San Luis Obispo (SLO) County, Information Technology Department, is looking for an experienced microwave radio network engineer to help manage the County's public safety microwave radio network. The Network Engineer will be a key contributor to supporting several large County departments in the requirements and success of the County's Public Safety radio systems. We are looking for a detail oriented, forward thinking, team player to successfully manage the County's microwave radio network.
 
The Department
San Luis Obispo County Information Technology Department (ITD) offers an exciting, fast-paced environment where exceptional performance is encouraged and rewarded. ITD consists of 85 staff within four (4) operational Divisions: Administration; Applications; Customer Service / Delivery; and Infrastructure. ITD resources are operated and maintained in a manner that supports high availability for utilization and minimizes the risk of business interruption. ITD's focus is on developing a sustainable, customer focused environment to enhance and improve the quality of technology services used by County departments for the benefit of all San Luis Obispo County residents, businesses, and visitors. This career opportunity provides candidates the exposure of working with all our county departments; essentially 23 different industries. The County supports a work-life balance, and provides a generous pension and an outstanding community environment.
 
The Job
This position is within the Infrastructure Division and will be a part the communications team made up of eight employees. The communications team manages both the County's public safety radio and video surveillance systems. Recently the County has planned a migration from traditional TDM transport across is microwave system to a newer more modern system leveraging all IP based radios using advanced carrier class IP network technologies for system resiliency. The system consists of a 14-site microwave radio network using a mixture of 6ghz and 11ghz licensed microwave radio links and another approximately six sites connected via other IP networks. The public safety radio system is supporting multiple agencies and over 2000 subscribers daily.
 
This position requires the engineer to be able to work not only alone but with team members and customer departments to provide highly reliable and timely solutions. The type of work will include working on ladders, and lift platforms. Installing microwave radios, network switches, routers, and other associated systems. Use spectrum analyzers were needed for troubleshooting or conducting field surveys. Use power tools, hand tools, measuring and or metering devices. The communications team is comprised of a senior communications technician, five communications technicians, one IT specialist, one systems administrator and one technology supervisor.
Click here for the full job description for Network Engineer I.
Click here for the full job description for Network Engineer II. 
Click here for the full job description for Network Engineer III. The ideal candidate will have seven plus years of experience designing, installing, configuring, and implementing public safety microwave radio systems and implementing large scale complex IP networks. The candidate will also ideally be intimately familiar with FCC regulations and standards for licensing microwave paths. Understand basic electronics, electrical power systems, basics of 7 layers of the OSI model. In-depth knowledge and experience in RF. Specific knowledge of SDN, TCP/IP, network design, network security, propagation, and point to point radio operation using ethernet over microwave. Knowledge of building IP networks using MPLS or other network convergence technologies. Be open and willing to learn and comprehend new trends, technology, and have the aptitude to leverage those technologies to meet client's needs, and successfully partner with other technical teams both within and outside the department.
 
 
Employment Standards
 
The Network Engineer I classification is the entry-level position in the series. Incumbents work under close supervision and perform basic technical duties involved in the support and maintenance of assigned networks and network components; provide information and assistance to customers; log and track the nature and resolution of these problems.
The Network Engineer II classification is the journey-level position in the series. Incumbents work under general supervision and perform professional–level networking duties such as designing, implementing, supporting and troubleshooting LANs and WANs; assist in providing training and technical work direction to subordinate staff.
The Network Engineer III classification is the advanced-level position in the series. Incumbents work under direction, oversees networking projects; resolve both LAN and WAN technical issues; regularly provides training and technical work direction to subordinate staff.
AND

• Be willing and able to respond to after-normal workday or irregular and on-call emergency requests on nights, weekends and holidays.
• A valid driver's license is required at the time of application. A valid CALIFORNIA driver's license is required at the time of appointment and must be maintained throughout employment.
• Must be able to work safely in an indoor and outdoor environment with exposure to dust, chemicals, hazardous materials, variances in temperature noise and equipment with moving parts.
• The ability to lift 50 pounds regularly and up to 80 pounds occasionally.

 
IDEAL CANDIDATES 
 
Should have knowledge of and experience with:

• Public Safety microwave radio vendors – (Aviat Networks, Nokia/Alcatel, etc.)
• Using spectrum analyzers – Anritsu, Freedom, etc.
• Experience conducting field surveys for microwave paths
• Ability to work on ladders or lifts
• Cisco routers and switches
• Deep in-depth knowledge of layer 2 and layer 3 networking
• Designing networks for high reliability (99.9999%) uptime
• Point to point wireless networking
• Ability to read schematics and documentation
• Understanding of basic electronics
• Ability to document detailed technical and operational requirements
• Proficient with documentation tools (visio, excel, etc.)
• Reading construction blueprints
• Work experience in public sector a plus

 
And will have:

• A great attitude and a "get it done" mind set
• Flexibility to perform other duties as assigned
• A strong sense of work ownership
• A high degree of self-motivation
• A strong willingness to participate and learn new technology
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and troubleshooting skills
• The ability to plan and execute work through team members
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work with all levels in the organization: customers, peers and executives

Minimum Qualifications:

A combination of education, training, and experience resulting in the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. An example of qualifying education and experience includes:

Network Engineer I:An associates degree or 60 semester units or 90 quarter units from an accredited college or university or completion from a job-related, accredited vocational institution. 

Network Engineer II: Either A: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. OR B: An associates degree or 60 semester units or 90 quarter units from an accredited college or university or completion from a job-related, accredited vocational institution. In addition, two years of experience involving the analysis, installation, programming, application and/or troubleshooting of networking systems and related equipment.

Network Engineer III: Either A: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field. In addition, two years of experience involving the analysis, installation, programming, application and/or troubleshooting of networking systems and related equipment. OR B: An associates degree or 60 semester units or 90 quarter units from an accredited college or university or completion from a job-related, accredited vocational institution. In addition, four years of experience involving the analysis, installation, programming, application and/or troubleshooting of networking systems and related equipment.

Applications, including answers to supplemental questions, must be submitted online by the final filing date. To apply for this position, click "apply" at the top of this page. Most County recruitments require you to respond to supplemental questions as part of the application process. We recommend that you review these questions prior to beginning your application.
An initial application review will be conducted. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications and are best qualified will be invited to participate in selection activities which may include online assessments, performance exams, written exams, and interviews.
Final candidates will be required to have an in-depth background review performed before proceeding in the process. Please note that references will not be contacted until the end of the process.
If you have questions or would like to discuss the opportunity further, please contact Human Resources at hr@co.slo.ca.us. Confidential inquiries are welcomed.
For further information regarding the County of San Luis Obispo, visit our website at www.slocounty.ca.gov.