The Department:
As a community-owned, not-for-profit municipal electric utility, Silicon Valley Power (SVP)has been providing dependable electric service to residents and businesses in the City of Santa Clara since 1896. SVP is the only full-service, vertically integrated, publicly owned utility in Silicon Valley owning generation, transmission, and distribution assets. Silicon Valley Power is not driven by profits, as reflected in its significantly lower utility rates when compared to other private sector utilities. Silicon Valley Power is dedicated to our community, customers, and employees. SVP provides safe, reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy services with an exceptional focus on customer care.
Today, SVP owns, operates, and participates in more than 2,000 MW of electric generating resources delivering 4,800 GWh of electricity. SVP is growing due to data center expansion, high-density developments, and electrification initiatives. SVP’s peak load will be increasing from 700 MW to 1300 MW in the next 5-10 years. To accommodate future growth, SVP is implementing a $400 million system expansion and infrastructure replacement plan.
The Position:
This is a temporary, as-needed position assigned to the City of Santa Clara’s Electric Utility Department, Silicon Valley Power (SVP). The position is part of the Systems Support Group (SSG), which functions as the technology backbone of SVP and is responsible for critical technology modernization, cybersecurity, and operational support in response to rapid utility growth and evolving regulatory requirements.
We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Network Engineer to design, implement, and support both enterprise and utility-specific network infrastructure, with a strong emphasis on Cisco technologies. The incumbent plays a critical role in ensuring the availability, performance, and security of the organization’s overall network environment, including the SVP’s utility communication and control systems.
In this role, the Network Administrator is responsible for administering and monitoring network services, managing a variety of advanced network and security products—including, but not limited to, Cisco firewalls and intrusion prevention systems- and maintaining compliance with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) requirements as well as applicable state and local mandates. This position involves supporting and maintaining complex multi-protocol infrastructure components, including enterprise-grade Cisco firewalls, routers, switches, and wireless controllers. Additionally, it consists of managing secure VPN access, routing protocols, and future zero-trust network access initiatives.
As an as-needed employee, this is an "at-will" position, and there is no guarantee of hours. Hours are limited to 999 in a fiscal year or 960 hours in a fiscal year for retired CalPERS annuitants.
Additional Information:
Applications must be completed in full (e.g., do not write “see resume, NA, or personnel file”). To receive consideration for the screening process, candidates must submit a Resume and certification proof. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Application packets may be submitted online through the “Apply Now” feature on the job announcement at www.santaclaraca.gov. This position is continuous: Applications will be reviewed every week for consideration for the position. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible, before the position closes.
THIS RECRUITMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL MULTIPLE POSITIONS IN THIS, OR OTHER DIVISIONS OR DEPARTMENTS BESIDES THE POSITIONS LISTED BELOW. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN EMPLOYMENT IN THIS CLASSIFICATION, YOU SHOULD APPLY TO ENSURE YOU ARE CONSIDERED FOR ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THAT MAY UTILIZE THE APPLICANTS FROM THIS RECRUITMENT.MEETING THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS DOES NOT GUARANTEE ADMITTANCE INTO THE EXAMINATION PROCESS. ONLY THE MOST QUALIFIED CANDIDATES WHO DEMONSTRATE THE BEST COMBINATION OF QUALIFICATIONS IN RELATION TO THE REQUIREMENTS AND DUTIES OF THE POSITION WILL BE INVITED TO TEST OR INTERVIEW.
The salary range for this position is $55.00 - $84.69. This position may be filled at or near the minimum of the salary range.
Typical Duties:
Network: Design, configure, deploy, and maintain secure enterprise-grade network infrastructure, including routers, switches, wireless controllers, and access points within a large and complex high-availability multi-protocol environment.
Network Performance: Proactively monitor network utilization and capacity, and troubleshoot issues related to connectivity, degradation, or failure.
Network Security: Design, configure, deploy, and maintain, including but not limited to firewalls, VPNs, IPS systems, and zero-trust platforms, in a highly segmented environment.
VOIP: Support VoIP infrastructure to ensure QoS, call quality, and reliability.
Cybersecurity: Investigate and produce comprehensive reports on all cybersecurity incidents and threats.
Access Control: Maintain a zero-trust security model, implementing strict access controls, multi-factor authentication, and least-privilege principles.
Process and Documentation: Maintain accurate documentation of network configurations, diagrams, and change control records to ensure consistency and compliance.
Operational Support: Participate in the ticketing queue for service requests and after-hours maintenance windows as needed.
Communication: Communicate effectively on technical issues and solutions to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Minimum Qualifications:
Minimum Education Requirements:
Associate degree from an accredited University.
Minimum Experience Requirements:
Three (3) Years of Hands-On experience within an enterprise environment as a Network Administrator, Network Engineer, Sr. Network Engineer, or Network Architect.
Desirable Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related technical field from an accredited University.
- Five (5) Years of Hands-On experience within an enterprise environment as a Network Administrator, Network Engineer, Sr. Network Engineer, Network Architect, or equivalent, preferably within a NERC-CIP regulated public utility.
- Experience administering Cisco ASA & FTD Firewalls, Core Switches, and Edge Routers
- Experience administering HP Aruba Switches and Wireless Controllers
- Certifications: Active (non-expired) professional certifications such as Cisco (CCNA, CCNP, CCIE), Palo Alto (PCNSE), HP Aruba, Azure Cloud, and/or industry-recognized cybersecurity certifications (CISSP, CompTIA Security+, GIAC, etc.). Proof of active certifications must be uploaded with your application submission.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Expert knowledge of Cisco IOS, NX-OS, and Cisco firewall administration.
- Expert knowledge of STP, VTP, DTP, HSRP, and GLBP
- Proficient at Layer 3 routing protocols such as BGP, OSPF, and EIGRP.
- Knowledgeable of Industrial communication protocols (DNP3, Modbus, serial comms).
- Security technologies: Firewalls, VPNs, NAC, IPS/IDS, zero-trust frameworks.
- Wireless standards (802.11n/ac/ax/be) across 2.4, 5, and 6 GHz, and enterprise wireless controller management.
- IT/OT Segmentation and Best Practices for Critical Infrastructure Protection.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to document complex network topologies.
- Excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to clearly explain technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Other Requirements:
- Incumbents will have to pass initial and periodic comprehensive background checks, which may include fingerprinting, to meet Federal, State, and/or industry security requirements.
- Incumbents will be required to obtain and maintain any license or certification mandated by Federal or State requirements. They must be able to perform all the essential functions of the job assignment.
- Provide certification achievement date and expiration date, as well as verification (preferred through a digital badge source) within the resume.
Federal law requires all employees to verify their eligibility to work in the United States. Please be informed that the City of Santa Clara will not sponsor, represent, or sign documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1B or any other type of visa that requires an employer application.
The City of Santa Clara is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state, or local laws. The City of Santa Clara is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you require assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at (408) 615-2080 or HumanResources@santaclaraca.gov.
