IT Systems and Network Engineer

Cook County

Sheriff

Job Code: 7790

Job Title: IT Systems and Network Engineer

Salary Grade: 20

Department: Sheriff’s TechOps Bureau

Bargaining Unit: Not Applicable

Position Details: Civilian (non-sworn) / non-merit ranked / internal & external candidates

FLSA Status: Exempt

Probation Period: 12 Months

Designation – SEAM EE: Technical

Characteristics of the Position

Key Responsibilities and Duties

The Systems and Network Engineer works on a team tasked with designing, installing, administering, and optimizing Microsoft Windows and Linux/Unix servers and related components to achieve and maintain high performance of business applications. This includes ensuring the availability of client/server applications, configuring new implementations, and assisting with the development of processes and procedures for ongoing management of the server environment. Scope of responsibilities includes server hardware, Windows Server operating systems, Linux/Unix operating systems, core Microsoft back-office technologies, and 3rd party infrastructure software and applications.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Technical expertise in Microsoft Active Directory 2019/2022/2025 on premise and AD Services in MS Azure including Users & Computers. Group Policies, DNS, Federation Services, SSO, and NTFS permissions

Best practice knowledge and troubleshooting of Active Directory, User and Group administration, Group Policy (MCSA certification preferred)

Experience with virtualization, hypervisors, and guests

Experience with Linux/Unix operating systems

Experience in Azure/AWS cloud infrastructure

Experience with Microsoft DPM administration (backup & restore)

Experience with SC (Imaging, windows updates & security)

Experience with Anti-Virus (McAfee, MS Forefront)

Understanding of core networking concepts and services such as TCP/IP, DHCP, DNS, switching, routing, and WAN/ISP connectivity

Understanding of Infrastructure (Nutanix, Cisco, Dell)

Experience with load balancer appliances (F5, Microsoft)

Experience with VPN (Cisco, F5, ACM)

Experience working with remote office(s). This position is part of a mission-critical team that is available on-call 24/7

Minimum Qualifications

Possession of an Associates or higher degree, from an accredited college or university, in an IT related Discipline AND/OR five (5) or more years of work experience of a relevant nature

Minimum of five (5) years of professional system administration experience is required. Experience should include at least two (2) years of designing, implementing, and supporting the following core Microsoft technologies: Windows Server, Linux/Unix Server, Active Directory, Windows Clustering, WSUS, DNS, VPN, DHCP

Possession of a valid Driver’s License and proof of vehicle insurance, with the ability to operate a motor vehicle

Required to be capable of working any shift assigned, including days, afternoons, or midnights; must be capable of working holidays and weekends; must be capable of working mandatory overtime; must be capable of working a rotating, on-call schedule for after-hours support

Preferred Qualifications

A minimum of 7 years professional system administration experience, including at least 5 years designing, implementing, and supporting the following core Microsoft technologies: Windows Server, Active Directory, Windows Clustering, Linux/Unix Server, WSUS, DNS, DHCP, and experience with Storage area networking

Server certifications

Cloud certifications

The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee’s normal line of work.

**Article EE, Civilian Selection Process, of the Sheriff’s Employment Action Manual (SEAM), applies to this employment process and can be found at the following link:

https://cookcountysheriffil.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/SEAM-Article-EE-Civilian-Selection-Process-updated-11-15-25.pdf

Please note that there are no remote job opportunities, all positions are located onsite.

All Cook County Sheriff’s Office employees must apply on the internal employment page to be considered; the application may be accessed via the SheriffNet site on the Human Resource page.

• 
  Note: All Internal Applicants are subject to Cook County Promotional salary rules if selected.

I Certify that no Political Reasons or Factors were considered in any decision I made or action I took related to this Employment Action. Further, I do not know of or have any reason to believe that anyone else considered or took action based on Political Reasons or Factors with respect to this Employment Action.

EEO Statement

The Cook County Sheriff’s Office is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits all unlawful discrimination in its hiring and promotional process. The Cook County Sheriff’s Office employment decisions will not be based on race, color, ancestry, religion, national origin, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, family or parental status, disability, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

Benefits

Health Insurance Program – Health insurance coverage includes medical, dental and vision care and is available for an employee and his/her eligible dependents.

Holidays – Thirteen (13) Holidays are granted in each Fiscal Year. Employees who are active at the beginning of the fiscal year (December 1st) also qualify for a floating holiday.

Sick Leave – Granted sick leave is earned and accrued at the rate of one (1) day for each month of service and may be accumulated up to one hundred and seventy-five (175) working days.

Vacation Leave – Granted Vacation leave is earned and accrued, with employees having the opportunity to accrue fifteen (15) days within the Fiscal Year; Vacation leave accruals increase based on an employee’s anniversary date of employment.

Life Insurance – Basic term life insurance, equal to one (1) time the employee’s annual salary, is offered to every employee at no cost and the employee may elect to purchase supplemental coverage.

Pension Plan – Employees contribute into the Cook County Pension Fund and earn a prescribed percentage for each year of service; employees may be eligible for an annual annuity after ten

(10) years of service and upon reaching a certain age based on when the employee started employment.

Deferred Compensation Program – Employees may elect to enroll in a deferred compensation plan, a tax deferred plan which may be used as a supplemental retirement option.

The 2025 Cook County Employee Benefits Overview can be viewed at:

https://www.cookcountyil.gov/sites/g/files/ywwepo161/files/documents/2025-09/OE26.Employee Benefits Overview (EBO)_County.pdf

Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace

It is the policy of the Cook County Sheriff’s Office to provide a drug- and alcohol-free workplace for all members.

It is imperative that all Sheriff’s Office members are capable of devoting constant and uninterrupted attention to the performance of all assigned duties without risk to safety and security for themselves, other members, or the public. To ensure the goals of this policy are met, all Sheriff’s Office members shall be subject to drug and alcohol testing, whether mandatory, random, or based on reasonable suspicion.

*Must be legally authorized to work in the United States. *

This position requires successful completion of post-offer tests, which may include a background check, drug screen and/or medical examination. Falsification of any information in the application process will result in disqualification and ineligible for appointment to, or employment in, a position in the County service for a period of five years. For current Cook County Sheriff’s employees, such falsification may result in discipline, up to and including termination, and ineligible for appointment to or employment in a position in the County service for a period of five years. See Cook County Code of Ordinances, Article II, Sections 44-54 Unlawful Practices Relating to Employees and Employment - Penalty, 44-56 Political Discrimination; Cook County Employment Plan, Section V.N. Pre-Interview License and Certification Verification; Supplemental Policy No. 2014-2.13 Ineligible for Rehire List; and Cook County Personnel Rules 3.3(b) (7) (8) (18).

Sheriff’s Employment Action Manual (SEAM)

The Cook County Sheriff’s Office hiring process is governed by the Sheriff’s Employment Action Manual (SEAM) which prohibits employment actions from being influenced by any Political Reasons or Factors for Non-Exempt Positions. Cook County Sheriff’s officials and employees who become aware of or receive a complaint that involves an allegation of Political Reasons or Factors being considered in the hiring process of Non-Exempt positions are obligated to refer the complaint to the Cook County Sheriff’s Director of Compliance. If the Cook County Sheriff’s Director of Compliance sustains allegations of Political Reasons or Factors being considered, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office will disqualify the Applicant or Candidate from consideration for employment and disciplinary action will be imposed on any involved Cook County employees, if applicable.”

The advertisement of this position by any individual does not constitute an offer or promise of employment, promotion, or any other employment action and shall not influence the Cook County Sheriff’s Office hiring decision.