Talent Acquisition Hands-On

Connal J. McInnis

San Francisco/Oakland Bay Area, CA 828-***-**** *************@*****.*** linkedin.com/in/connalmcinnis rebooter.blog

Professional Summary

A highly motivated and self-starting IT professional with a passion for automation, security, and building efficient, resilient systems. Possesses deep hands-on experience designing and administering Kubernetes clusters, securing networks with enterprise-grade firewalls, and managing diverse Linux environments. A natural collaborator and problem-solver, adept at documenting complex processes and mentoring peers. Core Competencies

● Languages & Scripting: C (learning), Python, Bash, Fish, YAML, Nix

● Containerization & Orchestration: Kubernetes (K3s), Docker, Helm, Traefik

● Operating Systems: Linux (Arch, Ubuntu, Debian, NixOS, Talos), FreeBSD, OpenBSD,MacOS

● Security & Networking: OPNsense/PfSense Firewalls, Intrusion Detection (Snort), TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VLANs, Full-Disk Encryption (LUKS)

● Automation & Monitoring: Git, Prometheus & Grafana Stack

● Professional Skills: Technical Documentation, Collaborative Problem-Solving, Mentorship, Systems Architecture Technical Projects

Kubernetes Cluster Design & Administration

● Designed and built multiple Kubernetes clusters from scratch using Ubuntu Server (with LUKS encryption) and a minimalist, API-managed Talos Linux distribution.

● Collaborated with and mentored peers in setting up their own Kubernetes environments, providing guidance on best practices for configuration and deployment.

● Managed the full application lifecycle using Helm charts and custom YAML manifests, configuring Traefik as the Ingress controller for service exposure.

● Implemented a robust monitoring and observability stack with Prometheus and Grafana for comprehensive, cluster-wide insights.

Network Security & Infrastructure Management

● Deployed and administered an OPNsense firewall on a dedicated appliance to secure a homelab network, authoring detailed firewall rules and configuring Unbound DNS for enhanced security.

● Explored Intrusion Detection System (IDS) capabilities using Snort to actively analyze and monitor network traffic for threats.

● Performed extensive network troubleshooting of complex connectivity issues (ARP, DHCP), methodically diagnosing problems and documenting solutions on a personal tech blog. Professional Experience

Self-Employed Bookkeeping Consultant Oakland, CA Jan 2025 – Present

● Independently managed full-cycle bookkeeping, payroll, and financial forecasting for multiple local business clients, demonstrating strong project management and client relations skills. Technical Assistant (Volunteer) BeLoved Asheville Asheville, NC May 2023 – Present

● Provided pro-bono consulting on website design and foundational systems architecture, applying systems thinking to solve practical problems for a non-profit organization. Finance Assistant Willard Powell: Talent Acquisition Remote Aug 2022 – Mar 2023

● Supported core finance functions, using Excel and Python for financial modeling and data analysis to streamline internal processes and improve efficiency. Sous Chef / Kitchen Manager Various Businesses NC & CA 2019 – 2025 (Intermittent)

● Developed strong leadership, team collaboration, and time management skills while managing operations in fast-paced, high-pressure environments.

Education & Certifications: Bachelor of Science, Information Technology & Cyber Security (Expected 2026) Western Governors University (WGU), Associate in Applied Science, Accounting & Business Administration, McDowell Technical Community College, Google Cybersecurity Certification (Coursera), Introduction to IT Architecture (LinkedIn Learning)

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