Network Operations Engineer (IT Communications Analyst III)

Network Operations Engineer (IT Communications Analyst III) Salary $91,060.87 - $138,618.86 Annually

Location: Riverside Job Type: Regular Remote Employment Flexible/Hybrid Job Number: 25-86124-02 Department: Information Technology Division Converged Network Services Opening Date: 12/23/2025 Closing Date: 12/30/2025 12:00 AM Pacific

Description

The Riverside County Information Technology, Network Operations Unit is seeking a highly motivated and team-oriented Network Operations Engineer to join their team in Riverside. Please note that Network Operations Engineer is a working title for the classification of IT Communications Analyst III.

The Network Operations Engineer plays a critical role in ensuring the availability, performance, and reliability of the organizations enterprise and public safety network infrastructure. This position is responsible for monitoring network performance, measuring resource availability and capacity on a scheduled basis, and responding to and resolving network issues through root cause analysis and resolution tracking. In the event of a network outage, the engineer provides diagnosis across layer 1 to layer 3, initiates corrective actions, and communicates updates to stakeholders and customers as needed.

Key Responsibilities

• Provision and troubleshoot carrier Ethernet circuits to ensure reliable connectivity
• Administer DNS services using Infoblox appliances
• Manage the Aruba wireless infrastructure, including access point provisioning and authentication via Aruba Central and Aruba ClearPass
• Maintain and manage the Palo Alto firewall infrastructure, including security policy deployment through Palo Alto Panorama
• Configure site-to-site IPsec VPN tunnels, manage GlobalProtect VPN groups, and oversee DMZ infrastructure
• Participate in a 24/7 on-call rotation and provide remote support to field technicians for network repairs and installations
• Create and maintain documentation detailing Layer 2/3 network topologies and associated equipment
• Research, evaluate, test, and recommend new products and services to support evolving business and technical requirements
• Stay current with best practices and emerging technologies in networking and cybersecurity
• Possess experience in network operations or supporting enterprise IT network infrastructure
• Demonstrate knowledge of TCP/IP fundamentals and network routing protocols such as EIGRP, OSPF, and BGP
• Analyze and define communication and infrastructure requirements by evaluating business processes, customer needs, available technologies, and cost-benefit factors
• Contribute to operations, network engineering efforts, infrastructure upgrades, and customer-facing projects as needed
• Have experience with cloud networking in environments such as AWS, Azure, or Oracle Cloud
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior staff members

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Completion of 30 semester or 45 quarter units from an accredited college or university, preferably with coursework in computer science, computer information systems, data processing, information management, or a related field
• Experience: Four years of successful journey-level experience with network systems and solutions, with one year including either lead person duties or technically advanced IT job-related work
• Core Competencies and Technical Qualifications:
• Proficient experience in implementing, maintaining, and troubleshooting large-scale TCP/IP-based networks
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
• Ability to resolve complex network issues effectively and efficiently
• Familiarity with advanced network solutions, including QoS, prefix filtering, route summarization, route maps, access control lists (ACLs), and NetFlow
• Understanding of modern network protocols and technologies

Preferred Qualifications

• Cisco CCNA, CCNP, Network+, ACA-S, ACP-S, CWNA, ACCX, CRS-A, and CRS-P certifications
• Customer-focused mindset and the ability to communicate information clearly, confidently, and professionally
• Experience with network monitoring and management tools like NetBrain, SolarWinds, or Infoblox
• Experience with cloud networking in environments such as AWS, Azure, or Oracle Cloud

About Riverside County Information Technology

RCIT is a full-service provider of IT services, including communications, development, security, infrastructure, desktop support, helpdesk, and datacenter services. Comprehensive systems support is also offered for email and messaging, smart phones, tablets, expert technical support, and production and test environments.

Meet the Team

RCIT promotes a culture of Team Players! People are at the center of everything in the department, and it is a priority to work together for a balanced, work-life environment. Executive Leadership is customer-focused and employee-supportive in all things. It is a goal to create an environment where working hard can be fun and rewarding for everyone.

Schedule

This position follows a 9/80 work schedule. During the training period, the selected candidate will be required to work onsite at least once per week. Upon completion of training, remote work will be permitted, with in-office attendance required on an as-needed basis. This schedule is subject to change at the discretion of the department.

Benefits

• Comprehensive systems support for email and messaging, smart phones, tablets, expert technical support, and production and test environments
• Flexible Benefit Credit contribution as governed by the applicable SEIU Memorandum of Understanding
• Deferred Compensation plan options
• Vacation accrual (bi-weekly accrual)
• Sick leave accrual (4 hours per pay period with unlimited accrual)
• Holidays (12 paid holidays per year)
• Bereavement leave (5 days, 3 days are County paid, 2 additional days can be taken from accrued Sick Leave balance)
• Basic Life Insurance (equal to one times annual base salary, not to exceed $50,000 of term life coverage)
• Disability Insurance (State Disability Insurance, which provides wage replacement benefits for individuals who are unable to work due to non-work-related illness, injury, or pregnancy)
• Long-Term Disability Benefits (cover 66.67% of pre-disability earnings, up to a maximum of $10,000 per month)
• Post-Retirement Medical Contribution (a monthly contribution is made by the County towards retiree health insurance)

Application Information

• Are you a current regular or temporary employee of the Riverside County Information Technology department? Yes No
• Select the answer that best describes your current drivers license status:
• I have a valid California drivers license.
• I am able to obtain a valid California drivers license.
• I currently have a valid out-of-state drivers license, and I am able to obtain a valid California drivers license.
• I do not have and/or I am not able to obtain a California drivers license.
• I understand that I will be required to submit to a security clearance background check conducted by the Riverside County Sheriffs Office as part of the employment requirements of this position. Yes No
• Have you completed 30 semester or 45 quarter units of education or more from an accredited college or university with coursework in computer science, computer information systems, data processing, information management, or a related field? Yes No
• How many years of experience do you possess with network systems and solutions?
• None
• Less than 12 months
• At least 1 year but less than 2
• At least 2 years but less than 3
• At least 3 years but less than 4
• 4 or more years but less than 5
• 5 years or more
• Do you possess at least 1 year of experience performing lead person duties or technically advanced IT job-related work? Yes No
• Do you possess at least 1 year as an IT Communications Analyst II with the County of Riverside? Yes No
• Can you describe your experience monitoring enterprise networks and identifying performance or capacity issues? What tools have you used?
• Select which network hardware have you configured, installed, or maintained?
• None
• Cisco routers/switches
• Aruba switches and wireless access points
• Ciena routers
• CradlePoint cellular routers
• Palo Alto firewalls
• Other
• What is your experience with network monitoring and management tools like NetBrain, SolarWinds, or Infoblox?
• Select which certifications you hold. Proof must be uploaded with your application.
• None
• Cisco CCNA
• CCNP
• Network+
• ACA-S
• ACP-S
• CWNA
• ACCX
• CRS-A
• CRS-P
• Other

Employer

County of Riverside Address: County Admin. Center P.O. Box 1569 4080 Lemon St., 7th floor Riverside, California, 92502-1569 Phone: (951) 955-3500 Website: http://www.rc-hr.com