--- title: 'Systems Administrator at Alliance Defending Freedom' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/systems-administrator-alliance-defending-freedom-washington-11f2dnxgq85h' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-09-14' --- # Systems Administrator at Alliance Defending Freedom - **Company:** Alliance Defending Freedom - **Location:** Washington, DC - **Compensation:** $78k–$122k - **Posted:** 2026-07-20 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-14 - **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/alliancedefendingfreedom/jobs/5363314008?gh_jid=5363314008 ## Job description Make a difference with us! At Alliance Defending Freedom, we believe God has brought you here for His purpose—to stand for truth and defend the God-given right to live and speak it. Together, we protect religious freedom, free speech, the sanctity of life, marriage and family, and parental rights. Review our [Statement of Faith](https://adflegal.org/about-us/careers/statement-of-faith/) to ensure we’re a fit for you. Locations: Washington, D.C. ## Team Overview As the Systems Administrator, you will be responsible for installing, configuring, maintaining, and ensuring the reliable operation of the organization’s IT infrastructure, ensuring its security and optimal performance. This position will be in the Washington, D.C. office and includes additional responsibilities, such as performing service desk tasks (tier I/II support) along with typical system administration tasks. The ideal candidate will have extensive knowledge and hands-on experience in Windows domain management, virtualization technologies, Active Directory, cloud platforms (especially Azure), open-source directory services, servers, and storage technologies, excellent communication skills, and a solid understanding of the IT Infrastructure Library framework. ## Key Responsibilities - Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design robust, scalable, and secure systems architecture that meets the organization’s requirements, is aligned to industry best practices, and supports its future growth. - Implement and maintain systems infrastructure, including servers, storage, and virtualization technologies. Ensure smooth deployment, configuration, and integration of hardware and software components. - Work with the system administration team to proactively monitor system performance, troubleshoot issues, and optimize system resources to ensure high availability and reliability. Manage backup systems and conduct regular recovery testing. Develop and test disaster recovery plans to ensure business continuity in the event of system failures or disasters. - Work closely with the security team to ensure systems meet industry standards and compliance requirements. Implement appropriate security measures and protocols to protect sensitive data and systems from potential threats. - Create and maintain documentation, including directory services schemas, configuration settings, and standard operating procedures. Prepare reports on system performance, capacity, and system health for management and stakeholders. - Manage and maintain the company’s Windows domain infrastructure, ensuring its stability, security, and performance. Administer and optimize Active Directory, including user and group management, security policies, and group policies. Implement and maintain cloud services and platforms, with a particular focus on Microsoft Azure. - Assist end users experiencing technical difficulties with a customer-first approach, ensuring all work is carried out in a timely manner, within defined SLAs, and with clear status communication throughout resolution. - Document, track, and monitor all incidents and service requests within the IT service management (ITSM) platform to ensure timely resolution, accurate reporting, and knowledge base maintenance. - Conduct root cause analysis (RCA) on recurring or high-impact incidents; identify, implement, and validate both short-term workarounds and long-term permanent fixes. ## Minimum Qualifications - Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology, or a related field or equivalent experience. - 3+ years of experience in systems administration or IT infrastructure. - 2+ years of Tier I/II support in an office environment. ## Preferred Qualifications - Relevant certifications (e.g., Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer) are a plus. - Strong knowledge of systems architecture, server networking principles, and virtualization technologies in both a Microsoft and open-source environment. - In-depth knowledge of Windows domain infrastructure, especially Active Directory, Group Policy, and DNS, including installation, configuration, performance tuning, and troubleshooting. - Experience with cloud platforms, especially Microsoft Azure, including Azure Active Directory. - Experience with virtualization technologies such as VMware, Hyper-V, and KVM. - Familiarity with open-source server, directory, and storage systems. - Experience managing Apache Open Stack, Open Stack, and Kubernetes. - Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to diagnose and resolve complex system administration issues. - Strong project management skills. Pay & Benefits At Alliance Defending Freedom, we offer a competitive compensation and benefits package to support your well-being and growth. While we do not disclose specific salary ranges, our compensation is competitive with top non-profit law firms. Our benefits include 100% covered medical and dental insurance, medical and dependent care reimbursement, paid disability, long-term care, life insurance, and a 401(k) plan with a 4% company match. We prioritize work-life balance with paid time off and 12 paid holidays each year. Want to Know More About ADF? This salary range is reflective of a position based in Washington, D.C. This range is a good faith estimate, and the actual salary may vary based on the candidate’s experience, skills, qualifications, and office location. Washington, D.C. Salary Range $77,800—$121,500 USD ## About Alliance Defending Freedom ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) is the world’s largest legal organization dedicated to protecting religious freedom, free speech, the sanctity of life, marriage and family, and parental rights through litigation, advocacy, and attorney training. - **Entity Type**: Private (501(c)(3) religious nonprofit) - **Headquarters**: Scottsdale, AZ, USA (with additional offices in Lansdowne, VA; Washington, D.C.; Lawrenceville, GA; and Dallas, TX) - **Founded**: 1994 - **Founders**: A coalition of more than 30 prominent Christian leaders ## Core Business - **Primary industry**: Legal advocacy and public-policy litigation - **Target customers**: Clients (individuals, churches, ministries) defending religious liberty and free speech; allied attorneys and law students; donors (Ministry Friends); and the broader alliance of partner organizations. - **Mission**: To keep the door open for the gospel by advancing every person’s God-given right to live and speak the truth. ADF pursues strategic victories in law, policy, and the public square. ## Products & Services - **Direct Litigation (Legal Representation)**: ADF takes cases pro bono for clients whose God-given rights are threatened. It has won nearly 80% of its cases, including 20 victories at the U.S. Supreme Court. - **Attorney Network & Training**: Over 5,300 allied attorneys worldwide who receive training, mentorship, and resources to advance religious freedom in their own jurisdictions. - **ADF Action & ADF Church & Ministry Alliance**: Advocacy and educational arms that equip pastors, churches, and ministry leaders in defending their constitutional rights. - **Viewpoint Diversity Score Business Index**: A tool that rates Fortune 100 companies on their respect for free speech and religious liberty, used to encourage corporate policy change. - **Blackstone Legal Fellowship**: A high‑profile summer legal training program for law students, preparing the next generation of constitutional lawyers. ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not applicable (nonprofit); annual revenue not publicly disclosed. - **Key Metric**: Total network of 5,300+ allied attorneys; 20 U.S. Supreme Court victories; ~80% overall win rate. - **Notable Donors/Partners**: Fully funded by private donations (Ministry Friends); no government funds. Partners include a wide alliance of Christian ministries, churches, and individual supporters. ADF does not charge clients for representation. - **Growth Signals**: Five U.S. offices; continued expansion of the attorney network; recent Supreme Court wins (e.g., *303 Creative v. Elenis*); increasing visibility through the Viewpoint Diversity Score Business Index. ## Competitive Advantages - **Scale**: World’s largest legal organization focused on religious liberty and family rights. - **Track Record**: Unmatched Supreme Court success (20 wins) and an ~80% overall case‑win rate. - **Attorney Network**: A ready‑made force of over 5,300 allied lawyers who can be deployed nationwide. - **Strategic Patience**: The “generational wins” approach seeks lasting legal and cultural change rather than short‑term victories. - **Funding Model**: No government or corporate strings attached – fully donor‑supported, enabling principled litigation. ## Strategic Focus - **Five Generational Wins**: Protecting religious freedom, free speech, the sanctity of life, marriage and family, and parental rights. - **Policy & Corporate Engagement**: Expanding influence beyond the courtroom via the Viewpoint Diversity Score and corporate‑affairs initiatives. - **Training the Next Generation**: Scaling the Blackstone Legal Fellowship and other attorney‑training programs to ensure long‑term bench strength. - **Global Reach**: Expanding the alliance model internationally through allied attorneys and partnerships. ## Why Work Here - **Culture & Mission**: A faith‑based, collaborative environment where employees are encouraged to grow spiritually and professionally. Daily chapel, prayer gatherings, and a full‑time chaplain are central to the workday. - **Work‑Life Balance**: Generous paid time off (PTO), 12 paid holidays, maternity/paternity/adoption leave, and free personal finance advisory services. - **Compensation & Benefits**: 100% employer‑paid medical and dental premiums for employee and family; health savings account with employer contribution; 401(k) with 4% match; life, AD&D, disability, and long‑term care insurance; access to a vast library of online professional education courses. - **Office & Flexibility**: Five U.S. offices (Scottsdale, AZ; Lansdowne, VA; Washington, D.C.; Lawrenceville, GA; Dallas, TX). Roles are generally office‑based; the interview process includes an in‑person final round. - **Interview Process**: Typically 3–4 weeks, involving a recruiter screen, a deeper discussion with the hiring manager, and a final day of multiple in‑person interviews. - **Employment Requirement**: All team members must share and uphold ADF’s Statement of Faith, grounded in the Apostles’ Creed and historic Christian tradition. ## Sources 1. [ADF Careers Page](https://adflegal.org/careers/) 2. [ADF About Us](https://adflegal.org/about/) 3. [ADF Homepage](https://adflegal.org/) 4. [ADF Career Opportunities](https://adflegal.org/careers/career-opportunities/) 5. 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