IT NETWORK ENGINEER IV

Information Technology Services - ITS

State of Idaho Opportunity

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Summary:

Information Technology Services is a team of dedicated professionals providing core technology and cybersecurity services to agencies statewide, enabling state employees to serve Idaho's citizens. We sincerely hope you will consider being part of our success!

Information Technology Services (ITS), currently has an opening for an IT Network Engineer IV position in our Chinden office in Boise.

The Network Transport Engineer IV is a senior technical expert responsible for the design, implementation, and maintenance of the statewide backbone and transport infrastructure for the State of Idaho. This role ensures the high availability, scalability, and security of carrier-grade network services supporting services for Idaho citizens.

In this position, you will lead strategic technology planning and modernization efforts for complex enterprise infrastructure. You will translate business requirements into secure, functional solutions through advanced network and security architectures. Key responsibilities include managing mission-critical firewall platforms, datacenter interconnects, and enterprise network security services, as well as ensuring the administration, installation, and availability of these systems. The role also oversees 24/7 operational support for core datacenter networking and perimeter security operations in a high-demand environment.

Please note: The successful candidate will be required to pass multiple, comprehensive fingerprint-based background checks specific to the agencies ITS supports.

Example of Duties:

Network Architecture & Operations

• Design and optimize statewide backbone architecture, including layer 2 protocols, 802.1x, Wi-Fi networking, and optical transport systems.
• Implement and maintain high-capacity links, redundancy strategies, and failover mechanisms for mission-critical services.
• Lead modernization initiatives for backbone technologies, including migration to SDN and segment routing.
• Conduct capacity planning and performance analysis to ensure network scalability and reliability.
• Collaborate with security teams to implement transport-level protections against DDoS and other advanced threats.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive documentation for network architecture, operational procedures, and lifecycle plans.

Leadership & Strategic Planning

• Supervise and oversee a critical network support team in a high-demand, 24/7 operational environment.
• Troubleshoot complex network and transport issues across multi-vendor platforms using advanced network management tools.
• Participate in or lead network design efforts, providing technical insights and innovative solutions.
• Anticipate implementation obstacles and develop mitigation strategies for cross-technology and cross-platform challenges.
• Provide input into organizational technology roadmaps, ensuring integration with broader infrastructure plans.
• Recommend investments in new products and technologies, supported by detailed analysis and business justification.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior managers and leadership within customer agencies.
• Deliver consulting services to project teams on specialized areas of expertise.

Security & Risk Oversight

• Enforce enterprise security policies and standards for perimeter and datacenter environments.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of security technologies and emerging risks; recommend strategic direction for long-term security planning.
• Lead or support investigation and response activities for complex or sensitive security incidents impacting enterprise network systems.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Good knowledge of management practices.
• Typically gained by completion of two three credit or equivalent upper division college-level courses that included all the essential elements of management (Planning, Organizing, Leading, and Controlling); OR the college or university sponsored Center for Management Development Supervision I-IV or equivalent AND six months of experience performing all management elements; OR one year of experience performing all management elements.
• Comprehensive knowledge of current LAN, WAN or SD-WAN networks that support voice, data, video and wireless client connections in a large, diverse business environment, along with professional vendor certification in network technology from a recognized vendor.
• Typically gained by a Master's degree directly related to information technology OR at least six years of work experience with LAN, WAN or SD-WAN technologies in a medium to large business environment AND by possession of a professional vendor certification in router, switch or SD-WAN technologies. Experience must be within the last two years. (Definitions: LAN = Local Area Network, WAN = Wide Area Network, SD-WAN = Software Defined Wide Area Network)

MQ Specialties:

• Advanced experience with complex, managed service provider, datacenter environments
• Typically gained by at least 1 year of work experience with complex, managed service provider, datacenter environments
• Experience leading enterprise level network technology teams in a highly demanding environment
• Typically gained by at least 1 year of work experience leading enterprise level network technology teams in a highly demanding environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Considerable knowledge of current trends in information technology, including hardware/software capabilities and limitations.
• Comprehensive knowledge and experience in advanced routing protocols and datacenter technologies such as: BGP, IS-IS, OSPF, EVPN/VXLAN, VRF, VPC/MLAG/MCLAG, and Q-in-Q.
• Experience supervising staff and activities of an IT function.
• Experience participating in short- and long-range IT planning, including developing and implementing policies and procedures.

Applications will be accepted through 11:59 PM MST on the posting end date.

Benefits:

The State of Idaho offers a robust total compensation package, including medical, vision, and dental insurance; PERSI retirement benefits; paid sick, vacation, and parental leave; and 11 paid holidays per year. For additional information related to benefits and/or State programs, please visit https://dhr.idaho.gov/StateEmployees/Benefits.html.*

EEO/ADA/Veteran:

The State of Idaho is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, political affiliation or belief, sex, national origin, genetics, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

The State of Idaho is committed to access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, auxiliary aids and services are available upon request. If you require an accommodation at any step in our recruitment process, you are encouraged to contact (208) 334-2263 (TTY/TTD: 711), or email ada.coordinator@dhr.idaho.gov.

Preference may be given to veterans who qualify under state and federal laws and regulations.