DEPARTMENT: Information Technology

SALARY: $91,306 - $117,841

LOCATION: Trenton, NJ

SCHEDULE: M-F 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM. This position may require occasional work outside of normal business hours, including evenings or weekends, to meet operational needs.

JOB SPECIFICATION: NETWORK ADMINISTRATOR 1

REPORTS TO: Deputy Director of Information Technology

VACANCIES: 2

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Network Administrator is responsible for maintaining the security, reliability, performance, and availability of Mercer County's network, server, storage, and related technology infrastructure. This hands-on technical position supports technology services across County locations, including critical environments such as public safety, courts, and corrections.

The Network Administrator works closely with Information Technology leadership to strengthen cybersecurity, reduce operational risk, maintain system availability, and support disaster recovery and continuity efforts. The position also serves as a technical escalation resource and plays an important role in maintaining a secure, resilient, and responsive County technology environment.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Administers and maintains physical and virtual servers, switches, routers, firewalls, wireless infrastructure, VPN services, and related network technologies.
• Maintains the availability and performance of critical technology services, including file, print, email, remote access, and web-based services.
• Monitors network and system performance, capacity, logs, and alerts to proactively identify and resolve potential issues before they affect County operations.
• Performs security patching and system updates in accordance with established cybersecurity policies, standards, and required timeframes.
• Conducts vulnerability scanning, evaluates findings, and coordinates remediation based on risk, severity, and operational priorities.
• Implements and maintains secure configuration standards and baselines, including applicable CIS Controls and CIS Benchmarks.
• Monitors and reviews security logs and alerts, escalates suspected cybersecurity incidents, and supports incident response and recovery activities.
• Administers user accounts, groups, access permissions, and related identity services within Active Directory and Microsoft Entra ID, including timely processing of employee onboarding, transfers, and separations.
• Monitors and verifies system backups, maintains appropriate offline or immutable backup protections for critical data, and conducts scheduled restoration testing.
• Develops, tests, documents, and maintains disaster recovery procedures and plans in alignment with established recovery objectives.
• Administers enterprise storage, Storage Area Network (SAN), and virtualization platforms and monitors capacity to support current and future operational needs.
• Develops and maintains scripts and other automation solutions to improve the efficiency, consistency, and reliability of routine system administration.
• Maintains accurate network diagrams, system configurations, technical procedures, and related documentation and follows established change management processes.
• Serv es as a technical escalation resource for Service Desk staff and assists with the resolution of complex network, server, infrastructure, and access-related issues.
• Coordinates with technology vendors and service providers on system support, troubleshooting, repairs, maintenance, and evaluation of new technologies.
• Supports internal and external technology audits, cybersecurity assessments, and applicable regulatory and compliance requirements, including Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) requirements.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must meet one of the following combinations of education and experience. Thirty (30) semester-hour credits are considered equivalent to one (1) year of relevant experience.

Seven (7) years of professional experience in the development, implementation, and maintenance of multi-network, multi-user Local Area Network (LAN), Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), and/or Wide Area Network (WAN) environments, including or supplemented by a minimum of eighteen (18) semester-hour credits in mathematics, computer science, information technology, and/or computer information systems.

OR

Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, including or supplemented by a minimum of eighteen (18) semester-hour credits in mathematics, computer science, information technology, and/or computer information systems; and three (3) years of the above-mentioned professional experience.

STORAGE AREA NETWORK (SAN) REQUIREMENT:

For positions involved in the administration of a Storage Area Network (SAN), applicants must have at least three (3) years of professional experience installing, configuring, and supporting network hardware and software, one (1) year of which shall have been in the planning, implementation, and support of SAN and related technologies.

FORMAL TRAINING:

Evidence of formal training in Computer Science or Information Technology received from or evaluated by an accredited institution of higher learning may be submitted with the application. Applicants must provide documentation from the accredited institution that clearly identifies the acceptable training course(s) and corresponding number of credit hours. In-house courses, including training provided on the job or through the appointing authority, will not be accepted.

DEFINITION OF PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

“Professional experience” refers to work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the authority to exercise independent judgment and make accurate and informed decisions.

LICENSE:

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Comprehensive knowledge of network architecture, Network Operating Systems (NOS), server hardware and software, and communication protocols, including TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VLANs, and routing.
• Knowledge of firewalls, VPNs, wireless networking, network segmentation, and secure remote-access technologies.
• Strong knowledge of Windows Server, Active Directory, Group Policy, Microsoft Entra ID, Microsoft 365, and hybrid cloud environments.
• Knowledge of server virtualization, enterprise storage, Storage Area Network (SAN) technologies, backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity practices.
• Knowledge of cybersecurity principles and practices, including access control, vulnerability and patch management, system hardening, CIS Controls, CIS Benchmarks, and incident response.
• Knowledge of network and system monitoring, logging, performance analysis, capacity management, and related diagnostic tools.
• Skill in scripting and automation technologies, including PowerShell or comparable tools.
• Ability to diagnose and resolve complex network, server, storage, and infrastructure issues, including during outages and cybersecurity incidents.
• Ability to analyze technical information and develop clear procedures, standards, diagrams, and technical documentation.
• Ability to communicate technical information effectively and provide guidance to Service Desk staff, County departments, leadership, vendors, and other stakeholders.
• Knowledge of government technology security and compliance requirements, including Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS), and current trends in networking, infrastructure, cloud services, and cybersecurity.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, manage competing priorities, exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and provide professional and responsive customer service.

BENEFITS OF WORKING WITH MERCER COUNTY:

Mercer County offers a comprehensive benefits package that supports employee wellness, financial stability, and career growth:

• Health, dental, vision, and prescription coverage
• Enrollment in the State pension system
• Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave Continuing education and career development opportunities

Mercer County EEO/ Civil Service Statement & Residency Requirements:

Mercer County is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and accessible workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, nationality, ancestry, age, sex, gender, pregnancy, marital status, civil union status, domestic partnership status, familial status, religion, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, genetic information, liability for service in the Armed Forces of the United States, disability, or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law.

As a Civil Service employer under the State of New Jersey, all candidates must comply with New Jersey Civil Service Commission regulations and guidelines. Mercer County residency is required. Non-residents must establish residency within one (1) year of employment.

Mercer County is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state laws, specifically in accordance with the New Jersey State Policy Prohibiting Discrimination in the Workplace .