Description

General Responsibilities
Under the general direction of the Director of Information Technology, the Associate Director will be responsible for the daily operations of the ESD and contracted districts' external wide area networks, internal local area networks, K-20, data center and private cloud operations, and the hardware to support those networks. Those operations are delivered with excellent customer service. This is a working manager position that requires deep understanding of network and server technologies to create innovative services to support districts and the greater ESD mission. 

Salary:
The full salary range for this position is $114,732.80-$139,588.80. Offers are made at the beginning of the range. 
Effective 09/01/2026, the salary range will be $117,707.20-$143,208.00. Offers are made at the beginning of the range.

Assignment:
Full Time; Year Round. red: 

Essential Functions/Other Functions
Essential Functions:

1. Assist the Director of Information Technology in the management, service delivery, innovation, and business development of the Information Technology (IT) department
2. Maintain responsive and accountable services, with rapid response to internal and external clients and appropriate follow-through.
3. Manage internal and external client expectations and anticipate client needs; continually reviewing existing services in light of changing technology and designing appropriate new services in response to rapid changes in information.
4. Manage internal and external technology infrastructure design and support implementation of emerging technology,  hardware and software acquisition and implementation that supports internal and external programs.
5. Ensure routine maintenance, updates, and monitoring of internal networks for agency and district clients.
6. Hire, supervise and evaluate program staff.
7. Maintain secure infrastructure for the agency and district clients across all areas of cybersecurity.
8. Maintain regular attendance to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the position

Other Functions:

1. Participate in technology related activities to keep abreast of current trends.
2. Participate as an active member of the business services leadership team.
3. Other duties as assigned to support the success of the agency.

Requirements

Minimum/Preferred Qualifications & Skills
Minimum Qualifications:

1. Bachelor's Degree in Information Systems, Computer Science or similar field of study plus four years of related work experience. Equivalent combinations of related education, experience, certification, and training may also be considered.
2. Experience building and fostering partnerships including participation, facilitation, and negotiation of programs and services for technology users.
3. Experience in technology planning, deployment, and support.
4. Experience with TCP/IP, NAT, SIP, DNS, DHCP, Ping, Telnet, Trace Route, SSH, NFS, TFTP and protocol analyzers such as WireShark
5. Experience with complex network protocols such as VLANs and Q-in-Q (IEEE802.1ad).
6. Experience with network security protocols and hardening network devices.
7. Experience with current copper and fiber cabling and testing standards.
8. Experience with BGP and OSPF routing protocols, switches, and firewalls configuration and management. 
9. Recent successful experience in the management of highly complex TCP/IP networks (networks that contain multiple routers, multiple routing protocols, and multiple media, including wireless).

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Master's Degree in Information Technology, Business Administration or a related field. 
2. Experience installing, configuring, and maintaining all manner of server hardware and associate network equipment, including local and network-based storage technologies. 
3. Recent successful experience in the use, deployment, and maintenance of modern enterprise system software, such as VMWare, Linux, and Microsoft Windows. 
4. Working technical knowledge of scripting code using PHP, shell, and other Linux and Windows server scripting languages and tools. 
5. Working knowledge of load balancing, clustering, and web application security..
6. Experience in technology planning, deployment, and support in a public sector or non-profit environment, utilizing grant programs such as E-Rate. 
7. Recent working knowledge of data center facilities including HVAC, power, security, and fire suppression systems and energy efficient practices.
8. Successful experience in a regional educational service agency or K-12 education environment.
9. A broad knowledge of existing and emerging technologies.
10. Ability to apply thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills, collaboration and persuasion, creative solutions, as well as an orientation towards clients and achieving results.
11. Ability to communicate openly and effectively at all levels within the organization and with various audiences. 

 
Working Conditions/Employment Requirements
Working Conditions

1. Requires frequent travel.
2. May be required to work flexible hours to meet deadlines.
3. Office environment.
4. Able to operate keyboard to accomplish required tasks.
5. Frequent sitting, stooping/bending, lifting/carrying up to 30 lbs.

Employment Requirements - ESD job offer is contingent upon satisfying the following:

1. Successful completion of a criminal history check through the Washington State Patrol.