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Job Description

Westat is a leader in research, data collection and analysis, technical assistance, evaluation, and communications. Our evidence-based findings help clients in government and the private sector accelerate advancements in health, education, transportation, and social and economic policy. Our dedication to improving lives through research and our approach to projects grounded in investigative curiosity, statistical and data rigor, adaptive methods, and advanced technology are why clients find exceptional value in our work.

Job Summary

Westat is seeking an Operations Manager (Senior IT Associate) to support an NIH program focused on the sustainment and optimization of clinical technology systems. This role is responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations, system performance, and reliability across a portfolio of clinical and research platforms. The ideal candidate brings strong experience in system administration, troubleshooting, and operational management within secure, regulated environments. This position is contingent upon the award of the contract.

This position has a hybrid arrangement to work onsite at our Bethesda, MD office 3 days per week and 2 days per week from your home office

Job Responsibilities

• Oversee operations and maintenance (O&M) of clinical technology systems, including system administration, configuration management, and lifecycle management.
• Monitor system performance, availability, and reliability; identify and resolve unanticipated issues; and report on system performance metrics and service levels.
• Lead incident management, problem management, and root cause analysis efforts to ensure timely resolution and continuous improvement.
• Apply troubleshooting techniques across server, application, and network layers to diagnose and resolve complex technical issues.
• Implement and enforce security standards and best practices, including authentication and authorization mechanisms, in alignment with federal and organizational requirements.
• Collaborate with development, QA, and program teams to support system releases, upgrades, and enhancements.
• Develop and maintain operational documentation, including runbooks, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and performance dashboards.
• Support capacity planning, system scaling, and infrastructure optimization activities.
• Engage stakeholders and provide regular reporting on system health, risks, and operational performance

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience supporting operations of enterprise or clinical technology systems.
• Experience with system administration, configuration management, and system lifecycle management.
• Experience monitoring systems and reporting on performance metrics (e.g., uptime, latency, incident response).
• Experience troubleshooting across servers, applications, and network technologies.
• Familiarity with security standards and best practices, including authentication and authorization mechanisms.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting NIH, HHS, or other federal health agencies.
• Familiarity with cloud environments (e.g., AWS, Azure, or hybrid architectures) and monitoring tools (e.g., CloudWatch, Splunk, Datadog).
• Experience with IT service management frameworks such as ITIL (incident, problem, and change management).
• Knowledge of cybersecurity frameworks (e.g., NIST 800-53, FISMA Moderate environments).
• Experience supporting clinical or research systems (e.g., EDC, CTMS, or data platforms).
• Relevant certifications (e.g., ITIL Foundation, AWS Certified SysOps Administrator, Security+).
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills in complex, multi-system environments.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to convey technical issues to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Westat offers a well-rounded and comprehensive benefits program focused on wellness and work/life balance. Subject to plan requirements, employees may participate in:

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Paid Parental Leave
• Vacation Leave (15 days per year)
• Sick Leave (9 days per year)
• Holiday Leave (7 Government Holidays and 2 Floating Holidays)
• Professional Development
• Health Advocate
• Employee Assistance Program
• Travel Accident Insurance
• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Short Term Disability Insurance
• Long Term Disability Insurance
• Life and AD&D Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Supplemental Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• Health Savings Account

Any offer of employment may be contingent upon receipt of acceptable results from a post-offer background screening, if required for the specific position, which may include, for example, identity verification, employment history, motor vehicle driving record history, and criminal or sexual offender records history. Any background screening results will be evaluated through an individualized assessment based on the individual's specific record and the duties and requirements of the position.

This opportunity will be posted for a minimum of 5 days and applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis.

Employment Eligibility: This is a U.S.-based position. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Westat does not offer employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) for this role. Depending on project requirements, some positions may require employees to meet specific residency criteria.

Westat is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, genetic information, or any other protected status under applicable law. It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

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