Systems Engineer
Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits* including:
- A hybrid telework schedule that meets the needs of our staff, department operations, and the communities we serve
- Eligibility for a salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
- Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
- County paid 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
- An annual Staff Development/Wellness Benefit allowance of up to $500 and ongoing education/training opportunities
- County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits
- Retirement fully integrated with Social Security
- May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment
About the Position
Our Systems Engineer duties may vary from position to position within our divisions and department and may function as the technical lead for one or more software applications or enterprises supporting the business needs of the County. Typical duties include systems design, system integration, vendor package support and installation, testing, documentation, maintenance and support, business analysis and project management. The Systems Engineer works under the guidance and direction of an ISD Project Manager but has considerable independence in determining the best solution to business problems. Systems Engineers often have extensive interaction with vendors, department managers, business leads and end users to understand their business objectives and develop systems and processes that meet those needs.
This Systems Engineer position is part of a technical support team dedicated to the Sonoma County Public Safety Consortium (SCPSC). The SCPSC is a Joint Powers Authority (JPA), focused on efficient and effective operation, maintenance, and improvement of the public safety communications and data management systems in Sonoma County.
As the ideal candidate you will bring:
- 5+ years’ experience in infrastructure management or server administration
- In depth knowledge of Windows Active Directory, Group Policy Management, and DNS
- Microsoft SQL Server database administration experience
- Advanced server and networking troubleshooting skills
- Knowledge of common cybersecurity standards and practices
- Experience in communicating with users, other technical teams, and management to collect requirements, describe software product features, and technical designs
- The ability to effectively lead and complete tasks with minimal supervision
- The ability to identify and resolve complex issues
The following qualifications are a plus:
- Administering SQL Server Components (SSIS, SSRS, etc.)
- JavaScript, .NET, PowerShell or other programing/scripting languages
- Application Programming Interface (API) development and support
- Understanding of CJIS or other common regulatory requirements
- Public Safety application support experience
- Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD)
- Mobile for Public Safety (MPS)
- Records Management System (RMS)
Please note: This position will be required to have access to secure Sheriff’s Office or Probation department facilities and/or view data or work with information systems for these departments. This requires that a more extensive “Security Clearance” be performed, after hire, by the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office. Successful completion of the probationary period will be contingent upon passing the security clearance, which includes a Live Scan fingerprint based check of California Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) criminal records. If you are offered a position which requires a security clearance, the job offer letter will clearly specify this as a condition of the probationary period.
*Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found in the Service Employees International Union Local 1021 Memorandum Of Understanding (SEIU MOU) and our Employee Benefits Directory.
This recruitment is being conducted to fill a Systems Engineer position in the Information Systems Department. This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help (temporary) positions as they occur during the active status of the list. Qualified County employees who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment. The Civil Service title for this position is Systems Software Analyst.
Minimum Qualifications
Education: Any combination of education and training which would provide the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, graduation from a four year college or university with major coursework in computer science, information systems, or a closely related field would provide this opportunity.
Experience: Any combination of training and experience which would provide an opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, three years of technical professional experience involving systems analysis, programming, systems engineering, or similar field in a multi-platform information systems environment including experience installing and maintaining systems software and working with database structures. Additional, highly relevant professional level experience may be substituted for the required education.
License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Considerable knowledge and understanding of: operating systems and software products; database principles and design; data collection and classification procedures; database and systems problem identification, tracking, resolution, and vendor support; structured coding and analysis; application development products; specific programming techniques and languages; mainframe, mid-size, and client-server network systems capabilities and operations; methods and techniques of troubleshooting hardware, software and inter-connectivity problems; principles of data security; methods and techniques of providing support to staff and end users.
Working knowledge and understanding of: local and wide area network design, management, and operation; the inter-relationship of mainframe, PC, LAN, Network and telecommunications systems including hardware components, software applications, operating systems, and documentation; principles, methods, and techniques of systems analysis.
Ability to: plan, design, upgrade, install, and tune systems software; create systems specifications; provide technical support related to systems software; write and modify instructions, procedures, manuals, documentation; analyze systems problems, develop effective solutions, and prepare cost estimates; work cooperatively and effectively with staff, customers, and vendors; perform a variety of tasks in a consistent and accurate manner; analyze and evaluate information, problems, and situations and develop an effective course of action; prepare clear, concise and accurate oral and written reports.
Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying
- Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
- You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
- You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
- Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.