Hey Sean,
Although I am not applying for a position on your server, I just thought I'd shoot you some tips and a formal "Good Luck" from another server owner.
Opening and running a server is definitely tricky and your will have your hands full, with questions and permissions. If I had to give you one piece of advice it would be to not admin people based on applications, you should have players build and play on your server and admin and mod those players who are regularly online and helpful. This does take ore time and effort, but I promise you will have many more helpful and genuine admins and mods.
Also don't OP ANYONE!!
People with this power can crash your server. Take care and good luck with your ventures.