It Network Operations Manager

Network Operations Manager

The City of Columbia's Information Technology Department provides executive-level leadership, delivers technology services to city departments and partnership agencies, and coordinates information technology initiatives across the organization to support, enhance and advance citizen service delivery. The Network Operations Manager is responsible for overseeing the daily operations, security, and efficiency of the City of Columbia's network infrastructure. This role ensures that city departments, public services, and emergency response teams have reliable, secure, and high-performing network connectivity.

The position involves managing a team of network and security professionals, collaborating with government agencies, and implementing strategies to improve city network services while ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations. The work is considered sedentary in nature, involves walking or standing some of the time, and involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a recurring basis, and occasionally more up to 50 pounds, and routine keyboard operations.

The work requires the following physical abilities to perform the essential job functions: climbing, crawling, crouching, fingering, handling, hearing, kneeling, lifting, mental acuity, repetitive motion, speaking, talking, visual acuity, and walking. Work environment involves exposure to no known environmental hazards; and is dynamic that requires sensitivity to change and responsiveness to changing goals, priorities, and needs.

• Oversee the operation, maintenance, and optimization of the City's network infrastructure, including data centers, firewalls, routers, switches, and wireless networks.
• Lead network infrastructure projects, including upgrades, expansions, and migrations, ensuring completion within scope, timeline, and budget.
• Develop and maintain business continuity plans, ensuring proper network failover, backup solutions, and disaster recovery strategies.
• Develop and enforce network policies and procedures, ensuring secure access to municipal systems.
• Implement and enforce security policies to safeguard network integrity and protect against cyber threats. Ensure compliance with industry regulations and company policies.
• Supervise and mentor a team of network administrators and analysts, including security analysts. Assign tasks, provide technical guidance, manage schedules, and conduct performance reviews.
• Lead network troubleshooting efforts, diagnose connectivity issues, and minimize downtime by implementing swift resolutions.
• Utilize network monitoring tools to track system health, performance, and security vulnerabilities, ensuring optimal uptime.
• Plan, design, and deploy the City's voice, video and data network infrastructure.
• Work with vendors, Internet Service Providers, and third‑party service providers to manage network contracts, procure necessary hardware/software, and resolve service‑related issues.
• Maintain accurate network documentation, including network diagrams, configurations, and incident reports. Generate reports on network performance and suggest improvements.
• Provide after‑hours, and weekend support for mission‑critical network operations, including 24/7 public safety systems.
• Participate in the development and maintenance of disaster recovery plans for computer systems and network infrastructure.
• Immediately communicate network or system issues to management and respond appropriately.
• Track system end‑of‑life and specify replacements when needed.
• Research and recommend hardware/software purchases. Participate in assessment of needs to select and purchase appropriate hardware/software to integrate with the existing infrastructure.
• Communicate hardware/software problems with outside support personnel, i.e., vendors and technical support representatives.
• Assist with relocation of equipment and needs created by a move to a new facility, i.e., bids for cabling, networking, and communication systems.
• Manage phone systems, including cabling, phone system programming, acquiring of new services, support of all existing services and assessment of existing services.…