Photo: Tyler, his son, Landon, and wife, Brittany, have a photo taken at Apple Hill.
Yuba Water Agency's information systems network administrator, Tyler Byrd, is responsible for ensuring that all of the agency's computers, cell phones and servers are able to communicate with each other, as well as providing support to fellow employees who are experiencing device connectivity issues. Scroll to learn more about Tyler, his background and what he enjoys in his free time.
What does your average day look like? Or what are some of your essential duties?
This highly depends on what is happening within the day, week and month. Because I control what devices can access the agency’s network, a lot of people depend on me. I am currently focused on our critical infrastructure protection security requirements and building out network diagrams. I am regularly in meetings with other departments and contractors to discuss network, physical security or device communication needs. I also spend quite a bit of time troubleshooting connectivity issues for employees, and if I'm not able to resolve those issues, then I help point that person in the right direction to get it fixed.
What is your background/formal education that led to where you are in your career today?
I am a Marine and served three and a half years as an avionics technician on the Ch-42 (Phrog), which is a tandem-rotor transport helicopter. I later transitioned to be a career planner where I served my second enlistment and remaining three and a half years before exiting the Corps. When I was in my second enlistment, I started a degree in networking and security and gained three Computing Technology Industry Association certificates.
Photo: Tyler and his son pause for a photo while playing in the snow.
How did you get involved in your current career path?
After exiting the Marines, I started my career at a company called Surveillance Systems Integration in Rocklin, where I got my first taste in networking and installing networking equipment for camera and security systems in casinos and hotels. I then left to join Yuba Water.
What do you enjoy most about working for Yuba Water?
My team. There isn't anyone at the agency that I don't get along with, but my team makes the whole experience worth more than any other job I could be offered.
Tell us an unusual story or experience you’ve had while working for Yuba Water Agency.
Well, once I was headed out to Yuba Water's Narrows 2 Powerhouse for some work and got stuck behind a herd of cattle for about 45 minutes. That was a bit unusual for me!
What do you like to do in your free time?
This is a loaded question, but here we go. I enjoy playing the tabletop, role-playing game called Dungeons and Dragons. I am currently the dungeon master, which is the game's lead storyteller and referee, for a group of Yuba Water employees, as well as for my eight-year-old son and a group of his friends. I am starting to get into wood working, but this has been a bit of a work in progress due to cost, time, space and having to repair a saw. I also have a ton of other projects that I work on here and there, so I guess I’m a bit of a hobbyist.
What are three words you would use to describe Yuba Water Agency?
A hidden gem.