Network Administrator

Northern Wasco County PUD is seeking an experienced Network Administrator to join our growing Broadband team. This is a full-time, exempt position offering a Monday-Thursday, 4/10 work schedule.

The Network Administrator plays a critical role within the District’s Broadband division to support the design, implementation, optimization, administration, and technical management of all broadband network infrastructure for an intergovernmental agency (IGA). This position will participate in the resolution of complex technical issues in a timely manner while delivering best-in-class IP and broadband service support across the network. This role will conduct day-to-day network engineering and technical support for fiber to the premise infrastructure to ensure that systems are operating at peak efficiency with little to no downtime. This role requires hands-on experience with network hardware and a strong foundational to intermediate knowledge of networking protocols and security best practices. The Network Administrator collaborates with internal staff, IGA partners, contractors, and other stakeholders to deliver safe, efficient, scalable broadband infrastructure in alignment with the District’s mission.

SUMMARY OF BENEFITS:We are proud to offer a comprehensive and very competitive benefits package including but not limited to:

- Generous PTO Accruals

- 11 Paid Holidays

- 100% employer paid premium for Medical/Rx/Dental for individual and/or family coverage

- 100% employer paid premium for vision coverage for individual and/or family coverage

- 100% employer paid Basic Life Insurance 2X annual salary

- 401(k) 7.5% base + 7.5% match = 15% total possible employer contribution

- 457(b)

- 100% employer paid Short Term Disability and Long Term Disability

- HRA VEBA employee funded

- Wellness Incentive to HRA VEBA employer funded

- 100% Paid Business Travel Insurance

- Voluntary benefits

GENERAL ACCOUNTABILITIES AND ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

- Monitor network performance using various tools and make recommendations based on analysis.

- Maintain computer networks, including routers, switches, firewalls, and VPNs.

- Perform periodic preventive maintenance and lifecycle management for network equipment.

- Configure and install network equipment and software under supervision.

- Respond to network issues, diagnose connectivity problems, and implement minor changes or upgrades.

- Support end-users and collaborate with cross-functional teams (e.g., security, systems administrators) to resolve complex issues.

- Assist in maintaining and enhancing network security measures, including firewalls and data security systems.

- Create and maintain technical instructions, operating procedures, and network documentation.

- Implement disaster recovery procedures when needed.

- Ability to be on call, answering and responding to after-hours calls for critical network issues as required.

- Demonstrates cultural competency through respectful, inclusive work habits and through the valuing and welcoming of cultural differences in all position responsibilities.

- Supports the District’s mission to serve our customers and foster a safe and positive work environment by personally exhibiting behavior that aligns with the District’s Core Values & Beliefs.

- Must perform the duties of this position in a safe and efficient manner and follow all safety regulations and protocols.

- Other duties as assigned.

Secondary Functions:

All PUD employees are expected to work outside of normal business hours when required during emergency restoration activities and to accomplish other special projects.

Skills/Knowledge/Abilities:

PLEASE NOTE: This position requires the use of various tools/equipment that are related to performing the essential functions of this job.

- Extensive experience in network engineering or Internet Service Provider administration in Fiber to the Home and Premise type networks. Knowledge of Passive Optical Networking (PON) architectures

- Experience with LAN, WAN, VPN and network security technologies: IPSec, SSL, firewall rules. Understanding of network protocols critical to design and operation of complex modern enterprise TCP/IP networks using standards and technologies including but not limited to: MPLS, OSPF, BGP, EIGRP, STP, 802.1Q, Multicast, VRF-lite, QoS, and IPSec.

- Demonstrated experience with L3 protocols and techniques, BGP, MPLS, OSPF, EIGRP, VXLAN routing, VRFs, VRRP, or similar. Experience with Traffic Engineering, QoS, NAT, TCP/IP, Multicast, IPv6. Experience deploying with various router and switch vendors such as Cisco, Nokia, and Juniper.

- Familiarity with hosted environments: AWS, OCI, GCP, Azure. Implement cloud connectivity solutions using AWS Direct Connect, Google Cloud Interconnect, Azure Express Route.

- Knowledge of network security best practices, and technologies such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, virtual private networks. Familiarity with compliance standards and frameworks relevant to network security: ISO 27001, NIST, GDPR.

- Experience with network management and monitoring tools (Datadog, SolarWinds, Nagios, Wireshark). Experience working with ISP/telco providers on configuration and support to resolve latency and bandwidth issues.

- Ability to analyze, diagnose, and troubleshoot complex network systems to identify issues and inefficiencies. Ability to implement detailed network designs in real-world environments. Experience troubleshooting and deploying solutions involving certificates and public key infrastructures: 802.1x or SSL decryption and offloading.

- Ability to work independently, demonstrate initiative, and drive projects to completion.

- Strong organizational and analytical skills with attention to detail in documentation and recordkeeping.

- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

- Ability to respond to on-call matters within designated timeframes.

Supervisory and/or Functional or Technical Responsibility or Oversight:

- No Supervisory responsibility

QUALIFICATIONS: Recommended Education, Training & Experience (includes licenses or certifications): Other combinations of education and/or experience demonstrating the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to do the work will also be considered.

Education/Experience:

- Bachelor’s degree in information technology, Computer Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience).

- 3+ years of hands-on experience in a network support or engineering role.

- Current CCNA certification is desired, with progress toward or completion of a CCNP certification highly valued. Other certifications are a plus.

- Experience working with both internal stakeholders and external vendors, partners and other government agencies.

- Valid and current driver’s license. Driving records must be acceptable and insurable by NWCPUD insurance carrier at standard group rates. An annual consent for a release of one's driving record is also required

Job Scope:

- Works on assignments that are complex in nature where considerable judgment, analysis, and initiative are required in resolving problems and making recommendations.

- Exercises initiative to accomplish assignments, asking questions on most complex issues, and assisting in providing solutions as a subject matter expert.

- Guide activities and decisions that affect work accuracy, reliability, service quality, systems, or operations with moderate to significant financial impact and moderate impact to partners, clients, business partners, and other customers through multiple contacts or activities that require the relationship management and impact the District's image and reputation.

- Tasks and information relative to this position may be of a confidential and/or sensitive nature requiring strict confidentiality and professional conduct.

- Priority of tasks or projects can change quickly and might require multiple projects being worked at the same time while waiting for additional information or direction of project.

Mental or Visual Demand: Concentrated mental and/or visual attention; the work involves performing complex tasks to very close accuracy and quality specifications; or a high degree of hand and eye coordination for sustained periods.

Working Conditions:Work is typically performed under reasonably good working conditions; while exposure to any or all of the above elements may occur, such exposure is generally not present to the extent of being disagreeable.

Physical Requirements:

Requirements are those consistent with normal office administrative or clerical positions such as sitting, standing, walking, keyboarding. May push up to 50lbs, and/or lift, pull, or carry up to 25lbs.

This organization believes that each employee makes a significant contribution to our success. That contribution should not be limited by the assigned responsibilities. Therefore, this job description is designed to outline primary duties, qualifications, and job scope, but not to limit the incumbent nor the organization to just the work identified. It is our expectation that each employee will offer their services wherever and whenever necessary to ensure the success of our endeavors. Northern Wasco County PUD reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.

- Northern Wasco County PUD is an Equal Opportunity Employer.