Network Specialist - Information Systems

Forbes named Mesa Public Schools in their list of 2024 Best Employers in Arizona. East Valley Tribune names Mesa Public Schools as Best Place to Work in East Valley for multiple years. Employment Type: Full-time Base Salary: $67,827.00 Class/Calendar: C53-IS, 12 months Benefits: Vacation, sick leave, holidays, retirement matched through the Arizona State Retirement System, health, and life insurance Performance Pay: Available annually New Hire Experience: 1% of the base hourly rate granted for each year of verified like experience (within ten years) beyond the requirement, up to a ten-year maximum New Hire Education: 1% of the base hourly rate awarded for an AA or higher degree if not required for the position Job Summary: To service, maintain, troubleshoot, test, and implement the day-to-day operations of the LAN/WAN; to assist in the development and implementation of network solutions for the district. Key Responsibilities: Serve as a technical resource for the district’s wired and wireless network infrastructure, providing guidance and support for network solutions, troubleshooting, and implementation strategies. Install, configure, maintain, support, and troubleshoot district LAN, WAN, and wireless network infrastructure, including switches, routers, wireless access points, and controllers, ensuring compatibility, reliability, and optimal performance. Diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve network connectivity, performance, hardware, software, and configuration issues, utilizing industry-standard diagnostic tools and troubleshooting methodologies. Proactively monitor network performance, availability, capacity, and security using network management and monitoring tools to identify potential issues, minimize disruptions, and maintain reliable network operations. Install, replace, upgrade, and maintain network hardware and associated components, including switches, routers, wireless access points, and related infrastructure, to ensure network reliability and operational continuity. Maintain accurate network infrastructure documentation, including equipment inventories, network diagrams, device configurations, IP addressing, and asset records to support troubleshooting, planning, and reporting requirements. Serve as a first responder to critical network outages, connectivity disruptions, and network-related security incidents during and outside normal work hours, coordinating with appropriate personnel to restore services and minimize operational impacts. Collaborate with district departments, school personnel, technology teams, and external vendors to identify network connectivity needs, resolve technical issues, coordinate infrastructure improvements, and support district technology initiatives. Analyze network performance data, recurring incidents, and infrastructure trends to identify root causes, recommend corrective actions, and implement improvements that enhance network reliability, security, and operational efficiency. Identify opportunities to optimize the use of various information systems, liaising with system representatives to stay informed on updates and explore potential improvementsImplement and maintain network security configurations and access controls, including VLANs, access control lists (ACLs), network segmentation, and secure device configurations, in accordance with district cybersecurity standards and procedures. Perform network configuration changes, firmware updates, and equipment upgrades in accordance with established change management procedures, ensuring appropriate documentation, testing, and minimal disruption to district operations. Support network redundancy, resiliency, and recovery procedures to minimize service disruptions and maintain reliable connectivity for district instructional and operational systems. Assist with other assigned duties as appropriate to the area of assignment and Mesa Public Schools Required Qualifications: Associate's degree or higher in Computer Science, Information Technology, Network Administration, or a related technical field; or an equivalent combination of education, industry certifications, and relevant professional experience. Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification or equivalent industry-recognized networking certification preferred demonstrating proficiency in enterprise networking technologies. Minimum of three years of professional experience installing, configuring, maintaining, and troubleshooting network infrastructure in a complex enterprise LAN/WAN environment. Experience evaluating, testing, installing, configuring, maintaining, and troubleshooting enterprise Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), and wireless network infrastructure to ensure reliable connectivity, performance, and availability. Demonstrated knowledge of enterprise networking technologies and protocols, including TCP/IP, VLANs, subnetting, routing, switching, DHCP, DNS, and network security fundamentals, with an emphasis on Cisco networking infrastructure and secure network configurations. Experience utilizing enterprise network monitoring, management, and diagnostic tools to identify connectivity issues, analyze network performance, and troubleshoot infrastructure problems. Knowledge of enterprise wireless networking technologies, including wireless authentication, RF fundamentals, interference, roaming, and wireless connectivity troubleshooting. Familiarity with network security practices and technologies, including access control lists (ACLs), network segmentation, 802.1X authentication, and Network Access Control (NAC). Skills & Competencies: Models the attributes and skills of the MPS Portrait of a GraduateDemonstrates commitment to the MPS Promise that every student is known by name, served by strength and need, and graduates ready for college, career and communityAbility to perform complex technical tasks and meet continual need to upgrade skillsAbility to analyze an environment to make recommendations to best meet end-user and district needsAbility to organize, prioritize, meet deadlines and maintain schedulesAbility to communicate effectively (verbally and written); collaborate and work with district personnel and outside groups of varying technical skill Work Environment & Physical Requirements: Work in an office setting within the district’s IT department, may also visit schools and other district buildingsWork in climate-controlled environments housing servers, switches, and networking hardwareWork closely with IT staff, administrators, teachers, and vendors to ensure network security and efficiencyFrequent movement between different school district locations, including climbing stairs or accessing confined spaces to install or repair equipmentMay need to lift equipment like servers, routers, switches, and backup power supplies (typically 20-50 pounds) Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: Mesa Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding equal employment opportunity and anti-discrimination. The District strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Applicants and employees may contact Human Resources to request reasonable accommodations needed to perform the essential functions of this position.