How to get a good JIRA admin - hire or contract or something else?

Melanie Albrecht

Hi

I currently run a 500-user Server instance of Confluence, JIRA, JIRA Service Desk, and Bitbucket. A colleague handles the sysadmin end (upgrades etc), and I handle config and usage.

The workload is getting out-of-hand. I've been given permission to hire or contract someone to take over the sysadmin end of things, plus as much of the config wrangling as we can manage. Ideally I'd also like them to uplift our system in various ways, if possible (I have lots of ideas and no time).

This would be for 12 months, because we are hoping to migrate to a better-supported instance within my organisation in a year or so.

I'm not sure of the best way to do this. I have been given a fairly low amount to spend on this person. If I bring on a full-time contractor for that amount, they will probably not be top calibre. If that's the case, I won't be able to hand over as much of the work as I want to.

Alternatively, I could go to an Atlassian Expert, but I can only assume they'll be way more expensive than a lone contractor, so again they might not be able to take on the whole thing.

Any advice about a good way to approach this? You might be able to tell that I'm out of my depth here :-)

Thanks.

Ajit Rajput

Considering your current scale of JIRA, I assume the infra side of things are pretty much stabilized and even if you think to scale up in future, there won't be much efforts required on the system side. The sys-admin should be able to handle it without need of any extra hands.

Coming to the app side i.e. configurations - that's where a lot of engagement is required with end-users to configure their projects, add/modify workflows, customizing fields, screens, permissions etc.  So, if I would be in your position looking for an additional resource, I would prefer for JIRA resource who is specialized more on the application side of things. The contractor should be able to handle all of these configurations and customizations. Furthermore s/he should possess the consulting skillset so that user queries, trainings can be handled.

Here's what the role skillset I look into the contractor while hiring (focusing more on top 3 items below)

1. Create JIRA projects, queries, and reports; customize workflows, post functions, and validators, make changes to workflows, screens, fields, and reporting, and provide ongoing support and configuration maintenance.
2. Serve as the JIRA SME to address user questions, and develop training, as needed.
3. Administer JIRA’s core and software, Confluence, and formulate technical solutions using JIRA and associated JIRA plugins or Atlassian products.
4. Maintain responsibility for administration, maintenance, upgrades, and enhancements to JIRA, Confluence. Experience on Enterprise/Data Center version.

Hope this information helps you in taking right decision. Good Luck !