IT Technician II

Oceanside, United States

Description

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, the IT Technician II provides skilled, hands-on support, maintenance, and installation for technology systems supporting District operations. This classification handles intermediate-level troubleshooting, executes defined maintenance plans, assists with upgrades, and works closely with senior engineering staff.

This single classification accommodates two primary specialty tracks while preserving one title/grade:

Track A — Network/Infrastructure (traditional IT): Support for enterprise platforms (servers, virtualization, storage, networking), cybersecurity tools, end-user compute, and Microsoft 365.
Track B — Transit Systems / Train Control (operational systems/ST): Hands-on maintenance and support for wayside/central/vehicle systems (e.g., train control interfaces, SCADA/telemetry, CAD/AVL, fare systems, station devices), and operational networks.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The IT Technician II is an experienced, hands-on contributor with intermediate diagnostic and repair skills, often working independently on routine and scheduled tasks.

Executes standard operational procedures, performs defined system changes, and contributes to troubleshooting complex issues as directed by Systems Engineers.
One classification/grade with a designated primary specialty focus recorded on the position (e.g., “IT Technician II — Network/Infrastructure” or “IT Technician II — Transit Systems”).
Employees are encouraged to cross-train and support the other track as needed to build broader competency.
Growth path: IT Technician I to IT Technician II, to Systems Engineer I, to Systems Engineer II.

Supervision Received and Exercised

The IT Technician II reports to the Program Network Operations Manager and exercises functional supervision over IT Technician I positions. This role provides technical leadership and mentoring while maintaining accountability for project deliverables and system performance.

Working Conditions

Normal working conditions include office and field environments with regular travel between district facilities. Evening and weekend work is regularly required for system maintenance, upgrades, and emergency response. On-call availability for critical system issues is expected.

Examples of Duties

Essential Functions

Essential Functions Duties may include, but are not limited to:

Perform scheduled system maintenance, patching, and lifecycle tasks under the guidance of a Systems Engineer.
Execute standard troubleshooting, fault isolation, and repair of hardware and software issues across assigned systems.
Assist with the implementation, configuration, and testing of new technologies and system upgrades.
Maintain accurate inventory, documentation, diagrams, and logs related to system configuration and maintenance activities.
Respond to and resolve help desk escalations from Tier 1, documenting resolutions and updating knowledge articles.
Coordinate access and support for vendors and cross-functional teams (Operations, Maintenance, IT, etc.).

Specialty Duties by Track

Track A — Network/Infrastructure

Hands-on maintenance and administration of Windows Servers, Active Directory objects (users, computers).
Support the Installation, configuration, and maintenance of virtual machine hosts (VMware vSphere/Hyper-V), network infrastructure (Cisco) and enterprise storage (SAN/NAS) hardware.
Provide Tier 2 support for Microsoft 365 (Exchange Online, Teams) and enterprise endpoint management tools.
Install, cable, and configure LAN/WAN devices (switches, routers, firewalls) under direction; verify segmentation/VLANs.
Perform routine setup and testing of backup/DR solutions and verify endpoint protection.

Track B — Transit Systems / Train Control

Perform installation, field commissioning, and preventative maintenance on Operational Technology (OT) devices: PTC, wayside devices, SCADA, CAD/AVL, fare collection hardware (TVMs/validators), and station assets (CCTV, PA).
Perform troubleshooting and physical repairs on operational networks (wired/wireless, field radio) components, ensuring high availability standards are met.
Monitor system performance and alarms from the operational control centers; assist with failover/rollback testing.
Coordinate field work, configuration changes, and post-incident reviews with Rail Operations and Maintenance staff.

Maintain physical and electronic configuration baselines for critical, regulated systems.

Qualifications

Experience/Education

Associate’s degree in information technology, Computer Science, or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Two (2) years of hands-on experience in IT systems or OT support/maintenance aligned to the declared specialty focus, with demonstrated success in advanced troubleshooting.

Technica Competencies

Basic scripting/automation skills (e.g., PowerShell, Bash Scripting) for task execution.
Experience with ticketing systems, monitoring, and adherence to strict documentation/change management procedures.
Knowledge of Network fundamentals (IP addressing, basic routing, VLANs) and security best practices.

Preferred/Desirable by Track

Track A: Microsoft/CompTIA certifications (e.g., A+, Network+, MCSA/MS-900), or entry-level network certifications. Experience with enterprise imaging and patching tools.
Track B: Prior hands-on experience with industrial control, telemetry, or field maintenance of transit/rail systems.

Certificates/Licenses

Possess and maintain a California driver’s license, Class C, with less than 6 points in the preceding 36 month period and no DUI’s in the preceding 7 year period.
Maintain compliance with the District’s policy regarding Conflict of Interest and Ethics.

General Requirements

Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
Strong leadership and mentoring capabilities
Basic concepts of high-availability; security best practices; ITIL-aligned service management; and vendor support processes.
Intermediate analytical and problem-solving abilities
Ability to explain complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders
Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple complex priorities
Physical ability to lift equipment up to 50 pounds and work in various environmental conditions including railway right-of-way areas

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Ability to use computers and communication devices for extended periods, manual dexterity for technical tasks, and lifting of equipment up to 50 pounds. Ability to hear, see, and communicate verbally to exchange information. Ability to travel between district locations and work in various environmental conditions including outdoor railway environments. May be subject to fumes, odors, dusts, gases, and chemicals. Ability to walk, climb, balance, bend, carry, push, reach, sit, and stand for extended periods.

Machines / Tools / Equipment

Ability to operate specialized IT/OT diagnostic and testing equipment
Proficiency with enterprise backup and monitoring systems
Ability to carry and operate mobile on-call devices

Supplemental Information

Application Information: To apply please complete the application on the careers sections of gonctd.com. North County Transit-San Diego Railroad is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Retirement: NCTD participates in the CalPERS retirement program with a benefit formula of 1.5% @ 65 for PEPRA new members. Benefits are calculated based on your age at retirement, the number of years of service credit with CalPERS and the average of your monthly compensation over the past 36 months (36 months average highest hourly pay rate).

457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan: NCTD offers a Voluntary Deferred Compensation Savings Plan through VOYA Financial Services. Employees are eligible to enroll any time after the date of hire. The plan allows you to contribute pre-tax and/or post-tax dollars into selected funds of your choice. The plan also allows you to:

Contribute up to amount specified annually by the IRS
Catch-up plan for those 50+ of up to amount specified annually by the IRS
Is portable, can be rolled over into another qualified retirement plan
Employer match into a 401(a) account (50% up to 8% of employee compensation; Max NCTD contribution of 4%)

Medical Insurance: NCTD offers a rich variety of HMO and PPO plans to choose from and contributes towards your monthly medical premiums, if the coverage you select costs more than the amount NCTD contributes, then payroll deductions will be withheld on a pre-tax basis.

Dental Insurance: NCTD offers two different dental plans for employees and their eligible dependents (HMO and PPO) from a reliable dental insurance provider. Human Resources can provide information regarding annual insurance provider and available plans. Both plans are part of NCTD’s cafeteria plan (pre-tax payroll deductions for monthly premiums).

Vision Insurance: NCTD offers vision services for employees and their eligible dependents through a reliable vision insurance provider. Human Resources can provide information regarding annual insurance provider and available plan. The plan is part of NCTD’s cafeteria plan (pre-tax payroll deductions for monthly premiums).

The benefits include:

$10.00 co-pay for Annual Exam
No charge for standard lenses every 12 months
$125 retail allowance for frames every 2 years; OR $125 toward the contact lens.

Life Insurance: NCTD cares for its employees, and thus provides at no cost to the employee group life insurance in the amount of $50,000 (coverage includes Accidental Death and Dismemberment and Accelerated Death benefits). Additional life insurance is available for you and your eligible dependents at your expense. * Tax reporting is required for any amounts over $50,000, per IRS guidelines. Supplemental life insurance coverage premiums are deducted on a post-tax basis.

Long Term Disability Insurance: NCTD offers voluntary Long-Term Disability (LTD) insurance. You may elect units of $100 up to 60% of your hourly wage to a maximum of $6,000/month. Deductions are post-tax, coverage 24/7, limitations or exclusions, and benefits are payable to age 65 or for two years (whichever is longer).

Flexible Spending Account Plan: NCTD offers two core FSA plans and two Commuter plans. Health Care and Dependent Care plans are “Use It OR Lose It” calendar year plans (Jan. 1st – Dec. 31st). The Commuter Transit and Parking plans do not have a “use it or lose it” policy. Plans are as follows:

Health Care Spending Account:
- May contribute up to amount specified annually by the IRS
Dependent Care Spending Account:
- May contribute up to amount specified annually by the IRS (including limitations if married)
Commuter Transit Accounts:
- May contribute up to amount specified annually by the IRS

Disability Insurance: Employees contribute to California State Disability Insurance (SDI). The current contribution rate is 1.1% of earnings and is totally paid by the employee. After the 7-day waiting period, SDI pays a percentage of employee’s salary up to a maximum of $1,540.00per week, for up to 52 weeks. SDI may be coordinated with Paid Time Off (PTO).

Accident Insurance: NCTD offers voluntary accident insurance. You may elect coverage for you and your dependents for a flat monthly rate. Deductions are post-tax.

Critical Illness Insurance: NTD offers voluntary Critical Illness insurance. You may elect coverage up to $10,000 in increments of $2,500, for you and between $2,500 - $5,000 for your dependents, not to exceed 50% of coverage amount. Deductions are post-tax.

Administrative Holidays: NCTD recognizes 10 paid holidays per year: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, President’s Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans’ Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.

PTO (Paid Time Off): All NCTD Regular, Probationary, and Limited-Term employees shall receive Paid Time Off (PTO). PTO shall be taken at reasonable times approved by the employee’s supervisor.

PTO shall be earned equally in each pay period during the year in accordance with the following schedule, based on the number of years of NCTD service completed:

0 through 3.99 years of service completed: 120 hours per year (15 days)
4.00 through 9.99 years of service completed: 176 hours per year (22 days)
10 and more years of service completed: 216 hours per year (27 days)

Transportation Passes: All NCTD employees receive an identification “PRONTO Card” which can be used to ride the following NCTD/MTS transit services (BREEZE, FLEX, SPRINTER, COASTER, MTS Bus, Trolley) at no charge. Eligible family members also receive a pass for NCTD public transportation at no charge (paratransit excluded).

Bereavement Leave: NCTD offers paid bereavement leave.

Employee Assistance Plan: The EAP offers assistance in areas such as:

Emotional Support
Work/Life Balance
Family Care

Family Status Change: This allows you to add/drop dependents from current benefit plan elections per IRS “Qualifying Events.” If a “Qualifying Event” occurs, you MUST contact HR within 30 days of event, (Qualifying Event must relate to the benefit change you are requesting).

Please contact Human Resources should you have any questions regarding NCTD Benefits.

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