at Ozarks Electric Cooperative in Fayetteville, Arkansas, United States
Job Description
Network Architect
+ 20-Oct-2021 to 29-Oct-2021 (CST)
+ Fayetteville, AR, USA
+ Full Time
POSITION SUMMARY The Network Architect is responsible for the designing, planning, engineering, building, operation, maintenance, and overall performance and availability of the enterprise-wide network and security infrastructure within Ozarks Electric. He or she will analyze the network and recommend upgrades and changes and develop a budget plan to accomplish his or her design plans. He or she is directly responsible for hardware and software purchases to fulfill the designing and planning objectives based on our organization’s current and future network needs while adhering to approved budgets. He or she will supervise daily operations of the network team and will provide guidance and directional contribution for IT networking strategies and initiatives within OECC. REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS Reports to: IT Operations Manager Manages: Technical projects and associated 3rd party relationships Supervises: Network Engineering Team MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES+ Performs complex design, engineering, implementation, maintenance, and upgrade of the local area networks (LAN)s and/or wide area network (WAN), and/or security infrastructure.
+ Provides technical leadership for the development, maintenance, and support of the OECC infrastructure and architecture (e.g. routers, switches, firewalls, VPN concentrators, load balancers, intrusion detection systems, event correlation systems, and other network systems.)
+ Supervises the Network Engineering Team to ensure successful daily operation and availability of the network.
+ Delivers well designed and engineered solutions that are integrated with the existing or defined IT architecture and services framework. Ensures that these solutions meet clearly defined technical performance requirements.
+ Drives the collaborative technical development of the networking strategy for IT which includes the technical solutions, standards, roadmaps and practices.
+ Provides leadership in the management of technical projects and the subsequent 3rd party solution providers, including preparation of activity and progress reports regarding assigned projects as necessary.
+ Designs, installs, monitors, and troubleshoots network, server and security system technologies. Performs testing, installation and maintenance of new or modified systems. Maintains thorough knowledge of existing network and/or security hardware and software in use.
+ Develops and nurtures consensus and working relationships with technical teams from other OECC departments to ensure coordination and integration in enterprise projects and programs.
+ Promotes the development and reuse of common solutions, components and services for all OECC network infrastructures (e.g. office networks, wide area networks, substation networks, SCADA networks, Wireless, etc.)
+ Creates documentation pertinent to the design, operation and support of IT policies, procedures and infrastructure. Periodically reviews documentation of environments supported to ensure that documentation is accurate and up-to-date.
+ Provides pertinent budget forecasting and analysis for network, substation network, server, and information security infrastructures. Proactively anticipates networking and/or security needs for planning and budgeting.
+ Collaborates with other technical teams in the exchange and transfer of knowledge, and in the development and evolution of standards, guidelines and reference resources.
+ Develops business continuity and disaster recovery plans, and maintains working knowledge of plan. Responds to critical network outages in accordance with business continuity and disaster recovery plans.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities. TheNetwork Architectmay be required to perform any other duties assigned to fulfill the objectives of the Cooperative. EXTERNAL CONTACTS Telecom/WAN providers, Software/hardware support providers, Training providers, and other NRECA affiliates. POSITION SPECIFICATIONS Education, Job knowledge and Training: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or equivalent required. At least five years experience of Network Engineering and/or Administration or combination of, required. Cisco or Juniper LAN/WAN/Wireless networking experience, training, and certification required. In-depth knowledge of Cisco and Juniper hardware and operating systems required. Firewall experience and training preferred. Must maintain up-to-date knowledge of uses and functions of IT equipment and related programming/technical requirements. Certifications: At least one Certification in Cisco Certified Design Associate/ Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCDA/CCNA), Cisco Certified Network Professional/ Cisco Certified Design Professional (CCNP/CCDP) required or may substitute with Juniper-related certifications. Equipment Operated: All specific equipment related to Information Technology as well as routine office equipment. Abilities and Skills: Must demonstrate the ability to communicate technical information both written and verbally to immediate supervisors, peers and end users. Demonstrated ability to create detailed technical and business documentation required. Physical Effort: Occasional lifting, up to 25 pounds, required. Normal vision and hearing required. Working Conditions:Work is performed in an office environment with higher and/or longer noise level than average. Weekends, evening hours, overtime and/or overnight travel will often be necessary. The physical activities and environmental characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and expectations. Ozarks Electric is an EOE/AA/W/M/VETERAN/Disability employer