Principal Network Administrator II

Rensselaer County is seeking a highly skilled Principal Network Administrator II to join our Information Services team. This senior-level technical role is responsible for the strategic planning, design, implementation, maintenance, and security of the County’s enterprise network, telephony, and infrastructure systems across on-premises, virtual, and cloud environments.

The ideal candidate is an experienced IT professional with strong leadership abilities, advanced technical expertise, and the ability to manage complex projects with a high level of independence.

Responsibilities:

• Plan, design, and implement network, systems, and telecommunications infrastructure (LAN, WAN, WLAN, VPN, VoIP, cloud networking).
• Oversee installation, configuration, and maintenance of servers, switches, routers, firewalls, and related components.
• Administer virtualization and cloud technologies such as VMware, Hyper-V, Microsoft 365, Azure, and AWS.
• Monitor network and system performance, ensuring proactive detection and resolution of issues.
• Implement and enforce cybersecurity best practices including firewalls, endpoint protection, MFA, and patch management.
• Troubleshoot complex infrastructure and connectivity issues escalated from lower-tier IT staff.
• Maintain detailed network documentation, diagrams, and configuration standards.
• Coordinate network upgrades, migrations, and disaster recovery testing.
• Provide leadership, mentorship, and technical guidance to network, system, and support personnel.
• Ensure ongoing stability, scalability, and security of County systems.

Proficiencies:

• Expert-level knowledge of enterprise networking, systems administration, virtualization, and cloud infrastructure.
• Strong understanding of TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VLANs, routing, switching, VPN technologies, wireless, and firewalls.
• Solid understanding of cybersecurity practices, threat management, and compliance requirements.
• Proficiency with Microsoft technologies including Windows Server, Active Directory, Exchange/Outlook 365, Azure, and Intune.
• Knowledge of PBX/VoIP/SIP hybrid telephony and Mobile Device Management (MDM).
• Ability to manage complex IT projects, budgets, and procurement processes.
• Strong troubleshooting and diagnostic skills for advanced systems and network issues.
• Effective leadership, mentoring, communication, and documentation skills.
• Ability to lift and move up to 50 pounds.
• Professionalism, sound judgment, and strong interpersonal skills.
• Experience with Barracuda, Solarwinds and VxRail products a bonus.

Note: The ability to obtain/maintain a federal security clearance may be required to maintain employment for this position.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $77,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
• On call as needed
• Overtime as needed
• Weekends as needed

Ability to commute/relocate:

• East Greenbush, NY 12061: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Application Question(s):

• Rensselaer County Residency is required; are you currently a resident of Rensselaer County? Are you willing to relocate to reside in Rensselaer County?

Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Network Engineering, Cybersecurity, or a closely related field. Four (4) years of full-time paid experience in enterprise network or systems administration
• Associate’s degree in one of the fields listed above. Five (5) years of full-time paid experience in enterprise network or systems administration.
• High school diploma or high school equivalency diploma. Six (6) years of full-time paid experience in enterprise network or systems administration

Work Location: In person

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter and three verifiable professional references with phone numbers and email address's through Indeed. Failure to include will not be considered eligible. Eligible candidates may be required to participate in a Civil Service examination.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $77,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Rensselaer County Residency is required; are you currently a resident of Rensselaer County? Are you willing to relocate to reside in Rensselaer County?
• Have you included a required cover letter?
• Have you included three verifiable professional references with phone numbers and email addresses?

Experience:

• Network administration: 4 years (Required)

Work Location: In person