Network Specialist

This position currently qualifies for a hybrid telework option with routine office and up to one remote workday per week. The NC Department of Insurance trusts our employees to be self-motivated and successful in hybrid/remote roles. Telework options are subject to change at the discretion of management.

Primary Purpose of the Position:

As a member of the Network Team, this individual will provide technical leadership in the day-to-day administration of the local area networking, server administration, network account management, software distribution, and network security management.

The role of Network Specialist is a key position working within the Network Team and is focused primarily on Windows and Linux Server and Active Directory systems administration, overall infrastructure engineering, and administration within the Information Systems Division.

This role has primary responsibility for planning, configuring, supporting, and continuous performance tuning of complex infrastructure systems inclusive of servers, networks, security platforms, and LAN resources. Additional responsibilities include supporting users for remote access via VPN, firewalls, switches, wireless access points, content filtering, network access control, and data protection through DLP and enterprise backup systems.

The operating environment is an Azure hybrid LAN environment, using MS Windows and Linux Servers. Workstations are microcomputers running Windows 11. Standard applications include the MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Access) and other standardized and special use software. This role assists with the forecasting and planning of all enterprise service offerings including, but not limited to, networking infrastructure, server infrastructure, and overall network security.

Examples of duties include, planning, coordination, and implementation of Windows/Linux Server and Active Directory as well as Network operations for the department. Including the administration of network equipment and software, servers, data protection/backup (on-premises and cloud), and security systems including Cisco ISE and Cisco Firepower. The position will implement and maintain network firewall policy and control management, identity and access management (on-premises and cloud), and domain policy management and provide hands-on technical leadership in the day-to-day network administration tasks, including all networking equipment needed to support DOI’s LAN and Azure environments., * Academic Degrees must be from appropriately accredited institutions and will be verified. If you are selected for a position at DOI/IC, your academic credentials will be verified.

• Applicants requesting and receiving an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are eligible to submit paper applications via mail or by fax.
• Applicants seeking Veteran’s Preference under N.C.G.S .126 must submit a DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. This information may be attached to the online application or be faxed on or before the closing date.

Applicants may check the status of their application for a vacancy at any time by logging in to the government jobs system. Once the applicant has logged in, the status of each submitted application is documented next to each vacancy for which they have applied.

We are seeking a highly skilled IT infrastructure professional with strong expertise across enterprise networking, server environments, and modern virtualization platforms. The ideal candidate will have deep experience designing, implementing, and supporting complex infrastructure solutions, including servers, switches, firewalls, backup and recovery systems, patch management, and software distribution technologies.

Candidates should have strong working knowledge of virtualization platforms such as Nutanix and/or VMware, as well as comprehensive experience with Active Directory (forest/domain architecture, DC topology, security groups/OUs, GPOs, DNS, DHCP). Proficiency with Cisco Firepower or equivalent firewall technologies is required, along with experience in enterprise backup and recovery solutions (preferably Rubrik), DLP tools, and Microsoft file systems.

This role requires advanced troubleshooting skills across networking and server environments. Experience with audiovisual systems such as Cisco WebEx and Room Kits is beneficial.

Preferred qualifications include in-depth knowledge of Cisco IOS, Cisco Firepower, Cisco ISE, Cisco Umbrella, and Meraki; strong familiarity with cloud-hosted solutions such as Microsoft Azure; and experience with hyper-converged infrastructure. Working knowledge of VPN technologies (e.g., Cisco Secure Client), SSO/ADFS/identity access management, and automation via scripting languages such as PowerShell is highly valued.

The successful candidate will demonstrate strong initiative, effective prioritization in a dynamic environment, and the ability to work independently. Professional certifications such as CCNA, CCNP, CompTIA Network+, MCSE, or Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator are preferred. Experience mentoring or indirectly managing team members is a plus.

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or an IT-related field or related technical degree from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of progressive experience in networking or a related field; or related technical degree from an appropriately accredited institution and three years of progressive experience in networking or a related field; or High School or General Educational Development (GED) diploma and six years of networking-related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Pulled from the full job description

• Health insurance
• Employee discount
• Vision insurance
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Paid holidays, We value our employees and offer a wide variety of competitive and family-friendly benefits. Benefits include:
• 12 Annual paid Holidays
• North Carolina State Health Plan administered by AETNA
• Supplemental Benefits including: Flexible Spending Accounts, Accident Insurance, Cancer & Specified Disease, Critical Illness, Dental and Vision
• NC State Retirement (TSERS)
• WeSave Employee Discounts

Learn more about employee perks/benefits:

• Why Work For NC?
• NC OSHR: Benefits

The mission of the North Carolina Department of Insurance is to promote a stable insurance market through unbiased regulation and to protect the lives and property of every citizen in all 100 counties while fostering superior, user-friendly service, courtesy, and respect. Our agency licenses insurance agents, adjusters, bail bondsmen and more, along with investigating fraud matters involving insurance consumers and any entity or individual regulated by the Department. In an ever-changing environment, it is the vision of the Department of Insurance to maintain the stabilization of the insurance industry in order to provide more products, competitive prices and consumer protection.