Active Directory and Messaging Administrator - Promotional

Position Information

This recruitment is promotional only. You must presently be a full or part-time regular or probationary County of Sonoma, Community Development Commission, Sonoma County Fairgrounds, or Sonoma County Water Agency employee in order to apply for this position.

The Information Systems Department has requested a department promotional certification to fill an Active Directory and Messaging Administrator position. Only qualified permanent and/or probationary Information Systems Department employees on the eligible list may be eligible for referral to the department for the advertised position. This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time or part-time positions as they occur during the active status of the list. The Civil Service title is Systems Software Analyst.

As the Active Directory and Messaging Administrator, you will be responsible for all aspects of Enterprise Active Directory, Entra ID, and M365 Administration, including its design, configuration, and maintenance. This position will also apply enhancements and/or fixes as necessary to maintain system performance and work to meet department and county security standards. Additionally, the Active Directory and Messaging Administrator will:

• Design and support Microsoft Active Directory/Exchange Online/Exchange SE and other key subcomponents
• Design, document, test, and implement appropriate backup and disaster-recovery mechanisms for all Microsoft enterprise platforms (Active Directory, M365, Exchange Online, Exchange SE, etc.)
• Continuously identify, plan, and implement necessary upgrades to support capacity planning, business requirements, and Microsoft OS/Domain/Exchange/File Sharing upgrades
• Implement scalable solutions to support critical infrastructure services running in Active Directory, M365 (inclusive of SharePoint, OneDrive, Teams, etc), and supported Cloud environments, such as LDAP, SAML/OIDC SSO, DNS, SMTP, and other authentication and identity solutions
• Work closely with teams within the Enterprise Active Directory to structure and define appropriate domain/tenant structure, sites, services, trusts, and OU/GPO/Intune Policy hierarchy to support all elements of end-user, desktop, server, cloud, and core processing platforms
• Collaborate with ISO, Governance, Risk, and Compliance to mitigate vulnerabilities, and define and implement security policies and baseline standards
• Continually improve processes through automation using PowerShell or other scripting languages to optimize, clean up, and secure the Active Directory, Entra ID, and Intune systems
• Manage all aspects of an enterprise messaging environment, including account management, Teams creation, auditing, security, litigation hold, etc.
• Proactively monitor, report, and manage the on-premises software and M365 environments on a day-to-day basis

The ideal candidate will possess many of the following:

• Expert knowledge of Enterprise Active Directory architecture, Entra ID, Enterprise Exchange/Exchange Online (or similar), M365 Administration, PowerShell, DNS, SMTP, E-mail security, Identity and access management
• Applied knowledge of network infrastructure and virtualization technologies
• Experience with Information Security, storage, cloud, and database systems
• Demonstrated knowledge of project management, asset management, and change management controls
• Effective written and oral communication skills
• Complex analysis and problem-solving skills
• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills to manage deliverables and meet deadlines

Please note: This position is required to have access to the Sheriff’s Office or Probation Department facilities. This requires a more extensive “Security Clearance” that will be performed after hire. Successful completion of the probationary period may be contingent upon passing the security clearance, which may include completion and review of a Personal History Statement packet, Live Scan fingerprint-based criminal history checks, warrant checks, written reference checks, etc. If you are offered a position that requires a security clearance, the job offer letter will clearly specify this as a condition of the probationary period.

Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire to be completed.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience: Any combination of training and experience which would provide an opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, three years of technical professional experience involving systems analysis, programming, systems engineering, or similar field in a multi-platform information systems environment including experience installing and maintaining systems software and working with database structures. Additional, highly relevant professional level experience may be substituted for the required education.

Education: Any combination of education and training which would provide the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, graduation from a four year college or university with major coursework in computer science, information systems, or a closely related field would provide this opportunity.

License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.

The position advertised on this announcement does not require possession of a valid California Driver’s License.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Considerable knowledge and understanding of: operating systems and software products; database principles and design; data collection and classification procedures; database and systems problem identification, tracking, resolution, and vendor support; structured coding and analysis; application development products; specific programming techniques and languages; mainframe, mid-size, and client-server network systems capabilities and operations; methods and techniques of troubleshooting hardware, software and inter-connectivity problems; principles of data security; methods and techniques of providing support to staff and end users.

Working knowledge and understanding of: local and wide area network design, management, and operation; the inter-relationship of mainframe, PC, LAN, Network and telecommunications systems including hardware components, software applications, operating systems, and documentation; principles, methods, and techniques of systems analysis.

Ability to: plan, design, upgrade, install, and tune systems software; create systems specifications; provide technical support related to systems software; write and modify instructions, procedures, manuals, documentation; analyze systems problems, develop effective solutions, and prepare cost estimates; work cooperatively and effectively with staff, customers, and vendors; perform a variety of tasks in a consistent and accurate manner; analyze and evaluate information, problems, and situations and develop an effective course of action; prepare clear, concise and accurate oral and written reports.

Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying

• Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
• You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
• You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
• Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.

Please visit Getting a Job with the County of Sonoma to review more detailed information about the hiring process, including the application process, examination steps, and department selection process.

Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire be completed.

Responses to supplemental questions may be scored using position-specific criteria. Please provide specific and detailed responses of a reasonable length to allow for a thorough assessment of your qualifications. Responses that state, "See Resume" or "See Application" may be considered insufficient and therefore may not be scored.

The selection procedure will consist of the following examination:

An Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination (weight 100%) will be conducted to evaluate each applicant's application and supplemental questionnaire for satisfaction of minimum qualifications (pass/not pass); and for educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities which relate to this position. Personally identifiable information (PII) is removed from the standard application fields and applicable attachments. This PII blind screening practice redacts a candidate’s personal information that could potentially influence or bias the scoring process. Personal information includes the applicant’s name, former last name, address, phone number, email, driver's license number, school name, education start and end dates, age, date of birth, gender, and race. This PII blind screening practice helps contribute to a fair and equitable examination process.

Each applicant will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Relevance of work history, related experience, and achieved level of education and/or training as described in the application and responses to the supplemental questions.

Candidates demonstrating possession of the minimum qualifications will be placed on an employment list in order of most qualified to least qualified based on the achieved score received in the Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination which evaluates the education, training, experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, and other qualifications that you demonstrate in your application and/or response to the supplemental questionnaire. Please be aware that resumes and cover letters are not typically evaluated in the Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination. Scores may be adjusted based on such factors as the number of candidates, anticipated vacancies, past practice, and natural breaks in the scores achieved by this group of candidates.

Additional Information

A background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to applicants.

For positions that are required to have access to the Sheriff’s Office or Probation Department facilities, a more extensive “Security Clearance” will be performed after hire. Successful completion of the probationary period may be contingent upon passing the security clearance, which may include completion and review of a Personal History Statement packet, Live Scan fingerprint-based criminal history checks, warrant checks, written reference checks, etc. If you are offered a position which requires a security clearance, the job offer letter will clearly specify this as a condition of the probationary period.

Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.

How to Apply

Applications are accepted online at www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org . Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job bulletin must be received by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.

The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.

HR Analyst: KK

HR Technician: VH

Important Note: Benefits described herein do not apply to Extra Help positions.

County of Sonoma Benefits: General*

These are some of the excellent benefits the County offers:

Paid Time Off: Competitive vacation accrual and sick leave accruals; additional management leave annually; 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year; and may be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment.

Health Plan: Choose from nine health plans (three HMOs, three deductible HMOs, and three HSA-qualifying plans) with a generous County contribution to the premium (the contribution amount varies by bargaining unit). For more information, please see the appropriate MOU.

Retirement: Fully integrated with Social Security. For more information regarding eligibility, retirement contributions, and reciprocity with prior public service, please visit https://scretire.org/active-/-deferred/when-you-are-hired .

IRS 457 Plan: Pre-tax employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum.

Retiree Medical: County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits.

Student Loan Debt Relief: County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education.

Plus, excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, professional development, and more.

For answers to specific questions regarding the employment process and more details about benefits or retirement, please contact Human Resources at (707) 565-2331. Additional details about benefit and compensation packages can be found in the MOUs located at Labor Agreements & Salary Resolution . For specific information about health and welfare benefits, including plan options, coverage, and premium amounts, go to Human Resources or contact the Human Resources' Risk Management-Benefits Office at benefits@sonomacounty.gov or (707) 565-2900.

*Important Notes: Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.

Closing Date/Time: 1/19/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

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• County of Sonoma

• 707-565-8059

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