IT Systems Engineer (Term-Limited)

Salary range is $70k to $165k, with a midpoint of $115k. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Sound Transit also offers a competitive benefits package with a wide range of offerings, including:

• Health Benefits: We offer two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan all at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner.
• Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Retirement Plans: 401a - 10% of employee contribution with a 12% match by Sound Transit; 457b - up to IRS maximum (employee only contribution).
• Paid Time Off: Employees accrue 25 days of paid time off annually with increases at four, eight and twelve years of service. Employees at the director level and up accrue additional days. We also observe 12 paid holidays and provide up to 2 paid floating holidays and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year.
• Parental Leave: 12 weeks of parental leave for new parents.
• Pet Insurance.
• ORCA Card: All full-time employees will receive an ORCA card at no cost.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Sound Transit will pay up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.
• Inclusive Reproductive Health Support Services.
• Compensation Practices: We offer competitive salaries based on market rates and internal equity. In addition to compensation and benefits, you'll find that we provide work-life balance, opportunities for professional development and recognition from your colleagues.

This is a term-limited opportunity with an anticipated duration of 5 years.

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Under general direction, the IT Systems Engineer plans, develops, and implements the Agency's local and wide server infrastructure in area of assignment; installs, configures, maintains, and administers Agency servers to ensure the availability of services; coordinates assigned activities with other divisions, departments, and outside agencies; troubleshoots and resolves server related errors, issues, and warning messages as needed; and performs technical support duties to assigned area of responsibility ensuring quality of work meets the standards set forth by the Agency.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Plans, develops and implements the Agency's wide and local server infrastructure; ensures the availability of core services; monitors and maintains servers, resolves technical problems, and ensures systems are operating efficiently.
• Monitors server operations to identify performance and capacity issues; measures volume and performance; identifies utilization and performance issues; develops plans and implements new technologies and services to satisfy capacity and performance requirements; establishes and maintains technology and operation standards.
• Participates in evaluation of hardware and software to determine their applicability to Agency needs; assists in the selection process; coordinates the installation and maintenance of servers, Storage Area Networks (SANs), back-up devices, Network Attached Storage (NAS), shared network server resources, clustered systems and other server related equipment.
• Administrators and maintains Active Directory (AD) security groups; applies security access to Agency's critical systems as required per existing procedures or as approved by manager; performs Active Directory clean up to ensure information is accurate and current; creates procedures on how AD objects are created and added.
• Coordinates, administers, and maintains responsibility for assigned systems including network security, e-mail servers, FTP and web servers, and administrative/monitoring tools; creates, edits, and removes email address; configures email policies and accepted domains; reviews and resolves error logs; and maintains server health and integrity.
• Performs server system administration and performance functions; monitors account security; adds applications, users and devices; changes user security and permission settings; identifies unauthorized access and potential security risks; participates in projects to enhance enterprise security operations.
• Processes service requests from IT Business Partners and Agency customers for server builds, troubleshooting of operating system or applications, requests for access to Agency data shares or folders, files, or databases; and assists other departments with tasks that require a server and/or server-side configurations.
• Assists in successful delivery of various Agency IT projects; participates in project; checks status on projects that have been assigned; assists and mentors team members as needed; works closely with manager related to complex or advanced IT tasks such as domain configuration specification, and group policies implementation; and shares knowledge of new systems and technologies.
• Monitors backup programs to ensure accurate and timely scheduled backups; adds or removes servers and resources when requested; ensures compliance with Agency retention of data; and participate in quarterly preventative maintenance weekends and weekly after-hours maintenances (as needed) to ensure that patches and critical updates are applied to the infrastructure servers; documents work performed and maintains accurate change management records; updates server documentation via run books and processes documentation as needed; and creates run books for newly installed servers hardware and software configurations.
• Provides support to the department on matters as directed; serves as staff on a variety of committees; prepares and presents staff reports and other necessary correspondence; attends and participates in professional group meetings; maintains awareness of new trends and developments in the fields related to area of assignment; incorporates new developments as appropriate; ensures processes, policies and practices are interpreted and applied consistently and effectively; ensures accountability and compliance with all current and applicable state and federal laws, Agency policies and procedures, rules and regulations.
• Champions and models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency.
• Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit's Equity & Inclusion Policy.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Business Management Information Systems, or closely related field and five years of information technology experience in network/server support that includes troubleshooting, knowledge of Active Directory and domain roles, and server maintenance; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Licenses or Certifications:

• May require specific IT related certifications based on assigned area of responsibility.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Knowledge of network protocols, technologies, and VPN configurations associated with LAN/WAN networks.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Local and wide area networking theory and technologies.
• Computer and information systems, network storage, and networking connectivity technology.
• Windows Server 2016 or newer; understanding of networking principles, Active Directory, and DNS.
• Virtualization technologies such as vSphere, ESXi (6.x or later), and vCenter Server.
• Implementing, operating, and troubleshooting TCP/IP and Ethernet-based network architectures.
• Concepts, principles and practices of network architecture, design, development, protocols, implementation and administration.
• Principles, practices, methods and techniques used in information technology networks design, implementation and administration.
• Troubleshooting and maintenance of network operating systems and problems.
• Project and operational management of a technology program.
• Procurement, inventory and asset management of IT equipment.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other department staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, community groups and the general public.
• Interpreting and administering policies and procedures sufficient to administer, discuss, resolve, and explain them to staff and other constituencies.
• Utilizing network tools to monitor servers, firewalls, and network components for errors, security issues, and other problems; review device, network, and application logs; review usage and utilization statistics.
• Troubleshooting, resolving, and responding to network problems; coordinating solutions with outside vendors, users, and information technology staff.
• Providing support in developing, integrating, testing and evaluating local and wide area networks and integrating new technologies with existing technologies.
• Working effectively under pressure, meeting deadlines, and adjusting to changing priorities.
• Managing projects and making decisions in fast-paced, difficult environments.
• Responding to inquiries and in effective oral and written communication.
• Researching, analyzing, and evaluating new service delivery methods and techniques.
• Working cooperatively with other departments, Agency officials, and outside agencies.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a hybrid office and field environment.
• Employees working in field, shop, warehouse, and/or transit vehicle environment may occasionally be exposed to dangerous machinery, extreme weather conditions, physical harm, hazardous chemicals, and/or extreme noise.
• Position is responsible for performing installation of hardware and may require bending, grasping, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, standing, seeing, walking, maneuvering in tight spaces and carrying up to 50lbs.
• Position requires on-call and weekend/after hours shifts.
• The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required.

Sound Transit is an equal employment opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment action based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status or other protected class.