Lead Network Engineer

Lead Network EngineerThe Lead Network Engineer is accountable for the strategic direction and operation of the College's network and its components. The Network Engineer understands network technology and trends at a strategic level; is versant in implementing new technologies and protocols; architects, creates, maintains, upgrades, and monitors network systems for optimal availability and performance; and troubleshoots network issues at their root cause. This role reports to the Director, Core Systems and Infrastructure.Essential Job FunctionsSystems Administration and Maintenance (50%)Administers network systems to ensure optimal design, usage, security, performance, and availability.Maintains, upgrades, and patches network components with minimal interruption to students, faculty, and staff.Creates and maintains network documentation, such as network diagrams and systems configurations, processes and procedures.Ensures best practices, processes, and techniques are used when administering technology solutions.Consistently monitor network for integrity, performance, and availability.Support and Consulting (20%)Addresses issues at their root level, using creative problem-solving techniques to achieve high-quality, highly efficient, highly effective resolutions.Proactively identifies potential issues and resolves them before they become an issue.Able to interact positively with both internal and external partners to achieve high satisfaction in both consulting and problem resolution situationsAccurately documents and maintains all support requests and efforts in the ticket management system.Ensures support tickets are appropriately transferred, escalated, and closed.Keeps customers updated on the status of their open incidents.Ensures that customers are satisfied upon ticket closure.Project Management (20%)Able to manage multiple projects at once.Executes project plans according to schedule, with attention to communication, risk management, training, and ongoing support and maintenance; setting and meeting expectations for project progress and completion; and ensuring that project deliverables are complete, sufficient, and of high quality.Manages implementation of technology solutions, including the following elements:Architecture and DesignStakeholder communicationRisk managementQualities of service, such as Security, Accessibility, Performance, Availability, Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity, Manageability, and Monitoring.Ongoing budgetEducation and trainingSupportIdentifies, categorizes, and prioritizes CLC's network needs, and researches, assesses, selects, acquires, and implements technology solutions that best satisfy those needs.Designs, develops, configures, integrates, installs and tests network systemsOther (10%)Maintains and shares subject matter expertise, staying current on industry trends and emerging technologies, identifying opportunities for further research, establishing and maintaining relationships with industry and professional colleagues, and attending conferences and seminars in order to recommend new solutions in service of student success and faculty and staff effectiveness and efficiency, while enhancing systems design, usage, security, performance, and availability.Provides a consistent stream of new ideas to enhance the College's network.Assists in the development of IT processes and proceduresProactively works with members of other departments to identify and implement key opportunities for operational improvements, especially with regards to processes and leverage of data/information.Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.Minimum Qualifications - The following qualifications are required:Masters Degree with three years of experience in an Information Technology role, at least three years of which were in a role specific to this discipline OR Bachelors Degree with six years of experience in an Information Technology role, at least four years of which were in a role specific to this discipline OR Associates Degree with ten years of experience in an Information Technology role, at least six years of which were in a role specific to this disciplineCommitted to keeping up-to-date with the changing networking landscapeExperience in the configuration, management, and troubleshooting of Cisco Unified Communications Products on a SIP-Based VOIP environment.Experience working with Cisco TAC, Cisco knowledge base, and Cisco toolsetsExperience in network designHas role-specific skills and knowledge of:DNSDHCPTCP/IPVLANsBGPOSPF/EIGRPVPNsSNMPCisco routing/switching/telephony and internetwork operating systemsPalo Alto FirewallsHP servers and desktops/laptopsMS Windows server and desktop operating systemsVMWareCloud-based hardware/operating systems/applications & utilitiesDesired Qualifications - The following qualifications are desired:Cisco certifications or on track for certificationHigher Education experience ideally in a community college settingAn innate focus on students and their successDemonstrated ability to build and maintain strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.Strong analytical skills.An interest in improving existing processes and procedures on a continual basis.Ability to manage projects as needed.Salary: $90,262Application Deadline: November 22, 2026Full-Time/Part-Time: Full timeTotal Hours Per Week: 40Position Type: StaffJob Family: SpecialistPosting Date: 11/11/2026Expected Start Date: 12/31/2026Compensation Grade: Lead Network EngineerLocation: Grayslake CampusDepartment: Core Systems & Infrastructure Division (James SenftEEO Statement: College of Lake County is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a policy of non-discrimination. Qualified applicants are considered without regard to race, color, age, sex, national origin, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, military or veteran status, genetic information, ancestry, citizenship, parental status, pregnancy or any other status protected by law.