Summary Statement The Network Manager is responsible for overseeing the design, implementation, and maintenance of the organization's network infrastructure to ensure high levels of availability, performance, and security. This role provides leadership to network engineering staff, manages vendor relationships, and drives strategic planning for network growth and modernization. The Network Manager collaborates closely with IT leadership and cross-functional teams to deliver reliable connectivity and optimize network operations. The ideal candidate is also a meticulous task manager who effectively prioritizes workloads, manages resources with discipline, and pushes teams and vendors to meet service goals and timelines.
Preferred Qualification Applicants who do not possess the preferred qualification will still be eligible to compete for this position if job requirements are met.
Education:
- Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Networking, or a related field; a master's degree is a plus.
- Accept a combination of education + experience (as supported internally).
Experience:
- Demonstrated success in directing technical teams, managing workloads, and driving resources to meet service goals and project timelines.
- Demonstrated incident response, change management, and security protocols.
- 5-12 years progressively responsible network engineering and operations work with at least three years in a leadership/management role.
- Strong proficiency with enterprise network technologies (routing, switching, firewalls, wireless, VPN, SD-WAN, load balancing).
- Experience managing network infrastructure in hybrid cloud environments such as Azure, AWS.
- Strong understanding of network security standards, system administration, and IT operations.
- Proven ability to coach and develop staff.
- Strong communication, planning, and organizational skills.
- Experience with incident response, vulnerability management, and infrastructure support tools (e.g., CrowdStrike).
Essential FunctionsEssential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class. Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents can complete job duties of similar kind not specifically listed here.
Leadership & Team Management
- Oversee IT ecosystem, including network, systems, and security oversight.
- Create and maintain team schedules; assign and monitor daily tasks.
- Hire, onboard, and train staff; supervise day to day operations.
- Monitor real time employee performance; coach/counsel as needed.
- Support ongoing technical training and career development.
- Maintain department knowledge through engagement in industry training and publications.
Strategic & Operational Technology Management
- Collaborate on the planning and design of future network and IT infrastructure.
- Evaluate and recommend technology enhancements (e.g., system upgrades).
- Drive process improvements in service delivery and performance.
- Allocate IT staff and resources to current and future projects.
Systems, Network & Security Oversight
- Develop, enforce, and audit network security policies.
- Monitor and support servers, network devices, and endpoint protection systems.
- Respond to alerts, vulnerabilities, and security events.
- Oversee implementation of network changes: Office moves, device rollouts.
- Maintain documentation: network diagrams, backup plans, technical logs.
Service Delivery & Support
- Track and manage service ticket queues and resolution metrics.
- Supervise hardware/software installation, upgrade, and replacement cycles.
- Oversee desktop imaging and provisioning processes.
- Coordinate application support resources.
Job RequirementsApplicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:
- Minimum of 8 years of network engineering/administration experience.
- At least 5 years of leadership or supervisory experience.
- Proficiency in routing, switching, firewalls, VPNs, SD WAN, and load balancers.
- Demonstrated skills in performance monitoring and vulnerability management.
- Strong vendor and contract management abilities.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Valid professional certifications.
Conditions of Hire - A satisfactory criminal background check is required as a condition of hire.
- Direct deposit of paychecks is required as a condition of hire.
Benefits - Full time employees are eligible for FREE parking!!!
- To learn more about the comprehensive benefit package please visit our website at https://dhr.delaware.gov/benefits/
Selection ProcessThe application and supplemental questionnaire are evaluated based upon a rating of your education, training and experience as they relate to the job requirements of the position. It is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application and the supplemental questionnaire to include dates of employment, job title and job duties. For education and training, list name of educational provider, training course titles and summary of course content. Narrative information supplied in response to the questions must be supported by the information supplied on the application including your employment, education and training history as it relates to the job requirements.
Once you have submitted your application on-line, all future correspondence related to your application will be sent via email. Please keep your contact information current. You may also view all correspondence sent to you by the State of Delaware in the "My Applications" tab at StateJobs.Delaware.gov.
