This position serves as a senior Network / Systems Administrator and performs a variety of professional computer science duties associated with the ongoing planning, development, and administration of the County’s LAN, WAN, and web servers. Directs network development projects; monitors and maintains system performance, capacity, connectivity, security, and physical infrastructure; manages and maintainsinternal and external websites; and provides input on IT services budgets. Provides advanced technical assistance and system troubleshooting, oversees system installation and maintenance activities, and researches and recommends major system enhancements and modifications. Will be responsible for carrying an emergency or after hours call out phone at certain times and serving in the on-call rotation as required. Differs from the Network Administrator due to the added responsibility for lead worker supervision of other IT staff, prioritizing service requests, and establishing strategies and action plans to address support issues. This position reports to the Chief Information Officer (CIO) / Chief Information Security Officer (CISO).
Each duty listed below makes up at least 20% of the job, and all other functions are included in Other Duties as Assigned. All duties below are essential functions unless otherwise indicated.
 
 NETWORK ADMINISTRATION
 

• Plans, directs, and oversees the ongoing development and implementation of the County’s LAN, WAN, and web server to ensure overall quality, efficiency, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness.
• Directs and oversees network development and administration projects. Evaluates County needs and priorities; system specifications, capabilities, and limitations; new technologies; anticipated costs; available staff and technical resources; and other factors to develop and implement project plans. Supervises subordinate staff throughout the course of system development and administration projects.
• Continuously monitors system performance to identify deficiencies, anticipate future, needs, and enhance the overall effectiveness of network components. This includes monitoring and assessing functional performance issues, conducing capacity planning, testing system developments (e.g., upgrades, patches, etc.), and resolving problems or recommending preventative measures to accommodate changing system and user requirements.
• Establishes and maintains network connectivity with state and national systems (e.g., Criminal Justice Information Network, Motor Vehicle Division, Montana Department of Revenue, etc.) to ensure effective data transfer and communications.
• Establishes and maintains system backup and recovery procedures to ensure the physical condition, operational security, and overall integrity of system components and data. Monitors system access, security, and data backup requirements; approves staff access levels; maintains current virus protection measures; and resolves system failures as necessary.
• Plans, develops, and monitors physical layer system components, including responsibility for designing infrastructure models, coordinating with cable installers and/or contractors to establish infrastructures, and assessing proposed physical/structural alterations to the network environment to mitigate adverse impacts to system operations.
• Continually researches and evaluates new technologies, methods, and procedures to identify opportunities for enhancing LAN, WAN, and web server systems. Conducts cost-benefit analyses, tests and modifies new technologies and procedures, and recommends the implementation of major changes to the CIO / CISO.
• Provides input to the preparation of IT budgets based upon assessment of operational costs, planned system developments, new technologies, staffing levels, and other factors to ensure cost-effective network administration. Recommends and monitors resource allocations and apprises the CIO / CISO of significant deficiencies or surpluses.

 
 SYSTEM MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT
 

• Resolves advanced technical problems affecting LAN, WAN, and web server operations. Analyzes problems referred by other IT and County staff, researches technical data in order to diagnose problems, and develops unique solutions to unusual and often unprecedented problems. Provides ongoing guidance and support to other IT staff in assessing and resolving problems.
• Provides customer service and user support to County staff to ensure staff competency, effective operations, and the availability of technical assistance and troubleshooting services. Consults with users and Department managers to identify and incorporate workflow efficiencies, current and future system development requirements, and user needs. Coordinates with other IT staff to provide user training.
• Follows-up on resolved problems to ensure the system is functioning properly and that the problem was resolved. This includes interviewing users, re-testing systems, and performing various system functions to ensure they are executed properly.
• Documents and analyzes trends and patterns with system problems and hardware failures to provide information for future planning and procurement activities. This includes tracking hardware performance, tracking and documenting problems using a database, and evaluating operating system and hardware history to determine reliability and performance.
• Coordinates and oversees system installation, repair, and replacement to ensure that system specifications and configurations conform with County standards and technical requirements while optimizing performance for various business functions and processes (e.g., tax and payroll processing, web site development, word processing, etc.).
• Coordinates and/or compiles system documentation to record system specifications, development models, configurations, technical functions and operations, user procedures, and other details related to network administration.
• Coordinates with external agencies and organizations to coordinate network administration activities, exchange technical expertise, and assess new or alternative systems and procedures.

 
 OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED
Performs a variety of other duties as assigned by supervisor. This includes directing special projects, participating in ongoing training, and a variety of other functions as needed. If the County Commission proclaims a local emergency due to an actual or threatened disaster such as
an earthquake, fire, riot, flood, etc., County employees may be required to provide services
during the emergency and for a subsequent period of assessment and recovery.This position requires knowledge of computer science, including hardware, software, network and database servers; program scripting (e.g., SQL, HTML, etc.); and advanced diagnostic and troubleshooting techniques. The position also requires knowledge of strategic planning principles, budgeting, and customer service standards as well as the ability to coordinate multiple components of complex systems (e.g., connectivity, security, capacity, etc.).
 
This position must have the ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing; solve problems posed by the system and many levels of personnel with a wide variety of backgrounds (e.g., clerical, professional, engineering, management, etc.), establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, management, vendors, and the public; and gather, assemble, correlate and analyze facts, draw conclusions, and recommend solutions to problems.
 
The position requires skill in the installation, maintenance, and operation of computer operating systems, hardware, and software packages and in the use of diagnostic equipment and computer tools. The position also requires skill in interpersonal communication.The required knowledge, skills and abilities are typically acquired through a combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field plus three to five (3-5) years of related work experience in information systems management, including network administration.Position must possess a valid driver’s license issued by the state of Montana or attain a Montana driver’s license within six months of hire and be insurable under the County’s liability policies. As a condition of hire, the final candidate will be required to successfully pass a criminal history check and background investigation. 
For application consideration, the following documents are required to be submitted with application:

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Three (3) references

Gallatin County is an Equal Opportunity Employer:
Gallatin County is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment on the basis of merit and qualifications without regard to race, creed, religion, color, or national origin or because of age, physical or mental disability, marital status, or sex when the reasonable demands of the position do not require an age, physical or mental disability, marital status, or sex distinction.