Provides technical support for communications network hardware, software releases, and network systems to users, other technical staff, contracting vendors, and mission-critical systems. Leads major, highly visible projects to evaluate and analyze new communications network hardware, software, or systems for support in the Senate environment; makes recommendations to senior management on future communications network releases. Provides initial installation and secondary troubleshooting of hardware and software for communications network devices and systems; monitors, evaluates, and resolves issues involving network hardware or software, applications, or service performance. Develops project plans and analyzes requirements for communications network hardware or software implementation throughout the Senate; leads in developing plans for upgrading, installing, validating, and implementing on existing and new sub-systems for enhancement or compliance. Plans, schedules, coordinates, and leads technical studies, analyses, and evaluations of future and existing local and wide area network (LAN and WAN), voice network, or communications systems. Develops traffic engineering studies and analyses to determine future voice and data communications network requirements.

Conditions of employment

• For conditions of employment and citizenship requirements, please visit the job announcement on the United States Senate Career Page at https://sen.gov/YO0NL.

Qualifications

Other Duties/ Responsibilities

• Knowledge of network management applications.
• Knowledge of router protocols.
• Knowledge of switching configurations and technologies.
• Ability to oversee, monitor, and maintain network technologies such as DHCP, DNS, QoS, and VoIP.
• Ability to plan, schedule, coordinate, and lead studies, special projects, and assignments.
• Ability to evaluate and make recommendations on different network-related application software packages.

Required Work Experience

• Engineer: GED with at least three to five years of relevant work experience; Associates with one to two years of 
  relevant work experience, Bachelor’s with one year of relevant work experience. 

Desired Qualifications: 

• Proficiency in wireless networking, including WLANs, VLANs, and PoE infrastructure.
• Working knowledge of RF (Radio Frequency) spectrum analysis and survey equipment.
• Demonstrated experience troubleshooting LAN issues.
• Hands-on experience with Aruba HPE wireless technologies and solutions (ArubaOS, Mobility Conductor, AirWave, and Access Points).
• Familiarity with Cisco ISE (Identity Services Engine) for 802.1X authentication and policy enforcement.
• Ability to perform physical installation tasks, including access point deployment and network cabling.
• Comfort working at heights, in ceiling spaces, and within active office environments.
• Eligibility to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

Required Special Skills/ Knowledge

• As part of our hiring process, we may conduct a skills assessment to better understand an applicant’s proficiency in key areas relevant to the role. 

Working Conditions

• Since this position requires onsite presence in support of the U.S. Senate when in session, this position requires the employee to be available and prepared to work during a lapse in appropriations, in inclement weather, on holidays, and during late night, overnight, and weekend sessions. In the context of government furloughs, this position is considered excepted.
• The U.S. Senate network cannot be taken offline for maintenance during the workday or while the Senate is in session. As such, maintenance windows may only occur at night, on weekends, and occasionally on holidays. Employees who perform systems upgrades, maintenance, wiring, backups, or support our alternate data centers will have schedules that include working nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Sedentary with no exceptional physical demands. 
  
  

Security Clearance

• This position requires that the applicant obtain and maintain a Secret U.S. Government security clearance.
• Applicants must be U.S. citizens in order for the SAA to submit your application for a security clearance.