IT INFRASTRUCTURE ARCHITECT - 40011477

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SUMMARY OBJECTIVE:

The purpose of this position is to provide strategic leadership in designing, integrating, and governing the County’s enterprise IT infrastructure landscape. This role ensures secure, scalable, resilient, and high-performance infrastructure by defining architecture standards, aligning technology initiatives with County business goals, and overseeing the design and implementation of networks, servers, storage, data centers, and cloud platforms. The IT Infrastructure Architect collaborates closely with business and IT stakeholders to deliver innovative, sustainable technology solutions that support County-wide operations and long-term strategic objectives, with a strong emphasis on infrastructure reliability, network performance, and security.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The essential functions listed below represent the majority of the responsibilities of this position. Management may assign additional functions as needed.

• Lead the design and governance of enterprise application architecture across County systems, ensuring interoperability and strategic alignment.
• Lead the design and governance of enterprise IT infrastructure architecture across County systems, ensuring resiliency, performance, and strategic alignment.
• Develop, document, and maintain architecture standards, infrastructure guidelines, network designs, and technical roadmaps.
• Design secure, scalable, and resilient infrastructure solutions, including servers, storage, networking (LAN/WAN), firewalls, data centers, and hybrid/cloud environments.
• Collaborate with business stakeholders and IT leadership to translate strategic goals into actionable infrastructure and security solutions.
• Conduct technology assessments and propose modernization strategies (e.g., cloud migration, network optimization) to improve system performance, reliability, and security.
• Oversee and review network architecture, security controls, virtualization, and infrastructure provisioning to support County-wide operations.
• Provide technical leadership, mentorship, and guidance to infrastructure engineers, network administrators, security specialists, and project teams.
• Ensure compliance with County IT security policies, data governance requirements, cybersecurity frameworks, and industry best practices.
• Support vendor evaluations and participate in solution selection for infrastructure, network, and security technologies.
• Maintain architecture documentation and deliver clear communication to stakeholders about infrastructure designs, network topologies, and security plans.
• Performs related work as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge in Enterprise systems architecture principles and frameworks
• Knowledge in Enterprise IT infrastructure architecture principles and frameworks (e.g., TOGAF, ITIL)
• Knowledge in Network architecture, routing, switching, SDN, and security protocols (e.g., firewalls, VPN, zero trust)
• Knowledge in Cloud infrastructure (IaaS, PaaS on Azure, AWS), hybrid cloud designs, virtualization (VMware, Hyper-V), and containerization
• Knowledge of Security, compliance (e.g., NIST, CIS), cybersecurity best practices, and data governance requirements
• Knowledge of Infrastructure management methodologies and tools (e.g., monitoring, automation)
• Skilled in designing secure, scalable, and resilient infrastructure solutions including networks and advanced security measures
• Skilled in developing and maintaining technical architecture documentation and standards
• Skilled in conducting technological assessments and recommending modernization strategies
• Skilled in leading technical design sessions and infrastructure reviews
• Ability to balance strategic planning with hands-on technical design work
• Ability to ensure alignment with security, compliance, and County strategic objectives
• Proven ability to develop architecture standards and lead complex, cross-domain infrastructure projects involving on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments. 

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

▪ Bachelor’s degree in information technology, Computer Science, Information Systems or a related field.
▪ At least 7 years of progressively responsible experience in IT infrastructure architecture, network design, and security implementation.
▪ Demonstrated experience with enterprise infrastructure technologies such as servers, storage, networking equipment, firewalls, load balancers, virtualization (VMware, Hyper-V), and cloud services (Azure, AWS).
▪ Proven ability to develop architecture standards and lead complex infrastructure projects involving networks, security, and hybrid environments.

SPECIAL CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES REQUIREMENTS:

• Must possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license with an acceptable driving history

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• TOGAF (The Open Group Architecture Framework) Certification
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) or comparable security certification
• Network-related certifications (e.g., CCIE, CCNP) or cloud certifications (e.g., AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Azure Solutions Architect) 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Physical demands refer to the requirements for physical exertion and coordination of limb and body movement.

• Performs sedentary work that involves walking or standing some of the time and involves exerting up to 10

UNAVOIDABLE HAZARDS (WORK ENVIRONMENT):

Unavoidable hazards refer to the job conditions that may lead to injury or health hazards even though precautions have been taken.

•None.

STANDARD CLAUSES

May be required to work nights, weekends, holidays and emergencies (man-made or natural) to meet the business needs of Durham County.
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of essential functions and responsibilities that are required of an employee for this job. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

ESSENTIAL SAFETY FUNCTIONS

It is the responsibility of each employee to comply with established policies, procedures and safe work practices. Each employee must follow safety training and instructions provided by their supervisor. Each employee must also properly wear and maintain all personal protective equipment required for their job. Finally, each employee must immediately report any unsafe work practices or unsafe conditions as well as any on-the-job injury or illnesses.
Every manager/supervisor is responsible for enforcing all safety rules and regulations. In addition, they are responsible for ensuring that a safe work environment is maintained, safe work practices are followed and employees are properly trained.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT COMPLIANCE:

Durham County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires Durham County to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management. 

BACKGROUND CHECK STATEMENT:

This position may be subject to a background check, which could include, but is not limited to, criminal history (employment-related and/or SBI fingerprint-based), credit history, motor vehicle records, educational verification, and checks of the sexual offender registry, depending on the specific requirements of the role. A conviction record does not automatically disqualify an applicant from employment consideration, unless otherwise required by applicable state law.