Specialist Infrastructure Engineer - Bus Command Center - Operations Support

This position is eligible for teleworking, which is currently one day per week. New hires are eligible to apply 30 days after their effective date of hire.

Opening:

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is North America's largest transportation network, serving a population of 15.3 million people across a 5,000-square-mile travel area surrounding New York City, Long Island, southeastern New York State, and Connecticut. The MTA network comprises the nation’s largest bus fleet and more subway and commuter rail cars than all other U.S. transit systems combined. MTA strives to provide a safe and reliable commute, excellent customer service, and rewarding opportunities.

Job Summary:

The MTA transportation network has very large systems and infrastructure for financial, business, automated train, transportation, power, and physical security. The MTA IT Department is centrally responsible for providing a full range of Information and Operational Technology services to the MTA agencies and administrative units through its operating and support units. Services are provided on a 7/24/365 basis in support of the MTA organization and its ridership. MTA IT's Infrastructure and Operations division manages and optimizes the day-to-day operation of networks, systems hardware and software, data centers, service desk, and technical field support. The goal is to provide reliable and robust infrastructure services and steady-state IT operations to the employees and agencies of the MTA. This position supports and maintains IT infrastructure and systems and provides technical guidance and support. This role implements strategies for the deployment, maintenance, and support of a component of the IT infrastructure. Responsibilities include ensuring the availability, scalability, and performance of IT systems. This role supports the network infrastructure and collaborates with other IT teams to ensure the successful implementation of projects. This role requires a working knowledge of server hardware, software configuration, networking, cloud computing, and security.

Responsibilities:

• Defines and manages the product lifecycle for assigned infrastructure subsets, proposes changes for implementation, gathers data and analyzes capacity and performance to assure operational availability.
• Promotes technical standards and supports migration efforts to the future infrastructure to maximize and share learning.
• Contributes to disaster recovery and contingency plans related to their area of the infrastructure, where applicable, to provide users with minimal interruptions in service.
• Performs application infrastructure package development and testing.
• Performs system analysis and capacity planning for all computing assets.
• Analyzes the current state of the infrastructure and identifies opportunities for improvement to ensure systems meet business needs. Contributes to changes to established roadmaps, documents them effectively, and executes the implementation of changes in their area(s) of responsibility.
• Provides ongoing support and troubleshooting for installed technical solutions by analyzing a chain of events and applying technical knowledge, following established procedures and standards to resolve immediate customer needs.
• Tests new products and technologies relevant to assigned infrastructure subsets to enhance technology engineering service value. Implements and/or supports the implementation of new technologies for their area of the infrastructure.
• Monitors tech infrastructure usage trends and suggests improvements.
• Installs, configures, designs, develops, tests, and maintains the physical IT hardware infrastructure components of systems, servers, cloud, storage, routers, switches, firewalls, data centers, and workstations.
• Ensures the technical security of the IT infrastructure by setting up firewalls, managing access controls/operating systems/ database servers, configuring VPNs, and taking proactive measures against potential cyber threats. Follows security protocols and compliance with security standards, and handles security incidents.
• Installs, configures, and upgrades software applications, operating systems, databases, and utilities according to organizational requirements. Conducts regular monitoring of software components and tunes them for optimal performance. Identifies, troubleshoots, and resolves performance issues within the software environment, escalating more complex issues.
• Implements local and wide-area networks (LAN and WAN), configures routers and switches, and determines proper implementation of network cable and hardware requirements.
• Provides technical advice to project teams and mentors less experienced staff to foster talent development.
• Collaborates with the IT Security Team to ensure systems are compliant with current MTA IT standards.
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Complies with all policies and standards
• May be required to work hours outside regular work hours, as applicable
• Observes the work performed by contractors, as applicable
• Reviews invoices and approves them if the work has contractual standards, as applicable
• Addresses performance issues with the contractor when possible, as applicable
• Escalates issues to other parties when needed, as applicable

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Arts/Sciences (BA/BS) required.
• Minimum 3 years of experience. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Prefer at least one certification upon hire in the current platform/domain/technical skill. Possible certifications could be, but are not limited to: AVIXA Certified Technology Specialist (CTS) CompTIA Server+ AWS Certified Advanced Networking - Specialty Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect AWS Certified DevOps Engineer HPE Master ASE - Storage Solution Architect AWS Certified Solution Architect - Associate & Professional IBM Certified Cloud Solution Architect Azure Administrator Associate IBM Certified Solution Developer – WebSphere MQ v7.0 Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) IBM Certified System Administrator Microsoft Azure Administrator Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNP) Collaboration Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate Cisco Certified Network Professional Data Center (CCNP) Mitel Certifications CompTIA Cloud+ Oracle Certified Professional, Java EE Business Component Developer CompTIA IT Project+ SIP School Certified Associate (SSCA) CompTIA Network + VMware Certified Professional - Network Virtualization 

Required Technical Skills:

• Capable of analyzing storage needs, performance tuning, and capacity planning.
• Capable of understanding Disaster Recovery fundamental principles and tools, as well as being able to support development of recovery plans.
• Capable of maintaining server health, applying updates, and troubleshooting common issues
• Capable of maintaining patch deployment and ensuring systems are up-to-date and secure.
• Capable of configuring software and hardware, including experience with configuration management tools effectively for automation.
• Capable of migrating systems and data with minimal downtime and data integrity.
• Capable of installing and upgrading operating systems; understands implications on system performance.
• Capable of migrating systems and data with minimal downtime and data integrity.
• Capable of monitoring systems for assessing performance and diagnosing issues.
• Capable in system administration tasks, including managing user permissions, maintaining system efficiency, and ensuring uptime.
• Capable of defining resource needs for projects and operational tasks.
• Capable of executing the hardware lifecycle, including installation, upgrades, and maintenance.
• Working knowledge of IT security principles, able to implement robust security measures and respond to incidents with due diligence.
• Working knowledge of network security (e.g., firewalls, network ports, etc.) and connecting enterprise networks to the cloud.
• Working knowledge of various hardware components, networking devices, servers, backup systems, and cabling. Intermediate understanding of computing systems and ability to troubleshoot complex hardware/software issues.
• Working knowledge of various software components, firmware, operating systems, database servers, and operations software (monitoring, backup, routing, job scheduling, etc.). 
• Intermediate skills in network routing configuration and troubleshooting.
• Working knowledge of current system usage trends and ability to forecast future needs, optimize capacity during scaling.
• Working knowledge of IT domains, including Windows, Linux, and virtualization.
• Capable of Cisco technology platforms with a focus on Policy Enforcement of Secure Network Access Control utilizing the Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) product and Cisco DNAC system

Required Behavioral Skills:

• Capable of active listening, attention to detail, customer service, prioritization, and problem-solving skills.
• Works independently and strategically.
• Capable of identifying and analyzing risks and developing effective mitigation strategies.
• Capable of technical knowledge and diverse skillset to understand various technologies, systems, and potential risks. 
• Capable of critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Expert in interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with both technical and non-technical peers.
• Capable of supporting multiple projects simultaneously and prioritizing tasks based on urgency and impact.
• Intermediate hands-on experience with related tools.
• Capable of working under pressure and meeting deadlines individually and collaboratively. Thinks logically, assesses problems, and is results-oriented.
• Capable of identifying complex business and technology risks and associated vulnerabilities.
• Expert in communicating effectively, both orally and in writing, to interact with team members, customers, management, and support personnel (technical and non-technical).
• Expert in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with employees at all levels within the organization, and with both internal and external customers.

Competencies:

Other Information:

Pursuant to the New York State Public Officers Law & the MTA Code of Ethics, all employees who hold a policymaking position must file an Annual Statement of Financial Disclosure (FDS) with the NYS Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government (the “Commission”).

Equal Employment Opportunity:

MTA and its subsidiary and affiliated agencies are Equal Opportunity Employers, including with respect to veteran status and individuals with disabilities.

The MTA encourages qualified applicants from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and abilities, including military service members, to apply.