SENIOR NETWORK ENGINEER

City of Gastonia; Gastonia (NC); On-site; USD 95,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Gastonia seeks a senior network engineer to secure and maintain the City's enterprise network across multiple facilities, including LAN/WAN, VPNs, firewalls, and wireless systems. You will design, implement, monitor, and troubleshoot to ensure reliable service and security.

The role reports to the Network Manager and requires strong documentation and cross-team collaboration to support city operations and public safety networks.

Qualifications

• Designs, plans, implements, configures, maintains, monitors, secures, troubleshoots, upgrades, and replaces enterprise network infrastructure and related systems.
• Designs, implements, and maintains network security solutions to protect City systems and support CJIS/PCI compliance.
• Monitors multisite networks (LAN/WAN, VPNs, VoIP, VLANs, firewalls, wireless, SCADA) and performs advanced troubleshooting.

Responsibilities

• Monitors network infrastructure, performance, alerts, logs, and events across multisite environments and troubleshoots issues.
• Plans and supports network projects, surveys, and coordination with departments, vendors, and contractors.
• Develops and maintains network diagrams, configurations, and technical documentation.
• Provides guidance and support to staff and customers on network-related questions.

Skills

Network design

Network security

Troubleshooting

Documentation

Vendor coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Network Engineering, Information Systems or related discipline

Job description

Summary Objective

The purpose of this position is to ensure the City's network is secure, reliable, redundant, and accessible to all authorized users. This job is under general supervision of the Network Manager, independently developing work methods and sequences.

The essential functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this class. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the class as necessary.

• Designs, plans, implements, configures, maintains, monitors, secures, troubleshoots, upgrades, and replaces enterprise network infrastructure and related systems, including LAN/WAN, wired and wireless networks, cellular connectivity, VPNs, VLANs, routing and switching, VoIP, firewalls, load balancers, fiber-optic infrastructure, and other network technologies.
• Designs, implements, and maintains network security solutions to protect City systems from internal and external threats and support compliance with applicable security standards, including CJIS and PCI.
• Monitors network infrastructure, performance, alerts, logs, and system events across multisite environments, including City facilities, SCADA, Public Safety, IP cameras, IoT devices, and wireless systems; identifies deficiencies and performs advanced troubleshooting and remediation.
• Ensures the continuous availability and reliable delivery of network services; responds to incidents, service interruptions, and critical outages and restores services as quickly as practical.
• Plans and supports network infrastructure projects, including new construction, facility renovations, hardware and software replacements, upgrades, expansions, and connectivity with external entities; conducts site surveys and technical assessments and coordinates implementation with departments, vendors, contractors, and other stakeholders.
• Researches and evaluates emerging networking and security technologies, products, and industry best practices; analyzes operational needs, compatibility, lifecycle requirements, and cost-effectiveness; and recommends appropriate procurement, implementation, replacement, and upgrade strategies.
• Develops and maintains network diagrams, configurations, procedures, technical documentation, schedules, and records to ensure accurate and current documentation of deployed network infrastructure and solutions.
• Participates in the networking service queue; investigates and resolves incidents, service requests, and escalated technical issues using industry-standard troubleshooting tools, practices, and methodologies.
• Coordinates network-related priorities and technical work; promotes adherence to established security, quality assurance, configuration, and documentation standards; and provides technical guidance, training, and support to staff and customers.
• Travels to City facilities and other locations as necessary to install, inspect, troubleshoot, maintain, test, and verify network infrastructure and equipment; performs related work as assigned. Performs related work as assigned.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Network Engineering, Information Systems or related discipline.
• Ten years of networks, communication equipment, supporting systems related to networking or related experience or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Physical demands refer to the requirements for physical exertion and coordination of limb and body movement.

• Performs medium work that involves walking, standing, stooping, jumping, lifting, digging, pushing and raising objects and also involves exerting between 20 and 50 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis and 50 to 100 pounds of force on an occasional basis.

UNAVOIDABLE HAZARDS (WORK ENVIRONMENT):

• None.

SPECIAL CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES:

• Must possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license with an acceptable driving history.
• Possession of a valid, unexpired CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Security+, or Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification or higher is preferred.
• Knowledge of IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) and IT Service Management (ITSM) methodologies is desirable.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT COMPLIANCE

The City of Gastonia is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the City to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management.

STANDARD CLAUSES

May be required to work nights, weekends, holidays and emergencies (man-made or natural) to meet the business needs of the City.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of essential functions and responsibilities that are required of an employee for this job. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

ESSENTIAL SAFETY FUNCTIONS

It is the responsibility of each employee to comply with established policies, procedures, and safe work practices. Each employee must follow safety training and instructions provided by their supervisor. Each employee must also properly wear and maintain all personal protective equipment required for their job. Finally, each employee must immediately report any unsafe work practices or unsafe conditions as well as any on-the-job injury or illnesses.

Every manager/supervisor is responsible for enforcing all safety rules and regulations. In addition, they are responsible for ensuring that a safe work environment is maintained, safe work practices are followed, and employees are properly trained.

The City of Gastonia is an equal opportunity employer committed to maintaining a professional, respectful, and supportive workplace. We welcome qualified applicants who are interested in serving our community. Final candidates may be required to participate in reference checks, and any offer of employment will be contingent upon completion and satisfactory review of criminal background check and drug screening, consistent with City policy and applicable law.