Firewall Operations Technical Architect (Computer Services Officer 4)

About Us

At CSDS, we prioritize people—both within our team and in the communities we serve. Our mission is to redefine how Nova Scotians engage with government by creating accessible, reliable digital solutions centered around user needs.

In today’s tech-driven world, CSDS empowers government departments with essential digital solutions to meet Nova Scotians’ expectations. As a trusted partner across government, we enable departments to fulfill their mandates with secure, user-friendly services. From healthcare and education to public safety, we collaborate to transform how services are designed and delivered.

We don’t just implement technology; we modernize outdated systems and reimagine processes. Our agile, data-driven approach ensures that digital services are both efficient and adaptable to Nova Scotia’s evolving needs.

Joining CSDS means contributing to work that makes a real difference. From providing vital tech support to healthcare professionals to strengthening cybersecurity and developing scalable digital platforms, you’ll play a key role in building a more inclusive, responsive government for Nova Scotians.

Together, we’re setting new standards for digital public service, delivering resilient solutions that meet today’s needs—and anticipate tomorrow’s challenges.

About Our Opportunity

As a Technical Architect (CSO4) in Firewall Operations, you’ll play a pivotal role in designing and securing the digital backbone of Nova Scotia’s public sector. This is your opportunity to lead enterprise level network security architecture that supports healthcare, education, and government services used by millions. You will be the trusted expert that teams turn to for the most complex challenges—shaping the future of DNS, load balancing, and firewall solutions across a diverse and dynamic environment.

You’ll work hands on with industry leading platforms primarily Infoblox DNS, F5 BIG IP, Cisco Meraki, and Palo Alto Networks, making decisions that directly influence system resilience, performance, and cybersecurity posture. This role is both strategic and highly technical: you’ll design long term solutions, guide modernization initiatives, and ensure secure, reliable 24/7 operations.

Collaboration is core to this opportunity. You will work closely with partners across Nova Scotia Health, IWK, government departments, vendors, and internal CSDS teams—ensuring that digital services remain secure, scalable, and aligned with the province’s evolving needs. You’ll also help build capability within the organization by mentoring technical teams and contributing to a culture of innovation, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

If you’re energized by solving complex problems, shaping enterprise security architecture, and contributing to a mission driven organization that protects and supports Nova Scotians every day, this opportunity offers meaningful impact and room to grow.

Primary Accountabilities

As a Technical Architect in Firewall Operations, you will shape and strengthen the security infrastructure that protects Nova Scotia’s public sector digital ecosystem. You will lead the design and evolution of enterprise grade DNS, load balancing, and firewall services, ensuring they are resilient, high performing, and aligned with security best practices.

In this role, you will:

• Design, optimize, and safeguard Infoblox DNS services to ensure high availability, performance, and secure delivery of critical provincial systems.
• Architect and manage F5 BIG IP platforms (including Velos Chassis), overseeing load balancing, SSL, WAF, and traffic optimization to support scalable and secure digital services.
• Lead the configuration and lifecycle management of Cisco Meraki firewalls and cloud managed devices across distributed sites, maintaining secure VPN connectivity and license governance.
• Drive major upgrades and integration initiatives, coordinating solution designs, working directly with vendors, and ensuring smooth implementation of new capabilities.
• Strengthen cyber resilience by developing, improving, and enforcing security policies, standards, and regulatory controls across the environment.
• Champion operational excellence by guiding incident response, leading firmware and software lifecycle activities, and ensuring consistent technical standards, contributing to operational coverage and participating in on call rotations.
• Mentor and empower technical teams, supporting Tier 1 and Tier 2 staff in troubleshooting, skill development, and collaborative problem solving. 
• Support enterprise firewall posture through administration of Palo Alto Networks on prem and cloud firewalls.

In this senior technical role, you’ll play a pivotal part in advancing secure digital service delivery for Nova Scotians while shaping the future of provincial network and security architecture.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science with 5 years of experience or graduation from a recognized Information Technology Program with 5 years and 6 months related experience. An equivalent combination of training and experience may be acceptable.  
• Proven expertise in Infoblox DNS management and DNSSEC, F5 BIG-IP (Velos Chassis, WAF, SSL), Cisco Meraki (VPN, licensing, cloud management), and Palo Alto Networks Firewalls and associated management tools.
• Strong scripting and data transformation skills (e.g., PowerShell, Python).
• Experience with network monitoring and investigation tools (e.g., WireShark, Nmap, Dig, Solarwinds).
• Member in good standing with relevant certification bodies (if applicable).

Requirements

• Experience supporting mission-critical, enterprise environments operating 24/7.
• Availability for on-call rotations and non-traditional shifts.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work with diverse stakeholders.
• Commitment to service excellence, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Proactive ability to manage multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines.
• Demonstrated leadership in technical problem-solving and mentoring.
• Familiarity with ITIL practices and IT change management processes.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.

Assets

• Understanding, utilization, and implementation of REST APIs, and JSON data formats.
• Experience with automation and orchestration scripting for DNS, F5, Cisco, and Palo Alto Networks (e.g., Ansible, Terraform).
• Experience with hybrid cloud DNS and Firewall implementations (e.g., Microsoft Azure, AWS, Google Cloud, Cloudflare).
• Experience with Windows Server operations.
• Background in healthcare or public sector environments.

We will assess the above qualifications and experience using tools such as assessments, presentations, interviews, reference checks, etc.

Equivalency

Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Benefits

Based on the employment status and union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs.  For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees.

Working Conditions

• Normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day
• May be required to work overtime on occasion 

What We Offer

• Career Development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career.
• Engaging workplace. Our Employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in. We have forward-thinking policies and strategies.
• Countless Career Paths.
• Department Specific Flexible working schedules.