Washington State ESD is hiring: IT Network & Telecommunications Senior Specialis

IT Network & Telecommunications Senior Specialist Full Time | Permanent Location: Headquarters | Tumwater, WA Salary Range: $92,760 - $124,752 Annually This is a telework/hybrid position. The candidate of choice may work from anywhere within the state of Washington with a reliable internet connection. Travel may be required. Are you an experienced network engineer ready to take on complex, high-impact technical challenges? Do you thrive in environments where your expertise keeps essential systems running safely, securely, and efficiently? If so, the Department of Corrections (DOC) is looking for you to join our Digital Network & Voice Services (DNVS) team as a Senior Network Engineer (IT Network & Telecommunications Senior Specialist). In this role, you will serve as a top-level technical expert responsible for designing, engineering, and improving the agency’s enterprise network infrastructure across wide area, campus, cloud, and data center networks that support DOC operations throughout Washington State. You’ll provide advanced engineering in areas such as network architecture, routing and switching, firewalls, troubleshooting, and system integration—all with a focus on building highly available, well-designed, secure infrastructure. Your work will directly strengthen the technology foundation that supports DOC’s mission to improve public safety and keep correctional operations running smoothly. As a Senior Network Engineer, you’ll play a key role in shaping DOC’s network services by driving continuous service improvement, implementing modern solutions, and ensuring our systems align with industry best practices. Your expertise will help the agency enhance performance, improve business processes, and deliver reliable technology that supports the Results DOC mission and vision. If you’re ready to make a meaningful impact through advanced technical leadership, we’d be excited to welcome you to our team. Join DOC as a Senior Network Engineer – Help Power Mission‑Critical Technology Statewide! Application Packet Cover letter expressing interest in this position Detailed résumé Three professional references with phone number and email address We are looking for teammates who share our vision of public service, are committed to an equitable and inclusive culture, and promote innovation, engagement, and safety to achieve better outcomes for our incarcerated population, the agency, and the community. Key Responsibilities Perform technical engineering and integration tasks, including: Defining, documenting, and building highly complex data network configurations and procedures Executing multifaceted and critical changes with minimal disruption to customers Developing configuration build documents, procedures, and related system documentation Collecting, analyzing, and sharing knowledge within the DVNS team and IT Operations to reduce redundancy Analyzing and deploying configuration changes and critical equipment Updating configuration management to maintain accurate configuration items Review services regularly to identify continual improvement opportunities, including: Gathering, processing, and analyzing data to recommend corrective actions Reporting on strategic results achieved Providing expert recommendations to IT and business stakeholders Ensuring engineering, integration, and implementation of quality IT services that meet customer needs through people, process, and technology Planning, delivering, operating, and controlling data network services offered to customers Provide operations support for complex, urgent, and/or mission‑critical systems Required Qualifications High school diploma or equivalent Eight (8) years of experience in the Information Technology field At least four (4) years of recent experience supporting data network services, including enterprise‑wide area network, campus, and data center networking platforms with at least 300 network components (routers, switches, firewalls, load balancers, and other appliances) Four (4) years of professional work experience analyzing customer requirements and recommending solutions Three (3) years of technical work experience engineering campus and/or wide‑area networks One (1) year of technical work experience engineering data center technologies (firewalls, load balancers, overlay networks) Four (4) years of technical work experience engineering enterprise networking platforms Two (2) years of project management experience within the last five years, producing project management framework deliverables such as proposals, charters, and work breakdown structures Preferred Qualifications Three (3) years of technical experience installing, configuring, and engineering enterprise routers Three (3) years of technical experience installing, configuring, and engineering core and distribution switches Three (3) years of technical experience engineering the Cisco UCS Blade‑based hardware platform Four (4) years of technical experience administering Cisco IOS Three (3) years of technical experience administering SolarWinds Orion One (1) year of scripting experience in PowerShell Certifications such as Cisco CCNP Vision Working together for safer communities. Mission Improving public safety by positively changing lives. Our Commitment To operate a safe and humane corrections system and partner with others to transform lives for a better Washington. Equal Employment Opportunity DOC is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, veteran status, genetic information, or any sensory, mental or physical disability. Important Notes This recruitment may be used to fill more than one position. Include a minimum of three professional references with phone number and email address. A background check, including criminal record history, will be conducted prior to hire. Results may be considered in determining suitability. Employees may work directly with or near incarcerated individuals in a potentially hazardous setting. The agency maintains a drug‑ and alcohol‑free workplace; a pre‑employment drug test may be administered. Applicants with sensitivity or allergies to pepper spray (Oleoresin Capsicum) or animal exposure (dog and cat programs) are encouraged to inquire about potential exposure. Applicants may be required to provide a TB skin test within 60 days of hire; a positive result may trigger additional testing and treatment, though employment is not contingent on test results. Foreign equivalent degrees require a credential evaluation report. Documentation must be submitted before proceeding in the hiring process. DOC does not use E‑Verify and is not eligible to extend STEM‑OPT. Telework Details This position may involve telework from a home or other off‑site location within Washington State, provided a reliable internet or cellular hotspot. Employees must maintain confidentiality and may be required to commute for onboarding or on‑site business. A dedicated workspace within a DOC facility will not be provided. Benefits Washington State employees enjoy a comprehensive benefit package, including: Remote/telework/flexible schedules (depending on position) Up to 25 paid vacation days per year 8 hours of paid sick leave per month 12 paid holidays per year Generous retirement plan Flexible Spending Accounts Dependent Care Assistance Deferred Compensation and more Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) New employees have the option of two employer‑contributed retirement programs. For additional information, please visit the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System website. Contact For questions or to request reasonable accommodation in the application process, email mackenzie.conley@doc1.wa.gov or call 509‑630‑9160. For TTY service, call the Washington Relay Service at 7‑1‑1 or 1‑800‑833‑6388. #J-18808-Ljbffr