Senior Network Officer

Bracknell Forest Council; Bracknell; Hybrid; GBP 53,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority is seeking an IT professional to manage network architecture and design. The role involves working closely with teams, supporting network changes, and resolving infrastructure issues. Applicants should have extensive networking experience including Cisco technologies and the ability to communicate effectively with various stakeholders. This position offers a hybrid work model and requires availability for short notice site visits.

Benefits

Generous annual leave entitlement

Average salary pension scheme

Flexible working opportunities

Regular development training opportunities

Supermarket discount

Interest-free loan for rail season ticket

Qualifications

• Multiple years of networking experience in Enterprise IT.
• Hands-on experience with Cisco switches, routers, and firewalls.
• Ability to troubleshoot and solve complex network problems.

Responsibilities

• Manage network architecture, design, and implementation.
• Support network changes and maintenance minimizing disruption.
• Communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Skills

Networking experience in an Enterprise IT environment including Cisco

Strong understanding of networking protocols

Excellent time management skills

Ability to communicate technical information clearly

Strong analytical skills

Proactive and able to work autonomously

Education

Cisco CCNP certification or equivalent

Tools

Cisco switches

Firewalls

Routing protocols (OSPF, BGP)

Wi-Fi technology

Job description

Job Category : IT

Location : Time Square, Bracknell Forest Council

Hours Per Week : 37.00

Start Date : Immediate start

Base Salary : £52,204.00

We have been investing in new technologies such as the latest generation of firewalls, Cisco switching and Wi‑Fi 6E access points, with SD‑Access. We’re installing this ourselves which has allowed time to learn and set it up. There is external training too, if required. Also, the team is very collaborative, with engineers supporting each other as needed.

The IT infrastructure of Bracknell Forest Council is the main pillar of how the Council delivers to our residents. The Network Team at Bracknell Forest Council look after all aspects of Network Architecture, Strategy, Design, Implementation, and support of the enterprise network environment. This is an opportunity to join us and shape the environment going forward.

The network team is an extremely rewarding place to gain exposure to the latest enterprise network technologies.

Since you are working for an end user in‑source consumer of IT services rather than an IT service provider, you will work directly with our ‘customers’ in a transparent manner without a customer : service provider relationship. So, things tend to be less contentious since we are ‘all on the same side’.

You can choose your hours between 08 : 00‑17 : 30, Monday to Friday, open to negotiation with the rest of the team on a day‑to‑day basis.

Even though this is a hybrid role with most office visits being planned due to project‑related activities, there’s the need to attend Council sites in a timely manner at short notice to resolve network faults and outages. A driving licence is essential.

Some out of hours work will be required to support network changes and maintenance with least disruption to council services.

A minimum of a day a week in the office should be expected, but you must be able to reach Bracknell within two hours in the event of network downtime.

Other benefits

• Generous annual leave entitlement (32 days after five years’ service)
• Average salary pension scheme
• An inclusive and social working environment.
• Flexible working opportunities including a flexi‑time scheme
• Regular opportunities for development with internal and external training courses.
• A great office location next to travel links and the regenerated town centre
• Internal sports and social club opportunities
• Discounted leisure centre and gym membership
• Supermarket discount
• An interest‑free loan for a rail season ticket

Qualifications

• Thoughtful, thorough and conscientious
• Self‑starter, with ability to take ownership and engagement in the work
• Excellent time management skills
• Driven, proactive and able to work autonomously with little supervision towards the company’s purpose
• Critical thinking and ability to show initiative
• Ability to work well in a team and independently
• Multiple years of networking experience operating in an Enterprise IT environment including Cisco switches, routers, and firewalls; Routing protocols such as OSFP and BGP
• Strong understanding of networking protocols, network hardware, software, and network security. Ability to translate business request into network solutions and then implement and operate those network solutions.
• Ability to communicate technical information to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders in a clear and concise manner
• Strong analytical skills and be able to identify, troubleshoot and solve complex problems related to network infrastructure
• Broad knowledge of Next Generation firewall technology
• Extensive experience with LANs, WANs, VPNs, Firewalls and Wireless
• Holder of network certifications to Cisco CCNP level or equivalent level from other network vendors.
• Demonstratable hands on experience with a majority of the following: Cisco switches (VSS, VPC, EtherChannel), Cisco, FortiGate or Palo Alto Firewalls, Cisco Catalyst Wi‑Fi Access points, Cisco ISE, Cisco SD‑Access, Wi‑Fi site surveying.