L&I IT Network and Telecommunications - Senior/Specialist

State of Washington; Olympia (WA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Flexible schedules

Paid leave

Job summary

The Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) in Tumwater, WA is seeking an IT Network and Security Engineer on the NetOps team to design, implement, and maintain statewide network and security infrastructure across on-site, hosted, and cloud environments.

You will manage firewalls, VPNs, and core network gear, collaborate with WaTech and other agencies, lead security improvements, and ensure high availability. Hybrid work options and a strong benefits package are included.

Qualifications

• Ten (10) years of qualifying professional IT experience in a professional IT environment, including network and security topics.
• Education may substitute for IT experience up to four years for a bachelor’s degree and up to two years for an associate’s degree in IT, CS, or related field.
• Required competencies include the ability to learn and grow, and to meet others' needs.

Responsibilities

• Firewall Management: independently configure and administer agency firewalls; review ACL requests; implement changes and patching; coordinate with statewide teams.
• VPN and Remote Connectivity: develop and maintain VPN configurations; work with WaTech for changes and ongoing maintenance.
• Network Engineer: design and install statewide networking hardware/software; ensure performance and availability; lead statewide networking issues.
• New Solution Implementation: act as IT Network and Security expert; design and implement new processes to reduce risk and vulnerabilities.
• Network Operations Support: monitor and respond to incident tickets related to network and firewall issues.

Skills

Firewall management

VPN configuration

Network architecture

Security engineering

Cisco

WaTech

Tools

Firewalls

WaTech tooling

Job description

• American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA)

Description

Our Mission:

Keep Washington Safe and Working!

Our Values:

Customer Focus, One L&I, Respect, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Learning and Growth, Reliability

The Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), an employer of choice, is announcing an exciting opportunity to join our team as an IT Network and Telecommunications, Senior Specialist!

About The Division And Unit

The Information Technology (IT) Division is an internal service organization responsible for providing information technology products and services in support of the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) agency’s business priorities so that L&I can keep Washington Safe and Working.

The Maintenance and Operations (M&O) program, under the Deputy Chief Information Officer (DCIO) is responsible for the implementation and delivery of the products and services within IT, and sustaining operations so that L&I can complete business as usual with minimal delay or downtime.

As part of the Network Infrastructure & Operation (NetOps) unit, the Network and Firewall team designs, maintains, and secures L&I’s network infrastructure (switching, wireless, routing, and firewalls) across on-premises and cloud environments.

About The Role

As an IT Network and Security Engineer on the NetOps team, you’ll provide advanced technical support for L&I’s statewide network and security infrastructure across onsite, hosted, and cloud environments. This network runs 24/7 and supports everything staff do by phone and computer, including collecting and distributing funds.

You’ll implement, configure, and maintain networking and security components, and you’ll help plan and improve the agency’s network security programs, policies, and tools to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of L&I’s systems and data. You will also maintain network redundancy and performance, resolve issues before they become outages or security breaches, and research solutions across vendors and products. You’ll work with a team of network administrators, advise IT leaders, staff, vendors, and contractors, and report to the Network and Firewall team supervisor.

Duties

Some Of What You’ll Do

• Firewall Management, including:
• Independently create security configurations and administration of all agency network-based firewalls.
• Review requests for new Access Control Lists (ACL’s) to verify they meet security requirements.
• Propose alternative firewall changes that meet business requirements across the organization.
• Implement firewall ACL’s and other configuration changes across multiple interconnected systems.
• Diagnose and resolve firewall related network problems.
• Implement configuration changes to firewalls to resolve system outages.
• Contributes technical expertise and collaborates with peers, share information with customers, managers and IT professionals.
• Maintain firewall configurations and maintenance, including licensing and system patching.
• Coordinate requests for Statewide Enterprise Networking and Security Services.
• VPN and Remote Connectivity, including:
• Works independently with WaTech for changes.
• Propose alternative VPN changes
• Develop and maintain VPN system configurations and maintenance.
• Network Engineer, including:
• Ensures optimum network performance and availability enterprise wide.
• Independently designs the network architecture of all network solutions, installing, configuring, upgrading statewide networking hardware and software, core switches, edge switches, wireless networks, field office routers, and the statewide enterprise infrastructure for mission critical applications and L&I staff resources.
• Advanced knowledge and technical expertise of a wide range of technologies and third-party solutions (Cisco, WaTech, and other agencies) as needed to resolve statewide networking technical issues across the state.
• Ensures or schedules network changes as the primary point of contact with WaTech.
• Leads problem solving teams on issues in the WaTech network environment statewide and networking issues for all L&I network infrastructure across the state.
• New Solution Implementation, including:
• Serve as IT Network and Security expert and represents IT Enterprise Services in any of the IT Security an Network service areas within the IT division.
• Develop, design, and implement new processes and technology to keep risk and vulnerabilities low.
• Network Operations Support, including:
• Monitor and respond to incident trouble tickets forwarded to the Network and Firewall team inside NetOps.

And much more!

Qualifications

Required:

• Ten (10) years of qualifying professional IT experience working full-time within a professional IT environment. Qualifying professional IT experience includes, but is not limited to System Administration of:
• Large multi-site switching environments
• Firewall administration of local and cloud
• Remote access

NOTE:

Education may substitute for IT experience up to four (4) years for a bachelor’s degree and up to two (2) years for an associate’s degree in information technology, Computer Science, Business Administration, or a closely related field

Required Competencies

• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

Desired

Formal network and security training or certifications such as, Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), OffSec Certified Professional (OSCP), or college level IT.

Supplemental Information

At L&I, your voice matters. In addition, L&I is a diverse state agency dedicated to the safety and health and security of Washington's 3.3 million workers. Take a look at this brief video and learn more about why L&I is an employer of choice.

L&I provides a modern work environment and excellent benefits including paid leave, tuition reimbursement, Infants at Work Program and a generous retirement package for qualified employees at the end of their career.

We value our employees and their work-life balance. We support a hybrid work model and offer flexible custom work schedules. This position is eligible for a flexible schedule (4/10’s, 9/80’s, 5/8’s, etc.) upon approval by management.

For this position, teleworking may be up to full time with the expectation of attending in person meetings and training occasionally or upon business needs. The assigned duty station for this position is Tumwater, WA.

We offer hybrid and remote work options, though we’re primarily seeking candidates who live in Washington State or are willing to relocate, to support in‑person collaboration and access to on‑site resources when needed. Remote work from a state outside of WA requires approval.

Background Check Notice

Prior to a placement in this position, a background check, including criminal history record will be conducted. Information from your background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining your eligibility to perform the requirements of the position.

Did You Know?

Washington is America's Top State to live, play, and work, according to U.S. News (2021). Join the L&I team and enjoy all the Evergreen State has to offer.

In addition to offering a positive balance between life and work, L&I provides one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation. We also believe your voice matters. We value our employees and their work‑life balance by encouraging flexible schedules. L&I is a diverse state agency dedicated to the safety and health and security of Washington's 3 million workers.

Veterans Preference

Applicants wishing to claim Veterans Preference should attach to their application a copy of their DD‑214 (Member 4 copy), NGB 22, or signed verification of service letter from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Please blackout any personally identifiable data such as Social Security numbers. For further information, contact L&I’s [e-mail].

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Employer

L&I employees come from all walks of life. We strive to hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

We believe in the importance of recognizing the value each of us contributes to the success of the agency mission. Having a diverse workforce is this agency’s greatest source of strength and knowledge. It is through the combination of talents and abilities that we can pursue finding effective measures to provide the best customer service. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace for everyone and we strongly mean everyone.

The State of Washington is an equal opportunity employer. People with a disability who need accommodation in the application process or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call 360‑902‑5700. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.

You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials, and we will honor this as you interact with our award‑winning diverse and inclusive organization.

For more Information

If you have any questions regarding this job posting, program, or the agency, please contact the Jason Stedman at [e-mail].

More than Just a Paycheck!

Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read About Our Benefits

• Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
• Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax‑deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long‑term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
• To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
• Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre‑tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
• Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
• The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well‑being of employees.
• State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.
• Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre‑tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
• All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
• Individuals who are employed by a government or not‑for‑profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
• Full‑time and part‑time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
• Full‑time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.
• Part‑time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro‑rated basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full‑time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.
• Full‑time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full‑time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.
• Sick leave accruals for part‑time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full‑time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
• Full‑time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357‑31‑165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full‑time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.
• Part‑time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357‑31‑165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro‑rated basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full‑time employment.
• Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
• As provided in WAC 357‑58‑175, an employer may authorize a lump‑sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357‑31‑165.
• Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.
• Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.
• Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.
• Leave Sharing
• Parental Leave
• Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
• Leave Without Pay
• Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026