Senior Gateway / Network Security Engineer

Department of Employment and Workplace Relations; Canberra; On-site; AUD 129,000 - 157,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations in Canberra is seeking a Senior Gateway / Network Security Engineer (Executive Level 1 or EL1 IT Specialist). You will secure and maintain the department's Internet Gateway, balancing regulatory compliance with reliable operations across government networks.

You will lead projects, mentor staff, and engage with stakeholders while overseeing secure gateway technologies and security posture in a dynamic, high‑visibility environment.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in IT or Cyber Security.
• Australian Driver Licence is required.

Responsibilities

• Design and manage the department's Internet Gateway environment securely.
• Configure and harden Internet Gateway technologies (secure web gateways, DNS, WAFs, load balancers, firewalls, VPNs).
• Lead technical projects, service improvements and infrastructure upgrades.
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical incidents and outages.
• Provide technical leadership and mentoring to junior staff.
• Develop and maintain system documentation and ISM procedures.
• Manage the Gateway asset lifecycle from procurement to disposal.
• Monitor emerging cyber threats and apply ACSC guidance.
• Participate in an on‑call roster and after-hours maintenance as required.

Skills

Networking

Cyber Security

ITIL

Education

Tertiary IT/Cyber Security degree

Tools

Secure web gateways

DNS

Firewalls

VPNs

IDS/IPS

Job description

• EL1: $129,477 - $143,099 / IT Specialist (EL1): $150,255 - $157,409

• Executive Level 1
• Canberra, ACT
• EL1: $129,477 - $143,099 / IT Specialist (EL1): $150,255 - $157,409

About The Department Of Employment And Workplace Relations

We are committed to empowering futures, ensuring rights and enriching lives. We support people to have safe, secure and well-paid work with the skills for a sustainable future as we ourselves strive to be a model employer.

We provide the framework for fair and productive relationships between employers and employees. We also oversee skills development and training initiatives to support those entering the workforce or re‑training to take advantage of emerging employment opportunities.

With us, your work directly contributes to shaping the employment landscape. Whether you are engaging in policy development, program implementation, or direct support services, your efforts will have a tangible impact on job seekers, employees and the economy by giving them a framework to build a future anchored and realised through employment.

It is our ambition to do things differently, to create the ‘department of great jobs’– where our people reflect our purpose.

The Role

Reporting to the Director, Secure Gateway Services, the Senior Gateway / Network Security Engineer is responsible for ensuring the department's Internet Gateway environment is secure, reliable and maintained in accordance with relevant government regulations and industry best practices.

This role provides an opportunity to work across a broad range of network and cyber security technologies supporting the department and multiple Commonwealth agencies. The successful candidate will contribute to major projects, service improvements and technology modernisation initiatives while developing their technical leadership capabilities.

While this is a highly technical role, it also requires regular engagement with stakeholders and senior management to communicate complex technical issues, provide technical advice and mentor junior staff.

The role may require participation in an on‑call roster once familiar with the environment. Occasional after‑hours maintenance and project work may also be required, with overtime provisions available under the Enterprise Agreement.

Please note that this position is available at both the Executive Level 1 and Executive Level 1 Information Technology Specialist classifications, depending on the skills and experience of the successful candidate. Specialist positions are subject to eligibility requirements outlined in the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations Enterprise Agreement 2024-27 and are offered at the discretion of the delegate.

Please note that the initial vacancy is for an ongoing position. A merit pool will be established for future ongoing and non-ongoing vacancies that may arise.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Designing, managing and maintaining the department's Internet Gateway environment in a secure and reliable manner in accordance with relevant government regulations and industry best practices.
• Configuring, managing and hardening Internet Gateway technologies, including secure web gateways, email security platforms, sandboxing solutions, DNS, web application firewalls, load balancers, intrusion prevention systems, firewalls, routers, switches, VPNs, managed file transfer services and associated monitoring infrastructure.
• Leading technical projects, service improvements and infrastructure upgrades within the Gateway environment.
• Performing advanced troubleshooting and resolution of complex technical incidents, service disruptions and infrastructure changes.
• Providing technical leadership, guidance and mentoring to junior staff.
• Developing and maintaining system documentation, technical procedures and service request processes in accordance with team processes and the Information Security Manual (ISM).
• Managing the Gateway asset lifecycle, including procurement, implementation, replacement, decommissioning and disposal activities.
• Monitoring emerging cyber security threats, ACSC guidance and government initiatives, and applying those insights to strengthen the security and resilience of the Gateway environment.
• Participating in an on-call roster and undertaking occasional after-hours maintenance activities as required.

Qualifications and Education

Essential IT Specialist Designation

• Tertiary qualifications in an IT or Cyber Security field (in accordance with DEWR Enterprise Agreement 2024-27).
• Must hold and maintain a current Australian Driver Licence.

Desirable IT Specialist Designation

• Networking, Cyber Security, ITIL and other relevant industry certifications are highly desirable.

Essential Executive Level 1

• Must hold and maintain a current Australian Driver Licence.

Desirable Executive Level 1

• Networking, Cyber Security, ITIL and other relevant industry certifications are highly desirable
• Tertiary qualifications in an IT or Cyber Security field

Eligibility

At DEWR we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workforce and seek to recruit staff with a wide range of backgrounds, skill levels, disciplines and working styles. If this role resonates with you and you are excited about making an impact, but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly, we encourage you to apply anyway.

Citizenship

to be eligible for employment with the Department, you must be an Australian Citizen or, in limited circumstances, in the process of obtaining it.

Security Clearance

our successful candidate is required to hold, or have the ability to obtain, and maintain a Negative Vetting 1 security clearance.

Please refer to the Job Information Pack for more information about the role.