IT- Network Specialist VI

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- Network Specialist VI #0812-25 role at Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation

The Lead Network Specialist is selected by and responsible to the Director of Information Technology Services and performs highly advanced or senior-level work overseeing activities associated with the TDLR local area network, wide area network (LAN and WAN) and enterprise server infrastructure. The role involves TDLR project planning; network design; installation and monitoring networks; development of network policies; analyzing the current hardware and software environment;

evaluating potential network enhancements; preparing budget and IT contract recommendations; training other Information Technology Division employees; and performing advanced server support while working extensively with Data Center Services providers, vendors and other State Agencies. Core technologies include Palo Alto Firewalls, Cisco and Meraki switches, wireless solutions, and advanced routing protocols.

Work is performed under minimal supervision with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. The Lead Network Specialist may plan and/or assign the work of others. Occasional travel is required, along with flexibility, to perform other duties as needed to ensure secure and reliable IT operations.

• Manages network design, installation, and optimization in accordance with agency plans, ensuring secure, high-performance connectivity across LAN, WAN and wireless infrastructures.
• Directs or conducts major studies regarding network usage, makes recommendations for improvements, and determines network system requirements including integration with cloud services (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Conducts performance tuning, security hardening and capacity planning activities to enhance and/or secure the TDLR network.
• Reviews network system plans for completeness and accuracy, plans and schedules network assessments, upgrades and system implementations.
• Performs project planning tasks such as project risk assessments, alternative implementation analyses, and project status tracking and reporting.
• Analyzes and defines agency disaster recovery responsibilities and procedures, incorporating high availability, failover, and load balancing strategies for critical network and server infrastructure.
• Establishes and enforces standards for network security which may include Zero Trust Network Access, intrusion prevention and compliance with frameworks such as HIPAA, or NIST. Designs and tests recovery procedures for LAN/WAN environments from hardware and software failures.
• Develops goals and objectives for the development and use of an efficient, scalable and cost-effective network that meets evolving agency needs.
• Develops policies and procedures designed to ensure the integrity and availability of the agency LAN, WAN and wireless environments. Analyzes existing procedures for efficiency and effectiveness.
• Evaluates emerging network technologies, tools and methodologies for potential acquisition and directs the evaluation of various hardware, software, and cloud-based solutions to identify strengths, weaknesses, and potential benefits to the agency.
• Defines operational, technical and support requirements for the location, installation, operation and maintenance of data communications, agency network systems and associated security measures.
• Integrates LAN, WAN, wireless and cloud network requirements into the agency’s information resources and business plans.
• Prepares budget recommendations for network facilities, tools and services; analyzes user support statistics and implements data-driven improvements to maximize performance and cost efficiency.
• Performs advanced server support for operating system, virtualized platforms and middleware applications.