Systems Specialist - Communications Network Infrastructure

About the role

The Systems Specialist, under the general guidance of the Systems Manager, is responsible for overseeing a team of analysts that provide technical support for existing network security systems in IT. This role leads the team, contributes technical expertise, and guides incident and event analysis. The Systems Specialist develops procedures to improve monitoring of IT computing infrastructure, ensures timely response to alerts from security tools, and handles routine IT administrative tasks, problem solving, and issue resolution.

Responsibilities

• Supervise technical staff and contractors supporting intrusion prevention, endpoint protection, data loss prevention, and access control technologies
• Provide architectural, configuration, solution, and quality reviews to ensure secure and compliant implementations
• Coordinate with IT groups, business organizations, vendors, and internal teams to resolve technology issues and implement standards
• Monitor employee performance, productivity, professional conduct, and progress against development plans
• Create integration and architectural diagrams that support secure system design
• Develop RFP specifications, conduct technical evaluations, and recommend solutions and vendors
• Manage small-scale vendor infrastructure installations and oversee firewall administration, operation, integration, and implementation
• Monitor cybersecurity alerts, threats, and vulnerabilities; assess risk and impact, support incident response, and escalate issues when needed
• Handle administrative and operational responsibilities, including change management, daily reporting, time-sheet approvals, equipment orders, service tickets, and acting as Systems Manager when required
• Lead and develop a team through coaching, performance management, and effective work assignment to drive aligned execution and business outcomes

Qualifications

Required Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree and a minimum of 3 years of full-time relevant work experience in IT or Information Security
• Associate’s Degree and a minimum of 5 years of full-time relevant work experience in IT or Information Security
• High School Diploma/GED and a minimum of 8 years of full-time relevant work experience in IT or Information Security

Preferred Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Math, Engineering, or business-related disciplines and a minimum of 5 years of full-time relevant work experience in Information Security, Computer Incident Response Team (CIRT), Cyber Security Operations Center (CSOC), or Incident Management

Relevant Work Experience

• A minimum of 3 years of experience designing, developing, and implementing secure architectures or processes
• A minimum of 3 years of experience implementing network firewalls
• A minimum of 3 years of experience administering, operating, and integrating firewalls
• Thorough knowledge of communication protocols, security standards, and cybersecurity principles
• Experience with threat management, risk management, and/or compliance
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including presenting designs and explaining technical concepts to nontechnical audiences
• Preferred: Experience with infrastructure integration, technology evaluation, standard designs, emerging technologies (e.g., Next-Generation Firewalls, SASE, ZTNA, micro-segmentation, and cloud security architectures), long-term planning, and investment estimation

Skills and Abilities

• Ability to lead and manage others
• Ability to drive multiple projects to successful completion
• Ability to inspire and develop staff
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Licenses and Certifications

• Driver’s License required
• Preferred: CISSP, CISM, and CIPP

Physical Demands

• Ability to push, pull, and lift up to 40 pounds
• Sit or stand to use a keyboard, mouse, and computer for the duration of the workday
• Ability to read small print and symbols

• The selected candidate will be assigned a System Emergency Assignment and will be expected to work non-business hours during emergencies, which may include nights, weekends, and holidays
• Ability to be flexible and work off-hours as required to support deployments, resolve production problems, or respond to corporate emergencies