Network Administrator - Top Secret Clearance

Dunhill Professional Search & Government Solutions; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 77,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Dunhill Government Solutions is hiring a Network Administrator I/II to build and maintain secure network infrastructure in support of critical defense cyber initiatives in Northern Virginia. This contract role requires active Top Secret clearance and DoD 8140 aligned certifications.

The team is being formed from day one; you’ll help shape processes, implement LAN/WAN, VPN, and security measures, and work on modern network deployments with real impact.

Qualifications

• Associate’s Degree (BS preferred) in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field.
• CompTIA Network+ and/or CCNA certification preferred.
• 0-2 years of experience in network administration.
• Current Top Secret clearance and Security+ certification or DoD 8140 compliant certification.

Responsibilities

• Build, support, administer, and optimize network systems and related hardware.
• Design, deploy, and troubleshoot small-scale network deployments.
• Conduct routine tests to ensure operability and security of the network.
• Troubleshoot and escalate network issues as needed.
• Install and support LANs, WANs, and Internet/intranet systems.
• Configure and maintain network infrastructure devices.
• Monitor network performance and security; manage backups and recovery.

Skills

Network administration

Security+

CCNA

Education

Associate’s Degree (BS preferred) in Computer Science or IT

Tools

Active Directory

VPN

Firewalls

Job description

This is a newly awarded contract supporting critical defense cyber initiatives. The team is being built now, which means the people who join early help set how it runs rather than inheriting someone else's process.

Responsible for the build, support, administration, and optimization of the network and associated systems software and hardware. Assists in designing, deploying, and troubleshooting small-scale network deployments. Conducts routine tests to ensure operability and security of the network. Troubleshoots common network problems and escalates complex/large‑scale network issues appropriately.

• Installs and supports LANs, WANs, network segments, Internet, and intranet systems.
• Installs, configures, and maintains network infrastructure devices as well as all related hardware and software.
• Monitors network to maintain integrity and security.
• Maintains network facilities in individual machines, such as drivers and settings of personal computers as well as printers.
• Maintains network servers such as file servers, VPN gateways, intrusion detection systems.
• Assists in designing, deploying, and troubleshooting small-scale network deployments.
• Conducts appropriate, routine tests to ensure the proper working condition and security of developed and purchased network systems.
• Assists with operation, configuration, and maintenance of telecommunications such as voice, video, and data transport and associated hardware.
• Performs network troubleshooting to isolate and diagnose common network problems.
• Monitors network performance and performs common network restoration/recovery actions.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate’s Degree (BS preferred) in Computer Science, Information Technology, or other related field.
• CompTIA Network+ and/or CCNA certification preferred.
• 0-2 years of experience in network administration.
• Candidates must possess a current Top Secret clearance and Security+ certification or similar DoD 8140 compliant certification.

Other Job Specific Skills

• Applies technical and practical knowledge and understanding of system testing and analysis.
• Maintains knowledge of backup/recovery practices.
• Experience with industry router configurations and switch configurations.
• Experience in the administration of a Microsoft Active Directory network environment.
• Knowledge of, and the ability to practically apply, necessary testing, practices and procedures.
• Strong oral and written communications skills; well as strong organizational skills with attention to detail.
• Strong diagnostic, problem‑solving and analytical skills.
• Strong technical knowledge of network, security and storage infrastructure including: local area networks, wide area networks, wireless networking, VPN, firewalls, routers, switches, load balancers, WAN optimizers, endpoint security and encryption, proxy servers, digital certificates, data center management and cabling standards.
• Ability to troubleshoot through the use of techniques and methods which will isolate and identify faulty components or configurations within a system so that services can be quickly restored to normal levels of operation.
• Experience with troubleshooting network connectivity (LAN, WAN and VPN).
• Knowledge of telecommunications voice and data networks.

Why people take this role

• A new contract, staffing from day one - early hires shape the program.
• The employer is rated by its own employees, year after year, among the top 50 best places to work.
• Six openings across three Northern Virginia sites, spanning Network Administrator I and II. The range reflects that - there is room to come in at your level and move up inside the same program.
• Certification and training support, including the certifications named above.

Clearance:

Active Top Secret clearance required.

Compensation:

$77,000 - $125,000 annually, depending on level and experience.

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