Network Engineer

OPPORTUNITY The Network Engineer plays a critical role in building and maintaining a secure, reliable, and scalable technology infrastructure that supports teaching, learning, and school operations across the district. This role ensures the stability and integrity of district-wide data, voice, video, wireless, and cloud network services. ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES Strategy & Planning Collaborate with technology leadership to assess network capacity and future needs. Maintain thorough documentation for network diagrams, configurations, and procedures. Develop and maintain policies for network use, cloud services, identity management, and disaster recovery. Contribute to long-term roadmaps for data center modernization and cloud adoption. Evaluate network impacts of K‑12 instructional technology initiatives. Assess cybersecurity risks and support district‑wide strategies aligned to FERPA, COPPA, CIPA, and CIS Controls. Acquisition & Deployment Design, deploy, and manage LAN, WAN, WLAN, and cloud‑connected architectures across district sites. Architect, deploy, and maintain Azure cloud networking environments. Lead network infrastructure upgrades and transitions toward cloud‑first ecosystems. Research and evaluate emerging network technologies and industry best practices. Partner with vendors and service partners to procure cost‑effective technology solutions. Operational Management Configure, optimize, and maintain district networks to ensure uptime and performance. Manage VMware virtual infrastructure. Monitor networks using Azure Monitor, Meraki Dashboard, and SolarWinds. Support connectivity of servers, endpoints, classroom technologies, web filters, VoIP systems, security systems, and IoT/AV equipment. Maintain Azure AD, identity integrations, and hybrid infrastructure. Ensure compliance with cybersecurity best practices, MFA, conditional access, identity governance, least privilege, and zero‑trust principles. Perform system backups, disaster recovery testing, audit logging, and compliance reporting. Maintain inventory of network components and cloud resource usage. Provide mentorship to junior team members and school site technicians. Respond to incidents and outages with urgency and strong communication. Additional Responsibilities Participate in an on‑call rotation. Inspect and service network equipment, including cabling and network closets. Lift and transport moderate equipment such as servers, switches, APs, UPS units, and related hardware. Travel frequently to school sites as needed. QUALIFICATIONS Required Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field, or equivalent professional experience (5+ years). Proven experience designing and maintaining LAN/WAN/WLAN environments across multiple sites. Strong knowledge of TCP/IP, VLANs, DHCP/DNS, routing protocols (OSPF/BGP), QoS, authentication systems (RADIUS/TACACS/AAA), and load balancing. Experience managing enterprise wireless environments in high‑density settings such as classrooms, auditoriums, and testing labs. Experience with Azure networking, identity management, and hybrid infrastructure. Working knowledge of cybersecurity best practices, including firewalls, IDS/IPS, endpoint security, and system hardening. Experience supporting Active Directory, Windows Server, and Microsoft 365. Understanding of K‑12 data privacy requirements, including FERPA, COPPA, and CIPA. Experience with cloud migration, network automation, IEEE 802.1X, and Zero Trust security principles. Experience with VoIP systems and SIP trunking. Experience with cabling infrastructure, network testing tools, and structured wiring standards. Strong communication and customer service skills with the ability to explain technical concepts to non‑technical stakeholders. Ability to collaborate effectively within a school‑centered environment. Preferred Cisco certifications such as CCNA or CCNP. Microsoft Azure certifications such as AZ‑104 or AZ‑700. Security+ or equivalent cybersecurity certification. COMPENSATION The starting salary for this position is $90,000–$100,000 annually. We also offer a comprehensive benefits package. EEO STATEMENT Green Dot Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a balanced, productive, and diverse workforce. We do not make hiring or promotional decisions based on factors unrelated to performance and professional growth potential. #J-18808-Ljbffr