Network Specialist

Salary : $72,544.88 - $146,710.79 Annually
Location : 200 Baltimore Street, La Plata, MD 20646, MD
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 2026-00185
Department: FAS IT - NETWORK
Opening Date: 07/16/2026
Closing Date: 7/30/2026 11:59 PM Eastern


Summary
This position will be filled at the Specialist I, II, or III level.

The level and salary offered will be dependent upon education and experience.

The hiring salary for Network Specialist I is $72,544.88.

The hiring salary for Network Specialist II is $77,985.86.

The hiring salary for Network Specialist III is $83,834.60.

Telework eligibility is determined by county policy and the approval of the hiring department.

Charles County Government is seeking a Network Specialist to be responsible for maintaining and administering complex, resilient, and secure local and wide area networks (LANs and WANs) and the systems connected to them. Specialist will ensure day-to-day operations and high availability of County networks. This position will plan, direct, design, coordinate, maintain, and secure LANs, WANs, internet services, and inter-agency network connections. Specialist will resolve network operational issues, maintains network hardware and software, and provides directions and/or recommendations regarding network equipment and related software. This position will support information technology used in critical infrastructure operations. Overall goals are set and this employee determines the specific tasks and assignments to be performed, independently handling new and unusual problems encountered in the workplace.

Essential Job Functions

• Plans, designs, installs, maintains, and secures County networks, physical and virtual network infrastructure, servers, storage arrays, telecommunications services, and related networking components and services.
• Troubleshoots and resolves errors for network applications, hardware, and services.
• Implements and administers cloud resources used by the County, including those for email services, web servers, desktop applications, communication, collaboration software and enterprise federation services. Ensures interoperability with on premises datacenter infrastructure.
• Administers and secures external network connections, including internet services, voice services, and inter-agency connections.
• Assists with network security audits, incident response, vulnerability assessment and remediation and compliance review.
• Ensures all aspects of the network follow security guidelines and best practices.
• Configures and manages remote access solutions.
• Maintains backups of all County network data, including scheduling and restoring of data.
• Performs disaster recovery operations for network infrastructure and data.
• Provides technology support for critical infrastructure operations.
• Coordinates with Help Desk staff and the user community for problem determinations and resolutions.
• Performs inventory of network and telecommunications infrastructure assets.
• Performs identity and access management operations for network users.
• Researches, evaluates, and recommends network hardware, software, and cloud solutions.
• Plans projects and implements upgrades, patches, and installation of new applications and equipment.
• Supports Lifecycle Management functions including research, proof of concept, procurement, installation, maintenance, retirement, and disposal for network hardware and software.
• Develops scripts/programs, implements APIs, and uses other automation tools to automate and improve existing workflows to support both the administration of the County's network infrastructure and County software applications.
• Develops and maintains documentation of the County's network and telecommunications infrastructure, applications, and services.
• Maintains current knowledge of networking and telecommunications technologies, services, and applications.
• Assists with design phase of IT needs for new construction, renovations, and relocations in relation to IT infrastructure.
• Places orders for telephony and cellular equipment.
• Administrates County emergency notification systems and alarms.
• Performs other related job duties as assigned.

Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Education and Experience:

Network Specialist I: Associate's degree in computer technology and two (2) years network experience, or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training.

Network Specialist II: Associate's degree in computer technology and four (4) years of network experience with three (3) years minimum as a Network Specialist I, or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training.

Network Specialist III: Associate's degree in computer technology and six (6) years of network experience with three (3) years minimum as a Network Specialist II, or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training.

Licenses or Certifications:

Relevant industry certification(s) preferred (e.g., Network+/Security+ (CompTIA), CCNA/CCNP (Cisco), Telecommunications Analyst (TCO)

Special Requirements/Qualifications:

Work is subject to frequent interruptions and occasional work beyond the normal scheduled hours of operation.

Must be available to work during non-work hours to support County computer systems.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the concepts and techniques of computer networks as applied to the requirements of the County's computer services.
• Knowledge of network and telecommunications connectivity, protocols, network security devices, network types (e.g., wireless, fiber optic, etc.) and common operating systems
• Ability to plan and manage projects
• Ability to interpret highly technical information
• Ability to write technical documentation
• Ability to analyze situations to define issues and draw conclusions
• Ability to administer, maintain and troubleshoot networking technology, services, and other networking infrastructure.
• Ability to administer email, network security, and disaster recovery infrastructure.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others encountered in the work.
• Ability to initiate daily assignments, follow through on matters and use independent judgment and training to take appropriate actions to deal with standard recurring situations.

Additional Information
PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work is sedentary with frequent periods of walking and standing. Typical positions require workers to lift and carry up to 30 pounds; climb stairs; bend and crouch; reach, hold, grasp and turn objects; and use fingers to operate computer or typewriter keyboards. The work requires the ability to speak normally, to use normal or aided vision and hearing and to detect odors.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Principal duties of this job are performed in a general office environment.

Department/Division: Fiscal and Administrative Services/Information Technology

Pay Grade: 115-117

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Telework Eligible: Yes

Reports To: Network Manager

Supervises: None
Charles County Government
BENEFITS SUMMARY
. GovernmentJobs . com / Careers / CharlesCountyMD
Health Insurance
Charles County Government PAYS 70% of cost: Blue Choice Advantage and HMO Open Access plans, including prescription and vision coverage. CareFirst and Delta for dental coverage.


Flexible Spending Account
Provides medical and dependent care options.


Supplemental Income Products
Accident Policy, Critical Illness Policy, and Hospital Indemnity Policy.

Long Term Disability Insurance
No charge to employee. The benefit pays 60% of salary at date of disability, up to $5,000/month.


Life Insurance
No charge to employees (valued at 1.5x the annual salary, not to exceed $250,000). Supplemental insurance and dependent life insurance are available for an additional cost. Term and whole life policies available.


Pension Plan (Defined Benefit Retirement Plan) 401(a) Plan - Must work minimum 37.5 hrs/week. Participation is mandatory.

Deferred Compensation Plan
457(b) Governmental Plan - Available to all employees, regardless of hours worked.


Employee Leave
• Charles County Government full-time employees earn annual, sick, and paid time off (PTO).
• The County currently recognizes 20 paid holidays throughout the calendar year.
• Away from work programs like paid parental leave and FMLA are available to employees.


Transfer of Sick Leave
New hires may be eligible to receive credit for up to 400 hours of sick leave from their previous employer when they begin employment.


Work Schedules
• Most work weeks are 37.5 hrs, and some positions may offer the opportunity for flexible work schedules or allow telework.

Additional Fringe Benefits
• Tuition Reimbursement for full-time employees upon completion of probation period
• Discounted, Onsite Childcare at a County Government facility.
• House Keys 4 Employee Program offers assistance to full-time employees who are first-time homebuyers.
• Free, Employee Wellness Programs
• Legal Resources (prepaid benefit)
• Pet Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (free, short-term counseling)

Benefits eligibility is for employees who work 30 hours or more per week unless otherwise noted. Effective: March 1, 2026
01


How many years of experience do you have working in the field of Information Technology?

• No experience
• 1 year to just under 2 years experience
• 2 years to 5 years experience
• 6+ years of experience

02


How many years of experience do you have working with optical networking technology?

• No experience
• 1 year to just under 2 years experience
• 2 years to 5 years experience
• 6+ years of experience

03


How many years of project management experience do you have?

• No experience
• 1 year to just under 2 years experience
• 2 years to 5 years experience
• 6+ years of experience

04


The hiring salary range for this position is $72,544.88 - $83,834.60 annually, commensurate with experience. Salary will be determined for the selected candidate based on related experience and other factors. Internal candidates selected for this position will receive a salary according to the county's promotional pay increase policy. Please confirm that you are acknowledging this is the hiring salary range for this position.

• I acknowledge this is the hiring salary range for this position.

05


For the top candidate selected for this position, the next steps in the hiring process will include verification of employment history and reference checking. We will contact your current employer and two additional professional references following a conditional offer. We will also conduct a background check, driver record check and physical exam, if applicable, and pre-employment drug and alcohol screening before a final offer is extended. Please confirm that you are acknowledging that if you are the top candidate selected for this position, the steps described above will be taken during the hiring process.

• I confirm that I am acknowledging that if I am the top candidate selected for this position, the steps described above will be taken during the hiring process.

06


Are you a federal employee recently affected by a layoff/reduction in force?

• Yes
• No

Required Question