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

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

Salary

$129,480.00 - $161,865.60 Annually

Location

County of San Mateo, CA

Job Type

Regular

Job Number

V281T

Department

Technology Services

Opening Date

09/15/2026

Closing Date

10/6/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Bargaining Unit

35

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

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 for this position 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.

The position will require the individual to participate in an on-call capacity after working hours.

Examples Of Duties

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.

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the functions of the job.

Qualifications

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 Drivers 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 escalate 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 escalate 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.

Application/Examination

Open & Promotional. 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.

A supplemental application form must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. Based solely on the information provided in the application materials, an application screening committee will select those applicants whose education, training and experience most closely matches the needs of the department. Those selected will be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%). Selected applicants will be notified of the date, time and place of the tests.

IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the Countys website, you may click on the "Apply" button. If you are not on the Countys website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org/ to apply. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE

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.

HR Contact: Arlene Cahill (09152026) (IS Communications Specialist II- V281)

We invite you to explore our Benefits-at-a-Glance page for a snapshot of the comprehensive and competitive benefits available to eligible employees of the County of San Mateo. From health and wellness to financial security, our benefits are designed to support you at every stage of your career. (Please note that benefits are subject to change.)

In addition to core benefits, the County is proud to offer a variety of wellness and professional development programs to help you grow both personally and professionally. Most of these enriching opportunities are available during work hours and come at no cost to you.

As a County employee, you'll also be covered by the federal Social Security system, earning valuable retirement benefits based on your salary and years of service.

01

Applicants for this position are required to submit responses to the following supplemental questions. Your responses will give us additional information about your background and experience related to this position and will weigh heavily in the selection process. Be concise and specific. Neatness, clarity of expression, grammar, spelling and ability to follow instructions will be considered in the evaluation process. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for your responses to these questions. I understand this important information.

• Yes
• No

02

Do you possess current CCNA and/or CCNP technical certification(s)? If so, please list any that may be relevant.

03

Describe your experience deploying, configuring administering, maintaining, and troubleshooting routers, switches and wireless over the last two (2) or more years. Please be detailed and complete in your response. If you have experience with Arista, Aruba, Palo Alto Networks (Firewalls)or SDWAN/SDN, please also describe that experience.

04

Describe your experience writing technical documents associated with standard operating procedures in support of complex technical systems or processes.

05

How did you learn about this position?

• County of San Mateo Website
• County of San Mateo Job Interest Card Notification
• County Hosted Virtual Event
• County Hosted Job Fair
• CalOpps.org
• College/University Career Center
• Community-based Organization Posting
• Facebook/Instagram
• Friend or Relative
• GovernmentJobs.com
• Indeed
• Job Fair
• LinkedIn
• Professional Publication/Website (Please specify in next question)
• X (formerly called Twitter)
• Zip Recruiter
• Other (Please specify in next question)

06

If you answered, "Professional Publication/Website" or "Other" to the above question, please indicate below how you learned about this position. Your response to this question will help us in better marketing County jobs. Type NA if not applicable.

Required Question

Employer County of San Mateo

Address County of San Mateo Human Resources Department

500 County Center, 4th Floor

Redwood City, California, 94063-1663

Phone (650) 363-4343

Website https://jobs.smcgov.org