Network Security & Systems Administrator

General Description

Thurston 911 Communications (TCOMM), a public safety agency, is seeking an IT Systems Administrator to be responsible for designing, developing, and implementing specific information technology projects and providing high-level technical expertise to staff and user agencies regarding emergency information technology systems.  

A successful candidate for this position will have proficient experience installing, troubleshooting, and maintaining network security and related components and systems. All of TCOMM's IT functions are performed by a small IT team and provide support to a 911 dispatch center that operates 24/7.  While each team member has assigned responsibilities, all team members are expected to perform any aspect of agency IT work as required.      

Since 1970, TCOMM has been the single-source 911 call and dispatch center in Thurston County.  TCOMM is responsible for receiving and recording all 911 calls for help in the county and dispatching the appropriate public safety responders to the emergency (law, fire, emergency medical services).

For more information, please visit the TCOMM website at:  tcomm911.org.

This recruitment will be open continuously, with the first review on May 1, 2024. TCOMM reserves the right to make a hiring decision at any time and encourages you to apply before May 1.  

Essential Functions

Essential Functions include but are not limited to:
 

• Perform systems analysis and provide technical development direction and training as required.  Regularly provide advice and recommend actions involving complex technology issues.
• Evaluate maintenance, security infrastructure, or problem areas and determine appropriate action. Maintain existing systems and recommend enhancements based on user needs.  Provide emergency maintenance on broken programs or systems using independent judgment and expertise.  Develop tracking documents to prevent system vulnerabilities. Conduct forensic investigations/root cause analysis as necessary.
• Perform daily system monitoring, including verifying the integrity and availability of all hardware, switches, server resources, systems, and key processes, reviewing system and application logs, and verifying completion of scheduled jobs such as system backups.
• Ensure compliance with modern security standards such as CJIS, NIST, and HIPPA
• Continually evaluate applications for effectiveness, efficiency, and security, making recommendations to implement changes and modifications that enhance public safety communications with user agencies. Remain current on the latest updates that affect agency applications.  Test and coordinate the implementation of updates with various users.
• Coordinate and maintain telecommunication systems in multiple locations. Provide day-to-day support for all telecommunications moves and changes. Repair, locate, isolate, and repair malfunctions in telecommunications equipment, including circuits. Installs, tests, resolves issues, and implements new releases of telecommunication system software.
• Monitor phone system capacity, maintain system records such as numbering systems, cable distribution, and hardware, and design and update network schematics.
• Provide support to users on the use of agency software applications and desktop applications, including answering questions, resolving problems, and researching answers and solutions as needed.
• Coordinate installation of hardware, software, and data communication updates, changes, and enhancements. Install and implement newly purchased software. Convert data from existing systems to new systems. Provide ongoing system maintenance. Participate in database and operating system upgrades. Test installed versions to ensure the system is running properly.

Working Conditions
Work is performed primarily in an office environment, including customer sites throughout Thurston County.   An employee regularly sits for long periods of time at a computer screen, attending meetings, etc.  Physical exertion is required for lifting, usually not exceeding 50 lbs. Installation of various computer parts may also require bending, kneeling, stooping, reaching, and crawling.
 
This position requires one to be a part of an on-call rotation and may be required to work an irregular and changing schedule, including working extended hours to correct technical issues, attending early morning or evening meetings, working weekends and holidays, and/or being available by phone to answer questions or be called in.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Associate’s degree in computer science, management information, business administration, or related field AND three years of progressive responsibility.  A bachelor’s degree is preferred.  Additional experience, which demonstrates progressively increasing responsibilities, may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis.
• Experience must include a demonstrated thorough knowledge of: 
  • System and network security, including intrusion detection systems, firewall and VPN configuration and maintenance, and telecommunications support.
  • Hardware, including personal computers, network servers, communication devices, printers, plotters, etc. 
  • Software, including network and desktop operating systems, office automation, programming languages, and database products.
• Must have a valid Washington State Driver’s License or have requested and obtained an appropriate accommodation.
• Employment is contingent upon passing a security background investigation.

Desired Qualifications:

• Previous experience in a governmental organization, specifically 911 dispatch
• System and Network Security experience with network switches, VLANs, and Secure Remote Access Technologies.
• Proficiency with a major standard security/network hardware vendor or solution (Cisco, Fortinet, Palo Alto, etc...)
• Cisco Certified Networking Professional (CCNP) Routing and Switching.
• Cisco Certified Design Professional (CCDP).
• Advanced certification in Cyber Security (CISSP, CISA, or related certificate)

Supplemental Information

Benefits Information:

• Full Employee Medical Coverage (medical, dental, vision, life insurance, LTD)
• $875/month contribution toward dependent benefit costs
• Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) participation
• 3% match to 457b Deferred Compensation plan
• Employee Assistance Program

Other Position Related Information
Questions about this recruitment?  Please contact Aaron Moe, 360.704.2733.

This position is:
- Not represented by a union
- Eligible for benefits
- Not eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)

Items required for consideration:
- Online application
- Cover Letter and Resume
- Answers to supplemental questions