This is a flexible, largely remote contractor position with an average commitment of up to 10 hours per week. Hours may fluctuate, with occasional peaks during complex updates or incidents. Strong incident response capability is essential, you should be able to diagnose and resolve most server issues within one hour.
Key Responsibilities
Server Infrastructure & Security
Full management of a dedicated Ubuntu 20.04/24.04 server (no cPanel) via command line – including Nginx/Apache, PHP-FPM, and MySQL
Monitor and optimize the LEMP/LAMP stack to prevent downtime and 504 Gateway Timeout errors during peak traffic
Implement and maintain server-level security (UFW, ConfigServer Firewall, Let’s Encrypt SSL renewals, malware scans)
Adjust PHP settings (memory_limit, max_execution_time, upload_max_filesize) to support heavy LearnDash and BuddyBoss usage
Plugin Ecosystem & Site Maintenance
Debug and resolve plugin conflicts, white screens of death, and broken features across the BuddyBoss + LearnDash stack
Manually apply critical code patches when official updates are delayed
Maintain integration integrity between the custom cart, LearnDash enrollments, and FluentCRM tagging
Manage a mirrored staging environment for safe testing of all updates before going live
Database, Caching & Performance
Configure and monitor Redis for object caching to support smooth social interactions on BuddyBoss
Regularly clean and optimize the database (wp_options table, transients) to maintain fast query performance
Oversee automated off-site backups and ensure full site restoration can be completed in under 30 minutes
Incident Response & Monitoring
Provide rapid on-call support for critical issues (server downtime, checkout failures, login problems)
Proactively audit PHP and Nginx error logs to identify and fix silent bugs before they impact users
What We’re Looking For
Deep expertise in Linux server administration (Ubuntu) via SSH/command line
Strong experience managing high-traffic WordPress sites, especially with membership and LMS platforms (BuddyBoss, LearnDash preferred)
Proficiency with LEMP stack, Redis, MySQL optimization, and security hardening
Proven ability to troubleshoot complex plugin conflicts and perform manual code fixes
Reliable, proactive, and calm under pressure with excellent problem-solving skills