Network Engineer II at Rock County – Janesville, Wisconsin

This position is responsible for providing network design, technical support, and administration of all computer networks and infrastructure for Rock County. Work includes providing a data network that delivers scalability, reliability, availability, and performance while keeping security at the forefront. Leading projects and strategic initiatives and overseeing day to day network infrastructure operations including WAN/LAN and VoIP.

Support network systems including but not limited to circuits, indoor and outdoor fiber infrastructure, external and internal DNS, IP Address Management, web filtering, firewall systems, network infrastructure security, remote access, VPNs, wireless networks, routing and switching environment, including disaster recovery support for those systems.

Development of systems standards, procedures, and documentation. Research and forecasting of business needs with road-mapping and the related budgeting, planning, design, and implementation practices to support the strategic roadmaps, including vendor and product selection. Conduct research on network products, services, protocols, and standards to remain abreast of developments in the networking industry. Assist the Network Infrastructure Supervisor in annual budgeting tasks.

Assists in the design and implementation of disaster recovery processes and procedures. Provide and maintain network diagrams and documentation related to network systems and applications. Serve as an escalation resource and subject matter expert for network infrastructure. Lead functional groups for best practice and system reviews, including participation in penetration and vulnerability testing, IDS/IPS, firewall configuration reviews.

Work with state agencies and municipalities to ensure seamless secure integration with our data networks.

Work in collaboration with security team to support policies to defend against cybersecurity threats and remove vulnerabilities. Identify mitigation strategies for remediation.

Manage vendors, and contractors to implement and manage network products and services. Make and review recommendations for additional equipment and technologies as necessary. Provides high-level technical support, training, and guidance to administration, co-workers and end-users.

60% Provide direction and project management for design, support, and implementation of county-wide information technology infrastructure systems:

- Provide technical design specifications and documentation for all local and wide area computer network segments and their connectivity specifications including assistance in design and support of wireless and IP telephone networks.

- Lead and provide directives for a technical team in assembling, installation, implementation, support, and maintenance of Cisco routers, switches, firewalls, VPN, and wireless networks.

- Assist Network Infrastructure Supervisor and other technical staff in implementing county-wide, departmental, and inter-jurisdictional projects outlined in the county budget as well as plan and provide for unplanned initiatives.

- Provide technical design specifications, management, support, administration and documentation for all infrastructure devices (switches, routers, firewalls, VPN, WLAN) and their connectivity specifications including assistance in design and support of IP telephone network.

- Coordinate all network stakeholders, including county staff, external agencies, and vendors who require connectivity and inter-agency operations.

- Diagnose and resolve urgent network issues, implement necessary changes, and ensure proper documentation, notification, and reporting to relevant stakeholders or agencies.

- Leverage current hardware and software tools, including packet capture and network monitoring solutions to test, analyze, manage, and maintain network performance, while also supporting planning for future network needs.

25% Operational Tasks

- Lead technical staff in assembling, installation, implementation, and support, of all infrastructure to include fiber optic network, switches, routers, firewalls, wireless networks, and VPN devices.

- Lead technical staff in implementing county-wide, departmental, and inter-jurisdictional projects outlined in the county budget as well as plan and provide for unplanned infrastructure initiatives.

- Build, configure and maintain physical and virtual network appliances and to support network functions such as wireless LAN controllers, DNAC, and ISE.

- Administer and maintain IP address management system.

- Utilize enterprise-grade monitoring tools, such as SolarWinds and Cisco ThousandEyes, to ensure network performance, reliability, and operational continuity.

- Develop and provide annual budget projections and long-term planning insights for the county-wide network.

- Ensure security standards and best practices are applied to all systems where applicable.

- Configure network services such as IIS, DNS, and DHCP.

- Assists in the design and implementation of disaster recovery processes and procedures.
- Provide and maintain network diagrams and documentation related to network systems and applications.
-Provide advanced technical support, training, and guidance to administration, team members, and end-users.

5% Performs other tasks and duties as needed.
- Extensive knowledge of networking topologies and network protocols
- Comprehensive knowledge of networking equipment and support tools
- Comprehensive knowledge of (Microsoft) Windows
- Comprehensive knowledge of (Cisco) switches, routers, firewalls, wireless and their supporting systems and software
- Advanced knowledge of fiber-optic and copper LAN and WAN cabling technologies
-Working knowledge of (VMWare) virtualization technologies
- Experience as a technical lead overseeing projects and coordinating multiple concurrent projects in alignment with ITIL framework standards
- Gather, analyze, and evaluate data through advanced critical thinking and troubleshooting methodologies to identify issues and solutions.
- Ensure that all appropriate procedures are accurately documented, implemented, tested, and maintained
- Ensure continuous support services for County employees by promptly addressing technical issues and delivering advanced solutions
- Ability to establish and maintain working relationships with County employees and outside entities
- In-depth expertise in network security principles and best practices, including firewall management, VPNs, IDS/IPS, and threat mitigation.
- Experience with cloud networking technologies and integration (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud).
- Proficiency in network automation and orchestration tools (e.g., Ansible, Python scripting).
- Strong understanding of performance monitoring, capacity planning, and network optimization techniques.
- Ability to lead incident response and manage escalations during network outages or security incidents.
- Familiarity with compliance standards relevant to networking and cybersecurity (e.g., HIPAA, PCI-DSS, GDPR).
- Experience mentoring junior engineers and fostering knowledge sharing within the team.
- Strong communication skills for collaborating with cross-functional teams and presenting complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
- Proactive approach to staying current with evolving network technologies and industry trends.
- An associate degree in an information technology-related field (a bachelor's degree is preferred). Equivalent professional experience may be considered in lieu of formal education.
- A minimum of five years’ professional experience in networking
- Cisco certifications are preferred (e.g. CCNA)
- Must have a valid driver's license
- Work requires on-site responsibilities within a hybrid work environment
- Work may occasionally include weekends, evenings or split shifts
- Pass an FBI security background check
Physical elements:
-Ability to stand, walk and sit for periods of time.
-Ability to stoop, bend, and crawl, i.e. under a desk or back of a vehicle to hook up equipment
-Ability to exert in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, on in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Equipment use:
- Use of computers and keyboards for configuring, monitoring, and documenting network systems
- Proficient in operating network testing and cabling tools (e.g., cable testers, crimpers, OTDRs, analyzers)
- Use of mobile devices, laptops, and remote access tools for on-site and off-site network support
- Familiarity with standard office equipment including printers, copiers, and fax machines
- May use hand tools, power tools, and ladders when installing or maintaining network hardware and cabling infrastructure

Working conditions:
-Almost all work is indoors.