Network Administrator

About This Role

The Network Administrator responds to and diagnoses network-based functions of the campus network, providing Level II intermediate support between the Help Desk and Systems and Networks. This position requires intermediate expertise in supporting and troubleshooting Ethernet over copper and optical fiber cabling, along with a solid working foundation in networking and systems concepts and implementations. As an important member of the Systems and Networks team, the Network Administrator provides troubleshooting and support of wired and wireless campus network connectivity, network access control, and other functions in support of the campus network.

Responsibilities

• Administer wired and wireless network infrastructure within established operational parameters, escalating significant or system-wide changes to departmental leadership
• Perform support, maintenance, and troubleshooting of building-based network infrastructure within established operational standards and change management guidelines
• Perform routine indoor and outdoor network cabling adds, moves, and changes independently; coordinate with departmental leadership for significant cabling infrastructure changes or new installations
• Coordinate network equipment installations, adds, moves, changes, and decommissioning activities
• Perform routine maintenance, upgrades, firmware patching, and lifecycle replacement activities
• Maintain network documentation, rack diagrams, topology diagrams, standards, and standard operating procedures
• Provide field support and serve as the initial point of escalation for campus network connectivity and network user support beyond the Help Desk
• Monitor network health, performance, availability, and security utilizing network management and monitoring tools
• Analyze, diagnose, and resolve network incidents and service disruptions in a timely manner
• Support indoor and outdoor Ethernet and fiber-optic physical plant infrastructure, including testing, patching, and troubleshooting physical layer connectivity
• Provide support when needed to the Information Security team, assisting with network access control systems and campus network security initiatives
• Assist with enforcement of network security policies, VLAN segmentation, 802.1X authentication, and secure remote access configurations
• Work with third-party vendors to provide support for residence hall networking and IPTV systems for general use
• Collaborate with ITS staff, vendors, and contractors on network-related projects and services
• Provide backup support for enterprise Unified Communications systems
• Serve as an active member of the Systems and Networks team by:
• Participating in the Systems and Networks on-call rotation
• Providing backup support to other team members
• Keeping abreast of information necessary to provide support for network systems and infrastructure
• Maintain a high degree of accountability, trustworthiness, confidentiality, and personal integrity in the management and maintenance of all network systems and access levels provisioned and administered
• Maintain current skills necessary to assume primary and secondary responsibilities
• Apply current technology to meet requirements and improve network operations
• Complete performance review process with supervisor to understand job performance expectations and how they fit into the department and university goals
• Pursue professional development to keep pace with demands for services and information, including maintaining up-to-date knowledge of networking technologies, standards, and best practices
• Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Associate degree or equivalent with a minimum of 2 years of related experience
• Minimum of 2–3 years of hands-on experience administering, configuring, and supporting enterprise-grade wired and wireless network infrastructure
• Tier II problem resolution in support of wired and wireless networks
• Demonstrated experience with network monitoring tools, packet analysis/troubleshooting, and structured copper/fiber cabling infrastructure
• Strong understanding of TCP/IP networking, subnetting, VLANs, trunking, spanning-tree protocols, and routing fundamentals
• Working knowledge of enterprise wireless standards (802.11ax/ac), RF fundamentals, SSID management, and wireless troubleshooting techniques
• Experience with network monitoring and management tools (SNMP, NetFlow/sFlow, syslog, Wireshark)
• Practical understanding of structured cabling standards (Cat6/6A, single-mode and multi-mode fiber optics, patch panels, and optical transceivers)
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and collaboration skills
• Ability to perform well both independently and as a member of a team
• Ability to manage multiple priorities

Nice to have:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Network Engineering, or a related technical field from an accredited four-year college or university
• Industry certifications such as Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), CompTIA Network+, CWNA, or equivalent vendor certifications
• Familiarity with enterprise switching, wireless controllers, and network access control (NAC)
• Experience supporting enterprise VoIP/SIP telecommunications systems

Important Details

• Work conditions: combination of office and field settings, including campus wiring rooms, IDF closets, and outdoor environments. May involve exposure to varied weather conditions and physical demands including crouching, crawling, pushing, pulling, climbing, balancing, lifting, carrying, stooping, kneeling, reaching, and handling.

About the Company

Furman University is an educational institution.