Network Administrator

Vertex Education; Arizona; On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Industry-leading pay

Rewards & referral bonuses

Unlimited flexible time-off

Medical, dental and vision benefits

401(k) with 6% employer match

Job summary

Vertex Education seeks an experienced Network Administrator to deploy and optimize wired and wireless networks across multiple school sites. You will ensure security, monitoring, and compliance with CIPA/FERPA while supporting cloud-based solutions and classroom technology.

The role requires 3+ years in network administration, familiarity with enterprise-grade Wi‑Fi and modern firewall platforms, and strong Windows/Google Workspace administration.

Qualifications

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in IT, Computer Science, or a related field (or equivalent experience). 3+ years of network administration experience, preferably in education or MSP environments.
• Knowledge of TCP/IP, DHCP, DNS, VLANs, OSPF, BGP protocols. Experience with Cisco, Meraki, Fortinet, Palo Alto, or Ubiquiti networks. Proficiency in high-density Wi‑Fi (802.11ax, roaming, controller-based Wi‑Fi). Familiarity with firewalls, content filtering, and K‑12 cybersecurity best practices. Experience with Windows Server, Active Directory, Google Workspace, and Office 365.

Responsibilities

• Network Management & Optimization: Deploy, configure, and maintain wired and wireless networks across multiple school sites. Optimize enterprise-grade Wi‑Fi solutions. Configure VLANs, VPNs, firewalls, and content filtering. Implement bandwidth management and traffic shaping.
• Security & Compliance: Implement and maintain compliance with CIPA and FERPA. Deploy firewall rules, IDS/IPS, web filtering. Support zero-trust and endpoint protection. Monitor network security incidents.
• Monitoring & Troubleshooting: Monitor network health using tools like Auvik and Panorama. Resolve Wi‑Fi disruptions and bandwidth congestion. Collaborate with helpdesk on escalated tickets.
• Cloud & Hybrid Network Solutions: Manage cloud-based networking in Azure, AWS, and Google Workspace. Support VoIP and video conferencing. Integrate classroom tech. Align hybrids with educational needs.
• Client Support & Documentation: Provide on-site and remote support. Maintain documentation of configurations and recovery plans. Train school IT personnel on security and troubleshooting.

Skills

Network administration

TCP/IP

Wi‑Fi expertise

Firewall & content filtering

Windows Server / Active Directory / G/

Education

Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in IT / CS or equivalent experience

Tools

Cisco

Meraki

Fortinet

Palo Alto

Ubiquiti

Auvik

Panorama

Google Workspace

Office 365

Windows Server

Active Directory

Job description

Be the one who makes a difference! At Vertex Education we are a team of high achievers, courageous leaders, and passionate believers in changing lives through education. As a purpose‑led education services provider, our mission is destined to benefit many and yet it starts with just one person inspired to work together with us to make a memorable and meaningful difference for our clients, schools, students, and communities. Be the one who makes a difference- with us.

Key Responsibilities

• Network Management & Optimization:

  Deploy, configure, and maintain wired and wireless networks across multiple school sites. Manage and optimize enterprise‑grade Wi‑Fi solutions (e.g., Juniper Mist, Ubiquiti). Configure and troubleshoot VLANs, VPNs, firewalls, and content filtering solutions. Implement bandwidth management and traffic shaping best practices.

• Security & Compliance:

  Implement and maintain compliance with CIPA and FERPA regulations. Deploy and manage firewall rules, IDS/IPS systems, and web content filtering. Support cybersecurity initiatives, including zero‑trust and endpoint protection. Monitor and respond to network security incidents.

• Monitoring & Troubleshooting:

  Continuously monitor network health using tools like Auvik and Panorama. Resolve issues such as Wi‑Fi disruptions and bandwidth congestion. Collaborate with helpdesk on escalated network tickets. Implement proactive measures to minimize classroom network downtime.

• Cloud & Hybrid Network Solutions:

  Manage cloud‑based networking in Azure, AWS, and Google Workspace. Support VoIP and video conferencing platforms like Zoom and Google Meet. Integrate classroom technologies (LMS, student devices, interactive tools). Align hybrid network solutions with evolving educational needs.

• Client Support & Documentation:

  Provide on‑site and remote network support to school teams. Maintain detailed documentation of network configurations and recovery plans. Train school IT personnel on security, troubleshooting, and best practices. Collaborate with school leadership and IT to align networks with academic goals.

Required Qualifications

• Education & Experience:

  Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in IT, Computer Science, or a related field (or equivalent experience). 3+ years of network administration experience, preferably in education or MSP environments.

• Technical Expertise:

  Knowledge of TCP/IP, DHCP, DNS, VLANs, OSPF, BGP protocols. Experience with Cisco, Meraki, Fortinet, Palo Alto, or Ubiquiti networks. Proficiency in high‑density Wi‑Fi (802.11ax, roaming, controller‑based Wi‑Fi). Familiarity with firewalls, content filtering, and K‑12 cybersecurity best practices. Experience with Windows Server, Active Directory, Google Workspace, and Office 365.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certifications such as CCNA, CompTIA Network+, Fortinet NSE, or Meraki CMNA.
• Experience managing 1:1 student device deployments (e.g., Chromebooks, iPads).
• Knowledge of E‑rate funding and network infrastructure grants.
• Understanding of K‑12 cybersecurity risks and compliance needs.
• Experience with Google Admin Console and Microsoft Intune.

Be excited to be a part of our team and grow your career with us! Be the one who enables us to positively impact over 258,000 students across multiple states while driving our growth forward so we can enrich even more lives.

Be the one who helps us achieve excellence for over 226 schools that we support with academics, finance, technology, human resources, communications, marketing, facilities, construction, and food services.

Be the one who is a diverse thinker, a team player, a smart risk taker, an innovator, and a difference maker by encouraging others to climb higher and reach farther to further education.

Be yourself surrounded by wonderful people who care about you, value your unique skills, and lift you up.

Be supported in your work by caring leaders and team members who want you to succeed.

Be empowered to make a difference and climb higher and reach farther to change lives through education.

Be well in all aspects of your life from your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing to your finances.

• Enjoy industry‑leading pay, rewards, referral bonuses, with unlimited flexible paid time‑off for performance.
• Be able to care for your health and your family with comprehensive medical, dental and vision benefits and invest in your future with 401(k) plans with a 6% employer match on your contributions.
• Enhance your growth and development with mentoring and money to take training classes.

Thrive in a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive environment where we treat others with fairness and respect, celebrate diversity, and elevate equality and inclusion as an equal opportunity employer.

Be the one who makes a difference! With an innovative mind, a hungry heart, and engaging spirit you can change lives through education. Be a part of Vertex Education and let’s make a difference together.

Founded in 2007, Vertex Education is committed to changing lives through education by providing academic, business and development services to schools nationwide.

At Vertex, three core values form the foundation of how we work with each other -- and our clients. These values are characteristics and qualities we offer to our clients, and to one another as colleagues on our quest to change lives through education. We offer to all projects and relationships the embodiment of these values: Innovative Minds Hungry Hearts Engaging Spirits