Network Engineer I

Summary

The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is seeking a Network Engineer I to support their Information Technology department. The role involves engineering, implementing, managing, and supporting enterprise network infrastructure while collaborating with senior engineering staff to enhance network performance and security.

Responsibilities

• Engineer, implement, manage, and support enterprise network infrastructure, including switching, routing, wireless, and security platforms
• Responsibilities include configuring and maintaining network systems, troubleshooting complex issues, and supporting strategic IT initiatives under the direction of the IT Infrastructure Supervisor and in collaboration with senior engineering staff
• Assist in the evaluation, deployment, and integration of new technologies to enhance network performance, reliability, and security
• Configure and support both internal and external network connectivity, including WAN, VPN, and remote access solutions
• Maintain accurate network inventory, diagrams, and technical documentation
• Develop and uphold standards, procedures, and best practices for network administration, ensuring consistency, scalability, and compliance with organizational and industry standards
• Proactively assess network performance and capacity requirements, recommending and implementing hardware and software improvements as needed
• Utilize enterprise monitoring and management platforms to ensure system health, optimize performance, and rapidly identify and resolve issues
• Monitor network activity, maintain system backups, and manage performance, error, and recovery logging
• Support core network services including circuit and fiber infrastructure, DNS, IP address management, web filtering, firewall systems, remote access, wireless networks, and routing and switching environments
• Provide support for disaster recovery planning, testing, and execution to ensure business continuity
• Collaborate with Cybersecurity team to implement and support security controls, policies, and technologies that protect against evolving threats
• Assist in vulnerability identification, remediation, and mitigation efforts, and support logging and monitoring requirements for managed security operations
• Coordinate with vendors and contractors to implement and maintain network solutions
• Evaluate and recommend new technologies and equipment to support organizational goals
• Provide advanced technical support, mentorship, and guidance to team members, staff, and end users
• Participate in on-call rotations and provide after-hours support for critical incidents as needed
• Travel to remote sites may be required to support infrastructure and operations
• Work closely with Public Safety IT leadership to support mission critical systems
• This includes oversight and support of mobile VPN services used by emergency response vehicles, wireless networks supporting radio communications and data transmission, and network infrastructure supporting 911 voice, data, and radio systems
• Assist Public Safety staff with network troubleshooting, mobile device connectivity, and application access, ensuring reliable communication for emergency services and partner agencies
• Manage and support Public Safety wireless (microwave) network connectivity across all remote sites to ensure reliable and resilient communications
• Monitor system logs to identify and respond to network interruptions or performance issues
• Coordinate troubleshooting and restoration efforts for failed or degraded connections
• Plan and coordinate hardware and firmware upgrades to maintain performance, security, and vendor support compliance
• Evaluate network performance and capacity, identifying and recommending improvements as operational needs evolve
• Manage and support the NetMotion VPN system for all public safety agencies to ensure secure and reliable remote connectivity
• Configure and maintain logical group structures for police, fire, and EMS agencies
• Establish and manage network access paths for local agency networks
• Administer and maintain user accounts and access permissions
• Plan and perform system upgrades, including software and client updates, as needed
• Develop and maintain documentation for client installation, configuration, and upgrade procedures
• Troubleshoot and resolve Public Safety network issues to maintain reliable and continuous operations
• Identify root causes and determine appropriate corrective actions
• Repair, replace, or restore failed network equipment as needed
• Coordinate with County staff and vendors to implement and complete remediation efforts
• Support and maintain network systems, including circuits and fiber infrastructure, DNS, IP address management, web filtering, firewall systems, and remote access solutions
• Provide support for disaster recovery planning, testing, and restoration of these systems
• Provide support for county-wide network infrastructure projects and initiatives
• Configure, deploy, manage, troubleshoot, and support network infrastructure, including switches, routers, wireless controllers, wireless access points, and firewalls
• Support the implementation of new technologies and services; configure and maintain internal and external network connectivity, including WAN and VPN solutions (L2TP and IPsec)
• Collaborate with the Cybersecurity team to implement and support security policies, controls, and services to protect against cyber threats and remediate vulnerabilities
• Provide support for remote software installation and troubleshooting across County agencies, including cellular modem configuration, diagnostics, and hardware support
• Perform other duties as assigned

Skills

• An associate degree in an information technology-related field - equivalent professional experience may be considered in lieu of formal education
• Two (2) years of responsible work in Information Technology
• Experience with Cisco products
• Pass FBI security check
• Work requires on-site responsibilities within a hybrid work environment
• Work may occasionally include weekends, evenings or split shifts
• Working knowledge of Cisco products
• Working knowledge of Windows Domain administration
• Working knowledge of networking concepts, including routing, switching, wireless, DNS, and subnetting
• Ability to use networking diagnostic tools such as Wireshark, Solarwinds, and iPerf
• Ability to logically troubleshoot hardware, software, and network issues
• Ability to communicate information technology issues with non-technical users
• Knowledge of a variety of software systems including Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office
• Ability to prepare and present concise, logical and conclusive oral and written reports and recommendations regarding complex programs and issues
• Ability to gather, analyze and evaluate data
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with County Officials, department heads, local law enforcement agencies and their staff and other employees
• Ability to diagnose network failures
• Ability to participate in an after-hours on-call rotation
• CCNA certification preferred

Qualifications

Must Haves

• An associate degree in an information technology-related field - equivalent professional experience may be considered in lieu of formal education
• Two (2) years of responsible work in Information Technology
• Experience with Cisco products
• Pass FBI security check
• Work requires on-site responsibilities within a hybrid work environment
• Work may occasionally include weekends, evenings or split shifts
• Working knowledge of Cisco products
• Working knowledge of Windows Domain administration
• Working knowledge of networking concepts, including routing, switching, wireless, DNS, and subnetting
• Ability to use networking diagnostic tools such as Wireshark, Solarwinds, and iPerf
• Ability to logically troubleshoot hardware, software, and network issues
• Ability to communicate information technology issues with non-technical users
• Knowledge of a variety of software systems including Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office
• Ability to prepare and present concise, logical and conclusive oral and written reports and recommendations regarding complex programs and issues
• Ability to gather, analyze and evaluate data
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with County Officials, department heads, local law enforcement agencies and their staff and other employees
• Ability to diagnose network failures
• Ability to participate in an after-hours on-call rotation

Nice to Haves

• CCNA certification preferred

Benefits

• Rock County historic and cultural attractions
• Employees are paid every two weeks on Friday (26 checks in a year). Paychecks are directly deposited in the employee’s bank account. There is a two-week delay between the pay period worked and the payday. New employees generally wait four weeks before they receive their first check, which is a live paper check. Direct deposit is a requirement of employment.
• Holidays (Ordinance 18.501): The following holidays are observed by the County and shall be granted to regular employees with pay and to temporary employees without pay, unless such employees are required to be on scheduled work: (a) New Year's Day (b) Martin Luther King Jr. Day (c) Spring Holiday to be observed the Friday immediately preceding Easter (d) Memorial Day (f) July 4th (g) Labor Day (h) Thanksgiving Day (i) Friday following Thanksgiving (j) Day before Christmas (k) Christmas Day (l) One Floating Holiday (m) Any additional holiday granted by the County Board. (n) The County Administrator may designate additional holidays in unusual circumstances with the approval of the County Board Chair and/or Vice Chair. For employees working the standard work schedule, when a holiday falls on Saturday, it shall be observed on the preceding Friday. When a holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday shall be observed.
• Vacation (Policy & Procedure Manual 5.47): Employees (.4 FTE or greater) hired on or after April 10, 2023, shall earn vacation according to the following schedule
• Health Insurance including our Wellness component: Rock County offers a dual choice point of service plan. Employees will have a choice to elect coverage with either Dean Health Care or Mercy Health Care. Employees can enroll within the first 30 days of employment, after that there is an annual open enrollment period in the fall. In the case of a qualifying event (birth, marriage, FTE increase, loss of coverage, etc.), the employee will also have 30 days to enroll or make changes. No exceptions will be made. The County will pay 90% of the premium for health insurance and the Employee may earn the remaining 10% of the premium, based on the terms of participation of the Healthy Employee Incentive Program.
• Sick Leave (Policy 5.39): Sick leave pay shall commence on the first day of any period of illness due to accident, injury, or disease. All full-time employees shall earn one sick leave day per month of continuous employment. All part-time employees whose regular workweek is sixteen hours or more shall earn one sick leave day on a prorated basis directly in relation to the normal full time employment period. All part-time employees, who work less than sixteen hours per week, shall not earn sick leave. Temporary and seasonal employees are not eligible for sick leave. Sick leave shall accrue to a maximum of one hundred thirty days.
• Dental Plan: The County offers a dental plan through Delta Dental and will pay 60% of the applicable premium for the lowest cost plan. Employees can enroll within the first 30 days of employment, after that there is an annual open enrollment period in the fall. In the case of a qualifying event (birth, marriage, FTE increase, loss of coverage, etc.), the employee will also have 30 days to enroll or make changes. No exceptions will be made. Newly enrolled employees will likely see a double deduction on their first paycheck; premiums are paid one month in advance.
• Vision Plan: The County offers a vision plan which employees can enroll in at their own cost. Employees can enroll within the first 30 days of employment, after that there is an annual open enrollment period in the fall. In the case of a qualifying event (birth, marriage, FTE increase, loss of coverage, etc.), the employee will also have 30 days to enroll or make changes. No exceptions will be made. Newly enrolled employees will likely see a double deduction on their first paycheck; premiums are paid one month in advance.
• Life Insurance: The County provides term life insurance through the State of Wisconsin Plan. Employees can purchase insurance in increments based on their salary, up to five times their salary. The County will contribute 20% of the cost for the first increment only - one times the employee’s salary. Employees can also purchase coverage for their spouse and/or children. *Eligibility for this benefit is tied to whether the employee is eligible for retirement benefits. (You must be expected to work for at least 12 months and 1200 hours, or have previously qualified for the WRS)
• Voluntary Benefits: The County offers voluntary benefits which employees can enroll in at their own cost. Employees can enroll within the first 30 days of employment, after that there is an annual open enrollment period in the fall. Voluntary benefits may include: Disability, Hospital indemnity, Supplemental Life, Critical Illness, and Accident Insurance. Employees are responsible for 100% of the premiums for any voluntary benefits elected. Deductions are taken post tax.
• Deferred Compensation: Employees can participate in one of the identified deferred compensation plans (Nationwide, Wisconsin Deferred Comp, and Security Benefits) at their own cost.
• Flexible Spending Account (Medical and Dependent Care): Employees can elect to put an annually IRS established amount into a flexible spending account through (EBC) to pay for their own non-reimbursed medical care expenses. Employees can also put in up to $5,000 for dependent care accounts. If you leave County employment, you have ninety (90) days to submit expenses incurred prior to your last day.
• Retirement: Rock County participates in the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS). Eligible employees are required to participate. What an employee receives at retirement is dependent upon several factors – age, length of service, salary. Rock County and the employee make equal contributions to the Wisconsin Retirement System on behalf of the employer. The contribution rate is addressed in the employment letter. Employees in protective status have the percentage contributions defined in their respective collective bargaining units.
• Bereavement Leave (Policy 5.04): In the event of a death an employee may be excused from work without loss of pay for up to a maximum of thirty-two (32) hours annually for the purpose of attending a person’s wake, visitation, memorial service, funeral, or make necessary arrangements regarding the person’s death, within a reasonable time after the occurrence. No more than (32) hours can be used for the same decedent. If additional time is required beyond the thirty-two (32) hours annually, an employee may request to use accumulated vacation, holiday, or comp-time. Sick leave can be used for a parent, spouse, or child only. Bereavement leave cannot be accrued from one year to the next. Bereavement leave can be used in increments of quarter hours. A second or third shift employee may be excused from work the scheduled shift before or after the event, provided the shift begins or ends on the same calendar date of the event. All leaves under this section shall be prorated based upon the employee’s FTE.
• EAP: The County provides an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for employees to use for all kinds of personal and professional assistance. In the case of counseling, professional counselors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. An employee can establish a relationship with a counselor over the phone or set up an in-person appointment with a counselor in the area. As of March 1, 2022, the EAP program will pay for up to six visits.
• Parking: The County provides free parking at all its facilities.