Data Center Facilities Technician II

Data Center Facilities Technician II - Role Overview

The Data Center Facilities Technician II
is responsible for the installation, maintenance, and support of the physical infrastructure within a data center. This role involves ensuring that the data center environment is optimized, secure, and efficient to support the operation of servers, storage systems, networking equipment, and other critical IT infrastructure. The Data Center Facilities Technician II also helps maintain the operational integrity of the data center by performing routine inspections, ensuring adherence to safety protocols, and managing power, cooling, and physical security systems.

The role requires a strong understanding of data center operations, including the management of power, cooling, network connectivity, and disaster recovery systems. It also involves monitoring data center equipment, responding to issues in real-time, and maintaining the high availability and reliability of the data center infrastructure.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Data Center Infrastructure Management:

2. Maintain and monitor the physical infrastructure of the data center, including power systems, HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), UPS (uninterruptible power supply), and backup generators.

3. Ensure that the physical environment is compliant with standards for temperature, humidity, and airflow to ensure the optimal performance of IT equipment.

4. Perform routine checks and inspections of data center equipment to ensure it operates within specifications.

5. Rack & Server Installation:

6. Install, configure, and troubleshoot hardware components, including servers, storage devices, and networking equipment.

7. Rack and stack servers, install cabling, and ensure all equipment is securely mounted and properly connected.

8. Work with the IT team to plan and execute equipment installations, decommissioning, and upgrades.

9. Power and Cooling Systems:

10. Monitor power distribution units (PDUs) to ensure that servers and other equipment are receiving adequate power.

11. Manage cooling systems and ensure that the HVAC systems are operating efficiently to prevent overheating of critical IT infrastructure.

12. Respond to power failures, cooling issues, and other emergencies, troubleshooting and resolving problems quickly to minimize downtime.

13. Monitoring & Troubleshooting:

14. Use data center monitoring tools to monitor performance and detect any anomalies in power, cooling, network connectivity, or equipment performance.

15. Respond to alerts related to hardware malfunctions, environmental issues, and security breaches.

16. Collaborate with other IT teams to troubleshoot network, server, and hardware issues.

17. Security & Access Control:

18. Maintain physical security in the data center, including controlling access to the facility and ensuring compliance with security protocols.

19. Perform routine security checks and surveillance to prevent unauthorized access and ensure compliance with internal and external security standards.

20. Manage and document access logs, including personnel and contractor access, and assist in auditing and compliance reviews.

21. Preventive Maintenance:

22. Conduct regular preventive maintenance activities on equipment and systems to ensure continuous operation and reduce the risk of failures.

23. Document maintenance procedures, equipment status, and any repairs or replacements performed.

24. Assist in the installation and testing of new equipment and upgrades as part of data center expansion or modernization projects.

25. Disaster Recovery & Backup Systems:

26. Assist in testing disaster recovery systems and ensure backups are properly performed to ensure data redundancy and recovery.

27. Respond to data center emergencies such as power outages, cooling failures, and other incidents, taking quick action to restore normal operations.

28. Documentation & Reporting:

29. Maintain accurate records of equipment, configurations, and maintenance activities in the data center.

30. Provide regular reports on system performance, equipment status, and any incidents or troubleshooting that occurred.
31. Assist in developing operational procedures, workflows, and documentation for data center operations.

Qualifications:

To be considered for the Data Center Facilities Technician II
position, candidates should have a strong technical background in data center operations, facilities management, and IT infrastructure. A degree or certification in a related field, such as
Information Technology
,
Electrical Engineering
, or
Facilities Management
, is preferred. Relevant industry certifications and practical experience in a data center environment are essential.

Key Skills & Competencies:

1. Data Center Operations:

2. Understanding of data center operations, including the management of power, cooling, HVAC systems, and physical security measures.

3. Familiarity with data center best practices and standards (e.g.,
   Uptime Institute Tier Standards
   ,
   TIA-942
   ).

4. Hardware & Equipment Management:

5. Proficiency in installing, configuring, and troubleshooting servers, networking equipment, and storage devices in a data center environment.

6. Knowledge of rack-mounted systems, cabling best practices, and power distribution systems.

7. Environmental Monitoring:

8. Experience with monitoring tools and systems used to track power usage, cooling, and other environmental factors.

9. Ability to assess data center conditions (e.g., temperature, humidity, airflow) and take corrective action as needed.

10. Troubleshooting & Problem-Solving:

11. Strong troubleshooting skills for resolving issues related to hardware malfunctions, power interruptions, network failures, or cooling system problems.

12. Ability to identify and resolve problems quickly, minimizing downtime in critical data center environments.

13. Security & Safety:

14. Knowledge of physical security measures used in data centers, such as access control systems, surveillance, and alarm systems.

15. Understanding of safety protocols and emergency response procedures to handle incidents such as fires, electrical failures, or natural disasters.

16. Documentation & Reporting:

17. Ability to document data center operations, maintenance activities, and incident reports clearly and accurately.

18. Experience with creating and maintaining operational manuals, equipment inventories, and system configurations.

19. Team Collaboration:

20. Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams, including IT engineers, network specialists, and management, to maintain data center operations.

21. Strong communication skills to coordinate tasks and relay important technical information to stakeholders.

Certifications & Experience:

• Certifications
  : Relevant certifications such as
  CompTIA Server+
  ,
  Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
  , or
  Certified Data Center Professional (CDCP)
  are highly beneficial.
• Experience
  : At least
  2-4 years
  of experience working in a data center environment, with hands-on experience in facilities management, power and cooling systems, and hardware installation.

Career Growth & Opportunities:

The Data Center Facilities Technician II
role offers a clear career path in data center operations. With experience, technicians can advance to more senior roles such as
Data Center Operations Manager
,
Facilities Manager
, or
Network Engineer
. There are also opportunities to specialize in areas such as
disaster recovery
,
network infrastructure
, or
cloud computing
, depending on the technician's skills and interests. Data center professionals are in high demand, offering long-term job stability and career growth opportunities as companies continue to expand their IT infrastructure.

• This role provides a solid foundation for individuals looking to grow their careers in data center management, IT infrastructure, or facilities operations, while gaining hands-on experience with critical systems and technologies.