IT Lead - Data Center (3rd Shift)

Ascent, now part of Wesco, is a leading provider of mission-critical facility solutions across North America. With deep expertise in data center development, engineering, and operations, Ascent supports thousands of sites for top-tier clients, delivering reliable performance and innovative technology. As part of the Wesco family, Ascent continues to set the standard for safety, service, and operational excellence in the critical infrastructure sector.

The Data Center IT Lead is responsible for overseeing daily operations and leading a team of technicians in the installation, testing, and maintenance of IT infrastructure within a data center environment. This role manages customer relationships, prioritizes work orders, and ensures timely execution of complex tasks including fiber/coax/Cat 5/6 terminations, server deployments, and advanced troubleshooting. The IT Lead also performs custom installations, circuit testing, and cage builds while maintaining detailed documentation and ensuring adherence to company standards. Strong leadership, technical expertise, and customer service skills are essential for success in this role.

Responsibilities: 

• Manage and maintain Data Center IT Technicians, day to day operations and appropriate project staffing requirements.
• Manage day-to-day customer relationship at the local site level.
• Run fiber and coax cross connects and follows proper termination techniques per company established processes and procedures.
• Determine work priorities from the ticketing queue and ensures adherence to all commit times.
• Maintain detailed written records of all work activity within the data center facility.
• Perform Installs/Tests/Modifies Cross Connects and ensures proper dressing of the following: coax cross connects (repeater), fiber cross connects (Unicam termination), twisted pair copper cross connects, intra-building cross connects, 66 block/110 block terminations.
• Work with customers to troubleshoot issues. May require console to device and perform basic config (DRAC, iLO).
• Deploy cabinet rack mount PDU’s.  Install cable management systems to include wire managers and patch panels.
• Rack and stack customer equipment.
• Install and test cross connect circuits (switched, multiplexed, T1, DS3, OC3-48, Eth, GigE, 10Gig etc.).
• Conduct carrier circuit maintenance.
• Troubleshoot switched / multiplexed / media converted circuits; escalates to, and works with Networking Group, as needed.
• Install circuits requiring advanced fiber terminations. Conduct carrier circuit testing.
• Escalate SRs that require additional information. 
• May perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• 5 or more years of related work experience with server builds in a production data center environment.
• Ability to read installation drawings (Visio drawings/spreadsheets). 
• Knowledge of cable limitations to daily work (distance limitations, etc.).
• Basic understanding of Unix / Windows booting process, commands, and system command language. 
• Ability to troubleshoot switched / multiplexed / Media converted cross connects and intra-building cross connects.
• Experience with troubleshooting all circuits with carriers. 
• Ability to work days/nights/weekends/holidays, if needed and/or required.
• Experience with troubleshooting all circuits with carriers.
• Demonstrates experience maintaining a disciplined approach to managing task assignments. 
• Strong communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Outlook preferred.

This position reports to the Manager - IT Site Services

The data center work environment is a highly secure, physically demanding, and structured operation, characterized by its loud, controlled temperature conditions and 24/7/365 uptime. The environment demands a high attention to detail and strong problem-solving skills to manage and troubleshoot critical equipment during regular operation and in emergency situations.  Lifting up to 50 lbs, regular bending, stooping, climbing and long periods of walking / standing will be required.