So it seems that there is an easier way to switch the network settings.
Create a new network location (I called mine "Wired Reset"). Switch location to "Wired Reset." Hit Apply. Switch back to "Automatic." Good news is that this can be accomplished via AppleScript. I know there are more elegant ways to script system preferences, but I tried another and it didn't reliably work.
**The script**
tell application "System Events"
tell application "System Preferences"
activate
reveal pane id "com.apple.preference.network"
end tell
tell window "Network" of process "System Preferences"
tell pop up button 1
click
pick menu item "Wired Reset" of menu 1
end tell
delay 1
click button "Apply"
end tell
tell window "Network" of process "System Preferences"
tell pop up button 1
click
pick menu item "Automatic" of menu 1
end tell
delay 1
click button "Apply"
end tell
quit application "System Preferences"
end tell