Job Description

Title : Senior Specialized IT Consultant - (3 days Onsite Hybrid)
Location: - Toronto, ON , Canada
Duration : Contract

Security Level
CRJMC

Description

\xef\xbb\xbfTravel Requirements - The resources must be available to travel the same day or overnight in Ontario, as required. For this role, travel to school board locations across the province will be required. Travel expenses will be reimbursed according to the Ontario Travel, Meal and Hospitality Expenses Directive.

The Specialized IT Consultant 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. These resources are 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 network performance issues using network performance management tools (e.g., SolarWinds, Wireshark Network Analyzer, PRTG, NetFlow, \xe2\x80\xa6etc.) and network troubleshooting/performance benchmarking techniques
• Provide advanced analytics of network performance and traffic data for operations and service sustainment\'s and enhancement.
• Providing implementation guidance, and hands-on troubleshooting and configuration of network data monitoring and management systems including SolarWinds (NPM,NTA) and observability platform, 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 center (NOC) technologies including SolarWinds NetFlow Traffic Analyzer (NTA), Network Performance Monitor (NPM) and Network Configuration Management (NCM) Tools.
• Delivering reposts and platforms using data analysis and visualization tools like Power BI and Tableau.
• Performing and implementing machine learning algorithms in data insight analysis
• 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
• Delivering on other duties as assigned.

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 the same day or overnight in Ontario, as needed.

The unit manager may assign school board-related work for other initiatives, as required.

Experience and Skill Set Requirements

TOTAL OF 100%

Network Technology

• 3+ years\' training and working hands-on experience with network infrastructure solutions and technologies including WAN, LAN, WLAN, VPN, VLAN, and hardware (servers, switches, routers, and firewalls).
• 3+ years\' training and working experience configuring, troubleshooting, and administering network protocols such as MPLS, VPLS, and VLAN Trunking Protocol (VTP)
• 3+ years\' training and working experience in data and performance monitoring, and management systems SolarWinds, Forti Manager, and Panorama \xe2\x80\x93 preferably for Ontario K-12 school boards.
• 3+ years\' training and working experience with network data traffic awareness, monitoring and analysis tools and technologies, including SolarWinds, PRTG, and Wireshark Network Analyzer \xe2\x80\x93 preferably for Ontario K-12 school boards.
• 2+ years\' training and working experience with software-defined networking (SDN, SD-WAN), in particular Fortinet, Meraki, and Palo Alto \xe2\x80\x93 preferably for Ontario K-12 school boards
• 2+ years\' training and working with data logging mechanisms and technologies including Syslog, IPFix and NetFlow \xe2\x80\x93 preferably for Ontario K-12 school boards
• Hands-on experience performing network load testing, testing analysis, and risk assessments to ensure sound network architecture \xe2\x80\x93 preferably for Ontario K-12 school boards.
• 2+ years of hands-on experience with data analysis and visualization tools like Power BI and Tableau.
• 2+ years\' training and working with machine learning tools in network data analysis and prediction.
• Demonstrated experience assessing and evaluating new and emerging network technologies with pilots and proof-of-concepts

Network Security

• 2+ years\' training and working experience in advanced SD network security \xe2\x80\x93 preferably for Ontario K-12 school boards
• 1+ years of training and working experience with network security and network protection solutions and technologies \xe2\x80\x93 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
• 1 + years of training and working 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 training and working experience with SASE platforms and solutions.
• Excellent knowledge and exposure to IoT security issues and data-capturing mechanisms

Coordination Skills and Experience Strong communication skills as demonstrated through:

• 3+ years\' experience in effectively presenting to management teams and external stakeholders
• 3+ years\' experience in preparing written materials (e.g., status reports, recommendations, notes briefing)
• 3+ years\' experience coordinating complex technical work with multiple IT teams, internal and external to the ministry

Public Sector Experience

• Knowledge of Government of Ontario standards (e.g., GO-ITS) and relevant policies and legislation
• 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

Qualifications and Industry Certifications / Relevant Degrees

• Preferred degree in computer science or engineering (

. preferred) or post graduate degree. * Relevant vendor certifications such as AWS or other certifications such as Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), advance network, CompTIA or courses in SASE.
Network Technology

• 3+ years\' training and working experience in data and performance monitoring, and management systems
• 3+ years\' training and working experience with network data traffic awareness, monitoring and analysis tools and technologies,
• 2+ years\' training and working experience with software-defined networking (SDN, SD-WAN),

Coordination Skills and Experience

• 3+ years\' experience in preparing written materials (e.g., status reports, recommendations, briefing notes)

Industry Certifications / Relevant Degrees

• Relevant vendor certifications such as AWS or other certifications such as Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), advance network, CompTIA or courses in SASE.

Nice to have:
Network Security

• Demonstrated training and working experience with SASE platforms and solutions.

NR Consulting