Principal Network Engineer - Job at Inland Empire Utilities Agency in Chino, CA

Principal Network Engineer

Chino, CA

Posted 22 days ago

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Job Description

THE POSITION:

THE OPPORTUNITY:

Are you a highly skilled and experienced network engineer looking for a challenging role that allows you to make a significant impact on an organization's network infrastructure? If you have a proven track record in planning, organizing, and managing complex network systems, we have an exciting opportunity for you as a Principal Network Engineer! As a Principal Network Engineer, you will play a key role in leading and directing staff to ensure the highest level of efficiency, quality, and innovation in network infrastructure processes.

Here at the Inland Empire Utilities Agency, we are a leader in water management and environmental stewardship. We strive to produce high-quality renewable products such as recycled water and top-quality compost to enhance and preserve the quality of life throughout our region. Our values go beyond just protecting the resources and the communities we serve. We are committed to applying ethical, transparent, and environmentally sustainable principles to all aspects of business and organizational conduct. We recognize that our commitment to the community starts with our employees. In order to ensure that our staff are able to continue to perform at a high level and provide unparalleled services throughout our service area, we strive to provide a healthy work-life balance.

Here are a few ways the Inland Empire Utilities Agency is committed to helping you feel your best, work your best, and live your best while working with us:

A 4-day work week with remote hybrid work schedules for some positions
A pension through California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS)
Generous employer monthly health benefit allowances to go towards the cost of medical, dental, and vision insurance
Competitive vacation, floating holiday, sick time in addition to 9 agency paid holidays
Education Reimbursement up to $5,250 per fiscal year
Professional Development Stipend of $1,000 per fiscal year
Basic life insurance coverage provided
Wellness Stipend of $500 per fiscal year
457b Deferred Compensation Contribution
Interest free loan for a computer purchase up to $3,000

This position is open until filled. The deadline for the first review of applications is 11:59 PM on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. Applicants that submit applications after the first review deadline are not guaranteed to be considered for this recruitment. This recruitment may close at any time without notice after the first review deadline.

There is one (1) vacancy in the Information Technology Department. This recruitment is being conducted to fill one (1) vacancy and will establish an eligibility list which may be used to fill future vacancies as they occur during the active status of the eligibility list.

Salary Range: UN 186
FLSA: Exempt
Probationary Period: At Will

Under direction, plans, organizes, manages, and participates in the development, implementation, and monitoring the programs and activities of the Agency's Operational Technology programs; manages, supervises, and reviews the work of professional and support staff; serves as a subject matter expert in network services, datacenter virtualization, and recovery services needed to support Agency operations; serves as the Agency's chief network architect, managing, planning, directing, and overseeing the long-term development, installation, maintenance, and operation of the Agency's network infrastructure to ensure performance standards are met and the entire Agency infrastructure is reliable and secure in support the mission and goals of the Agency and Information Technology Department; functions as the project manager, overseeing projects and enhancements to the Agency's network infrastructure; and performs related duties as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
A Principal Network Engineer is responsible for a team of professionals engaged in the monitoring and maintenance of the Agency's network infrastructure ensuring operational stability. The incumbent is responsible for developing, governing, and overseeing execution of the design of the Agency's enterprise data network (communication infrastructure) and supervising staff who perform specialized functions for operations, maintenance, and integration of the network infrastructure and related systems in support of the Agency's mission and goals. Work is broad in scope and requires a significant degree of independence and application of professional experience and judgment on issues which are complex, interpretive, and can have Agency wide impact.

Employees in this class report typically report to the Manager of Information Technology, in the Operation Technology Unit, and manage the work of professional and technical staff in the department.

A Principal Network Engineer is distinguished from the Manager of Information Technology in that an incumbent in the latter class has management responsibilities for the full Operation Technology Unit and has broader financial planning, recordkeeping, and administration duties in the Information Technology Department.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this class.

Plans, organizes, controls, integrates, and evaluates the work of the assigned programs and staff; with staff, develops, implements, and monitors work plans to achieve goals and objectives; contributes to the development of and monitors performance against the annual department budget; supervises and participates in developing, implementing, and evaluating plans, work processes, systems, and procedures to achieve annual goals, objectives, and work standards; ensures the preparation and maintenance of a variety of records and reports.

Manages the performance of assigned staff; interviews and selects new staff; establishes performance requirements and personal development targets; regularly monitors performance and provides coaching for performance improvement and development; recommends compensation and provides other rewards to recognize performance; hears and makes recommendations on grievances; subject to management concurrence, approves or takes disciplinary action, up to and including termination, to address performance deficiencies, in accordance with Agency policies and labor agreements.

Participates in the formulation and implementation of departmental policy, planning, and strategy development; leads and directs staff and outside consulting resources in the development and application of new methods and processes to achieve higher efficiency, quality, and innovation in departmental work processes.

Provides day-to-day leadership and works with staff to ensure a high-performance, customer service-oriented work environment that supports achieving the Department's and Agency's mission, objectives, and values regarding teamwork, mutual trust, and respect; applies best practices and quality assurance processes to assigned areas of responsibility; enforces the maintenance of safe working conditions and ensures safe work practices are followed by assigned staff.

Plans, organizes, develops, implements, and maintains the Agency's network infrastructure; designs, plans, prioritizes, assigns, inspects, and participates in the installation of internal and external networks; through subordinate staff, monitors and maintains network assets, Agency datacenters, server rooms and network closets; administers systems and servers related to the network infrastructure; coordinates activities with other functional groups within Information Technology, Agency departments, end-users, and stakeholders; coordinates with the Manager of Information Technology on project scheduling, resources, and strategic recommendations.

Provides diagnostic and troubleshooting for network issues/problems; maintains contact with customers and solicits feedback for improved services; identifies and determines cause of problems; develops and presents recommendations for improvement of established processes and practice; maximizes productivity through use of appropriate tools, planned training, and performance initiatives; prepares progress reports, informs manager of task and project status, and deviation from goals; ensures completeness, accuracy, and timeliness of all operational functions; recommends initiatives and implements changes to improve quality and services; develops instructions and guidelines to perform the functions of the job; and performs related duties as assigned.

Participates in the operating, monitoring, and troubleshooting hardware and software pertaining to the local area network (LAN) and wide area network (WAN); Tests and evaluates network systems to eliminate problems and make improvements; recommends and schedules repairs and upgrades; performs problem analysis and resolution for network problems; provides advanced problem-solving and solutions to staff assigned to the work.

Participates in systems enhancements and upgrades; analyzes process requirements and end-user needs; identifies and analyzes complex systems development, modification and enhancement issues; develops and refines system specifications; evaluates and tests vendor-provided software, hardware and configurations for conformity with requirements, specifications, standards for compatibility and integration, maintainability, documentation and other criteria; makes recommendations for the resolution of problems identified.

Participates in the development, implementation, and monitoring of network and technology related projects; participates in contractor and consultant selection process; develops scope of work; plans, assigns, and schedules projects to staff; estimates and orders required equipment, materials, and supplies; monitors work of contractors, consultants, and assigned staff to ensure timely completion and execution of projects in accordance with department goals, objectives, and performance standards; assists with inspections of work in progress and at completion.

Provides advanced technical support for the resolution of escalated network infrastructure problems; analyzes, troubleshoots, and resolves network services, datacenter virtualization, and recovery services problems and errors with staff or vendors; answers technical questions and provides guidance to unit, department, and Agency staff on system functionalities and methods for correcting problems; requests, coordinates, schedules, and documents repairs with outside vendors.

Plans, organizes, controls and integrates the work of outside contractors/consultants; develops, implements and monitors long-term plans, goals and objectives focused on achieving the assigned priorities; manages the development, implementation and evaluation of plans, policies, systems, programs and procedures to achieve the Department's annual and long-term goals, objectives and work standards.

Participates in developing and administering the department's operating and program budgets; approves purchases up to authorized level; develops and monitors departmental and Agency key performance indicators; maintains statistical databases; conducts program evaluation, measurement, and verification activities; prepares and submits financial, participant and program activity reports for management.

Prepares and coordinates a variety of work reports and records; attends meetings; schedules and maintains mandatory training records for section staff; represents the section/department with other divisions, departments, and vendors.

Maintains up-to-date technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, establishing personal networks, and participating in professional associations.

Serves as a department or Agency representative to the Board of Directors, Agency leadership, departments, internal and external stakeholders, and federal, state, and local governmental bodies; communicates policies or procedures and resolves issues involving network infrastructure remain compliant with Agency policy; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in network infrastructure and in the wastewater, water and recycled water industry that impact the Agency's networks.

May act as the Manager of Information Technology in the Manager's absence.

QUALIFICATION GUIDELINES:

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE:

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in computer or electrical engineering, math/computer science, operations and management information science, or related field, and at least seven years of progressively responsible experience in the installation, configuration, troubleshooting, maintenance, upgrade and performance monitoring of multi-segment networks and servers, at least two of which were at a lead or supervisory level; or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Experience in a public agency is preferred.

LICENSES; CERTIFICATES; SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

A valid California Class C driver's license and the ability to maintain insurability under the Agency's vehicle insurance program.

Cisco Certified Network Professional, Engineer, or related certification is desired.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

Theory, principles and practices of network design and integration, including topologies and protocols.

Advanced principles and practices of advanced network equipment including routers, switches, firewalls, load balancers, wireless access points and controllers and in operating network services including Domain Name Service (DNS) and Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP).Advanced principles and practices of design and support of network infrastructure for Industrial Control Systems and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition systems in Water and Wastewater applications. Advanced principles and practices of network security design and related tools and software.

Advanced methods and techniques for performing connectivity testing and troubleshooting, including uses of diagnostic tools and equipment.

Principles and practices of computer operations, voice communication, video systems, information security in addition to network technologies.

Licensed microwave wireless communications technology.

Project management principles, practices, methods and tools.

Systems troubleshooting principles and practices.

Advanced principles, practices, policies, and procedures of purchasing, budgeting, and maintaining public records.

Relevant state and federal regulations, codes, and ordinances.

Agency policies, procedures, and practices governing the areas of responsibility.

Principles and practices of effective management with an organization-wide perspective.

Principles and practices of organization and culture change.

Principles and practices of sound business communication.

Research methods and analysis techniques.

Safety policies and safe work practices applicable to the work.

Agency human resources policies and labor contract provisions.

ABILITY TO:

Lead people in a manner that promotes accountability, employee engagement, staff development, respect, and collaboration.

Manage the performance of staff by coaching for performance.

Effectively and professionally work with a diverse group of staff and community members.

Plan, manage, assign, delegate, control, review, and evaluate the work of staff engaged in the delivery of network infrastructure activities.

Proactively design, plan, and implement comprehensive and effective network infrastructure activities and related technology programs.

Prepare and administer the network infrastructure budget and anticipate future budgetary needs.

Understand, interpret, explain and apply complex federal, state and local laws, regulations, codes and policies related to areas of assignment.

Define issues, analyze problems, evaluate alternatives and develop sound, independent conclusions and recommendations for network infrastructure and security technology issues and changes that may impact the Agency's network; adopt effective courses of action.

Prepare and direct the preparation of detailed, accurate reports and correspondence related to areas of assignment.

Consult effectively with internal and external stakeholders to develop solutions to complex issues.

Work independently and follow through on responsibilities with minimal direction.

Organize, set priorities, and exercise expert independent judgment within areas of responsibility.

Troubleshoot and resolve complex hardware, software and connectivity problems.

Communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.

Prepare clear, concise and accurate reports, documentation and other written materials.

Develop and present presentations, proposals, and recommendations clearly, logically, and persuasively.

Exercise sound independent judgment within policy guidelines.

Keep technical skills current to meet continuing network administration responsibilities.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all those encountered in the course of work.

Be present onsite at Agency locations during normal business hours.

Be physically present at non-Agency locations including, but not limited to, member agencies, conferences, and other work-related events that occur offsite.

SELECTION PROCESS:

All employment applications will be reviewed for accuracy, completion, relevant experience, education, training and other job-related qualifications. Applicants with the strongest background relating to the responsibilities of this position will be invited to participate in the testing process which may include one or more of the following: written test, oral interview, performance/practical examination. The successful candidate will be required to pass a background/reference check and pre-employment physical examination including a drug screen (for safety sensitive position) at no cost to the candidate. Please visit our website at www.ieua.org and select the Human Resources Department for additional information regarding the Agency, the hiring process and benefit information.

Any applicant requiring reasonable accommodation during the selection process due to a qualified disability must inform the Human Resources Office at (909) 993-1640 or at least 72 hours in advance of the need for accommodation.

THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT DO NOT CONSTITUTE A CONTRACT, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, AND ANY PROVISION CONTAINED IN THIS BULLETIN MAY BE MODIFIED OR REVOKED WITHOUT NOTICE.

"The Agency's success is obtained by creating a positive and diverse work environment which recognizes individual differences and experiences".

Job Summary

Company

Inland Empire Utilities Agency

Start Date

As soon as possible

Employment Term and Type

Regular, Full Time

Salary and Benefits

$130,267.28 - $158,717.26 Annually

Required Experience

7+ years