Senior Network IT Consultant Contract

Deliverables:

The Specialized IT Consultant, Senior, role requires extensive knowledge of network connectivity, network infrastructure, internet technologies and network security with demonstrated hands-on experience analyzing, configuring, implementing, and troubleshooting software-defined networking (SDN) solutions and network security solutions in the Ontario K-12 school board environment.

Responsible for, but not limited to:

• Providing technical guidance and subject matter expertise on collecting and analyzing a range of school board network-related data
• Troubleshooting, providing analysis, and recommending solutions on complex network performance issues using network performance management tools (e.g., SolarWinds, Wireshark Network Analyzer, PRTG (Paessler Router Traffic Grapher), NetFlow, etc.) and network troubleshooting/performance benchmarking techniques.
• Providing implementation guidance, and hands-on troubleshooting and configuration of network data monitoring and management systems including SolarWinds, FortiManager and Panorama.
• Providing subject matter expertise, advice, consultancy, training, and guidance on SDN technology:
  Software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) including Fortinet, Cisco Meraki, Palo Alto, etc.
  Emerging SD-Edge such as VMware VeloCloud, Silver Peak, etc.
  Secure Access Service Edge (SASE)
• Providing subject matter expertise, analysis, configuration, troubleshooting, and implementation guidance with network operations centre (NOC) technologies including Solarwinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer (NTA), Network Performance Monitor (NPM) and Network Configuration Management (NCM) Tools.
• Creating/updating detailed system documentation and technical specifications for various solutions and architecture, including SD-WAN, network technology, network security, network protection and NOC solutions.
• Assessing new and emerging network and network security solutions, technology trends and industry analysis, including, but not limited to wireless network security practices such as authentication and edge security.
  Presenting to various stakeholders, as needed

This work involves working in close partnership with the sector information technology practitioners (e.g., school board IT leads) to develop tailored approaches and implementation plans. To support various stakeholders, the resource must be available to perform hands-on configuration, troubleshooting and training at the client site. Therefore, the resources must be available to travel same day or overnight in Ontario, as needed.

Skills
Experience and Skill Set Requirements
TOTAL OF 100%

Network Technology – 45%

• 5+ years’ hands-on experience with network infrastructure solutions and technologies including LAN/WAN, VPN, VLAN, wLAN, and hardware (servers, switches, routers, firewalls)
• 5+ years’ hands-on experience with Ontario K-12 school boards’ networks (WAN, LAN, Wi-Fi, internet service delivery) – preferred
• 5+ years’ hands-on experience with software-defined networking (SDN, SD-WAN), in particular, Fortinet, Meraki, and Palo Alto – preferably for Ontario K-12 school boards
• 5+ years’ hands-on experience in data and performance monitoring, and management systems, in particular, SolarWinds, FortiManager, and Panorama – preferably for Ontario K-12 school boards
• 5+ years’ hands-on experience with network data traffic awareness, monitoring and analysis tools and technologies, including SolarWinds, PRTG (Paessler Router Traffic Grapher), and Wireshark Network Analyzer – preferably for Ontario K-12 school boards
• 5+ years’ hands-on experience with data logging mechanisms and technologies including Syslog, IPFix and NetFlow – preferably for Ontario K-12 school boards
• 5+ years’ hands-on experience configuring, troubleshooting, and administering network protocols such as MPLS, VPLS, and VLAN Trunking Protocol (VTP)
• Hands-on experience performing network load testing, testing analysis, and risk assessments to ensure sound network architecture – preferably for Ontario K-12 school boards
• Hands-on experience with data visualization tools to develop network dashboards such as Tableau, AWS QuickSight and Microsoft PowerBI
• Providing subject matter expertise for the design, development and delivery of technical training courses and demonstrations on SDN, NTDM, NG-SEC architecture and products to support Ontario K-12 school boards’ broadband modernization implementations
• Demonstrated experience assessing and evaluating new and emerging network technologies with pilots and proof-of-concepts

Network Security – 30%

• 5+ years’ experience in advanced SD network security – preferably for Ontario K-12 school boards
• 5+ years hands-on experience with network security and network protection solutions and technologies – preferably for Ontario K-12 school boards, including:
• Next-generation firewalls (specifically Fortinet, Meraki, Palo Alto),
• Distributed denial of service (DDoS) protection,
• Advanced intrusion prevention systems (IPS),
• Network access control (e.g., HPE Aruba ClearPass, FortiNAC),
• Endpoint protection and cloud-based security solutions
• 5 + years hands-on experience with authentication solutions and technologies, including:
  Password-based authentication
  Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
  Certificate-based authentication
  Biometric authentication (e.g., Fast Identity online (FIDO) Universal 2nd Factor (U2F), FIDO2, Google Authenticator, Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML))
• Demonstrated experience assessing and evaluating new and emerging network security technologies with pilots and proof-of-concepts
• Demonstrated hands-on experience with Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) platforms and solutions
• Demonstrated hands-on experience with Security Orchestration, Automation and Response (SOAR) including Microsoft Azure Sentinel, AlienVault, Splunk, IBM Resilient, etc.
• Excellent knowledge and exposure to IoT security issues and data capturing mechanisms

Coordination Skills and Experience – 15%

• Strong communication skills as demonstrated through:
• 5+ years’ experience in effectively presenting to management teams and external stakeholders
• 5+ years’ experience in preparing written materials (e.g., status reports, recommendations, briefing notes)
• 5+ years’ experience coordinating complex technical work with multiple IT teams, internal and external to the ministry

Public Sector Experience – 5%

• Knowledge of Government of Ontario standards (e.g., GO-ITS) and relevant policies and legislation
• 5+ years’ hands-on experience working with the Broader Public Sector, in particular Ontario K-12 school boards, on board LAN and WAN networks and network security
• Demonstrated experience providing design, development and delivery of technical solution and technical training courses to Ontario Public Service or the Broader Public Service, Ontario K-12 school boards preferredIndustry Certifications / Relevant Degrees – 5%
• Preferred postgraduate degree (e.g., MSc and/or PhD) in computer science or engineering
• Relevant vendor certifications or equivalent work experience

Preferred but not mandatory – Cyber security certification (e.g. CEH, CISSP or CISM)

Must Haves:

• 5+ years’ hands-on experience in data and performance monitoring, and management systems, in particular, SolarWinds, FortiManager, and Panorama – preferably for Ontario K-12 school boards
• 5+ hands-on experience with software-defined networking (SDN, SD-WAN), in particular, Fortinet, Meraki, and Palo Alto – preferably for Ontario K-12 school boards
• 5+ years’ hands-on experience with network data traffic awareness, monitoring and analysis tools and technologies, including SolarWinds, PRTG (Paessler Router Traffic Grapher), and Wireshark Network Analyzer – preferably for Ontario K-12 school boards
• Demonstrated experience assessing and evaluating new and emerging network technologies with pilots and proof-of-concepts
• 5+ years’ experience in advanced SD network security – preferably for Ontario K-12 school boards
• Demonstrated hands-on experience with Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) platforms and solutions
• 5+ years’ experience in preparing written materials (e.g., status reports, recommendations, briefing notes)
• Demonstrated experience providing design, development and delivery of technical solution and technical training courses to Ontario Public Service or the Broader Public Service, Ontario K-12 school boards preferred

Nice to Haves:

• Preferred postgraduate degree (e.g., MSc and/or PhD) in computer science or engineering