG.

HOW A Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) Administrator WILL MAKE AN IMPACT:

• Apply high skill with commands, utilities and understand advanced aspects in the engineering and administration of VMware vSphere 8 and Horizon View 8.x.
• Collaborate with the other server and application teams, identify operational characteristics, determining the presence of a problem, identifying possible solutions, selecting the most appropriate solution, and implementing that solution in a timely manner in accordance with Change Control processes.
• Develop and maintain installation and configuration procedures; contribute to and maintain system standards, policies, and procedures
• Maintains system performance by performing system monitoring and analysis, performance tuning, troubleshooting, system hardware, installation, firmware patching, and VMware software patching.
• Designing and supporting Microsoft infrastructure solutions including Azure Virtual Desktop, on-prem, cloud and hybrid
• Interacting with Government regarding technical considerations for problems, issues, or conflicts
• Engineering, implementing, mitigating, monitoring, and tuning VDI environment and management software to obtain Authorize To Operate (ATO) for new VDI solutions
• Strong hands-on experience with vSphere systems administration and support including vMotion, HA, DRS, VDS, Affinity rules, vCenter, and storage migrations
• Hands-on experience with vSphere problem determination, capacity planning and root cause analysis
• Strong hands-on experience with Horizon View, Connection Servers, Dell Wyse Management Server (or similar), and Load Balancers
• Responsible for the health of the production server infrastructure
• Experience with vRealize Operation Manager and vCenter Server appliance.
• Strong hands-on experience with Cisco UCS server infrastructure.
• Mentor and train junior team members on troubleshooting, maintenance, and administration of the Enterprise VDI environment
• Develop and document SOPs to be followed by 24x7 operations teams
• Continuously evaluate the system for improvement opportunities and make recommendation for enhancement
• Have an in-depth understanding of how the VDI system interacts with and is dependent on other core IT infrastructure and systems
• Maintain the security compliance (STIG) and configuration management of the VDI system  

WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO SUCCEED:

Education/Equivalent Training Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in information technology or a related technical discipline, or the equivalent combination of education, technical certifications or training, or work experience.

Years of relevant experience:

• 5+ years of overall experience in Server and Desktop Virtualization.  In-depth knowledge of VDI technologies.
• 5+ years of experience directing system-level design and configuration of products including determination of hardware, OS, and other platform specifications.
• 5+ years of experience demonstrated professional expertise managing and operating VMware Horizon View and Composer Server.
• 5+ years of VMware ESXi 7/8 experience

Skills/Additional Requirements:

• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making skills, with the ability to understand user requirements, troubleshoot technical issues, resolve challenges, and develop innovative process improvements.
• An in-depth knowledge of Windows Server and Desktop Environments (Windows 11, Windows Server 2019/2022).
• A thorough understanding of VDI desktop image build and deployment technologies
• Experience with hyper-converged virtualizations platforms, specifically VMware
• Experience with Application Virtualization in a VDI environment
• Experience Engineering, Designing, testing, implementing, maintaining, securing, Citrix XenDesktop and NetScaler solutions deployed in the large Enterprise environment
• Experience managing printers and file sharing in a VMware VDI environment
• Experience with performance monitoring tools, specifically vROPS and SolarWinds
• Experience with security and hardening of systems following STIG compliance
• Broad, high-level understanding of system hardware, software, configurations, and technologies
• Reliable and punctual, consistently following instructions, responding to management, and seeking feedback for continuous improvement.
• Proven customer service experience, with the ability to effectively engage senior military and government leadership.
• Ability to work and effectively communicate enterprise-wide through group management, peers, and outside vendors.
• Ability to clearly present ideas through briefings, meetings, and interactions with leadership across various skill sets.
• Excellent communication and documentation skills.
• Strong organizational abilities and a collaborative mindset, with experience leading project teams.
• Quick to assimilate new information and motivated to self-study emerging requirements.
• Stay current with industry concepts, practices, and procedures.
• Capable of working effectively under time constraints and adapting to evolving requirements and new projects.
• Maintain and pursue relevant certifications.
• Perform additional duties as needed or requested.
• Preferred –
  • DoD 8570 IAT Level 3 or higher
  • Current VMware Horizon 8.x Professional
  • Current VMware Certified Professional (VCP – Desktop Management)

Certification Requirements:

• Two certifications - Must Possess the appropriate baseline certification(s) to achieve a minimum of DoD 8570.01-M Information Assurance Technical (IAT) Level II (i.e., CompTIA Security+ CE) in addition to a Computing Environment (CE) certification (e.g., VMware Horizon 8.x Professional\VMware Certified Professional, Core VMware technology including VMware vSphere, vCenter, Application Virtualization, and Horizon View) prior to start. When 8140 requirements are implemented on program/contract, employee will need to conform to 8140 certification standards

Clearance Requirements:

• Must have a minimum of an active Secret clearance at time of interview and candidate must maintain active clearance.

Work Location:

• Fairview Park, Falls Church, VA, and the Temple Army National Guard Readiness Center (TARC), Arlington, VA. 
• Three (3) days onsite with up to two (2) days telework. Onboarding/transition in period requires on-site support up to 90 days. GECOS work schedules are subject to change on direction by mission requirements from GDIT or USG leadership. 

Travel:

• Less than 10%.

GDIT IS YOUR PLACE:

• 401K with company match
• Comprehensive health and wellness packages
• Internal mobility team dedicated to helping you own your career.
• Professional growth opportunities including paid education and certifications.
• Cutting-edge technology you can learn from
• Rest and recharge with paid vacation and holidays