What are the responsibilities and job description for the Network Associate position at Youngstown State University?
Summary of Position
Administers, monitors, and supports YSU's network infrastructure under the oversight of network engineers and architects. Assists with the implementation and maintenance of network systems, ensures reliability of connectivity, and provides escalated technical support beyond the technician level. Ensures the daily function of operations and services related to any assigned program, initiative, or objective. Works under general supervision and may make some work procedural decisions which do not contravene policies; generally, determines work sequences (which task comes first) within any department guidelines. Exercises professional judgment to prioritize competing demands and allocate resources effectively to meet departmental goals. Serves as a subject matter expert and resource person for the assigned area.
Position Information
Essential Functions and Responsibilities:Assists with installation, configuration, and maintenance of network devices including switches, routers, firewalls, CCTV units, VOIP phones, wireless controllers, and Wi-Fi access points.
Monitors network performance, availability, and security; responds to alerts and troubleshoots escalated issues.
Provides second-level support for incidents and service requests unresolved by technicians, escalating advanced problems to engineers.
Supports the administration of VoIP and data services, VLAN assignments, and network documentation.
Maintains accurate records of network assets, cabling, and physical/logical configurations.
Implements standard network security practices including firmware updates, access controls, and patching.
Participates in small-scale upgrades, migrations, or projects under the direction of engineers.
Collaborates with IT staff to ensure coordinated service delivery across infrastructure teams.
Contributes to a security-minded and organized environment in MDF/IDF rooms and network spaces.
Assists with project leadership and advises designated technical staff limited to project duration.
Acts as a lead worker; provides functional guidance to lower-level workers.
Analyzes complex data sets and prepares comprehensive reports with recommendations for leadership.
Researches and recommends process improvements for departmental operations on a routine or regular basis. Evaluates effectiveness and recommends enhancements of services.
Coordinates daily tasks related to one or more assigned components of overall programs and/or services as assigned.
Regularly communicates with supervisor and other staff, including student workers, as required or needed in the completion of daily tasks in support of overall goals and objectives.
Prepares and maintains accurate records of daily tasks in accordance with applicable policies and procedures and assures timely communication with supervisor, staff, and students where appropriate.
Gathers data and prepares reports and other information/documentation for supervisory review?related to programs and/or services, or one or more assigned components.
Remains informed of current developments and procedures pertinent to duties; participates in staff development activities; attends meetings, conferences, and other events.
Other Functions and Responsibilities:Trains new hires.
Performs other duties as assigned and/or required that are within the level of responsibility for this classification at the discretion of the supervisor.
Equipment Operated:Computer and all other standard office equipment.
Work Schedule:Typically, Monday through Friday; some evening, weekend, and holiday hours are required; on call rotation may be required.
Supervision Exercised: May exercise supervision over student employees.
Reports to: Associate Director
Qualifications And Competencies
Required Certifications, Training, and/or Licensures:None
Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities
Knowledge of: common business technology platforms, operating systems, security practices, networking, authentication, and services deployment and integration; university policies and procedures; office practices and procedures; department/division goals and objectives; department/division policies and procedures; workplace safety practices and procedures; English grammar and spelling; records management; office management; project management.
Skill in: organization; problem solving in complex technology environments; use of office equipment; typing, data entry; computer operation; use of computer software and other programs applicable to the assigned department*.
Ability to: communicate in an understandable, polite, and professional manner with various stakeholders, both technical and non-technical; successfully work independently with clients and technical support personnel; deal with problems involving several variables within familiar context; define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; determine material and equipment needs; calculate fractions, decimals, and percentages; compile and prepare reports; use proper research methods to gather data; understand a variety of written and/or verbal communications; prepare accurate documentation; maintain records according to established procedures; effectively interact with personnel and public to answer routine questions; train or instruct others; move quickly and effectively from one task to another; work independently and in a team environment; develop and maintain effective working relationships.
(*) Developed after employment.
Minimum Qualifications:Atleast a bachelor's degree and at least two years of related experience.
Preferred Qualifications:Experience with basic subnetting, VLAN creation and assignment, trunking, port channel concepts, and spanning tree awareness, along with a working knowledge of copper and fiber cabling fundamentals and basic switch stacking or standalone switch configuration. Working knowledge of the OSI Model and common networking protocols such as TCP/IP, DHCP, and DNS; LAN and WLAN concepts; basic exposure to WAN and multi-site networking. Experience using network monitoring tools and performing basic troubleshooting with packet captures or diagramming; familiarity with firewall/NAT concepts and wireless security standards. A CompTIA Network certification or progress toward a Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA). Experience in enterprise or higher education environments, along with exposure to supporting Windows and/or Unix/Linux environments.
Administers, monitors, and supports YSU's network infrastructure under the oversight of network engineers and architects. Assists with the implementation and maintenance of network systems, ensures reliability of connectivity, and provides escalated technical support beyond the technician level. Ensures the daily function of operations and services related to any assigned program, initiative, or objective. Works under general supervision and may make some work procedural decisions which do not contravene policies; generally, determines work sequences (which task comes first) within any department guidelines. Exercises professional judgment to prioritize competing demands and allocate resources effectively to meet departmental goals. Serves as a subject matter expert and resource person for the assigned area.
Position Information
Essential Functions and Responsibilities:Assists with installation, configuration, and maintenance of network devices including switches, routers, firewalls, CCTV units, VOIP phones, wireless controllers, and Wi-Fi access points.
Monitors network performance, availability, and security; responds to alerts and troubleshoots escalated issues.
Provides second-level support for incidents and service requests unresolved by technicians, escalating advanced problems to engineers.
Supports the administration of VoIP and data services, VLAN assignments, and network documentation.
Maintains accurate records of network assets, cabling, and physical/logical configurations.
Implements standard network security practices including firmware updates, access controls, and patching.
Participates in small-scale upgrades, migrations, or projects under the direction of engineers.
Collaborates with IT staff to ensure coordinated service delivery across infrastructure teams.
Contributes to a security-minded and organized environment in MDF/IDF rooms and network spaces.
Assists with project leadership and advises designated technical staff limited to project duration.
Acts as a lead worker; provides functional guidance to lower-level workers.
Analyzes complex data sets and prepares comprehensive reports with recommendations for leadership.
Researches and recommends process improvements for departmental operations on a routine or regular basis. Evaluates effectiveness and recommends enhancements of services.
Coordinates daily tasks related to one or more assigned components of overall programs and/or services as assigned.
Regularly communicates with supervisor and other staff, including student workers, as required or needed in the completion of daily tasks in support of overall goals and objectives.
Prepares and maintains accurate records of daily tasks in accordance with applicable policies and procedures and assures timely communication with supervisor, staff, and students where appropriate.
Gathers data and prepares reports and other information/documentation for supervisory review?related to programs and/or services, or one or more assigned components.
Remains informed of current developments and procedures pertinent to duties; participates in staff development activities; attends meetings, conferences, and other events.
Other Functions and Responsibilities:Trains new hires.
Performs other duties as assigned and/or required that are within the level of responsibility for this classification at the discretion of the supervisor.
Equipment Operated:Computer and all other standard office equipment.
Work Schedule:Typically, Monday through Friday; some evening, weekend, and holiday hours are required; on call rotation may be required.
Supervision Exercised: May exercise supervision over student employees.
Reports to: Associate Director
Qualifications And Competencies
Required Certifications, Training, and/or Licensures:None
Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities
Knowledge of: common business technology platforms, operating systems, security practices, networking, authentication, and services deployment and integration; university policies and procedures; office practices and procedures; department/division goals and objectives; department/division policies and procedures; workplace safety practices and procedures; English grammar and spelling; records management; office management; project management.
Skill in: organization; problem solving in complex technology environments; use of office equipment; typing, data entry; computer operation; use of computer software and other programs applicable to the assigned department*.
Ability to: communicate in an understandable, polite, and professional manner with various stakeholders, both technical and non-technical; successfully work independently with clients and technical support personnel; deal with problems involving several variables within familiar context; define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; determine material and equipment needs; calculate fractions, decimals, and percentages; compile and prepare reports; use proper research methods to gather data; understand a variety of written and/or verbal communications; prepare accurate documentation; maintain records according to established procedures; effectively interact with personnel and public to answer routine questions; train or instruct others; move quickly and effectively from one task to another; work independently and in a team environment; develop and maintain effective working relationships.
(*) Developed after employment.
Minimum Qualifications:Atleast a bachelor's degree and at least two years of related experience.
Preferred Qualifications:Experience with basic subnetting, VLAN creation and assignment, trunking, port channel concepts, and spanning tree awareness, along with a working knowledge of copper and fiber cabling fundamentals and basic switch stacking or standalone switch configuration. Working knowledge of the OSI Model and common networking protocols such as TCP/IP, DHCP, and DNS; LAN and WLAN concepts; basic exposure to WAN and multi-site networking. Experience using network monitoring tools and performing basic troubleshooting with packet captures or diagramming; familiarity with firewall/NAT concepts and wireless security standards. A CompTIA Network certification or progress toward a Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA). Experience in enterprise or higher education environments, along with exposure to supporting Windows and/or Unix/Linux environments.