IT Network Engineer

POSTING TYPE: Open competitive
DEPARTMENT: Information Technology
HOURS: Full-time
SALARY RANGE: $78,981- $123,408 (Grade 109)
LOCATION: Hastings
UNION: None
CLOSE DATE: 4:30 p.m. 1/29/2025

The IT Network Engineer's role is to provide second- to third-level IT customer support of the county's enterprise-wide Local Area Network (LAN), Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) and Wide Area Network (WAN) network environment. This person is the subject matter expert (SME) for one or more of these systems and applications and, as such, regularly interacts with end-users, vendors and other IT staff--mostly by phone, videoconference, email or instant messaging. They recommend standards for all network hardware, software and communications links, help develop technical procedures, and research and advise on technical solutions for business needs. As a member of the larger IT Infrastructure Team, they are also expected to help ensure the security, survivability and best delivery of Dakota County's IT services.

Who We Are

Dakota County is Minnesota's third largest county and home to more than 400,000 residents. Our motto is "Be More" and we strive every day to achieve excellence in public service, with a focus on four values: Service, Integrity, People and Innovation.

Dakota County aims to create an environment that is welcoming and inclusive of diverse people, backgrounds and experiences. Our goal is to have a workforce that is reflective of the communities and individuals we serve. We promote an equitable and culturally aware work environment where everyone can be their authentic selves.

Education and Experience

• A combination of formal education and experience in a technology support role totaling five years.

AND

Work experience above must include:

• At least two years of directly supporting LAN, WLAN and WAN network environments.
  • Installing, configuring and troubleshooting network environment including but not limited to Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) firewalls, Catalyst and Nexus switch platforms, wireless access points and Aggregation Services Routers (ASR) routers
  • Installing, configuring and troubleshooting technologies: Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN), Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Virtual Private Network (VPN), Enhanced Interior Gateway Protocol (EIGRP), Spanning Tree, Network Address Translation (NAT), Quality of Service (QOS), Transmission Control Protocol/ Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) stack and Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP)

Current Certification (or completion of certification within six months of hire):

• Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) Foundations Certification

AND

• Certified Cisco Network Associate (CCNA), or equal or greater certification in network engineering

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified in one or both of the certifications above.
• Two years of experience gathering requirements, writing specifications, assisting with project plans, and executing and monitoring tasks for small to medium network projects.
• Knowledge of Load balancer/ Local Traffic Manager (LTM), Cisco wireless controllers, Intrusion Prevention System (IPS), Network Security practices, Windows, Active Directory, VMware, AutoCAD, WireShark and low-voltage cabling.

Strategy & Planning

• Participate in developing long-term strategies and capacity planning to meet future end-user needs for IT services
• Work with customers, vendors and other IT staff to recommend processes for supporting the network environment
• With guidance, develop procedures for supporting network applications and hardware.

• Participate in researching network hardware, software, and protocols in support of procurement and development efforts
• Assist in capacity planning for the network environment

• Conduct routine administrative support tasks for enterprise-wide LAN, WLAN and WAN network environment
• Test, monitor and report on the performance, usage and capacity of network environment
• Recommend and execute modifications to LAN, WLAN and WAN network environment in order to improve their efficiency, reliability, and performance
• Plan and apply upgrades, maintenance fixes and vendor-supplied patches to LAN, WLAN and WAN network environment
• Assist in testing, deploying and tracking upgrades, maintenance, security patches of the components in the LAN, WLAN and WAN network environment
• Analyze, diagnose, and resolve complex problems with LAN, WLAN and WAN network environment
• Monitor the IT customer ticketing system for tickets pertaining to the core suite of LAN, WLAN and WAN network environment, take ownership of tickets as appropriate, and respond in accordance with service level agreements
• Maintain support documentation for LAN, WLAN and WAN network environment
• Assist in developing end-user instruction guides on LAN, WLAN and WAN network environment
• Lead and/or provide guidance to less-experienced or less-knowledgeable members of the team
• Assist other members of the IT Infrastructure team in delivering the best IT services to the county government
• Other duties as assigned

• Strong general knowledge of the county's end-user computer environment, including what applications, desktop and laptop computers, mobile devices, and peripherals are broadly used throughout the organization
• Good technical knowledge on the Microsoft Windows desktop environment, including the Microsoft Office suite
• Good general knowledge of the county's IT infrastructure, including a high-level understanding of the network architecture, server and data storage architecture, disaster recovery capabilities, computer security and any other associated systems
• Strong working knowledge of the business functions of the various county divisions, departments and functional areas
• Solid technical knowledge of the county's LAN, WLAN and WAN network environment, Cisco firewalls, switches, wireless controllers, load balancers, VPN solutions, Cisco Prime, Nexus and VoIP technologies.

• Has an attitude that is geared toward customer service
• Can communicate effectively both orally and in writing, presenting ideas in both business-friendly and user-friendly language
• Demonstrates good interpersonal communication skills
• Can apply project management skills and provide leadership in a team environment
• Can apply the concepts and issues related to the integration and interfacing of various software systems and system components
• Uses good judgment in decision-making
• Can manage and balance changing priorities and easily shift between tasks
• Possesses a strong understanding of the organization's goals and objectives
• Has excellent technical savvy and a natural affinity for new technologies
• Is self-motivated and self-directed
• Has proven analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a keen attention to detail
• Can effectively prioritize tasks in a high-pressure environment

• Sitting for extended periods of time
• General work location is in the offices of the Dakota County Department of Information Technology, located in the administration building in Hastings, Minnesota
• Normal work hours typically follow the county business day, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; however, additional time may be required beyond the business day--including at night or on weekends--in order to meet project deadlines, respond to IT service disruptions or address higher-priority customer issues
• On-call availability 24x7
• Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer keyboard, mouse, and other computer components
• Occasional lifting and transporting of moderately heavy objects, such as hardware and peripherals
• Ability to make cable connections in tight spaces by bending, reaching, twisting
• Occasional travel between County locations

• Comprehensive and affordable medical, dental, vision, and other benefits
• Excellent work-life balance
• Generous paid time off (accrual rate starts at four weeks per year)
• Eleven paid holidays and one floating holiday each year
• Pension with a generous employer contribution
• Ability to work from home some of the time

• You submit an online application that includes supplemental questions
• We assign you a score based on your qualifications
• Top scoring candidates are referred to the hiring manager for interview consideration
• We conduct interviews and reference checks before extending an offer
• We extend an offer and conduct background checks