Network Associate

Summary: Responsibilities include designing, installing, and supporting data and voice communication networks within a LAN and WAN environment. Ensure operational efficiency of networks providing maximum performance and availability for end users by undertaking routine, preventative measures and monitoring network efficiency. Determines network requirements and design specifications for data and voice network build and upgrades.

Tasks:

• Assist users to diagnose and solve data and voice communication problems.
• Evaluate the organization's technology use and needs and recommend improvements, such as hardware and software upgrades.
• Refer major hardware or software problems or defective products to vendors or technicians for service.
• Adjust network sizes to meet volume or capacity demands.
• Analyze equipment performance records to determine the need for repair or replacement.
• Coordinate network operations, maintenance, repairs, or upgrades.
• Coordinate network or design activities with designers of associated networks.
• Design and implement systems, network configurations, and network architecture, including hardware and software technology, site locations, and integration of technologies.
• Determine specific network hardware or software requirements, such as platforms, interfaces, bandwidths, or routine schemas.
• Develop and implement solutions for network problems.
• Develop conceptual, logical, or physical network designs.
• Develop network-related documentation.
• Evaluate network designs to determine whether customer requirements are met efficiently and effectively.
• Monitor network performance to determine whether adjustments need to be made, and to determine where changes will need to be made in the future.
• Guide Network Specialists and other staff in the design or implementation of network solutions.
• Plan, coordinate, and implement network security measures to protect data, software, and hardware.
• Prepare detailed network specifications, including diagrams, charts, equipment configurations, and recommended technologies.
• Recommend changes to improve systems and network configurations, and determine hardware or software requirements related to such changes.
• Confer with staff, users, and management to establish requirements for new systems or modifications.
• Prepare design presentations and proposals for staff or customers.
• Research new technologies by attending seminars, reading trade articles, or taking classes, and implement or recommend the implementation of new technologies.
• Stay abreast of advances in technology.
• Train users in use of equipment.
• Confer with users about how to solve existing system problems.
• Design, build, or operate equipment configuration prototypes, including network hardware, software, servers, or server operation systems.
• Diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve hardware, software, or other network and system problems, and replace defective components when necessary.
• Maintain and administer computer networks and related computing environments including computer hardware, systems software, applications software, and all configurations.
• Participate in network technology upgrade or expansion projects, including installation of hardware and software and integration testing.
• Read technical manuals and brochures to determine which equipment meets establishment requirements.
• Test and evaluate hardware and software to determine efficiency, reliability, and compatibility with existing system, and make purchase recommendations.
• Work with other engineers, systems analysts, programmers, technicians and top-level managers in the design, testing and evaluation of systems.
• Responsible for documenting and updating all customer correspondence and relevant internal information in support tickets via ticketing system.
• Practice maintenance procedures and fault resolution in switching-based and routing-based environments

Skills & Requirements

Work Context & Physical Requirements:

• Requires using hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls
• Requires sitting
• Requires face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams
• Requires contact with others (face-to-face, telephone, or otherwise)
• Requires telephone conversations
• Requires use of electronic mail
• Requires dealing with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous people
• Mistakes are not easily correctable and have serious consequences
• Opportunity to make decisions without supervision
• Freedom to determine tasks, priorities, and goals
• Requires repeating the same physical activities over and over
• Requires being exact or highly accurate
• Requires meeting strict deadlines
• Requires work with external customers or the public
• Requires work with others in a group or team
• Includes responsibility for work outcomes and results
• Requires working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions
• Job tasks are performed in close physical proximity to other people

Required Knowledge:

Windows Client Operating Systems, Windows Server Operating Systems, Server Migrations, Cisco Routers, Cisco Switches, Cisco Firewalls, Network Design, General software installation and troubleshooting, PC Hardware, PC Peripherals, T-1 cutovers, General Office Productivity software, Network Monitoring, Circuit troubleshooting, Internet connection troubleshooting, MPLS, WAN technologies, Routing Protocols, BGP, EIGRP

Qualification / Certifications and Other

Experience: 5-8 years

Education & Certifications: CCNP - R+S (Required)

Skills: Active Learning, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Learning Strategies, Monitoring, Reading Comprehension, Speaking, Writing, Coordination, Instructing, Service Orientation, Social Perceptiveness, Complex Problem Solving, Equipment Maintenance, Equipment Selection, Installation, Operation Monitoring, Operations Analysis, Quality Control Analysis, Repairing, Technology Design, Troubleshooting, Judgment and Decision Making, Systems Analysis, Systems Evaluation,

Disclaimer

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. The criteria of this job description may change at any time as the organization sees fit, as well as perform tasks not listed on this description.

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