Network Specialist IV

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS•Harlingen, TX

About The Position

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage. In accordance with HHSC Guiding Principles and universal expectations of personal responsibility, under general direction of the HHSC IT / Customer Service and Support / DSHS Regional Office Support manager, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment, performs complex work overseeing activities associated with Local Area Networks (LAN), Wide Area network (WAN), and the selection and evaluation of components for data and voice telecommunications networks. Performs network design and installation, training, and evaluation of potential network enhancements. Perform customer support activities. Develop, maintain, and oversee management of Internet and Intranet web content for assigned customer area. Responsible for compliance with applicable policies, standards, guidelines, and procedures of DSHS, HHSC, and DIR. This position is classified as a fulltime position (40 hours a week). Work outside of regular hours may be required. Travel to other work location may be required. Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Knowledge of information technology and telecommunication standards.
Knowledge of network systems network hardware, and personal computer hardware.
Knowledge of network operating systems, personal computer operating systems, and software applications.
Knowledge of Internet and Intranet technologies.
Knowledge of telephone and telecommunication systems technology.
Knowledge of Service Level Agreements.
Knowledge of effective management principles.
Skill in effective management and administration.
Skill in problem solving, conflict resolution, negotiation and mediation.
Skill in working collaboratively & cooperatively with colleagues / agencies.
Skill in managing customer relationships.
Skill in strategic planning and program evaluation.
Ability to recognize, analyze, and resolve network problems.
Ability to provide effective technical assistance, consultation, and training to individuals and groups.
Ability to recognize, analyze, and resolve telecommunication problems.
Ability to perform administrative duties.
Ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
Ability to approach problems in a logical, proactive manner, and provide creative solutions.
Ability to present information to a variety of audiences, verbally and in writing, communicating clearly, concisely, and effectively.
Ability to travel to other work locations as required.
Ability to work hours other than 8-5 M-F
Ability to lift and move computer equipment
Ability to adhere to HHSC Guiding Principles, Code of Ethics, and Universal Expectation for Personal Responsibility

Nice To Haves

Preference for additional support experience with Wide Area Networks and Active Directory tools.
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in computer science, data processing, management information systems, or a related field is generally preferred.
Education and experience may be substituted for one another on a year-for-year basis.

Responsibilities

Serve as front line support for local and remote personnel to obtain support for problems involving PC workstation hardware, software, and connectivity to network or telecommunications systems.
Perform PC desktop support, troubleshoot and repair hardware and software, making appropriate documentation within the assigned Help Desk system, and other technical issues in a timely manner and according to Service Level Agreement (SLA) standards.
Serve as technical resource for other IT staff, and assist in coordinating tasks.
Install, monitor, and maintain hardware providing Local Area network (LAN) services.
Assist in support of Wide Area Network (WAN) equipment and services.
Hardware support includes cable, hub/switch installations, limited router support, and related physical and logical structures.
Monitor performance of, and act as liaison to, the Data Center Services (DCS) vendor to ensure service levels for network server hardware and operating systems, as well as backup and recovery services.
Perform limited server duties, such as the addition of new users to the network and establishment of rights and privileges, and other functions as indicated as agency responsibilities not covered in the DCS scope.
Install and maintain hardware and software on agency workstations and other systems as assigned.
Maintain patch levels, connectivity, and sufficient security software and protections as needed to enable customers to adequately perform their responsibilities safely.
Perform limited instruction and user support for customer staff and/or local partner agencies, on available network, data and telecommunications hardware, application software, utilities and procedures.
Instructs customers, in groups or individually, on use of IT systems as well as HHSC computer usage policies as needed.
Ensure that network and telecommunications systems operate properly and perform or make arrangements for maintenance needed.
May set up video conferencing equipment, satellite downlink connections, training room configuration, content delivery, and other related activities.
Conduct product evaluations for new software and upgrades to existing software, identifying the potential benefits to the agency.
Identify and recommend enhancements to network facilities, and evaluate strengths, weaknesses, and potential benefits to the agency.
Actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation.