Network Engineer (IS Communications Specialist II) (Open and Promotional)

County of San Mateo; Redwood City (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The County of San Mateo's Technology Services Department seeks a Network Engineer - IS Communications Specialist II to design, configure, maintain, and troubleshoot the county's enterprise network, including security, routing, switching, WLAN, WAN, VPN, and VOIP.

The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience with L2/L3 networking, routing protocols (EIGRP/OSPF/BGP), VPNs, ACLs, VLANs, and wireless with Aruba Clearpass/Airwave. Strong documentation and vendor coordination skills are needed.

Qualifications

• Advanced network infrastructure engineering, configuration, installation, and maintenance methods and techniques.
• Management of L2 and L3 technologies and security including adjacency/convergence protocols (EIGRP, OSPF, BGP).
• IP traffic redistribution and route filtering.
• VPN setup and troubleshooting including IPSec and GRE.
• ACLs and VLAN Configuration Management.
• Aruba Wireless managed environment including Clearpass, Airwave and Controller(s).
• Configuring and building an industry standard network monitoring and alert system (SolarWinds experience is desirable).
• Technical writing and diagraming skills for producing use case documentation and standard operating procedures.

Responsibilities

• Defines, assists in design, and implements system infrastructure and solutions.
• Evaluates and responds to requests for assistance from users experiencing problems with telecommunications, wireless, and network systems; diagnoses problems; trains users.
• Implements new systems, programs, and hardware and software upgrades.
• Maintains policies and procedures for telecommunications and network administration.
• Writes and maintains user and technical operating instructions and documentation; provides training to users and staff.
• May serve as technical lead for assigned projects, including gathering requirements and coordinating with vendors.

Skills

Network engineering

Routing protocols

VPN setup

ACLs and VLANs

Network monitoring

Technical writing

Education

Information systems coursework

Tools

Aruba Wireless

Clearpass

Airwave

Arista CloudVision

Cradlepoint NetCloud Manager

SolarWinds

Cisco ASA

Palo Alto

Job description

The Technology Services Department seeks a qualified Network Engineer - IS Communication Specialist II.

This position is responsible for design, configuration, maintenance, and fault isolation of the County enterprise network including: network security, routing, switching, wireless LAN, WAN, VOIP, Virtual Private Networking, testing, and repairing network infrastructure. This individual may exercise technical and functional direction over lower-level staff and may also provide training on a project basis.

The ideal candidate

will have proficiency and experience with:

• Advanced network infrastructure engineering, configuration, installation, and maintenance methods and techniques.
• Management of L2 and L3 technologies and security including adjacency/convergence protocols and techniques (EIGRP, OSPF, BGP).
• IP traffic redistribution and route filtering.
• VPN setup and troubleshooting including IPSec and GRE.
• Application of ACL’s and VLAN Configuration Management.
• Aruba Wireless managed environment including Clearpass, Airwave and Controller(s).
• Configuring and building an industry standard network monitoring and alert system (SolarWinds experience is desirable).
• Technical writing and diagraming skills for producing use case documentation and standard operating procedures.

The ideal candidate

will also have knowledge of:

• Arista switching environment.
• Arista CloudVision.
• HPE/Aruba switching and routing experience.
• SDWAN technology with Silver Peak experience ideal.
• Cradlepoint and Cradlepoint NetCloud Manager.
• Aruba Wireless managed environment.
• Firewalls including Cisco ASA, Palo Alto, or both.
• F5 or competing/compatible load balancing technologies.
• Network Security design.
• UPS connectivity & installation.
• Power and power distribution supporting network appliance.
• Cloud datacenter support experience.
• DNS, DHCP and an understanding of IPAM.
• Solarwinds or other network management platforms.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Defines, assists in design, and implements system infrastructure and solutions.
• Evaluates and effectively responds to requests for assistance from users experiencing problems with telecommunications, wireless, and network systems in person, over the phone, or remotely; diagnoses system hardware, software, and operational problems; trains users on software and hardware usage by providing instruction and documentation in person, on the phone, or electronically.
• Implement new systems, programs, and hardware and software upgrades.
• Implements, maintains, and enforces policies and procedures for telecommunications, and network administration.
• Responds to inquiries from other departmental staff and documents and communicates problem resolutions.
• Confers with vendor representatives to identify and correct causes of hardware and software malfunctions and to perform enhancements.
• Maintains hardware and software inventory; verifies stock and supplies for replacement parts; picks up parts from vendors; repairs and refurbishes equipment and peripherals from available parts.
• Researches and provides recommendations or with approval, purchases tools, supplies, and repair parts from a variety of sources.
• Writes and maintains user and technical operating instructions and documentation; provides training to users and other technical staff and advises on best practices.
• Assists in coordinating activities with other information services department staff.
• May serve as technical lead for assigned projects, including gathering user and systems requirements, working with vendors, contractors, project managers, and other project staff, installing, configuring, testing, and providing general technical support, and developing technical and user documentation.
• Provides updates, status, and completion information to staff and/or users via voicemail, email, or in-person communication.
• Installs, configures, and maintains systems.
• Monitors and evaluates overall system performance.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Education

Completion of coursework and/or training in information systems, computer science, or related field.

Experience

IS Communications Specialist II: Two (2) years of increasingly responsible experience in providing technical support in the installation, maintenance, and repair of systems specific to network.

Licenses and Certifications

• Some positions may require possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver's License.

Knowledge of

• Principles and practices used in the operations, maintenance, repair, and administration of assigned systems and equipment.
• Techniques and methods of system implementation and monitoring.
• Troubleshooting and installation techniques.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping.
• Customer service and telephone techniques.
• Modern office practices, methods, computer equipment and applications related to the work.
• English usage, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and punctuation.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with vendors and County staff.

Skill/Ability to

• Perform basic technical support functions for assigned systems; troubleshoot problems and take appropriate action or escalates to appropriate staff as needed.
• Identify, troubleshoot, and resolve basic system problems and perform minor repairs.
• Setup equipment and install and configure software.
• Deal tactfully with the customers and staff in providing information, answering questions, and providing customer service.
• Respond to and effectively prioritize a high volume of phone calls and other requests for service.
• Learn and understand the organization, operation, and functions of the department as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities.
• Learn, interpret, and apply applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility.
• Organize, maintain, and update records systems.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Use tact and prudence within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Addition Qualifications at the IS Communications Specialist II Level

Knowledge of

• Advanced system infrastructure configuration methods and techniques.
• Techniques and methods of system evaluation, implementation, and documentation.
• Troubleshooting, configuration, and installation techniques.
• The organization, operation, and functions of the department as necessary to assume assigned responsibilities and to determine appropriate point of escalation.
• Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulatory codes, ordinances, and procedures relevant to assigned area of responsibility.

Ability to

• Perform a variety of technical support functions in the installation, configuration, maintenance, and repair of assigned systems; take appropriate action to resolve problems or escape to appropriate staff as needed.
• Identify and repair equipment, hardware, and software problems.
• Train staff on system and equipment usage.
• Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local policies, procedures, laws, rules, and regulations.
• Establish and maintain a variety of filing, record keeping, and tracking systems.
• Organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural, and legal guidelines.

Physical Demands

Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle and to visit various County sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone or radio. Standing in and walking between work areas is frequently required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification frequently bend, stoop, kneel, and reach to perform assigned duties, as well as push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift and carry materials and objects up to 50 pounds with the use of proper equipment and push and pull materials and objects up to 100 pounds with the use of proper equipment.

Environmental Elements

Employees work in an office environment with moderate levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff when providing telecommunications, communications, and network equipment and systems support.

Anyone may apply. Current County of San Mateo and County of San Mateo Superior Court of California employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, or extra-help/ limited term position prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score.

Important Dates

Final Filing Date: Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PST

Screening: Wednesday, October 7, 2026

Combined Panel Interviews: Wednesday, October 14, 2026

About the County

San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities.

The County of San Mateo, as an employer, is committed to advancing equity to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.

The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer. We seek to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community.