NATIONAL INFORMATION TECH OPERATIONS AND APPLICATIONS DEVELOPMENT NETWORK ADMINISTRATOR

Office of the Federal Public Defender Western District of Texas (San Antonio)

THE FEDERAL PUBLIC DEFENDER, Western District of Texas is accepting applications for the position of Network Administrator, National Information Technology Operations and Applications Development (NITOAD), in San Antonio, Texas. The NITOAD branch supports the federal defender program’s staffed offices in 204 locations throughout the continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam. The federal defender program operates under authority of the Criminal Justice Act, 18 U.S.C. § 3006A, to provide defense services in federal criminal cases and related matters by appointment from the court to individuals unable to afford counsel.

Job Requirements. To qualify for the Network Administrator position, a person must be a high school graduate or equivalent, along with at least three years of general experience and four years of specialized experience with network configuration. Some higher education from an accredited college or university, preferably with a concentration in computer or management-information science or a related field, may be substituted for some of the required experience. Regardless of educational substitution, candidates must have specialized experience in two or more of these areas:

4+ years of experience in creating, implementing, and maintaining network architecture, network designs, and action plans.
1+ years of relevant experience managing and maintaining cloud infrastructure and virtual networks.
Experience in developing and maintaining comprehensive systems documentation, network inventory, and data flow diagrams.
Excellent customer service skills demonstrated through both oral and written communication.
Strong analytical skills with keen attention to detail.
Proficiency in scripting languages for task automation and data manipulation. Ability to be detail-oriented with a motivation for continual improvement and effective collaboration within a team.
The ability to lift 50 pounds and occasional travel, including overnight travel, is required. Experience with a public defender, law office, or court functions policies and procedures are preferred. The selected candidate must complete a ten-year background investigation with periodic updates every five years thereafter. Employment will be considered provisional pending the initial ten-year background investigation. Continued employment will depend upon favorable determinations from the background investigation. Applicants must be US citizens or be authorized to be employed by the federal government. The full position qualifications statement with position description is available upon request.

Duties. The Network Administrator’s role involves designing, operating, maintaining, and administering computer networks, covering VPN, VoIP, and data communications. Key responsibilities include:

Assisting customers with consultations, diagnostics, and recommendations on local networks.
Creating and maintaining system documentation.
Implementing and securing Wi-Fi networks.
Maintaining network monitoring, 2FA systems, firewalls, and VPN systems.
Supporting local IT staff with programming LAN switches, firewalls, routers, virtual network switches, and other networking devices.
Cultivating positive relationships with peers, customers, and service providers.
Analyzing system performance, errors, utilization, and trends for proactive improvement.
Using ticketing systems to track work progress.
Aiding cybersecurity teams in investigations.
Full participation in installation and maintenance activities, including nights and weekends.
Monitoring network performance and troubleshooting issues to ensure reliability and performance.
Ensuring network security through appropriate measures and regular updates.
Developing and maintaining disaster recovery plans for network infrastructure.
Evaluating and recommending new technologies to improve network performance and efficiency.
Selection Criteria: The ideal candidate should have firsthand experience administering enterprise networks and creating technical documentation. They must demonstrate expertise in installing and maintaining diverse network systems, integrating RADIUS, TACACS, and AD authentication, and possess strong VPN skills. Experience with network automation tools. Familiarity with network security tools (e.g., firewalls, IDS/IPS, SIEM). The ability to work independently is crucial. Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to think critically under pressure. Demonstrated ability to stay current with emerging technologies and industry best practices. Possession of valid networking certifications, PowerShell, Python 3, Cisco DNA, Cisco SDWAN, and Cisco ACI is highly desired. Familiarity with Linux and Hyper-V networking is a plus.

Salary and Benefits. The starting salary will be commensurate with the experience and qualifications of the applicant within a range of $60,823 (JSP-9, Step 1) to $104,887 (JSP-13, Step 1) per annum. The position is in the excepted service and does not have the tenure rights of the competitive Civil Service. The position does offer federal government employment benefits, including health and life insurance programs, retirement, and the Thrift Savings Plan. Salary is payable only by Electronic Funds Transfer (direct deposit).

How to Apply. Qualified persons may apply by sending a letter of interest addressed to Federal Public Defender Maureen Scott Franco (mentioning announcement number 24-18), a résumé, and three professional references. Experience should be described in detail. Send all required documents in a single PDF document named with applicant’s “last name, first name-Announcement 24-18 Network Administrator”. Electronic submissions sent directly to the Defender will not be considered. For applicants with disabilities, this organization provides reasonable accommodations, which are decided on a case-by-case basis. To request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or interview process, contact personnel administrator Victoria B. Longoria at (210) 981-2081. Position announced August 28, 2024, subject to the availability of funds; open until filled.

The Federal Public Defender is an equal-opportunity employer.