If I understand you correctly its just admin, not maintenance of the code / upgrades, you are going to stay with the same host I take it?
If so, admin is not too bad as long as you stay away from some of the server settings, and in later versions of Moodle dont go installing / upgrading random plugins you have not tested before hand.
The best approach is probably to take it a step at a time, ask for access if you dont have it and try to deal with some of the issues that arise.
Another option would be to get some cheap hosting with a "one click install" of Moodle where you can experiment without making a mess of your production system!