ABOUT US

The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) is one of the leading school systems in Maryland and the nation. To learn more about us and our 2024 -2029 Strategic Plan, please visit our website and our careers page. Join our award-winning workforce and make a difference in the lives of our students!

ABOUT THE APPLICATION PROCESS

Before you begin, please read the position description below carefully and review our application instructions. Be sure your application reflects experience and education to meet any minimum qualifications listed on the job description. Once your application has been submitted, you will not be able to add documentation or make any changes. More details about application requirements are found below.

Please note that application submission will be available only through 11:59 PM on the date prior to the indicated end date. If no end date is indicated, the posting will remain open indefinitely.

Job Posting End Date:

Reminder: Current permanent and temporary employees must apply through the Jobs Hub in Workday, not the external career site.

First consideration will be given to complete applications submitted through September 28, 2025. Please review the Application Requirements section below for more details.

DESCRIPTION

Under the direction of the IT Network and Server Manager, the Network Engineer will be responsible for the data network and all network equipment that supports the school system. This equipment encompasses over eighty sites and multiple data centers and includes switches, wireless, firewalls, and routers. This position will be responsible for the planning, implementation, and day-to-day support and upgrades of the network.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience:

• Five years of experience supporting the day-to-day operation and troubleshooting of a large data network (e.g., multiple buildings with 100+ switches and access points) including LAN/WAN networking to include experience with:

  • Configuring, managing, and troubleshooting routers, switches, and wireless equipment.

  • Network and infrastructure design.

  • Protocols such as TCP/IP, SD-WAN, DNS, OSPF, BGP, and QoS.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Computer Science, Information Systems, Business Administration, or a related field.

• Experience with Aruba switches and wireless equipment.

• Experience with Cisco switches.

• Experience with scripting languages such as Python and PowerShell.

• Experience with Palo Alto firewalls.

• Experience with SolarWinds and other network monitoring tools.

• Experience managing and upgrading VPN and other security solutions.

• Experience with IP-based VoIP and video systems.

• Experience with Windows and Linux operating system platforms.

ESSENTIAL POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

The list below is a summary of the functions of the job, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, and duties.

• Installs, configures, and maintains network devices such as switches, routers, firewalls, wireless, and other network equipment and connectivity.

• Conducts proactive maintenance and ensures adherence to change management protocols.

• Manages network capacity planning and technical tuning of the data network and telecommunication systems to maximize performance and uptime.

• Analyzes network traffic and provides capacity planning solutions.

• Troubleshoots network performance issues.

• Researches and recommends network technology and trends as they relate to the HCPSS network.

• Provides technical guidance for directing and monitoring information systems network operations.

• Creates and maintains network diagrams and documentation for all network equipment.

• Monitors all equipment, responds to alerts and issues, and ensures maximum network uptime and performance.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

The below list is a summary of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for success in this position, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list.

• Knowledge of complex routed IP networks, layer 2/3 switching, routing protocols, and firewalls at an expert level.

• Knowledge of IP data networking at an advanced level.

• Knowledge and ability of troubleshooting network issues at an advanced level.

• Knowledge and demonstrated ability to plan, organize, prioritize, and manage tasks and projects.

• Ability to establish and maintain strong human relation skills, effective written and oral communication, excellent customer skills and good working relationships with fellow workers, school personnel, and administrators.

• Ability to prioritize and strong organizational skills.

• Ability to interact positively with customers.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS 

Working Hours

The regular duty day for this position is eight hours including a one-hour duty-free lunch. This position will require occasional evening, early-morning, or weekend hours.

Licensure

Possession of a Maryland Class C driver’s license and satisfactory driving record is required and will be verified prior to any offer of employment.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Complete applications must be submitted, and once your application has been submitted, you will not be able to add documentation or make any changes. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.
 
Supplemental Application Questions

This position requires applicants to provide responses to the supplemental application questions below to determine whether you meet the minimum and preferred qualifications. Please upload your responses in a separate file to the supplemental application questions section of the application.

1) Please explain in detail your knowledge of and experience with IP networks and protocols, including hands-on experience with routers, switches, and firewalls. For each experience, identify the position you held, the specific equipment used, and include set-up, management, troubleshooting, and the size of the network.

2) Please explain in detail your knowledge of and experience with wireless networking, including hands-on experience with set-up, managing, and troubleshooting. For each experience, identify the position you held.

3) Please explain in detail your experience with each of the technology components below and identify the position you held in which you gained experience.

• Aruba switches

• Aruba wireless networking

• Cisco routers and switches

• Scripting languages such as Python and PowerShell

SELECTION CRITERIA

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be included in further evaluation. Interviews will be limited to those applicants who, in addition to meeting the basic requirements, have experience and education which most closely match the position qualifications and the needs of the school system.

EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION

Compensation

This is a 12-month per year position in the Howard County Education Association, Educational Support Professionals (HCEA-ESP) employee unit. The current salary range for this position is Grade 26 on the 12 Month Technical Central Office and School-Based salary scale ($102,370 - $154,260). Step placement will be in accordance with the salary procedures of the Howard County Public School System and the HCEA-ESP Master Agreement which considers relevant prior experience. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, this position is exempt from overtime.

Retirement

Membership in the Maryland State Retirement Agency (MSRA) pension plan is a mandatory condition of employment for all employees who meet the eligibility and membership criteria defined in the State Personnel and Pensions Article and the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR). A qualifying employee cannot reject membership, nor can an ineligible employee elect membership. The annual contribution to the pension plan will be 7% of an employee’s annual salary.

Benefits

HCPSS offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees. Information about additional benefits such as paid time off can be found in the negotiated agreement for employees in this bargaining unit.

Pre-Employment Requirements

Professional references will be contacted prior to any offer of employment. Recommended candidates will be required to provide references from current and recent supervisors.

All employees, regular and temporary, must be fingerprinted, have a criminal background investigation completed, and successfully complete the Maryland Employment History Review, pursuant to Section 6-113.2 of the Education Article, Annotated Code of Maryland. In addition, some positions will require completion of a physical examination and/or drug testing.

Anyone offered employment is required to provide proper identification and documentation of eligibility for employment in the United States. HCPSS participates in E-Verify and does not offer employee sponsorship.

For questions regarding this posting, please contact Sandy Saval at sandy_saval@hcpss.org.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

To request an accommodation during the application or interview process due to a documented disability, please email humanresources@hcpss.org.

HCPSS celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any kind. HCPSS is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees in providing them with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at HCPSS are based on organizational needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability,  sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, veteran status or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.