Senior Network Engineer

Performs complex advanced technical work to design, configure, implement, maintain, troubleshoot, diagnose, repair, replace and perpetuate the City’s Administrative and Consolidated Public Safety System network and security infrastructures; does related work as required.   This role functions as a senior team member providing mentoring and leadership to other team members and Technology Services staff.  Senior Network Engineer work is performed under the limited supervision of the Infrastructure Manager.

Responsible for the design, creation, implementation, maintenance and support for all network elements, adhering to industry best practices and methodologies.	40%
Responsible for the design, creation, implementation, maintenance and support of  continuously-improving security solutions that protect computer networks from external and internal threats.	20%
Responsible for maintaining and monitoring all networking elements.	15%
Responsible for the continuous delivery of network services.  Recovers from critical network outages as quickly as practical.	10%
Research and analyze new technologies available in the IT networking field to determine potential usefulness, value and cost/benefit ratio.	5%
Recommend the procurement and implementation of networking and security solutions, including life-cycle replacements	5%
Administers the division’s budget and assists management in budget preparation.	5%

Expert knowledge of current LAN/WAN technologies and protocols, including wired, wireless and cellular connectivity solutions, VPN solutions, VLANs, subnetting, and VoIP solutions.  Expert knowledge of layer 1-7 networking technologies to provide end-users with reliable IT solutions with a strong focus on layer 2-3 troubleshooting, tuning, and monitoring techniques of related protocols.  Strong knowledge of switching and routing protocols and methodologies, including IP provisioning, OSPF, BGP, IP traffic redistribution, route filtering, load-balancing, multi-link trunks/port-channels, virtual port channels, and access lists.  Comprehensive knowledge of current network security technologies, products and methodologies.  Knowledge of virtualization technologies, such as VMware.  Knowledge of CLI interface syntaxes for modern networking equipment, including routers, switches, firewalls, load-balancers, and wireless network controllers.
 
Experience designing, planning, configuring, implementing, tuning, monitoring, securing, upgrading, troubleshooting, repairing, replacing, and documenting network infrastructure, systems and solutions in a mid-to-enterprise-level environment, including SCADA and Public Safety entities, using industry-standard best-practices and methodologies.  Experience with fiber-optic cable installation and terminations, including life-cycle replacements and upgrades.  Experience designing, planning, implementing, troubleshooting, and supporting enterprise-class multi-point firewalls, VPNs, IP cameras, IoT devices, wireless backhauls, and wireless private and public endpoint solutions.  Experience managing collection of, monitoring and responding to infrastructure alerts and events, including reviewing of logs and reports from infrastructure devices and systems.  Create network diagrams and documentation, using versioning methodologies, to ensure accurate, updated records of deployed solutions, as well as maintain existing documentation.  Participate in the networking team service queue, identifying and remediating incidents and escalated issues.  Use comprehensive troubleshooting practices using industry-standard troubleshooting tools, equipment, and techniques to accelerate remediation of impaired IT services.   Identify bugs and deficiencies in networking hardware and software, plan remediation strategies, and implement remedies to identified network anomalies.  Secure network devices and components to comply with multiple standards, such as CJIS and PCI.  Identify network deficiencies, analyze problems, and recommend/implement solutions.
 
Strong teamwork and interpersonal skills.  Develop effective working relationships with all levels of personnel.  Gather data, analyze findings, and apply logic and reason.  Self-motivation and problem-solving skills.  Solid written, verbal, presentation, and documentation skills.   Utilize communication and interpersonal skills with interaction with co-workers, supervisors, vendors, the general public, and others, to sufficiently exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.  Coordinate deadlines, prioritizing work demands and assigning/monitoring work performed.  Oversee the implementation and adherence to quality assurance and standards.  Organize and maintain technical and process documentation, schedules, records, and files.  Training and coaching skills.  Research industry trends, solutions, and best practices.
 

Provide a strong level of customer service using client-service orientation and focus.  Work efficiently under pressure with multiple projects, deadlines, and changing priorities.   Assist with the planning, design, implementation, management, security, support, and task assignment of network infrastructure-related projects, including: commissioning of newly-constructed facilities, existing facility renovations, network hardware and software refreshments, upgrades, change requests, incident management, and similar requests.  Work with various project teams, both internal and external, to implement network connectivity solutions, including site-surveys, assessments, renovations, and interconnection with other entities and agencies.  Facilitate group discussions and build consensus using persuasive reasoning.  Exercise political acumen, tact, and diplomacy.  Travel to various locations around Gastonia to ensure networking equipment is working optimally and as designed and implemented.  Perform other duties of a similar nature and level as assigned.Education/Experience:
A minimum of 10 years of any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in information technology, or related field and experience and considerable experience in networks, communications equipment, and supporting systems related to networking.  Possession of a valid, unexpired CompTIA Network , CompTIA Security , or Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification or higher is preferred.   Knowledge of IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) and IT Service Management (ITSM) methodologies is desirable.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Valid North Carolina driver’s license.
Must be fingerprinted and submit to and pass a background investigation and drug test.
Applicant must successfully complete all job screening(s) necessary to be work in the Public Safety environment.
Emergency Management Institute – National Incident Management System (NIMS) IS-700 course within twelve months of hire.
 

 Physical Demands:
1. The physical activity of this position includes:

• Climbing: Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles, and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms. This factor is important if the amount and kind of climbing required exceeds that required for ordinary locomotion.
• Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling when walking, standing or couching on narrow, slippery or erratically moving surfaces. This factor is important if the amount and kind of balancing exceeds that needed for ordinary locomotion and maintenance of body equilibrium.
• Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires full use of the lower extremities and back muscles.
• Kneeling: Bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.
• Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.
• Crawling: Moving about on hands and knees or hands and feet.
• Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
• Standing: Particularly for sustained periods of time.
• Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.
• Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward or outward.
• Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, drag, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion.
• Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position to position. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires the substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles.
• Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand or arm as in handling.
• Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
• Feeling: Perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of the fingertips.
• Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal spoken word levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make fine discriminations in sound, such as when making fine adjustments on machined parts.
• Repetitive Motions: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands and/or fingers.

2. The physical requirements of this position:

• Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

3. The visual acuity requirements including color, depth perception and field of vision:

• The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform one or more of the following: preparing and analyzing data and figures; computer terminal; extensive reading; visual inspection involving small defects, small parts, operation of machines (including inspection); using measurement devices; assembly or fabrication of parts at distances close to the eyes.

4. The conditions the worker will be subject to in this position:

• The worker is subject to both environmental conditions: Activities occur inside and outside.
• The worker is subject to noise: There is sufficient noise to cause the worker to shout in order to be heard above the ambient noise level.

Drug screening and criminal background check required.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The City of Gastonia is committed to creating and maintaining a work environment that is inclusive, equitable and welcoming. We value diversity and promise to honor your experiences, perspective and unique identity. 

The City of Gastonia is an Equal Opportunity Employer - M/F/H

Salary : $79,643 - $112,216