PURPOSE

This position is responsible for ensuring users achieve optimum use of computer and telecommunications resources. This position oversees the operation, security, and administration of the Associations network environments and communications infrastructure, while also providing engineering leadership to design, implement, and improve enterprise network solutions for reliability, scalability, and cyber resilience.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION

The Network Engineer performs the below functions with a blend of hands-on administration and engineering design responsibilities, exercising independent judgment where appropriate.

1. Design, configure, operate, and administer a hybrid infrastructure including network equipment, virtual servers, applications and desktops. Monitors and optimizes the virtual environments and the local and wide area networks for optimal performance and maximum availability.
2. System and network management of geographically distributed resources for continuous availability and demand-driven consumption, logging and data reduction, and configuration and version management.
3. Perform preventative and fault isolation maintenance on network infrastructure, file maintenance on physical and virtual servers, active directory domains, and user files and/or databases. Develop, maintain and test disaster recovery plans.
4. Implement and maintain switches, routers, gateways, access points, remote access servers, domain servers, security servers, firewalls, application and device servers and Internet or Intranet devices and connections. Participate and lead in development and implementation of internet firewall policy, standards, and procedures.
5. Install and maintain scalable storage services, including Storage Area Networks, distributed file systems, distributed object stores, content delivery systems, data encryption, and physical storage lifecycle management.
6. Integrate voice, data and video applications on the local and wide area networks. Provide programming for and functional support of the Association's VoIP based telephone, fax, and voice mail systems. This includes moves, installations, and re-wiring as needed.
7. Analyze, recommend, and evaluate new hardware, software, and communications products for cloud compatibility and applicability. Recommend telephone, voice mail, and outage system improvements and support.
8. Administer system, network, domain and user resources, assigning application access and ensuring security and configurations are within standards.
9. Configure and maintain automated anti-virus, patch, and firmware distribution servers and programs to ensure server, network, and workstation systems integrity.
10. Prepare and maintain a library of technical documentation, network configurations and cabling layouts. Remain current on new developments and techniques in Enterprise automation technology.
11. May install workstations and printers on the LAN. Perform advanced diagnostics and maintenance on desktop devices when additional expertise is required.
12. May respond to or assist in requests for proposals, vendor selection, and contract monitoring.
13. Work with cross-functional teams in the design and implementation of automation and information technology. Assist departmental management with development of systems standards, short and long term goals, project management, and strategic directions.
14. Provide communications support for the Association's Annual Meeting, including telephone, fax, and other communications requirements.
15. Maintain cyber security of Association networks and devices, evaluate risks and potential mitigation solutions, and implement and monitor selected solutions.
16. Support Association control systems.
17. Promote a safety culture in which safety is a value. This culture is based on joint and individual engagement, ownership, and accountability regarding job safety and responsibility to perform work safely and adhere to safe work practices.
18. Perform the essential functions of the position in a safe and efficient manner.

The above items are not intended to be all inclusive of the essential functions or requirements of this type of work as they are subject to change based on operating necessity. The employee will also perform other related business duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Qualified candidates are required to have:

- Bachelors degree in a related field or equivalent relevant experience.

- Minimum of five (5) years relative experience spanning both network administration and network engineering responsibilities.

- Must be eligible for and able to obtain DHS/CISA security clearance within one (1) year of hire.

- Qualified candidates must have a valid drivers license and a driving record, which is acceptable by the Associations Driving Policy and insurable by the Association and the Associations insurance carrier at standard group rates.

Preference may be given to:

- Candidates with any technical certifications and/or technical training in computer hardware and/or software, servers, local and wide area networks, and/or communications is highly desirable. Cisco CCNA, CCNP, or CCIE and Citrix CCA, CCAA, CCEA, or CCEE certifications.

- Experience with network security technologies (e.g., next-generation firewalls, IDS/IPS), SD-WAN, and cloud networking (AWS/Azure).

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Maintain complete confidentiality of classified and confidential information.

Knowledge of project management in local and wide area networks; virtual environments, computer software and hardware.

Knowledge of data communications, network planning and analysis; and vendor evaluations.

Knowledge of different levels of computer expertise.

Knowledge of federal copyright laws as they pertain to the use of computer software.

Knowledge of authentication, encryption, proxies, address translation, hacking techniques, and countermeasures.

Knowledge of TCP/IP routing and switching, ports and services.

Knowledge of command line and pertinent scripting languages.

Advance skill in analyzing and effective interpersonal communication skills.

Skill in complex firewall configuration, VPNs and ACLs; VLANs, QoS and Traffic Shaping techniques.

Skill with network devices and configuration, network layouts, and network security.

Skill in effective and professional verbal and written communication.

Skill at LAN, WAN, router and switch operations.

Ability to function independently and efficiently in a fast-paced work environment under tight deadlines.

Ability to work effectively in a collaborative environment and foster teamwork through interdepartmental communication across the company.

Ability to carry several simultaneous projects from inception to completion with minimal supervision.

Ability to understand and implement new technologies and methods of performing work and establish a quality documentation system for work product.

Ability to compose routine correspondence and draft various written documents.

Ability to facilitate cooperation between work groups and work functionally across all levels of the organization.

Ability to maintain complete confidentiality of classified and confidential information.

Support a culture of safety excellence through active involvement in safety improvement and promote a sense of shared responsibility for safety.

Embrace and embody the Associations Core Values through decisions, actions, attitude, and behavior to directly contribute to the success of the organization.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position; this list is not inclusive of all the physical demands that may be required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical demand activity percentages:

- Major occurs 60% or more of work time.

- Moderate occurs between 20-60% of work time.

- Minor occurs less than 20% of work time.

Physical demand requirements:

- Ability to understand, read, and carry out written instructions.

- Ability to understand, read, and verify documents electronically, verbally, or hard copy.

- Major amount of sitting, finger use, communication, near-seeing acuity, and working indoors.

- Moderate amount of turning/twisting, bending at the waist, and hearing.

- Minor amount of standing, walking, lifting/carrying/pushing 75lbs, climbing of stairs/ladders, balancing, kneeling, crouching, crawling, handling/feeling/touching items, hand-eye/footeye coordination, working outdoors.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

The work environment conditions described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This position primarily works in an office setting.

EMPLOYMENT STATUS

This position is classified as an exempt, non-represented position; and therefore is not eligible for overtime compensation. All Association employees are expected to work widely varying amounts of time outside the normal shifts to assist in power restoration or other needs of the Association.

MEA requires a post offer drug test. Any positive test result or refusal to consent will disqualify an applicant from employment.

MEA is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Individuals with disabilities requiring a reasonable accommodation(s) to participate in any portion of the application or interview process should advise MEA in advance by calling 907-761-9218.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

To apply, please visit www.mea.coop to submit an application by the closing date.

Matanuska Electric Association, Inc.

163 East Industrial Way (P.O. Box 2929), Palmer, Alaska 99645

Telephone: (907) 761-9218/ Fax: (907) 761-9264

MEA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Veterans/Disabled employer.

Benefits Include

401(k) matching 2%

Medical, Dental, Vision insurance - $120/month for entire family

Life insurance 100% paid by MEA

Long Term Disability 100% paid by MEA

Employee assistance program

Paid time off starts at 3.385 hrs/wk

11.5 paid holidays per year.

Retirement Defined Benefit plan/Pension

About Matanuska Electric Assn, Inc.

Matanuska Electric Association, Inc. (MEA), Alaska’s oldest existing and second-largest electric cooperative, is owned and operated by its member-owners. The headquarters office in Palmer is located only 45 minutes from Anchorage, the state’s largest metropolitan area. The town of Palmer is nestled in the lush farmlands of the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, surrounded by the majestic Chugach Mountain Range. MEA’s service area is 4,200 square miles in Southcentral Alaska, nearly the same size as the 2.2 million acre Yellowstone National Park. MEA serves an area twice as large as Delaware and three-fifths the size of Connecticut. Service is provided from four locations throughout the territory: Eagle River, Wasilla, Palmer, and Big Lake. Alaska is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and pilots. Residents regularly enjoy world class fishing, hunting, hiking, camping, kayaking, white water rafting, and other outdoor activities. Join us in the ‘Land of the Midnight Sun’! MEA is an EEO/M/F/D/V employer.

Connections working at Matanuska Electric Assn, Inc.