Main Responsibilities and Required Skills for an IT Administrator
An IT Administrator is a professional who plays a critical role in managing and maintaining an organization's IT infrastructure. They are responsible for ensuring the smooth operation of computer systems, networks, and software applications. IT Administrators handle a wide range of tasks, including system setup, troubleshooting, security, and user support. In this blog post, we will explore the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for IT Administrators.
Get market insights and compare skills for other jobs here.
Main Responsibilities of an IT Administrator
The following list describes the typical responsibilities of an IT Administrator:
Adhere to
Adhere to and interpret business processes in a timely manner.
Adhere to company's IT compliance policies for all IT maintenance requests.
Administer
Administer and enforces system operating policies and procedures.
Administer and maintain a disaster recovery.
Administer and support Office 365 Azure and Exchange policies.
Administer and support system backup and disaster recovery processes.
Administer equipment, computer hardware and software upgrades.
Administer Group Policy for client computers, servers and end users.
Administer usernames, passwords, and security credentials for staff and reset, as required.
Administer various network requirements according to internal compliance standards.
Amend
Amend current policies and develop new policies for the IT function as required.
Analyze
Analyze staff needs, identify vulnerabilities, boost efficiency and accuracy.
Apply
Apply patch and upgrades as directed or as scheduled.
Assist in
Assist all on-site and off-site end users.
Assist in evaluating new requirements, technical design, and standards.
Assist in importing and exporting data to and from applications.
Assist in management of third party vendors.
Assist in other areas of the accounting office as needed.
Assist in the co-ordination of new acquisitions and major projects as required.
Assist in the evaluation and selection of IT solutions and tools.
Assist our store staff via telephone and various remote access software.
Assist the Credit and Collections Manager with the Credit Escalation process.
Assist the IT Manager with various departmental tasks and projects as required.
Assist with IT R& D for new solutions or systems.
Assist with normal and escalated issues and mentors' junior members on escalated issue resolution.
Assist with providing 24 / 7 support for mission critical systems.
Assist with security and other audit requests from clients.
Assist with the creation of IT policies.
Automate
Automate routine tasks to ensure timely invoice processing and reporting.
Build
Build an internal guide with technical documentation, manuals, and IT policies.
Calculate
Calculate and submit payment for company benefits.
Calculate payroll provisions every month by running simulations with the software.
Change
Change management for all technology and security changes.
Clear
Clear, cordial interaction and appropriate sharing of responsibility are critical assets.
Code
Code invoices to SAP invoicing system and / or internal coding tickets.
Collaborate with
Collaborate with other IT team members on projects and initiatives.
Collect
Collect and review information and documents before sending application to Financial Institution.
Communicate with
Communicate often with Leader to ensure timely deliverables and proper work prioritization.
Complete
Complete service request for technical support as required.
Conduct
Conduct end user training to migrate from a reactive model to a proactive one.
Conduct regular system and network performance testing.
Conduct security audits and vulnerability assessments.
Conduct user training for QAD when required.
Configure
Configure, manage, and support multi-function printers.
Configure, manage, and support VPNs.
Configure and maintain SugarCRM for users.
Configure enterprise IT solution(s) as directed by management or as per project design.
Confirm
Confirm modifications to employee files (changes in salary, premiums, retroactive pay, insurance).
Consult
Consult Financial Institutions to obtain funding options.
Contact
Contact clients to confirm permit information and have documents signed.
Coordinate
Coordinate and support various IT day-to-day activities.
Coordinate communication with Branch and Department Managers.
Coordinate with vendors for IT equipment and services.
Create
Create and maintain technical documentation.
Create and maintain technical documentation and user guides.
Create employee files for hiring and employment termination notices in the computer IS.
Create / Manage Office 365 SharePoint sites.
Develop
Develop, analyze and create weekly and monthly reports.
Develop and implement changes within the DEV and INT environments.
Develop and implement disaster recovery procedures.
Develop and maintain standard operating processes and procedures for IT operations.
Develop SSIS packages and code to transfer data for reporting and integration.
Distribute
Distribute mandatory plan documents and notices in accordance with the DOL and IRS.
Distribute monthly statements to customers.
Document
Document, improve and automate existing IT processes.
Document processes involving PC configuration and standard operating procedures.
Document processes required to support the suite of technology solutions for future reference.
Document processes to catalog solutions for future reference.
Educate
Educate and promote AI and ML concepts both internally and externally.
Ensure
Ensure accuracy to market is maintained and key risks within an event are actively managed.
Ensure all details on applications meet HTC regulatory requirements / AML / ATF policies.
Ensure compliance with FLSA Wage and Hour rules.
Ensure incoming incidents are categorized, logged and resolved in a timely fashion.
Ensure security through access controls, backups, and firewalls.
Ensure that backups are for a speedy recovery if needed.
Ensure that the highest level of the Code of Conduct is displayed in your behaviour.
Ensure the integrity and security of data storage and backups.
Escalate
Escalate issues as required.
Establish
Establish budgets and monitor expenses for operations, R& D, and project teams using AWS.
Evaluate
Evaluate system performance and making recommendations for upgrades.
Explain
Explain complex technical systems to non-technical persons.
Facilitate
Facilitate Annual Open Enrollment process in conjunction with insurance broker.
File
File and maintain archives of various payroll files.
Handle
Handle incoming and outgoing communication and correspondence with client / broker.
Identify
Identify and adopt new technologies to support business needs.
Identify and resolve network problems using a web-based management interface.
Identify risks and perform periodic system and process audits.
Implement
Implement and enforce data privacy regulations and policies.
Implement and enforce IT policies and procedures.
Implement and manage firewalls and security protocols.
Implement and monitor daily backup and recovery procedures.
Implement regular housekeeping procedures, including data backup.
Implement security measures to protect data and systems.
Install
Install and configure computer hardware and software.
Install and manage all internal and external A / V systems (including at trade shows).
Install and test software upgrades as they become available.
Install and update operating systems and software applications.
Install or updates hardware, software and operating systems on staff computers.
Liaise with
Liaise with vendors to resolve issues related to orders, cost and deliveries.
Maintain
Maintain and support company's share point environment.
Maintain and train on all PC applications.
Maintain an inventory of software, licences, IP addresses, email accounts and warranties.
Maintain comprehensive supporting documentation for all installed enterprise IT solution.
Maintain customer and project files.
Maintain harmonious and professional relationship with all departments and Home Office.
Maintain, monitor and troubleshoot VPN.
Maintain processes and standards for system validation, security and compliance.
Maintain, upgrade, and manage our software, hardware, and networks for our Houston Office.
Maintain up to date system architecture of the IT system.
Manage
Manage all IT related licensing contracts with our software vendor.
Manage all IT related licensing contracts with our software vendor and company IT assets.
Manage daily IT operations.
Manage hardware and software inventory.
Manage helpdesk support and troubleshooting.
Manage information technology and computer systems within the company.
Manage inventory and vendor relations for IT equipment / services.
Manage network servers and technology tools.
Manage onboarding and offboarding of employees as directed by HR.
Manage phones / lines (hardware as well as VOIP / hosted-PBX).
Manage user accounts and access permissions.
Manage user accounts and implement access control policies.
Meet
Meet or exceed productivity, compliance, and Service Excellence Tracker targets.
Meet with sales staff regularly to address customer issues and non-payment.
Monitor
Monitor and fulfilment of software licenses.
Monitor and maintain email and communication systems.
Monitor and manage cloud-based services and resources.
Monitor and manage system updates and patches.
Monitor and resolve support issues.
Monitor and test network performance and provide network performance statistics and reports.
Monitor external hosting vendor backup results.
Monitor system and network performance.
Monitor system events to ensure health, maximum system availability and service quality.
Monitor the performance of existing computer systems and IT infrastructures.
Negotiate
Negotiate with key stakeholders while adhering to credit policies.
Own
Own tech items ordering and delivery for remote workers.
Participate in
Participate and complete assigned projects and departmental initiatives as required.
Participate in analysis on business-critical data.
Participate in gathering and analysis of business requirements for technologies.
Partner with
Partner with business users to understand business processes and how IT enables them.
Perform
Perform regular system backups and data recovery.
Perform system backups and recovery.
Perform system upgrades and migrations.
Perform training to internal users as needed.
Plan
Plan and execute disaster recovery procedures.
Prepare
Prepare and execute ACTRA contracts and update information to the ACTRA tracking report(s).
Prepare and maintain documentation of network configurations and cabling layouts.
Prepare and process payroll changes in accordance to company policies.
Prepare clients to confirm permit information and have documents signed.
Process
Process benefit enrolments and relevant deductions.
Process new credit applications - third-party agencies, bank and commercial references.
Process payroll for several Provinces (ON, QC, AB).
Produce
Produce regular reports for systems utilization and up-time.
Provide
Provide direct guest support and quality support to function rooms and conference services.
Provide efficient and timely technical assistance to users.
Provide installation, maintenance, and tuning of Windows hardware and software systems.
Provide invoices and statements to Customers.
Provide IT support and maintenance of company's video security equipment.
Provide Level 1 / 2 Support for Office 365.
Provide ongoing support for different cloud-based systems as an admin.
Provide orientation to new users of existing technology in systems use and access.
Provide overall system / data support for the Site.
Provide support for new products and products enhancements.
Provide support for our remote offices spread across the world.
Provide technical assistance, install and repair desktop hardware and software.
Provide technical support across the company (in person or over the phone).
Provide technical support to end-users and resolve IT-related problems.
Provide technical training to end-users as needed.
Provide timely and accurate response to all customer queries.
Provide timely and creative solutions to difficult problems.
Provide training one on one or group training to users as needed for both hardware and software.
Recieve
Recieve permit comments from municipalities and forward to the owners and project managers.
Report
Report and escalate issues to Supervisor or Manager.
Research
Research and evaluate emerging technologies, hardware, and software.
Research and recommend new products for operational efficiencies and security.
Research and upgrade network components as newer technology becomes available.
Research tells us that some candidates are put off from applying because they cannot tick every box.
Resolve
Resolve any network-related issues.
Respond to
Respond to helpdesk tickets in a timely manner, prioritizing and managing multiple open cases.
Respond to internal staff requests in a pro-active and efficient manner.
Review
Review and approve orders as required in a timely fashion.
Review customer files for Revamp.
Scan
Scan and e-file all permit documents and schedules to project folder.
Scan and track invoices to central tracking spreadsheet for month end reconciliation.
Secure
Secure and protect information assets by implementing disaster recovery and back-up procedures.
Set-up
Set-up accounts and deploy equipment for new employees.
Set-up accounts and workstations.
Set-up and maintain network infrastructure.
Set-up and maintain virtualization environments.
Set-up new policies on applicable administrative systems.
Stay updated with
Stay updated with the latest technology trends and advancements.
Support
Support backup administration.
Support objectives of the Global Technology and Information Security department.
Support office networking (network rack, cabling, ISP, switches, wifi, firewalls).
Support the IT department to ensure the efficient running of day-to-day operations.
Support the operation of the in-house MIS.
Support the units with organizing and scanning various clearance and release forms.
Take
Take pride in his / her work and accomplishments.
Train
Train staff on the use of new technology and offering support as needed.
Train users in proper procedures for Data input / Data input corrections.
Train users on software and equipment usage.
Troubleshoot
Troubleshoot and resolve network connectivity issues (including VPN support).
Troubleshoot hardware and software issues related to internal IT.
Troubleshoot hardware, software, and network issues.
Troubleshoot network connectivity issues.
Update
Update and maintain records in the asset management system.
Upgrade
Upgrade systems with new releases and models.
Verify
Verify and analyze personal / sick days, vacation days and additional hours for every pay period.
Work
Work on Project plans and provide regular updates.
Work on regional and corporate projects.
Work with business analysts and project managers to deliver CRM-related projects.
Work with Engineering teams on infrastructure-related problems.
Most In-demand Hard Skills
The following list describes the most required technical skills of an IT Administrator:
Proficiency in operating systems (e.g., Windows, Linux, macOS).
Knowledge of network protocols and configurations (e.g., TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP).
Competence in network hardware setup and maintenance (e.g., routers, switches).
Experience in server administration and virtualization (e.g., VMware, Hyper-V).
Understanding of cybersecurity principles and best practices.
Knowledge of data backup and recovery methods and tools.
Proficiency in hardware and software troubleshooting.
Familiarity with cloud computing platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud).
Ability to configure and manage firewalls and security appliances.
Knowledge of ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) practices.
Competence in scripting and automation (e.g., PowerShell, Python).
Experience in implementing and managing Active Directory.
Understanding of database management systems (e.g., SQL, MySQL).
Proficiency in endpoint security solutions (e.g., antivirus, anti-malware).
Knowledge of IT monitoring and management tools (e.g., Nagios, Zabbix).
Familiarity with enterprise storage solutions (e.g., SAN, NAS).
Ability to set up and manage VPNs (Virtual Private Networks).
Competence in remote desktop support and troubleshooting.
Knowledge of software deployment and patch management tools.
Understanding of IT project management methodologies.
Most In-demand Soft Skills
The following list describes the most required soft skills of an IT Administrator:
Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
Strong communication and interpersonal abilities.
Ability to work well in a team and collaborate effectively.
Attention to detail and accuracy in work.
Adaptability and flexibility in a fast-paced IT environment.
Excellent time management and organizational skills.
Patience and empathy when providing user support.
Strong customer service orientation.
Ability to handle and prioritize multiple tasks.
Continuous learning and eagerness to stay updated with industry developments.
Conclusion
IT Administrators play a crucial role in managing and maintaining an organization's IT infrastructure. Their responsibilities range from system setup and troubleshooting to ensuring data security and providing technical support to end-users. Possessing a combination of hard skills, such as proficiency in operating systems and networking, and soft skills, such as problem-solving and communication, IT Administrators contribute to the efficiency and success of IT operations in an organization.
