Position Purpose/Summary

Fastwyre Broadband is committed to providing the highest quality of service to the communities, customers, and employees we serve. We are looking for a Network Operations Specialist to join our Network Operations Center (NOC) and be part of the Network Operations team responsible for monitoring and supporting our network. As a Network Operations Specialist you will partner with Central Office technicians, Field Technicians, Network Engineers, Customer Technical Support personnel, Provisioning, and others to help grow our network’s infrastructure, detect and correct network anomalies, and improve customer satisfaction.

This position is in a fast-growing operations department where you will have the opportunity to showcase your talents, develop your skills, and bring high tech products and services to our customers while working in a positive, fast paced, energetic, office environment.

This position is an on-site position in the Overland Park, Kansas area. The NOC will provide 24x7x365 support for all services across our serving markets. It requires flexibility to work different shifts as needed and be part of an on-call rotation.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary point of contact for all network operations, managing and responding to incidents in a timely manner. Create and manage trouble tickets to resolution.
• Monitor network alarms, network performance and capacity, ensuring optimal availability and utilization levels are maintained.
• Proactively identify potential issues and recommend solutions to prevent or mitigate service disruptions.
• Perform root cause analysis on major incidents and develop actionable plans to prevent future occurrences.
• Implement changes to the network according to established change management procedures.
• Develop and maintain network documentation, including diagrams, configuration files, and process flows.
• Configure and optimize network hubs, routers, switches (e.g., higher-level protocols, tunneling), and Fiber to The Home (FTTx) platforms.
• Install and maintain network infrastructure device operating system software (e.g., IOS, firmware).
• Lead or assist in the install or replacements of network hubs, routers, switches, FTTx equipment, and other service platforms.
• Train and mentor junior staff members on network operations best practices.
• Able to work days, nights, or swing shifts including weekends as required.
• Performing all other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Knowledge, Abilities, & Skills for Success

• Ability to operate and troubleshoot network and telephony equipment including routers, telecommunications switches, servers, VoIP PBX systems, transmission media (including microwave), and related hardware. Specific knowledge of Cisco, Ciena, Calix and Metaswitch platforms desirable.
• Knowledge of concepts, terminology, and operations of a wide range of communications media (computer and telephone networks, satellite, fiber (including Fiber-to-the-home), wireless).
• Knowledge and experience with network monitoring platforms and a thorough understanding of SNMP. Specific knowledge of SolarWinds, Service Desk Now ticketing, and network automation systems desirable.
• Knowledge of how traffic flows across the network (e.g., Transmission Control Protocol [TCP] and Internet Protocol [IP] and Open System Interconnection Model [OSI].
• Knowledge of network systems management principles, models, methods (e.g., end-to-end systems performance monitoring), and tools.
• Skill in analyzing network traffic capacity and performance characteristics.
• Skill in configuring and utilizing network protection components (e.g., Firewalls, VPNs, network intrusion detection systems).
• Skill in establishing a routing schema and an understanding of network routing protocols.
• Ability to work a flexible work schedule, as needed, to best serve our customers.

Qualifications

At a minimum, the Network Operations Specialist should have:

• Degree in computer science, information technology, or related degree, or equivalent applicable certifications. 15 years of related work experience may be considered in lieu of degree(s) or certifications.
• 15 years’ experience in network administration or technical support
• Telecommunications industry experience a plus
• Experience with network monitoring tools, such as SolarWinds, Calix, ServiceNow, Metaswitch