Senior IT Network Engineer

The Division

The Sheriff-Coroner Technology Division is a centralized unit of approximately 150 personnel dedicated to providing high-level operational and technical expertise for Orange County public safety functions. The team supports a wide range of agencies including Law Enforcement, Fire Services, Emergency Medical Services, and correctional facilities. The Division manages the countywide coordinated communications systems, including the 800 MHz CCCS and 900 MHz paging systems, as well as all Information Technology operations for the Sheriff's Department. This encompasses application development, help desk support, network security, and the maintenance of critical infrastructure like 9-1-1 dispatch equipment and surveillance systems.

The Opportunity

The Senior IT Network Engineer serves as a key architect for the Orange County Sheriff Department's data and network infrastructure. In this role, you will design, implement, and maintain complex LAN, WAN, and WLAN environments, ensuring high availability and performance across various locations. Beyond technical implementation, the position involves training team members, planning performance improvements, and proactively preventing security risks. You will monitor the health of a high-performance data center and wireless infrastructure, playing a vital part in keeping the department's critical communications and IT systems running smoothly.

The Ideal Candidate

We are looking for a professional with a bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field, who brings 3-5 years of experience with high-performance platforms. The successful candidate will possess a unique blend of technical expertise and project management skills, capable of leading team projects while adhering to budget and policy parameters. Strong communication skills are essential, as you will need to articulate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences. You should be adept at analyzing problems, proposing strategic designs, and implementing solutions that resolve issues within project scopes.

Selection Process

This recruitment establishes an Open Eligible List to fill current and future vacancies. The selection process is rigorous and includes the following steps:

1. Application Screening: An Application Appraisal Panel will thoroughly review your application and supplemental responses. Descriptive answers highlighting specific competencies are required; generic responses like "See Resume" will not be scored.
2. Structured Oral Panel Interview: Qualified candidates will undergo a weighted 100% interview with a panel of job knowledge experts. Ratings will be based on responses to questions designed to elicit your qualifications.

Note: Selection procedures may be modified based on departmental needs. All candidates will be notified of any changes.

How to Apply

Only online applications will be accepted; resumes cannot be submitted in lieu of the official application. Your application must be current, succinct, and descriptive, specifically addressing the qualifications and duties listed in this bulletin. Please ensure your email address is correct, as it is the primary form of notification throughout the recruitment process. For specific questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Mary Felix at (714) 834-5857 or via email at mfelix@ocsheriff.gov.

Special Qualifications & Background

Applicants must not have been convicted of a felony and must pass an extensive background investigation to the satisfaction of the Orange County Sheriff-Coroner. This screening includes a Personal History Form, an interview with a background investigator, fingerprinting, and potentially a polygraph test. The investigation reviews prior convictions, traffic violations, drug use, credit problems, employment history, and education verification.

Equal Opportunity

Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply. The County is also committed to the Veterans Employment Preference Policy (VEPP), providing preferential consideration to veterans and their eligible spouses in the employment process.