Network Administrator (IT Network & Telecoms – Journey)

State of Washington; Lacey (WA); Remote; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Ecology is seeking a journey-level Network Administrator to maintain and optimize both on-prem and cloud networking infrastructure across the agency. You will combine hands-on engineering with project management to keep critical services connected statewide.

You will collaborate with IT Security, WaTech, and external vendors, provide Tier 2/3 support, and contribute to secure, reliable network design and operations. Telework eligibility is available.

Qualifications

• 5 years of experience in network-related duties and education.
• Projects coordination to support network-related deliveries.
• Documentation management for network records, diagrams, and instructions.
• Network engineering to install, configure, maintain, and repair equipment.
• Infrastructure maintenance including software updates, certificates, and configurations.

Responsibilities

• Provide primary network engineering support for on-prem and cloud infrastructure.
• Monitor LAN/WAN performance across agency sites and coordinate with partners.
• Deliver Tier 2/3 support and conduct root-cause analysis to prevent recurrence.
• Maintain network security and documentation per standards.
• Lead and support project planning, timelines, and vendor coordination.

Skills

Project Coordination

Documentation Management

Network Engineering & Troubleshooting

Infrastructure Maintenance & Optimiza

Network Design & Evaluation

Education

Bachelor or higher in IT/CS or related field

Tools

Cisco wireless controllers

Cisco Core Infrastructure

Cisco Prime Infrastructure

ISE (Identity Service Engine)

Data Center experience

Job description

Keeping Washington Clean and Evergreen

The Department of Ecology is hiring a Network Administrator (IT Network & Telecoms – Journey) within the Information Technology Services Office (ITSO).

Location:

• Headquarters Office in Lacey, WA.
• Upon hire, you must live within a commutable distance from the duty station.

Schedule:

• This position is eligible for telework and flexible schedule options.
• You may telework most of your work time with occasional in-person meetings and activities.
• Schedules are dependent upon position needs and are subject to change.

Application Timeline:

• Apply by October 19, 2026
• Applications submitted after the date above may not be reviewed unless additional qualified applicants are needed.

Ecology does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

In this role, you'll serve as an advocate and technical resource for the agency's on-prem and Public Cloud networking infrastructure. You'll combine hands-on network engineering with project management to plan, implement, operate, and maintain the converged and integrated network services that keep Ecology's applications and staff connected across the state, directly supporting our work to protect Washington's air, water, and land.

This is a journey-level position (one level below Senior). You'll work with a high degree of independence on complex on-prem and network infrastructure while collaborating closely with senior technical staff, ITSO's IT Security team, Washington Technology Solutions (WaTech), and external vendors.

What you will do:

• Provide primary network engineering support for Ecology’s on-prem and cloud infrastructure by installing, configuring, and maintaining Layer 2/3 components, gateways, and firewalls, and coordinating work with internal teams and external partners.
• Monitor LAN/WAN performance and operational health across all agency sites, identifying anomalies, bandwidth issues, outages, and security-related events and ensuring timely follow-up with ISPs and the IT Security team.
• Deliver Tier 2 and Tier 3 support statewide, resolving complex wired and wireless networking issues, authentication failures, and WAN disruptions, and conducting root cause analysis to prevent recurrence.
• Perform routine maintenance to keep network infrastructure secure and optimized, including software updates, patching, password rotations, certificate management, and compliance with ITSO/State standards.
• Maintain accurate and current network documentation, including IP address assignments, topology diagrams, configuration guides, and full inventory records for network hardware.
• Provide technical consultation on network design and implementation, serving as a subject matter expert for planning, guiding technology choices, and mentoring support staff.
• Build vendor relationships and research emerging on-prem and cloud networking technologies to recommend solutions that support business needs and maintain high reliability.
• Lead and support project planning and implementation by analyzing dependencies, designing work plans, strengthening network security, and coordinating timelines across service delivery teams.

For detailed information on how we calculate experience and responses to other frequently asked questions, please visit our Recruitment website.

Required Qualifications:

• Five years of experience and/or education related to the duties of the position, which includes the following:
  • Project Coordination – Ability to plan and organize tasks and timelines to support the successful delivery of network-related projects.
  • Documentation Management– Ability to keep accurate and up-to-date network records, diagrams, and instructions to support troubleshooting and compliance.
  • Network Engineering & Troubleshooting – Ability to install, configure, maintain, and repair network equipment and connections to ensure reliable, secure communication across the agency.
  • Infrastructure Maintenance & Optimization – Ability to update software and equipment, manage certificates and configurations, and keep systems current to reduce downtime and security risk.
  • Network Design & Evaluation – Ability to assess business needs, evaluate options, and recommend network designs that balance cost, resiliency, security, and performance.
  • Documentation Management– Ability to keep accurate and up-to-date network records, diagrams, and instructions to support troubleshooting and compliance.
• Educationinvolving a major study in IT, Computer Science, or closely related field.

Examples of how to qualify:

• 5 years of experience.
• 4 years of experience AND 30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits.
• 3 years of experience AND 60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (Associate’s degree).
• 2 years of experience AND 90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits.
• 1 year of experience AND a Bachelor’s degree.

Desired Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree with focus on computer science, or Network hardware or architecture.
• Four years of information technology experience designing and maintaining Cisco wireless controllers, Cisco Core Infrastructure, Cisco Prime Infrastructure, ISE (Identity Service Engine), and Data Center experience.
• Proficient with Cisco iOS and working knowledge of routing protocols and services required to support wired/wireless network infrastructure.

If you are excited about this role and meet the required qualifications, we encourage you to apply. Desired qualifications reflect additional knowledge, skills, or experience that are nice to have but not required. Studies have shown that some applicants, especially women and people of color, are less likely to apply unless they meet every listed qualification. At the Department of Ecology, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging, and we welcome applicants with varied backgrounds and unique perspectives.

Ecology does not use the E-Verify system; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT). For more information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

Application Process

Ecology seeks diverse applicants: We view diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect through a broad lens including race, ethnicity, class, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status, military background, language, education, life experience, physical disability, neurodiversity, and intersectional identities. Qualified job seekers from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Application Attestation: By submitting an application, you are affirming that the information contained in your application and on all attachments is complete and truthful. The state may verify this information, and any false or misleading answers may result in rejection of your application or dismissal if employed.

Questions?

• For specific questions about the position location options, schedule, or duties, please contact Senthil Masilamani at [e-mail]
• If you need assistance applying for this job, are inquiring about the status of your application, would like to request the full position description, or have any other questions, please contact the Recruitment Team at [e-mail]

About the Department of Ecology

As the State of Washington’s environmental protection agency, we are deeply committed to protecting, preserving, and enhancing Washington’s environment for current and future generations. Joining Ecology means becoming part of a team dedicated to protecting and sustaining healthy land, air, water, and climate in harmony with a strong economy. A career in public service at Ecology allows you to help solve some of the most challenging problems facing our state, while keeping your health and financial security a priority. We combine one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation with a strong commitment to life/work balance. We invest in our employees to create and sustain a working environment that encourages creative leadership, effective resource management, teamwork, professionalism, and accountability.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Respect (DEIR) are core values central to Ecology's work. We strive to be a workplace where we are esteemed for sharing our authentic identities, while advancing our individual professional goals and collaborating to protect, preserve, and enhance the environment for current and future generations.

We believe that DEIR is both a goal and an action. We are on a journey, honoring our shared humanity and taking steps to demonstrate our commitment to a vision where each of us is heard, seen, and valued.

Ecology employees may be eligible for the following

• Medical/Dental/Vision for employee & dependent(s)
• Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)
• Vacation, Sick, and other Leave*
• 11 Paid Holidays per year*
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• Tuition Waiver
• Long Term Disability & Life Insurance
• Deferred Compensation Programs
• Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP)
• Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Commute Trip Reduction Incentive
• Combined Fund Drive
• SmartHealth *
• Click here for more information

To learn more about Ecology, please visit our website, explore Working at Ecology, check out Strategic Plan, and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or our blog.

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Washington State Department of Ecology is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans, military spouses or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.

Collective Bargaining: This is a position covered by a bargaining unit for which the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) is the exclusive representative.

Note:This recruitment may be used to fill other positions of the same job classification across the agency. Once all the position(s) from the recruitment announcement are filled, the recruitment may only be used to fill additional open positions for the next sixty (60) days.

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