Gig
35,000-65,000 Phi
TBD
Sep 26, 2026
We're looking for an experienced, hands-on Server Administrator / DevOps Specialist for a project-based engagement: building isolated staging environments for our web applications, and helping us maintain and document a secure, well-organized cloud setup.
This is not an entry-level role, and it is not just a report. You will do the work.
We are a technology company that builds custom software and cloud-hosted web applications for live clients.
WHAT THE PROJECT INVOLVES
- Building isolated staging/development copies of live web applications and their databases, with a documented, repeatable process
- Server administration and security best-practice work on Linux cloud servers
- Clear infrastructure documentation for management and future developers
- Safely retiring resources that are no longer needed, following a strict change process
HOW WE WORK
Live clients come first, so caution matters more than speed. Nothing is deleted, restarted, upgraded or changed just because it looks old or unused.
Every change follows the same process: backup, dependency check, risk review, approval, execution, then testing.
You should be comfortable tracing hidden dependencies (configuration files, scheduled tasks, integrations, DNS, container networking) before touching anything.
MUST HAVE
- Strong, current Linux server administration (Ubuntu/Debian)
- Hands-on experience with DigitalOcean or similar cloud/VPS providers
- Docker and Nginx/Apache in production
- Firewall and network security configuration
- MySQL/MariaDB administration
- DNS and SSL certificate management
- Deploying Node.js applications
- Real experience cloning production apps into staging
- Clear written English, and the ability to explain risk to non-technical managers
BONUS
AWS, MongoDB, Cloudflare, Nuxt.js, PHP/WordPress hosting, cPanel, infrastructure-as-code, monitoring and backup tools.
WHO WE WANT
Someone who thinks before touching production, investigates methodically, documents as they go, never guesses when evidence is missing, and works independently. Using AI tools like Claude or ChatGPT is welcome, but you verify anything they suggest before acting on it.
HOW TO APPLY
Start your application with the words: SERVER AUDIT
This confirms you read the complete posting.
Then answer:
1. How many years of Linux/server administration experience do you have?
2. What is your hands-on experience with DigitalOcean or similar cloud/VPS providers?
3. What is your experience running Docker in production?
4. Give an example of cloning a live app and its database into staging. How did you keep it isolated?
5. Give an example of safely retiring an old server without breaking anything.
6. What is your experience managing DNS and SSL certificates?
7. What is your hourly or project rate?
8. What is your availability, and how soon can you start?
SCREENING QUESTION
You are asked to copy a live web application and its database onto a new staging server so developers can build the next version. Walk through, step by step, how you would do it so the staging copy can never affect live users, live data, outgoing messages, or the live domain. Please answer this in your application.
POSITION TYPE
Project-based / freelance to start, with potential for ongoing part-time support. Starting immediately.