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If you’ve Googled “job description template for system administrator,” you’ve probably seen dozens of results already. But here’s the problem: most of them are boring, templated, and completely forgettable.
They all follow the same formula:
- Long lists of technical tasks
- Dry bullet points
- And zero personality
The result? You attract generic applicants—or worse, none at all.
But here’s the truth most companies miss:
A great system administrator isn’t just someone who can configure servers. It’s someone who’s dependable, calm under pressure, and sees problems before they become problems.
And if your job post doesn’t speak to that person? They’ll scroll right past.
In this article, we’ll walk you through how to write a high-converting, human-first job post for a System Administrator role. Not just a list of duties—but a compelling pitch that attracts the right kind of talent.
👉 Want the full playbook on writing job posts that actually attract top candidates?
Check out our Ultimate guide on how to write a job post that attracts top talent , Link https://workscreen.io/how-to-write-a-job-post/.
Let’s get started by understanding what a great System Administrator really does.
Hiring doesn’t have to be hard.
If your hiring process is stressful, slow, or filled with second-guessing—WorkScreen fixes that. Workscreen helps you quickly identify top talent fast, eliminate low-quality applicants, and make better hires without the headaches.
What A System Administrator Actually Does
So what does a system administrator really do?
At the core, a system administrator (or sysadmin) is the person who keeps your company’s IT infrastructure running smoothly and securely—from your servers to your networks, from email systems to security protocols.
But here’s what most job descriptions leave out:
A great sysadmin isn’t just a technical troubleshooter—they’re your behind-the-scenes protector.
They make sure your team stays productive, your data stays safe, and your systems stay online. And when something breaks? They’re the calm, dependable expert everyone turns to.
A strong system administrator needs:
- Solid technical skills, yes—but also…
- A proactive mindset
- Patience under pressure
- Strong communication (especially when explaining tech to non-tech teams)
- And a genuine sense of responsibility for uptime, reliability, and team success
Whether your company is fully remote, hybrid, or in-person, your sysadmin is the invisible engine that keeps everyone moving.
Two Great Senior System Administrator Job Description Templates
We’ll provide two tailored job description options:
1.✅ Option 1: For employers looking to hire an experienced Line Cook with prior experience.
2.Option 2: For employers open to hiring entry-level candidates or those willing to train someone with potential.
✅ Option 1 — Experienced System Administrator
📌 Job Title: Senior System Administrator at NimbusTech (Remote – East Africa Preferred)
💼 Type: Full-Time | Remote | $2,000–$2,500/month (based on experience)
🕒 Schedule: Mon–Fri | 9AM–5PM EAT
🎥 Meet Your Future Team
Watch this 2-minute Loom video from our Lead Infrastructure Engineer, Brian, as he shares what it’s like to run uptime, mentor junior admins, and why he’s stayed for 4+ years at NimbusTech.
👉 Watch the Video
🌐 About NimbusTech
NimbusTech helps high-growth startups scale with confidence. We design, secure, and maintain cloud systems for fast-moving teams across 18 countries. We’re a remote-first, trust-driven company that prioritizes ownership over micromanagement. Every person on the team matters—because great systems start with great people.
🚀 Help Us Keep Systems Running Smoothly and Securely
At NimbusTech, we help companies scale fast and stay online. We manage cloud infrastructure, optimize internal systems, and support growing teams with robust IT solutions. We’re now looking for a Senior System Administrator who thrives in fast-paced environments and can lead infrastructure stability across multiple platforms.
This role is for someone who’s proactive, calm under pressure, and always thinking three steps ahead. If you’ve ever been called “the most reliable person on the tech team,” we want to meet you.
🧠 What You’ll Be Doing
- Administer and monitor Linux/Windows servers, networks, firewalls, and VPNs
- Manage cloud infrastructure (AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud)
- Maintain uptime, backups, and disaster recovery systems
- Troubleshoot system issues and respond to outages with urgency
- Help enforce IT policies and maintain security compliance
- Support internal tools (Slack, email, file storage) across teams
- Document systems, configurations, and processes clearly
✅ What We’re Looking For
- 3+ years experience as a sysadmin or IT engineer
- Strong with scripting (Bash, PowerShell, or Python)
- Experience managing cloud environments and version control (Git)
- Detail-oriented with a proactive mindset
- Comfortable explaining technical issues to non-technical teammates
💡 Why This Role Matters
Every modern business runs on tech—and your work keeps the engine running. You’re the reason teammates can log in, collaborate, and serve customers without disruptions. This isn’t just IT support—it’s business-critical infrastructure.
🎁 What’s In It for You
- Remote-first culture with East Africa-friendly hours
- Health insurance + tech allowance
- 24 days PTO annually
- Annual learning stipend (books, courses, conferences)
- A culture of autonomy, trust, and zero micromanagement
📥 How to Apply
We respect your time and effort. That’s why we use WorkScreen to evaluate candidates fairly—based on skills, not just resumes.
Click below to apply and complete a short, practical evaluation.
👉 Apply Now [insert application link]
🌱 Option 2 — Entry-Level System Administrator (Willing to Train)
📌 Job Title: Junior System Administrator – Learn & Grow with NimbusTech
💼 Type: Full-Time | Remote | $1,000–$1,500/month
🕒 Schedule: Mon–Fri | Flexible hours
🎥 Meet Your Future Team
Watch this 90-second YouTube video from our Junior-to-Senior mentorship circle. Hear from Doreen (joined with no prior IT experience) on how she went from learner to full-time sysadmin in 12 months.
👉 Watch the Video
🌐 About NimbusTech
We’re a fully remote cloud-ops partner helping ambitious companies stay secure and scalable. Since 2017, our small but mighty team has handled 99.99% uptime for clients from fintech to e-commerce. We believe great work happens when people feel trusted, respected, and free to learn fast.
🌟 Ready to Break Into Tech? We’ll Train You.
Do you love solving problems, exploring new tools, and helping others stay online? If you’ve got curiosity, reliability, and a desire to grow—we’ll give you the training and support you need.
NimbusTech is hiring a Junior System Administrator to support our growing operations team. You don’t need years of experience—just a strong work ethic, tech-savviness, and a commitment to learn.
🛠️ What You’ll Learn and Do
- Support internal tools like Slack, Notion, and email servers
- Monitor systems, flag issues, and escalate when needed
- Learn how to manage cloud servers and perform backups
- Assist with onboarding new hires and managing user accounts
- Help maintain documentation for IT procedures and processes
- Train directly with senior sysadmins and grow fast
✅ You’re a Good Fit If…
- You’re comfortable with tech and quick to learn new tools
- You’re organized, proactive, and enjoy solving problems
- You ask good questions and take ownership of your learning
- You value reliability, teamwork, and showing up consistently
🌱 What You’ll Get
- Hands-on mentorship from experienced sysadmins
- Full-time remote flexibility
- Paid training period and a clear path to grow
- 20 PTO days + wellness time
- Performance-based raises after 6 months
📥 How to Apply
We believe potential matters. If you’re eager to learn and help others through tech, we want to hear from you.
We use WorkScreen to fairly evaluate your fit—based on skills, mindset, and learning potential.
👉 Apply Now [insert application link]
Don’t let bad hires slow you down.
WorkScreen helps you find the right people—fast, easy, and stress-free.
Breakdown of Why These System Administrator Job Posts Work
✅ 1. The Job Titles Are Clear, Specific, and Purpose-Driven
Instead of vague titles like “System Administrator”, these posts lead with specifics:
- “Senior System Administrator at NimbusTech (Remote – East Africa Preferred)”
- “Junior System Administrator – Learn & Grow with NimbusTech”
This clarity helps the right candidates self-select quickly. It also reflects the role level, location, and even culture (growth, mentorship) before someone clicks.
✅ 2. The Openings Build Emotional Connection
Instead of jumping straight into tasks, both posts start by speaking directly to the reader’s mindset:
- For seniors: “If you’ve ever been called ‘the most reliable person on the tech team,’ we want to meet you.”
- For juniors: “If you’ve got curiosity, reliability, and a desire to grow—we’ll give you the training and support you need.”
These lines humanize the role and position it as a mission, not just a list of duties.
✅ 3. There’s a Personal Video from the Team
A simple Loom or YouTube video builds trust instantly.
Candidates get to see and hear from the real team—not just read a static job post. It sets your company apart and helps job seekers imagine themselves there.
✅ 4. The “About Us” Section Builds Credibility and Culture
Most companies skip this or drop in a generic paragraph from their website.
These versions actually explain what the company does, where it operates, and what kind of team and values a candidate would be joining. That’s critical for remote roles.
✅ 5. The Responsibilities Are Framed Around Impact
Instead of dumping a to-do list, each task is tied to why it matters:
“You’re the reason teammates can log in, collaborate, and serve customers without disruptions.”
This tells the candidate they’re not just supporting infrastructure—they’re enabling the business.
✅ 6. The Requirements Balance Standards and Flexibility
- The senior role has clear technical expectations
- The junior role emphasizes potential, not perfection, with “you’re a good fit if…” instead of rigid demands
This widens the talent pool without compromising on quality or clarity.
✅ 7. Compensation and Perks Are Transparent
You list salary ranges, time off, learning stipends, and growth paths.
Top candidates value clarity and are more likely to apply when they trust your process and feel respected from the start.
✅ 8. The Hiring Process Is Respectful and Modern
By explaining that you use WorkScreen to fairly evaluate applicants, you:
- Signal a skills-first mindset
- Build trust in your process
- Deter low-effort or AI-spam applications
This shows candidates you’ve put thought into creating a respectful, human-first experience.
Bad System Administrator Job Description Example (And Why It Fails)
📌 Job Title: System Administrator
📍 Location: Nairobi, Kenya
💼 Type: Full-Time
🗓️ Deadline: July 15, 2025
Job Summary
We are seeking to hire a qualified system administrator to manage company servers, troubleshoot issues, and ensure optimal performance of our IT infrastructure.
Responsibilities
- Install and maintain servers
- Troubleshoot system and network issues
- Manage backups and user permissions
- Ensure system security and updates
- Document system configurations
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or related field
- 2–3 years of experience in a similar role
- Familiarity with Windows and Linux systems
- Strong problem-solving skills
How to Apply
Interested candidates should send their CV and cover letter to hr@company.com. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
❌ Why This Job Post Falls Short
1. The Job Title Is Too Generic
“System Administrator” is technically correct—but lacks any context, seniority, mission, or emotional pull. It could be any job at any company. It doesn’t differentiate the role or signal who it’s really for.
2. The Introduction Is Cold and Forgettable
There’s no explanation of why the role matters, what the company does, or how the sysadmin fits into the bigger picture. It reads like a placeholder, not a pitch.
3. No Company Info or Culture
There’s no mention of company mission, values, work environment, or even what industry the business operates in. This makes it hard for a candidate to assess whether they’d be a good fit—or even want the job.
4. The Responsibilities Are Generic and Vague
The duties listed could apply to any sysadmin role from the past 10 years. There’s no sense of scale, modern tech stack, remote tools, or business impact.
5. No Compensation or Perks
Top candidates value transparency and clarity. Omitting salary, benefits, PTO, or even growth opportunities sends a signal that the company may be rigid or outdated.
6. The Hiring Process Is Dismissive
“Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted” is cold and outdated. It communicates indifference toward applicants and fails to respect their time and effort.
7. The Call to Action Feels Like a Dead End
A generic “send your CV” with no information about the next steps, timeline, or hiring experience leaves candidates in the dark—and often pushes the best ones away.
This example makes it clear: even if the job is solid, a bland and lifeless job post can push great candidates toward better-written opportunities. Especially in competitive technical roles like system administration.
Bonus Tips That Make Job Posts Stand Out
Even if you’ve nailed the structure and tone of your job post, these extra details can take it to the next level—especially for technical roles where trust, clarity, and candidate experience matter.
🛡️ Tip 1: Add an IMPORTANT NOTICE for Security & Privacy
Build trust with job seekers by clearly stating that your company protects their data. This is especially important for IT candidates who are hyper-aware of scams and phishing attempts.
Example:
🔐 Important Notice: We take the security and privacy of all job applicants very seriously. We will never ask for payment, banking details, or personal financial information during any part of the hiring process.
🌴 Tip 2: Mention Leave Days or Flex Time
Work-life balance matters—even to sysadmins who thrive on uptime. Mentioning paid time off or flex days shows empathy and attracts candidates who value both performance and rest.
Example:
Enjoy up to 24 paid days off per year, including wellness days and national holidays—because doing great work requires real downtime.
📚 Tip 3: Highlight Training & Growth Opportunities
Technical candidates often care deeply about learning new tools, certifications, and career development. Mentioning this in your post shows you’re investing in their long-term growth—not just their output.
Example:
We offer a learning & development stipend that covers books, courses, and certification prep. Whether you’re pursuing AWS, Azure, or something new—we’ve got your back.
🎥 Tip 4: Include a Video from the Hiring Manager or Team
We’ve said it before, but it’s worth repeating: a simple Loom or YouTube video can increase engagement dramatically. It gives candidates a glimpse of the people behind the brand—and builds immediate rapport.
Pro Tip: Keep it under 2 minutes. Speak directly to the camera. Be real, not scripted.
Here is an example that we used in our master guide on how to write a great job post description , you can check it out here https://www.loom.com/share/ba401b65b7f943b68a91fc6b04a62ad4
💬 Tip 5: Mention How You Treat Candidates
Most applicants have been ghosted before. Show them you’re different by being transparent about your process and respectful of their time.
Example:
We review every application and will get back to all candidates within two weeks. If you’re shortlisted, we’ll invite you to a conversation—not an interrogation.
Adding just one or two of these tips into your post can significantly boost response rates, build brand credibility, and help you stand out in a sea of templated listings.
Should You Use AI to Write a Job Description?
With so many AI tools promising instant job descriptions—built right into platforms like Manatal, Workable, and even Google—it’s tempting to just click a button and call it a day.
But here’s the hard truth:
AI-generated job posts, without context, often attract the wrong candidates and hurt your brand.
⚠️ Why You Shouldn’t Rely on AI Alone
Using AI with no direction might seem efficient—but it comes at a cost. Here’s what usually happens:
- You get generic, lifeless job posts that sound the same as everyone else’s
- The post fails to speak to your company culture, mission, or values
- You attract the wrong kind of candidates—people applying to any job, not your job
- You miss the opportunity to stand out in a competitive hiring market
Worse, your job post becomes forgettable—and forgettable job posts don’t attract top talent.
✅ The Smarter Way to Use AI
AI isn’t the enemy—it’s a tool. But you have to give it the right ingredients.
Here’s how to use AI intentionally to write better job descriptions:
🧾 Step 1: Give AI Real Context
Feed the AI your actual inputs:
- What your company does
- What the role entails
- Your company values
- The kind of candidate you’re looking for
- Salary, benefits, work style (remote/hybrid), and growth paths
- How you treat candidates during hiring
✍️ Step 2: Use a Strong Prompt Like This:
“Help me write a job post for [Job Title] at [Company Name]. We’re hiring someone to [key responsibilities] who aligns with our values of [insert values]. We’re a [describe work culture or mission], and here’s what we offer: [insert perks + salary]. Here’s how we hire: [explain process].”
You can even paste in raw notes and say:
“Here are a few notes I’ve written [paste notes]—help me turn this into a warm, clear, and inspiring job post.”
💡 Pro Tip:
Find a job post you love (like the ones in this article) and ask AI to model the structure—but make it your own. Then edit for tone, add a human touch, and inject your personality.
🚫 The Wrong Way to Use AI
❌ “Write me a job description for a system administrator.”
That prompt will generate a generic wall of bullet points. It might be technically accurate, but it won’t connect with the kind of person you actually want to hire.
🔁 The Right Way to Use AI Is Like Having a Writing Assistant
Let it clean up your draft. Let it suggest wording. But don’t let it take over without direction.
Because the best job posts are clear, real, and human—and that still requires you.
Build a winning team—without the hiring headache.
WorkScreen helps you hire fast, confidently, and without second-guessing.
Need a Quick Copy-Paste Job Description Template?
We get it—sometimes you just need something fast. Maybe you’ve already gone through this guide and understand what a strong job post looks like, but you want a solid starting point you can copy, paste, and tweak.
That’s exactly what this is.
✏️ Important Reminder:
Don’t copy this word-for-word and expect magic.
This is a foundation, not a final draft.
Add a Loom video, inject your team culture, and edit the details to reflect your actual kitchen.
In this section, you’ll find two ready-to-use job description templates for quick copy-paste use — but please remember, like we mentioned above, don’t just copy them word-for-word and expect results.
Think of these as starting points, not final drafts.
- Option 1: A more conversational, culture-first job description that highlights personality and team fit.
- Option 2: A more structured format, including a Job Brief, Responsibilities, and Requirements for a traditional approach.
✅ Option 1: Conversational Job Description Template (Culture-First Style)
📌 Job Title: System Administrator – Help Us Stay Secure, Online, and Growing
💼 Type: Full-Time | Remote or Hybrid | $[insert salary range]
📍 Location: [City/Country/Remote]
🎥 Meet Your Team
(Insert short Loom or YouTube video from your IT manager introducing the role and culture)
🌐 About Us
[Your Company Name] is a [brief company description: what you do, who you serve, and why it matters]. We believe great teams start with great infrastructure—and we’re looking for a system administrator who wants to make an impact behind the scenes.
🚀 What You’ll Do
You’ll keep our systems online, our team productive, and our data protected. From managing cloud environments to solving technical roadblocks, you’ll be the person we all count on when it matters most.
- Manage and monitor internal infrastructure (servers, networks, endpoints)
- Administer cloud systems (AWS, Azure, GCP) and maintain backups
- Enforce IT security protocols and respond to incidents
- Troubleshoot performance issues and prevent downtime
- Create and maintain clear IT documentation
- Support onboarding and internal tool setup
✅ You’re a Great Fit If You…
- Have experience managing systems (even if you’re self-taught)
- Are calm under pressure and love solving tricky problems
- Communicate clearly—especially with non-technical teammates
- Take ownership and look ahead—not just react to what’s broken
- Want to work in a culture of trust, not micromanagement
🎁 What You’ll Get
- Salary: $[insert range]
- Remote flexibility / hybrid option
- paid leave days annually
- Health coverage or tech stipend
- Learning + development budget
- A respectful, no-ghosting hiring process
📥 How to Apply
We use WorkScreen to evaluate applicants based on real skills, not just resumes.
Click below to apply and take a short, role-relevant evaluation:
👉 [Insert WorkScreen Application Link]
📋 Option 2: Structured “Job Brief + Responsibilities + Requirements” Format
Job Title: System Administrator
Location: [Insert location or “Remote”]
Type: Full-Time | $[Insert salary range]
Job Brief:
We’re looking for a skilled system administrator to manage our infrastructure and ensure uptime across all systems. The ideal candidate is proactive, organized, and comfortable managing both on-prem and cloud-based environments.
Responsibilities:
- Install, configure, and maintain servers and networks
- Administer cloud services (AWS, Azure, GCP)
- Monitor system performance and troubleshoot issues
- Perform regular backups and disaster recovery drills
- Enforce IT security protocols and ensure compliance
- Document systems and support internal teams
Requirements:
- Proven experience as a sysadmin or IT engineer
- Familiarity with Linux, Windows, and scripting tools
- Strong knowledge of networking, firewalls, and access controls
- Analytical thinking and excellent problem-solving skills
- Degree in Computer Science or relevant certification (preferred but not required)
How to Apply:
Submit your application via [WorkScreen or your hiring platform link].
We value your time and promise to keep you updated throughout the process.
Let WorkScreen Handle the Hard Part
Writing a great job post is just the first step.
But what happens after the applications start rolling in?
How do you quickly spot your best candidates without reading 100 resumes that all sound the same?
That’s where WorkScreen comes in.
✅ WorkScreen Helps You:
🎯 1. Identify Top Talent—Fast
Instead of relying on resumes, WorkScreen automatically evaluates candidates based on real-world performance.
Each applicant is scored and ranked on a leaderboard, so you know who’s qualified before the interview.
⚙️ 2. Use One-Click Skill Tests
Easily send out pre-built or custom skill assessments that test what actually matters for the role.
No more guessing based on bullet points or job titles. You see how each candidate thinks and solves problems.
🚫 3. Filter Out Low-Effort, Copy-Paste Applicants
WorkScreen helps you avoid candidates who:
- Use AI tools to submit generic applications
- Copy-paste responses from ChatGPT
- Rely on “one-click apply” without reading your post
You’ll spend time only on real, committed candidates—not those gaming the system.
🔒 4. Hire Confidently and Fairly
Whether you’re hiring a senior sysadmin or training someone new, WorkScreen lets you focus on what matters:
- Skills
- Problem-solving
- Culture fit
All while removing bias and busywork from your hiring process.
🚀 Ready to Make Smarter Hiring Decisions?
Post your job with WorkScreen today and:
- Create a customized evaluation link
- Share it on your job post or careers page
- Let WorkScreen rank applicants for you—automatically
👉 Sign up now at WorkScreen.io and start hiring smarter.
System Administrator Job Description – FAQs
Salaries for system administrators vary depending on location, experience, and company size. Here’s a general breakdown:
- Entry-Level (0–2 years): $45,000–$65,000 USD/year
- Mid-Level (3–5 years): $65,000–$85,000 USD/year
- Senior (6+ years): $85,000–$110,000+ USD/year
- Remote/Global Roles: For global hires (e.g. East Africa, South Asia), salary ranges may adjust based on cost of living and currency—typically $1,000–$2,500 USD/month depending on skill and scope.
💡 Pro Tip: Always include a salary range in your job post. It builds trust and attracts serious applicants.
The most effective system admins combine technical depth with proactive problem-solving and strong communication.
Core technical skills:
- Linux and Windows server administration
- Networking (DNS, firewalls, VPNs, TCP/IP)
- Cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)
- Scripting (Bash, PowerShell, Python)
- Backup and disaster recovery systems
- Security protocols and system hardening
Soft skills and traits:
- Calm under pressure (especially during outages)
- Proactive mindset (they solve problems before they happen)
- Communicates clearly with both tech and non-tech teams
- Highly organized with strong documentation habits
- Ownership mentality
Depending on your stack, system admins may use:
- Monitoring: Nagios, Zabbix, Datadog, Prometheus
- Cloud: AWS EC2/S3, Azure VMs, GCP Compute
- Configuration: Ansible, Puppet, Terraform
- Access Management: Active Directory, Okta
- Version Control: Git
- Remote Access: SSH, RDP, VPNs
- Helpdesk/ITSM: Jira, Zendesk, Freshservice
Include specific tools in your job post only if they’re critical to the role. Otherwise, focus on transferable knowledge.
Absolutely. A short, well-designed evaluation can save hours of interviews and help you avoid costly hiring mistakes.
Use platforms like WorkScreen to test for:
- Troubleshooting ability
- Script writing (e.g. automate a backup task)
- Network diagnostic steps
- Understanding of security practices
- Attention to detail
This helps you go beyond the resume and make confident, data-driven decisions.
It depends on your needs.
- Generalists are ideal for small teams or startups—they can wear multiple hats across servers, cloud, and support.
- Specialists are better for larger orgs with deep infrastructure complexity (e.g. dedicated cloud architects, network engineers).
If you’re not sure, hire for range and adaptability—someone who can grow with the role.
