Company Description

Austin Centers for Exceptional Students is a group of therapeutic, state-certified, private special education schools in Arizona designed to serve students with autism, emotional disabilities, intellectual disabilities, and other educational challenges. Our mission is to provide a nurturing and inclusive learning environment that promotes academic and social growth for all students. We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Associate Director of Network and Security Technology to join our team. This role will be crucial in maintaining and advancing our technology infrastructure to support the educational and therapeutic needs of our students.

Key Responsibilities

Network Management:

· Oversee the design, implementation, and maintenance of the school's network infrastructure, ensuring reliable and secure connectivity across all campuses.

· Manage network upgrades, expansions, and troubleshooting, minimizing downtime and ensuring high availability.

· Collaborate with IT team members to ensure seamless integration of new technologies and adherence to industry best practices. Collaboration and Teamwork.

Security Technology:

· Develop, implement, and maintain robust cybersecurity strategies to protect sensitive student and staff data, including compliance with FERPA, HIPAA, and other relevant regulations.

· Monitor and respond to security incidents, conducting thorough investigations and implementing corrective actions.

· Oversee the deployment and management of security tools, including firewalls, intrusion detection systems, antivirus software, and encryption

FortiGate Routers & SD-WAN:

· Manage and configure FortiGate routers to ensure secure and efficient network traffic management.

· Leverage SD-WAN solutions to optimize the performance and reliability of wide-area networks, ensuring seamless connectivity across all campuses.

· Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to FortiGate routers and SD-WAN deployments, ensuring minimal disruption to network services. Student and Staff Device Management:

Leadership & Collaboration:

· Lead a team of IT professionals, providing guidance, training, and performance evaluations to ensure high levels of expertise and productivity.

· Collaborate with educational and therapeutic staff to align technology initiatives with the needs of students and programs.

· Participate in the development of IT policies and procedures, ensuring they support the school's mission and comply with legal requirements. Digital Safety and Cybersecurity:

Project Management:

· Plan and execute technology projects, including the implementation of new systems, upgrades, and security enhancements.

· Manage project timelines, budgets, and resources, ensuring projects are completed on time and within scope.

· Coordinate with vendors and external partners to procure technology solutions and services.

Support & Maintenance:

· Provide high-level support for complex network and security issues..

· Ensure regular maintenance and updates of all network and security systems, including patches, backups, and disaster recovery planning.

· Maintain documentation of network and security configurations, procedures, and incident reports.

Qualifications

Education:

· Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.

Experience:

· Minimum of 5 years of experience in network administration and cybersecurity, with at least 2 years in a leadership or management role.

· Experience working in an educational or healthcare setting is highly desirable.

Skills:

· In-depth knowledge of network protocols, infrastructure, and security practices.

· Proficiency in configuring and managing firewalls, routers, switches, and other network devices, especially

Fortigate routers.

· Strong understanding of SD-WAN solutions and their application in optimizing wide-area networks.

· Knowledge of cybersecurity frameworks, risk management, and compliance requirements.

· Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills.

· Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines.

Certifications:

· Relevant certifications such as CCNA, CISSP, Network+, Security+, CISM, CEH, or certifications related to Fortinet (e.g., NSE 4) are preferred.

Austin Centers for Exceptional Students

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Associate Director of Network and Security Technology