IT ARCHITECT - INFRASTRUCTURE (NETWORK/FIREWALL SERVICES)

About the Role

The Houston Information Technology Services (HITS) Network & Data Services team supports an infrastructure that consists of more than 350 sites spread across the City of Houston. This includes thousands of network devices and multiple datacenters which collectively support the needs of over 20,000 city employees and 23 city departments including mission-critical public safety services. This IT Architect – Infrastructure position is crucial to helping the City of Houston to develop and maintain a robust, resilient, and secure network infrastructure.

This position provides technical guidance to the Firewall & Network Security Services team made up of operations and maintenance analysts, technicians, and/or engineers and requires expert level technical knowledge in performing analysis/troubleshooting of complex software, hardware, and transmission facilities. The Architect will maintain complete records of the devices and applications that they support to include drawings, written descriptions, and equipment configurations. The candidate will play a major role in the overall network and network security architecture, provide technical guidance to junior team members, complete tasks at the highest level of technical difficulty, and maintain professional communication with business stakeholders and customers. The IT Architect heavily influences the overall network security technology road map, design, and architecture standards and partners with city departments to develop solutions that meet the needs of the city.

Responsibilities

• Provide guidance and direction for planning and engineering efforts and test/evaluation programs to include the installation and on-going administration and support of the associated network security infrastructure (Firewall, Intrusion Prevention/Detection, Content Filtering, VPN).
• Maintain complete records of the devices and applications that they support to include drawings, written descriptions, and equipment configurations.
• Provide technical guidance to junior team members.
• Complete tasks at the highest level of technical difficulty.
• Maintain professional communication with business stakeholders and customers.
• Influence the overall network security technology road map, design, and architecture standards.
• Partner with city departments to develop solutions that meet the needs of the city.

Required Technical Knowledge

The position requires familiarity with:

• Next Generation Firewalls and Services (IPS/IDS, Layer 7 Application Management, Content Filtering Services)
• Cisco ISE
• IPSEC
• EIGRP/BGP/OSPF
• VTI
• VPC/VSS
• DNS

Qualifications

Education: Requires a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Management and Information Systems (MIS) or a closely related field. Holds multiple system-specific technical certifications; recognized as having mastery of a particular technical discipline. A Master's degree in Computer Science or Management and Information Systems or closely related field may be substituted for up to two (2) years of the experience requirement.

Experience: At least ten (10) years of specialized experience in an IT infrastructure system.

License: None required.

Preferences

• Preference shall be given to eligible veteran applicants provided such persons possess the qualifications necessary for competent discharge of the duties involved in the position applied for, such persons are among the most qualified candidates for the position, and all other factors in accordance with Executive Order 1-6.
• Experience as a Security Solutions Architect / Administrator
• Expert knowledge of Next Generation Firewall Services
• Current or former CCIE

Additional Requirements

• The ideal candidate should have a solid understanding of network security best practices (both theoretical and applied) and must adhere to all Cybersecurity Policies and Procedures to ensure the Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability of critical systems.
• Prior experience with FBI CJIS requirements and familiarity with FIPS 140-2 is preferred but not required.
• Candidate must successfully pass a CJIS background investigation with the Houston Police Department within 6 months of hire.
• This is not a Safety Impact Position.
• Department may administer skills assessment test.

Working Conditions

There are no major sources of discomfort, i.e., essentially normal office environment with acceptable lighting, temperature, and air conditions. May occasionally require work in outdoor environment.

Schedule

Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (subject to change)

Pay

Pay Grade: 33

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