Principal Network Engineer #198

NATURE OF WORK

This is advanced professional work researching and analyzing emerging technologies to support and maintain the integrity of the Senate campus networking infrastructure. Work in this classification is distinguished from the Senior Network Engineer by its level of technical expertise and long-range impact of the assigned duties. The incumbent may serve as a technical expert and be called upon to research and resolve issues escalated by other support groups, as well as recommend long-term strategic decisions for Senate technology. Work also includes directing technical planning and design activities, including validation and verification of network strategies, cost analysis, risk assessment, and compatibility. The incumbent is responsible for managing project timetables. Work is performed under the general direction of a Manager.

EXAMPLES OF WORK

(This list is not absolute or restrictive, but indicates approximate duties and responsibilities which may be redefined pursuant to operational needs.)

● Provides long-range strategic planning for new and innovative networking technologies, including research and development of alternative architectures, new infrastructure framework, and engineering strategy; monitors the impact of technological developments.

● Leads advanced technical project teams and contractors, with engineering emphasis on routing/switching, system build-outs, and systems security and reliability; plans, assigns, directs and coordinates work efforts; develops project plans, timetables and staff requirements.

● Formulates and defines next generation infrastructure for the Senate’s data networks, in support of the applications and security systems that support the Senate’s business mission, information technology functions and services.

● Researches advanced and leading edge technologies as they pertain to strategic planning and implementation of the Senate’s advanced network; makes recommendations to senior management.

● Provides escalation support to senior and non-senior level operations and engineering staff in troubleshooting network-related issues.

● Develops criteria and oversees design and development of prototypical lab environments for the purpose of providing testing and training platforms of new networking technologies by engineering and operations staff.

● Reviews and evaluates performance data to ensure sufficient network resources are available in support of current requirements; develops strategies for identifying and increasing resources when necessary.

● Represents the department at user group, task force and steering committee meetings and pilot testing.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Work requires sitting and operating a computer for extended periods, with occasional standing, climbing, pulling and safely lifting up to 50 pounds. May occasionally work evenings or weekends to resolve problems or handle incidents.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Work requires a Bachelor's Degree in computer science, electrical engineering, electronics, telecommunications or a related field; and eight to ten years of data communications and network system experience; or any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the following knowledge, abilities and skills:

● In-depth knowledge of network technologies and protocols, primarily TCP/IP and IP-based network communications.

● Extensive experience with routing and switching technology.

● Experience with network-based security services and configurations.

● Knowledge of technology industry trends and emerging technologies.

● Knowledge of project life cycle methodologies.

● Ability to oversee, monitor, and maintain network operations, including high-availability and resilient network architectures.

● Ability to evaluate and make recommendations on different network-related applications software packages.

● Ability to manage studies, special projects and assignments with long-range impacts.

● Ability to plan, direct, assign, supervise and evaluate project teams and task forces.

● Ability to communicate effectively

LICENSES, CERTIFICATION AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

Principal Network Engineer Addendum

Examples of work:

• Serves as principal engineer and operator on the Senate mobile communications vehicles for providing classified and non‐classified encrypted voice and data communications; coordinates the Senate mobile communication vehicle needs during COOP and COG events and exercises.

• Provides expert‐level technical support for the Senate’s Radio Infrastructure.

• Monitors, evaluates, and resolves issues involving radio hardware, software, and programs.

• Programs radios for use in mission critical deployments and exercises.

• Serves as the Senate liaison for inter‐agency radio communication interoperability.

• Design, engineer, maintain, operate, monitor, and troubleshoot satellite equipment on the Senate Mobile Communication vehicles and at the SAA ground station to ensure viable, secure, and stable network connectivity and readiness.

• Serve as the SAA CIO Point of Contact for the offsite facilities where the Mobile Communication Vehicles are stored. Provide guidance and direction to visiting staff, assign office space, maintain COOP equipment inventories, and laisse with SAA Facilities for installation and delivery requests. Develop site Emergency Action Plans.

• Ensures Senate office compliance with established COMSEC policies and rectifies discrepancies with established NSA policies. Provide guidance to Senate staff for the installation, upgrade, or relocation of secure voice equipment. Provide user training on proper use of secure communications equipment and NSA policies and procedures. Conduct scheduled re‐keying of secure communication equipment.

• Researches, develops, implements, and executes training exercises to ensure IT and Mobile Communication Vehicle readiness for Continuity of Operations (COOP), Continuity of Government (COG) and Disaster Recovery initiatives. Researches, prepares, and tests the SAA disaster recovery plan for the CIO Organization.

• Develop training program and provide training to peer and volunteer staff on Mobile Command Vehicle operations and network deployment policies and procedures.

Minimum Qualifications:

Work requires a Bachelor’s Degree in telecommunications, information technology, or a related field, and at least eight to ten years of experience with secure communications and/or radio deployments in an enterprise environment; or any equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the following knowledge, abilities, and skills:

• Extensive experience with handheld and mobile radio technologies.

• Experience in secure communications and satellite communication technologies.

• Knowledge of project management principles and practices; ability to set goals and to plan, monitor and evaluate project or contract budgets; ability to organize and coordinate resources to achieve project and organizational goals and objectives efficiently and effectively.

• Ability to oversee, monitor, and maintain radio network infrastructure.

• Ability to plan, schedule, and coordinate and lead studies, special projects, and assignments.

• Ability to evaluate and make recommendations on different secure communications applications and software packages.

VETERANS EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY ACT

Hiring for this position is governed by the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act of 1998 (“VEOA”), as made applicable by the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (“CAA”). Pursuant to the VEOA, qualified applicants who are not current employees of the Office of the Senate Sergeant at Arms and who are disabled or who have served on active duty in the Armed Forces during certain specified time periods or in certain military designated campaigns (“veterans”) may be eligible to receive a preference over non-veterans in hiring decisions. Family members of veterans may also be eligible to receive a veterans’ preference if the veteran cannot claim his or her veterans’ preference.

To be eligible for a veterans’ preference, applicants must meet all of the requirements set forth in the VEOA and applicable regulations. Those eligibility requirements are summarized in the Application for Veterans’ Preference, which is available at www.senate.gov/saaemployment.

If claiming a veterans’ preference, an applicant must indicate that he/she is preference eligible on the application or resume and must submit a completed copy of the Application for Veterans’ Preference along with the supporting documentation specified on that form. If the Office of the Senate Sergeant at Arms does not receive the Application for Veterans’ Preference and supporting documentation by the closing date, the applicant’s claim for a veterans’ preference may be denied.

Applicants may obtain a copy of the Office’s Veterans’ Preference In Appointments policy by submitting a written request to resumes@saa.senate.gov.

Individuals who are entitled to a veterans’ preference are invited to self-identify voluntarily. This information is intended solely for use in connection with the obligations and efforts of the Office of the Senate Sergeant at Arms to provide veterans’ preference to preference-eligible applicants in accordance with the VEOA. An applicant’s status as a disabled veteran and any information regarding an applicant’s disability, including the applicant’s medical condition and history, will be kept confidential and will be collected, maintained and used in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as made applicable by section 102(a)(3) of the CAA, 2 U.S.C. §1302(a)(3). An applicant who declines to self-identify as a disabled veteran and/or to provide information and documentation regarding his/her disabled veteran’s status will not be subjected to an adverse employment action, but the individual may be ruled ineligible for a veterans’ preference.