Network Engineer 5 - Project Position

Full Job Description

Note: This is a project (term limited) position expected to end 12/31/2026.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Snohomish County Department of Information Technology (IT) is seeking a highly experienced and innovative Network Engineer 5 who has a deep and proven background with Palo Alto Networks solutions, and is passionate about architecting, building, and optimizing a secure, scalable, and reliable network infrastructure.

Our ideal candidate must have the ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with a diverse group of individuals, be comfortable working directly with customers, vendors, and interested parties on projects and issues related to implementation and ongoing support.

Must be detail-oriented, accountable, adaptable, and self-motivated whether working independently or in a team environment.

As a member of the Network Engineering team, you will report directly to the Infrastructure Supervisor and collaborate closely with the Information Security Officer and IT Security team.

Responsibilities for the positions include but are not limited to the following:

• Implement, and maintain advanced network security technologies across our enterprise infrastructure.
• Leverage Palo Alto Networks products and third-party platforms to enhance network visibility, protection, and threat intelligence.
• Proactively identify network security issues and risks and propose solutions to increase security efficiency and effectiveness.
• Assist with support of existing systems and/or business requests.
• Participate in major incident response efforts for network security events.
• Create configuration and project deliverable documentation, including design, build and operations guide.
• Stay informed about the latest security trends, vulnerabilities, and tools to continuously improve network security.
• Provide technical mentorship to junior team members.
• Collaborate across IT teams and the organization to accomplish objectives.
• Participate in an on-call rotation for 24x7 support of security operations.

Primary work site will be the County’s main campus located in Everett, WA, although hybrid telework may be available in the future at the discretion of the employer.

Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to the Snohomish County campus work site to respond to workplace reporting requirements.

Job offers are contingent on successful completion of reference and background checks, including fingerprinting at the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office.

TO APPLY:

A resume, cover letter, and complete responses to all supplemental questions are required for consideration.

Requirements

1. Applies advanced, extensive knowledge and skills in multiple integrated specialties, and contributes to the development of new knowledge related to network, telecommunications and audio/visual systems and components.

Manages technical issues that are very complex, impact a very large number of users, demand a very large amount of resources, are of very long duration and/or very high risk, with significant effects in multiple integrated areas.

Develops solutions that are creative, effective, and enduring, and designs/creates programs, data structures and reports related to the area of networking and telecommunications engineering.

2. Leads and mentors teams and individuals, directs or supervises staff at lower technical levels, leads small groups, is the principal advocate within the county for a particular function, represents county on technical matters in local and regional groups, and initiates significant improvements in work correlated with network, telecommunications and audio/visual systems and components.
3. Effectively applies and leads others in applying a working knowledge of project planning, management and methodologies in projects that incorporate network, telecommunications and audio/visual systems and components.

Acts independently, with considerable discretion to act and make decisions independently in very complex projects and tasks.

Displays an advanced understanding of complicated issues, recognizing impacts to a large number and/or wide range of users, consequences of taking risks, and short and long term implications.

Considers financial and other impacts of assigning valuable resources. Initiates work to obtain desired results.

Demonstrates advanced, rigorous thinking skills on challenging, difficult issues.

Uses thinking skills that involve analyzing, prioritizing, abandoning prejudices and previous ideas, and applying practical considerations.

Delivers at an advanced level of competency in multiple specialties and roles related to the area of networking and telecommunications engineering.

4. Serves as a departmental spokesperson on technical matters, acts as a consultant on feasibility and implementation of existing and new technologies, and interprets for others complex information and tasks about networking and telecommunications engineering. 

1. May perform any of the duties and responsibilities of all lower level positions. May perform duties at the same level from other specialty areas. Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Additional Information

• the tools, standards, methods, best practices and industry trends applicable to this specialty (expert knowledge);
• project life cycles, resource and workload planning, and detailed cost/benefit analysis techniques (in-depth knowledge).

• understand and follow county and state regulations, policies, etc.;
• facilitate and lead multiple team-based cross-functional work efforts that affect multiple projects;
• continue to be knowledgeable about current and emerging technologies;
• work well with others;
• direct others in problem and technical issue resolution;
• demonstrate strong written and verbal communication skills;
• use personal computer technologies to enhance job proficiency;
• create effective documentation
• tackle and resolve conflicts;
• motivate others to perform;
• interpret client needs.