Paul Kaila
LinkedIn github Email: jobs@paulkaila.com Orange, CA
Summary of Qualifications
A combination of specialized education and applied experience has resulted in excellent qualifications as a Server Engineer and DevOps Engineer. Command superb communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical information in clear terms. Precise and thorough, maintaining accuracy and quality in all work performance. Dedicated to continuous professional training to remain up to date on new technology developments.
Key Strengths Include:
Significant background installing, upgrading, and managing systems - including hardware, software, servers, networks, and peripheral equipment - and troubleshooting/resolving technical problems.
Excellent customer service skills and adept at documenting and training users/customers on technical procedures.
Effectively manage vendor relations and purchasing responsibilities.
Driven to learn and stay up to date on the ever-changing landscape of technology.
Professional Experience
Server Engineer
2021 to Present
Los Angeles County Office of Education
Downey, CA
Design, develop, and implement Windows and Red Hat Linux servers, cloud-based applications, Oracle and SQL databases, and Azure Cloud VMs in a large-scale environment of 50+ servers, 100+ locations, and 1000+ users. Use PRTG, Cylance, and Tenable to monitor and secure servers, applications, and databases. Stage and apply periodic hardware and software patches in multi-stage environments. Manage replication, backup, long-term archive, and restoration strategies for onsite Production and remote Non-Production environment.
Automation - Use Microsoft PowerAutomate, Ansible, and shell scripts to automate the multi-stage patching procedures, including sending periodic patch reminder emails to involved staff and using a RESTApi to schedule patches in IBM BigFix.
Project Management - Plan, manage, and deliver projects in a timely manner. Project lead for implementing procedures for off-site backup of Production Environment.
Documentation - Create documentation for technical procedures, including setup of new services and commonly repeated tasks.
Technical Environment - Manage a majority Red Hat Enterprise Linux environment with some Windows Servers.
Network Administrator
2015 to 2021
Westridge School for Girls
Pasadena, CA
Manage Windows and Linux Servers, VMWare Hosts, HP SAN Array, Shoretel IP system, Ruckus APs, Aruba Switches, Sonicwall Firewall, Microsoft 365 Administration, including Exchange Online and Azure AD in a medium scale environment of 20+ servers, 15+ locations, and 800+ users. Developed and implemented policies for using and updating school-owned hardware and software. Managed Kaspersky for virus and malware protection. Promoted from Desktop Support Specialist.
Cybersecurity - Designed and implemented a program to educate students and staff on security issues. Conducted phishing simulations. Implemented policies on servers/systems to mitigate risk, including Multi Factor Authentication and Azure AD security best practices. Ensured compliance with applicable regulations. Introduced privileged access management to restrict elevated permissions for all IT staff in a previously unmanaged environment.
Instructing - Led orientation and training workshops for new staff and students. Documented technical procedures to be followed by staff and students. Taught 3D printing workshops for 3rd graders over the summer.
Remote Learning - Transitioned the school's education system from in-person learning to Microsoft Teams and Zoom in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Integrated with Rediker SIS (Student Integration Systems).
Vendor Management - Managed vendors, re-negotiated contracts, researched options for new hardware and software licensing, and presented options to Management for budget approval.
Process Improvements - Implemented new processes that reduced the school's printing budget by over 25%. Setup automated computer imaging and inventory management system thereby significantly reducing setup time and increasing efficiency.
Technical Environment - Set up multiple VMware ESXi host clusters. Managed SonicWall firewalls, Ruckus access points and Aruba switches. Managed a majority Windows Server environment with some Ubuntu servers.
Tech Specialist
2013 to 2015
Office Depot
West Covina, CA
Served as a product expert for the technology department of the store. Diagnosed computer issues, removed viruses and malware, and installed hard drives and RAM for customers needing technology support on personal devices. Generated sales of computers, printers, and software to both individuals and businesses. Assisted with all other areas of store operations including cashiering, inventorying, and stocking.
Sales - Won "2015 Top Year to Date Sales" Award.
Volunteer
2012 to 2013
Front Porch Retirement Communities
Glendale, CA
Personal Projects
AWS Serverless CI/CD Website
The website displays my resume and runs on a serverless S3 hosted static website with integrated CI/CD pipeline for both the front-end and back-end code. Front-end written in HTML, CSS, and Javascript leveraging Python Boto3 and Lambda to automate and serve changes to/from DynamoDB using an API Gateway. Automated front-end staging and production deployment using Github Actions.
Technologies Used:
AWS IAM, CloudFront, S3, DynamoDB, APIGateway, Lambda
Git
GitHub Actions
Homelab
Built a home network consisting of a firewall, meshed Ruckus access points, Mikrotik switches, VMWare ESXi and KVM Hypervisors, a containerized environment in Docker, and Network Attached Storage (NAS) periodically backed up to the cloud.
Technologies Used:
pfSense
Mikrotik
Ruckus
VMWare ESXi and vCenter
KVM
FreeNAS
Docker
Fedora / Rocky Linux / Red Hat Enterprise Linux
Educational Background
B.S. Degree
Electrical & Computer Engineering Technology
California Polytechnic State University, Pomona
Certifications:
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals
Training:
ITIL v4 Foundation
Red Hat Certified System Administrator
Microsoft 365 Administration
Darktrace
Cybersecurity Education
Windows Penetration Testing
Technical Skills
HP Servers
Tape Libraries
FibreChannel / iSCSI SAN Storage
VMWare ESXi
AWS
Windows Server (2008-2019)
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7, 8
Active Directory
SQL Databases
Microsoft 365 Administration
Zoom
Git
Powershell
Linux / Bash
Python
Ansible / yaml
CI/CD Pipelines