Senior Manager, Networking and System Engineering

The City of Oxnard’s Information Technology Department is seeking a highly technical Senior Manager, Networking and System Engineering to architect, build, and maintain the backbone of the City’s IT infrastructure. Reporting to the Deputy CIO, this role leads the engineering team responsible for the City’s network fabric, virtualization stack, and core computing environment. While security is a component of every IT role, the primary mandate of this position is operational excellence: high availability, robust system performance, and seamless connectivity across City departments. This person will serve as the technical authority on switching, routing, and virtualization strategy, ensuring the technology stack scales with the City’s growth and daily operations., * Core Networking: Manage and configure the City’s switching infrastructure, including Juniper switches for the storage network and Cisco switches for the general network. Ensure optimal routing, VLAN management, and throughput for high-performance applications.

• Connectivity & Routing: Manage and optimize the edge network and firewall rulesets across a multi-vendor environment (SonicWall, Fortinet, Cisco Firepower), with a primary focus on traffic flow, bandwidth optimization, and site-to-site VPN reliability.
• Wireless & Edge: Manage the Citywide Meraki wireless environment and edge services (including Cloudflare for DNS/CDN/DDoS protection) to ensure secure, reliable connectivity at every City facility.
• Telephony & Carrier Management: Own the City’s telephony network and manage the carrier relationship (Verizon) supporting voice, cellular, and mobile connectivity, including the City’s mobile phone fleet.
• Monitoring & Observability: Use LogicMonitor, N-Central, and Splunk to actively monitor network health, bandwidth usage, and latency - not just for log review - proactively identifying and resolving bottlenecks before they impact end users.
• Public Safety Network Segments: Manage and maintain the dedicated, segmented networks supporting Police and Fire operations, including the dark site network and Radio System connectivity, to the higher reliability and availability standards these systems require.
• 911 & Surveillance Infrastructure: Maintain the network infrastructure underpinning the City’s 911 System and surveillance systems (including the Ubiquiti surveillance environment), ensuring uptime and availability for public safety and emergency operations.
• Redundant & Backup Connectivity: Maintain backup/failover connectivity (e.g., Starlink) to preserve continuity for critical and public safety systems during a primary network outage.
• Compliance: Ensure network architecture, segmentation, and access controls for public-safety systems meet CJIS requirements, partnering with the Security team and outside auditors as needed.
• Virtual Infrastructure: Serve as lead architect for the VMware environment, including storage and the City’s Public Safety VMware environment. Manage ESXi hosts, vCenter, resource pools, and datastores to ensure maximum uptime and performance.
• Storage & Data Management: Oversee the configuration and maintenance of Synology storage arrays and MOVEit managed file transfer, ensuring data remains accessible and data integrity is preserved.
• Linux Ecosystem: Manage the lifecycle of the Linux server environment, including container platforms (Docker Swarm). Own repository and patch management infrastructure to ensure system stability and patch consistency enterprise-wide.
• Database Infrastructure: Provide infrastructure-level oversight of the City’s MySQL/Percona and Microsoft SQL Server environments (including Redgate tooling), partnering with application teams on performance, availability, and change management.
• Endpoint & Mobile Device Management: Oversee mobile device management (MaaS360) and the City’s mobile phone fleet to ensure secure, consistent configuration.
• Backup Strategy: Engineer and test robust backup solutions using Veeam. Ensure RPO/RTO objectives are met and regularly validate restoration procedures for critical systems.
• Power Redundancy: Maintain and test UPS systems supporting critical infrastructure to ensure continuity during power events.
• Redundancy: Design systems with no single point of failure where possible, planning for high availability in both network topology and server clustering.
• Support the operational side of identity management using Okta and LastPass, ensuring seamless user provisioning, SSO integration, and efficient directory synchronization.
• Oversee access controls and user lifecycle management so employees have the right access to the right tools without unnecessary friction.
• Collaborate with the Security team to implement necessary controls within the infrastructure (e.g., deploying CrowdStrike agents via group policy, remediating vulnerabilities identified by the vulnerability management program).
• Assist in maintaining the technical accuracy of the Risk Register and support CJIS technical controls from an implementation perspective.
• Team Leadership: Hire, coach, and manage the performance of network and systems engineering staff; set priorities, develop staff technical growth, and build a strong on-call and incident-response culture.
• Documentation & Design: Own the lifecycle of technical documentation, ensuring all department-owned systems have up-to-date architectural diagrams, reference documentation, and design records.
• Solution Architecture: Act as technical lead and solution architect for new projects within your domain, making key decisions on design patterns, scalability, and component structure.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with other engineering teams and City leaders to ensure technical alignment, resolve dependencies, and foster a cohesive engineering culture., The Information Technology Officer I is the journey level class for the Information Technology Officer series. This class is tasked with managing City resources and contract staff to oversee assigned systems projects and initiatives. This class is distinguished from the Information Technology Officer I in that the Information Technology Officer I provides planning, implementation and operational oversight of assigned technology function, and may provide direct supervision of assigned staff. SUPERVISION RECEIVED/EXERCISED: Receives general supervision from the Deputy Chief Information Technology Officer, Chief Information Officer and/or higher level management. Exercises supervision over City staff and contract staff in the assigned function area.

WORK SCHEDULE: The normal work week is Monday through Thursday 8:00am to 6:00pm and alternating Fridays 8:00am to 5:00pm. Depending on the work assignment staff may be assigned to a shift that is outside the standard work hours. In addition, this position may be required to be available to work additional hours in response to peaks in workloads and changes in department needs. The standard work environment varies depending on assignment but is typically either primarily in an office setting or out in the field. The City does not offer hybrid or remote work., This class specification represents only the core areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the needs of the Department.

• As assigned, oversee the conduct of and supervision of staff including conducting performance evaluations and implementing training, and hiring, discipline and termination procedures
• Reviews system functionality, service support operations, and overall performance of assigned technology area in meeting requirements; analyzes and provides recommendations for performance and process enhancements and overall optimization of technology.
• Provides oversight of and plans, analyzes, designs, implements and/or maintains assigned technology systems, support operations and related projects
• Take action in the full range of formal personnel activities, and provide contract oversight in conjunction within the Information Technology Department.
• Plans, coordinates and supports the implementation of new and assigned existing systems, system modifications and/or the discontinuation of existing systems and related equipment.
• Participates in the development, administration and evaluation of assigned budget; monitors budget compliance and expenditures; recommends and implements budget adjustments
• Prepares and oversees the development of technical documentation, policies/procedures, proposals, process flows, training materials, performance reporting, presentations, correspondence and/or other documentation in support of assigned programs/projects/processes/functions.
• Monitors and reports on performance indicators and service levels.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature and level as assigned., * Candidates who hold a foreign degree will be required to provide official documentation verifying degree equivalency or matriculation upon hire, depending on the position’s requirements. For information on degree evaluation and matriculation options, please visit https://naces.org/members/., Employees are required to participate in the City’s direct deposit plan and are paid on a bi-weekly basis.

This position requires a 12-month probationary period. Internal applicant probationary periods will be governed by the applicable MOU.

Pursuant to California Government Code Section 3100, all public employees are required to serve as disaster service workers subject to such disaster service activities as may be assigned to them.

If a candidate accepts a conditional job offer with the City of Oxnard, any and all pending applications for active recruitments with the City of Oxnard will be withdrawn and no longer considered.

This position is not governed by the overtime provisions of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act and is not eligible for overtime pay., The City of Oxnard makes reasonable accommodations for individuals/people with disabilities. If you believe you require special arrangements to participate in the testing process, you must inform the Human Resources Department in writing no later than the filing date. Applicants who request such accommodation must document their request with an explanation of the type and extent of accommodation required.

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Computer Science, Information Systems, Electronics Engineering, Voice/Data Communications, Public/Business Administration, or a related field., * Five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in a technical, administrative, or staff capacity with responsibility for planning, organizing, and implementing information system programs and projects, including two (2) years of supervisory experience, * Must be able to effectively communicate in English, both orally and in writing., * Master’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Business Administration or related field
• Experience supporting a public-sector or municipal IT environment, including familiarity with CJIS security requirements.
• CCNP (Cisco) or JNCIP (Juniper)
• VCP (VMware Certified Professional)
• MCSE or equivalent Microsoft infrastructure certification
• RHCE, LPIC, or CompTIA Linux+, Selected candidate(s) must pass a thorough reference check and background investigation. Some positions that work with or have access to the Police Department may require a polygraph exam. Select positions may require candidates to undergo a pre-employment medical and/or psychological evaluation., For most positions, the City of Oxnard relies on office automation (Microsoft Office/Google) and web-enabled tools. Candidates must be proficient and comfortable with computer use to perform functions associated with ongoing work.

Regular and reliable attendance, effective communication skills, and development of effective working relationships are requirements of all positions.

The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.

Retirement Contributions: New members (as defined by PEPRA), 2% @ 62; “Classic” members 2% @ 55. The employee will be required to pay a portion of their annual earnings toward their retirement. The City of Oxnard does not participate in social security.

Safety Designated Positions: New members (as defined by PEPRA), 2.7% @ 57; “Classic” members 3% @ 50. The employee will be required to pay a portion of their annual earnings toward their retirement depending on their relevant MOU. The City of Oxnard does not participate in social security.

Vacation/Annual Accrual Rates: Leave accrual rates vary between 6.24 - 11.78 hours per pay period based on years of service.

Administrative Leave: Management employees are not compensated for overtime worked. However, the department director may authorize up to 40 hours of administrative leave in one year.

Deferred Compensation: The City contributes 1% of employee salary to a 401(a) plan of its choosing.

Retirement Health Savings The City contributes 1% to a retirement health savings account.

Bilingual Pay: A regular full time employee may receive bilingual pay at the rate of $50.00-$100.00 bi-weekly depending on the Level the employee is required to provide bilingual services as determined by the City Manager or designee. Health and Dental: Employees can choose from a variety of medical plans provided by the City. The City’s contribution to medical coverage is outlined below:

Level One - For employees hired before January 1, 2023, the City contributes $1,543.00 per month toward medical insurance premiums and an additional $74.21 per month toward dental insurance premiums. Employees will receive cash back if the medical plan they choose is less than the City’s monthly contribution of $1,543.00 per month. Employees who waive medical insurance will receive cash back in the amount $1,243.00 per month provided they provide proof of other qualifying coverage. Any unused dental premium monies are paid to the employee. If employees hired prior to January 1, 2023 make any changes to their health plan, they will be placed in level two.

Level Two - For employees hired on or after January 1, 2023, the City will contribute $2,054 per month towards medical insurance premiums with no cash back. Employees who waive medical insurance will receive $500.00 per month cash back provided they show proof of other qualifying coverage. The City will provide $66.80 per month towards dental insurance.

Holidays: The City observes 12 holidays per year

Life Insurance: City employees receive Basic Life Coverage ($7,500) + 1 times annual salary 100% paid by the City. Employees also have the option to purchase additional insurance.

Tuition Reimbursement: Full-time employees are eligible for 100% reimbursement for work-related coursework up to a maximum of $5,000 per fiscal year.

This recruitment is open until filled. Early submissions are encouraged as applications will be reviewed on a regular and ongoing basis.