Network Administrator (IT Network & Telecoms - Journey)

• This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
• You may telework most of your work time with occasional in-person meetings and activities.

• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change., In this role, you’ll serve as an advocate and technical resource for the agency’s on-prem and Public Cloud networking infrastructure. You’ll combine hands-on network engineering with project management to plan, implement, operate, and maintain the converged and integrated network services that keep Ecology’s applications and staff connected across the state, directly supporting our work to protect Washington’s air, water, and land., This is a journey-level position (one level below Senior). You’ll work with a high degree of independence on complex on-prem and network infrastructure while collaborating closely with senior technical staff, ITSO’s IT Security team, Washington Technology Solutions (WaTech), and external vendors. What you will do:

• Provide primary network engineering support for Ecology’s on-prem and cloud infrastructure by installing, configuring, and maintaining Layer 2/3 components, gateways, and firewalls, and coordinating work with internal teams and external partners.
• Monitor LAN/WAN performance and operational health across all agency sites, identifying anomalies, bandwidth issues, outages, and security-related events and ensuring timely follow-up with ISPs and the IT Security team.
• Deliver Tier 2 and Tier 3 support statewide, resolving complex wired and wireless networking issues, authentication failures, and WAN disruptions, and conducting root cause analysis to prevent recurrence.
• Perform routine maintenance to keep network infrastructure secure and optimized, including software updates, patching, password rotations, certificate management, and compliance with ITSO/State standards.
• Maintain accurate and current network documentation, including IP address assignments, topology diagrams, configuration guides, and full inventory records for network hardware.
• Provide technical consultation on network design and implementation, serving as a subject matter expert for planning, guiding technology choices, and mentoring support staff.
• Build vendor relationships and research emerging on-prem and cloud networking technologies to recommend solutions that support business needs and maintain high reliability.
• Lead and support project planning and implementation by analyzing dependencies, designing work plans, strengthening network security, and coordinating timelines across service delivery teams.

For detailed information on how we calculate experience and responses to other frequently asked questions, please visit our Recruitment website., Five years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position, which includes the following:

• Project Coordination - Ability to plan and organize tasks and timelines to support the successful delivery of network-related projects.
• Documentation Management - Ability to keep accurate and up-to-date network records, diagrams, and instructions to support troubleshooting and compliance.
• Network Engineering & Troubleshooting - Ability to install, configure, maintain, and repair network equipment and connections to ensure reliable, secure communication across the agency.
• Infrastructure Maintenance & Optimization - Ability to update software and equipment, manage certificates and configurations, and keep systems current to reduce downtime and security risk.
• Network Design & Evaluation - Ability to assess business needs, evaluate options, and recommend network designs that balance cost, resiliency, security, and performance.
• Documentation Management - Ability to keep accurate and up-to-date network records, diagrams, and instructions to support troubleshooting and compliance.
• Education involving a major study in IT, Computer Science, or closely related field.

Examples of how to qualify:

• 5 years of experience.
• 4 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 3 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
• 2 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• 1 year of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.

Desired Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree with focus on computer science, or Network hardware or architecture.
• Four years of information technology experience designing and maintaining Cisco wireless controllers, Cisco Core Infrastructure, Cisco Prime Infrastructure, ISE (Identity Service Engine), and Data Center experience.
• Proficient with Cisco iOS and working knowledge of routing protocols and services required to support wired/wireless network infrastructure.

3.43.4 out of 5 stars Lacey, WA Hybrid work $85,800 - $115,416 a year - Full-time, Pulled from the full job description

• Paid training
• Loan forgiveness
• Military leave
• Parental leave
• Health insurance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

About the Department of Ecology As the State of Washington’s environmental protection agency, we are deeply committed to protecting, preserving, and enhancing Washington’s environment for current and future generations. Joining Ecology means becoming part of a team dedicated to protecting and sustaining healthy land, air, water, and climate in harmony with a strong economy. A career in public service at Ecology allows you to help solve some of the most challenging problems facing our state, while keeping your health and financial security a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to life/work balance. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism, and accountability. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Respect (DEIR) are core values central to Ecology’s work. We strive to be a workplace where we are esteemed for sharing our authentic identities, while advancing our individual professional goals and collaborating to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment for current and future generations. We believe that DEIR is both a goal and an action. We are on a journey, honoring our shared humanity and taking steps to demonstrate our commitment to a vision where each of us is heard, seen, and valued.