SYSTEMS ENGINEER

About the role

New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM) helps New Yorkers before, during, and after emergencies through preparedness, education, and response. NYCEM is responsible for coordinating citywide emergency planning and response for all types and scales of emergencies. We are staffed by more than 200 dedicated professionals with diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise, including individuals assigned from other City agencies.

The Office of the Chief Operating Officer (COO) is comprised of Human Capital Management (HCM), Information Technology (IT), Support Services, and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The Office of the COO is focused on implementing agency initiatives and strategies into daily operations to meet agency objectives and goals.

The Information Technology (IT) unit provides all technology support for NYC Emergency Management staff, including hardware, software, and licensing. The unit also maintains the technology and computer systems of the entire agency and all its resources.

We are seeking two Systems Engineers to design, build, and maintain enterprise systems across our multi-cloud infrastructure, supporting 100+ applications and products. To meet our technology goals and deepen our capabilities, we seek to add robust, specialized expertise in both Google Cloud and Amazon Web Services by hiring one engineer dedicated to each platform. These positions will work collaboratively with the Systems Engineering Manager on strategic initiatives and own end-to-end systems.

Core Responsibilities

Cloud Infrastructure

• Design and manage workloads across Google Cloud or/and Amazon Web Services
• Provision Amazon Web Services or Google Cloud infrastructure in accordance with organizational requirements, security standards, and compliance policies.
• Administer Microsoft 365 services and hybrid cloud systems
• Build, upgrade, and migrate Windows Server environments
• Maintain virtualized workloads and infrastructure

Security and Compliance

• Lead cybersecurity initiatives including threat assessment, vulnerability management, and security incident response.
• Implement and manage security solutions (Defender suite, Entra ID, conditional access)
• Develop and enforce security policies, hardening standards, and compliance frameworks.
• Monitor security posture and support disaster recovery operations
• Maintain secure configuration and access controls

Systems Administration

• Administer Entra ID, Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, and Kerberos
• Deploy and manage MECM (Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager) and Intune for OS deployment and patch management

Automation and Optimization

• Leverage AI and machine learning tools, along with automation frameworks, to streamline infrastructure operations, including provisioning of new infrastructure.
• Develop PowerShell automation and documentation
• Conduct technical analysis and resolve complex problems

Required Technical Skills

• Working knowledge of Google Cloud fundamentals and core services
• Working knowledge of Amazon Web Services tools and services
• Hands-on experience with commercially available Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools for code generation, code remediation, including infrastructure provisioning and maintenance.
• Hands-on experience with Microsoft 365 and Active Directory
• Knowledge of Entra ID, group policies, and endpoint management
• Understanding of Windows Server, Exchange, DNS, DHCP, and cloud security
• PowerShell scripting and automation
• Knowledge of patch management, OS deployment, and disaster recovery
• Familiarity with virtualization and storage systems
• Problem-solving and ability to learn new technologies quickly

Application Development Support

• Collaborate with the development team to provision and manage infrastructure for application deployment and scaling.
• Manage APIs and integration points between infrastructure systems, external services and applications.

Required Soft Skills

• Strong communication and collaboration abilities
• Effective time management and prioritization
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Self-motivation and commitment to quality
• Sound decision-making and problem-solving skills
• Willingness to take on new technical challenges
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities
• Openness to adopting AI tools and emerging technologies.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to support operations during non-business hours in emergency situations
• Comfortable working in a collaborative, team-oriented IT environment

Please Note the Following

As part of NYCEM's emergency response mission, this position participates on an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) team. During emergency activations, team members may be required to work evenings, weekends, holidays, or extended shifts in support of City response operations. Outside of activations, EOC members participate in periodic training and exercises to maintain operational readiness, and may volunteer to assist with Ready NY emergency preparedness presentations to external groups. EOC teams are on call for three weeks at a time, with six weeks off in between.

Pay and benefits

Please note, the high end of the salary range is available to candidates who have been in City service two or more years.

Funding - This position is supported with a federal Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) through 9/30/2027 with the possibility of an extension; the employee will be responsible for training requirements associated with this grant.

Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without employer support to be eligible for selection. Note that NYCEM does not participate in eVerify, which is required for the reauthorization of some visas.

For this position, the "Special Note" below in the Minimum Qualification Requirements does apply.

We as an agency recognize that valuable leadership and analytical experience may be gained through public service, military service, academia, nonprofit organizations, the private sector, volunteer leadership, or other professional settings. Candidates are encouraged to describe transferable experiences that demonstrate their qualifications.

IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS JOB, PLEASE SUBMIT A SEPARATE COVER LETTER IN THE ATTACHMENTS SECTION OF THE APPLICATION PORTAL.

Preferred Skills

Platform (Google Cloud and/or Amazon Web Services)

• Advanced hands-on experience designing and securing Google Cloud or/and Amazon Web Services workloads
• Google Cloud/ Amazon Web Services cost optimization and governance experience
• Google Cloud certifications (Professional Cloud Architect or Cloud Security Engineer) or/and Amazon Web Services certifications (Solutions Architect or SysOps Administrator)

Multi-Cloud & Security

• Experience with Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud and/or Azure
• Advanced Microsoft Defender suite and Zero Trust architecture experience
• Microsoft Purview, CrowdStrike Falcon, or similar tools

Advanced Technical

• Deep MECM, Intune, or MDT experience
• Advanced PowerShell automation
• VMware, ESXi, or SAN storage experience
• ServiceNow, Netwrix, or Metallic Data Management experience

Note

Candidates are not expected to possess every preferred qualification. Successful applicants may demonstrate equivalent knowledge, transferable experience, or the ability to quickly learn new systems and technologies.

In addition, the selected candidate will be able to demonstrate a proven ability in the following areas, from the agency's performance management model:

Competencies

• Knowledge - demonstrates or has the ability to develop the knowledge necessary to perform the responsibilities of the position.
• Work Ethic and Productivity - produces consistently high quality, accurate, and on-time deliverables; takes responsibility, is dependable, and accountable, and follows through; is responsive to requests from leadership.
• Strategic Problem Solving and Innovation - is thoughtful and deliberate in approach to solving problems; demonstrates innovation and creative thinking.
• Effective Communication - Demonstrates the ability to communicate information clearly and effectively to diverse audiences, including during time-sensitive and high-pressure situations.
• Teamwork - encourage collaboration and motivate others; is able to both lead and follow when necessary; is an active listener and consider a broad range of perspectives.

Additional information

Studies have shown that women, people of color, and other under-represented groups are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they are able to perform every task in the job description. We are interested in finding the best candidate for the job and will consider any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education and experience to meet qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.

Qualifications & Requirements

• A four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent approved by a state's department of education or a recognized accrediting organization and six years of satisfactory full-time professional experience in one or a combination of the following: emergency management, fire, police, or military service, public safety, public health, public administration, urban planning, engineering, or another specialized area to which the appointment is to be made; or
• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and two years of satisfactory full time professional experience in the areas listed in "1" above; or
• A master's degree from an accredited college in emergency management, public administration, urban planning, engineering, economics, political science, the physical sciences,or related field and one year of satisfactory full-time professional experience in the areas listed "1" above, at least two years of which must have been in one of those areas, or another specialized area to which the appointment is to be made.
• Education and/or experience equivalent to "1", "2", or "3" above. However, all candidates must have a four-year high school diploma or its educational equivalent.

Special Note

To be eligible for placement in Assignment Level II, individuals must have, after meeting the minimum requirements, one additional year of professional experience as described in ""1"" above.