Network Administrator, Network Operations

CENIC; La Mirada (CA); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

403(b) retirement plan with match

Paid time off & holidays

Job summary

CENIC, headquartered in California, operates the CalREN network connecting education and research institutions. The Network Administrator is a full-time, hybrid position reporting to the Manager, Network Operations.

The role centers on monitoring, troubleshooting, and coordinating maintenance across the statewide network. You will work with Network Engineers, handle tickets and notifications, and support outages.

Qualifications

• 1–2 years of supporting customers and resolving issues in a live network production environment.

Responsibilities

• Monitor CENIC networks to detect problems and resolve them with assistance from Network Engineers.
• Participate in daily triage shift rotation and respond to alarms, emails, and tickets.
• Review and contribute to daily shift turnover reports.
• Assist with proactive monitoring of pre-production devices and burn-in testing.
• Troubleshoot problems, including interaction with carriers, vendors, and Network Engineers.
• Open tickets for simple circuit bounces, monitor, and resolve.
• Assist Network Engineers with telco and TAC support tickets for outages.
• Respond to service requests via phone and ticketing system.
• Coordinate hub site access requests and notifications to the community about outages and maintenance.
• Process vendor and campus maintenance activities and shipment/return of equipment.

Skills

Customer support

Network operations

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Attention to detail

Education

CCNA or similar certificate

Network fundamentals

Tools

Ticketing system

Network monitoring platform

Job description

Join the team that connects California to the world — advancing education and research statewide by providing the world-class computing network essential for innovation, collaboration, and economic growth. Our organization operates the California Research and Education Network (CalREN), a high-capacity computer network with more than 8,000 miles of optical fiber. The network serves over 20 million users across California, including the vast majority of K-20 students, together with educators, researchers, and individuals at other vital public-serving institutions.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Manager, Network Operations, the Network Administrator is a full-time position.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

None

LOCATION:

Hybrid

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Monitor

Proactively monitoring CENIC networks to detect problems and resolve them with assistance from Network Engineers as needed.

Participate in daily triage shift rotation and respond to new alarms, emails, and tickets.

Review and contribute to daily shift turnover reports

Assist with proactive monitoring of pre-production devices and completing burn-in testing.

Troubleshoot

Problem troubleshooting and resolution, including interaction with carriers, vendors, and Network Engineers

Open tickets for simple circuit bounces, continue to monitor, and then resolve.

Assist Network Engineers with opening telco and TAC support tickets for outages.

Customer Service

Initial problem troubleshooting with CENIC associates, resolving issues with assistance from Network Engineers as needed

Respond to service requests via phone and ticketing system

Responsible for coordinating hub site access requests

Assist with sending notifications to our community related to outages and maintenance.

Maintenances

Responsible for processing vendor and campus maintenance activities

Coordinating shipment of equipment to associate and hub sites

Coordinating the return of equipment to La Mirada

Process non-impacting change control requests from senior engineering.

Assist with post-maintenance tasks.

Process Readiness and Decommissioning of new devices and circuits.

Documentation

Participation in updating and revising policies, procedures, technical reports, documentation, and internal training material

Maintain accurate inventory for network equipment, which includes investigating and resolving inventory discrepancies.

OKR Execution: Sets, monitors, and achieves OKRs that align with organizational goals.

Identifies and implements data-driven enhancements to processes, systems, and outcomes.

Tracks progress, adjusts plans as needed, and ensures measurable results.

Special Projects

Participate and assist in special projects involving operations and/or external groups within the organization.

KEY SUCCESS FACTORS:

Ability to prioritize and complete tasks assigned in a timely manner

Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work well in a team-oriented environment

Strong customer service orientation and/or ability

Can think critically by approaching problems with a holistic approach.

Motivated and proactive in learning new and existing technologies.

Adept at understanding technical information and learning new concepts

Independent worker with a high degree of self-motivation

Keen attention to detail, avoiding shortcuts that may adversely impact the quality of work

Ability to consider, understand, and prioritize security (and privacy, where applicable) principles, practices, and procedures in all aspects of your role with CENIC.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

1-2 years of supporting customers and resolving issues in a live network production environment.

Completed formal courses or earned recognized certificates in networking.

Experience with installing, upgrading, and securing network equipment and services.

Prepare announcements for maintenance activities or network outages.

Experience with installing, upgrading, and securing network equipment and services.

Experience using a ticketing system and network monitoring platform.

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

CCNA, JNCIA, or CompTIA Network+ certification

Basic knowledge of IP-based networking, including knowledge of routing protocols

Familiarity with office productivity tools such as email, calendaring, and MS Office applications

Basic knowledge of computers and network security,

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

This position operates in a professional office environment with standard office equipment, including computers, telephones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets.

WORK HOURS:

The Network Operations Center ("NOC") is a 24 hours per day/7 days per week/365 days per year operation. The regular work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM on any day of the week.Evening and weekend work may be required based on CENIC’s business demands

WORK AUTHORIZATION:

Documented Proof of identity and legal eligibility to work in the United States.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

CENIC does not offer STEM OPT training opportunities and cannot complete Form I-983.

WHY WORK AT CENIC?

Company Culture:Small teams and a collaborative environment provide the opportunity to make a large impact in a small organization.

Community Engagement:We work with research and education institutions in the largest state economy in the United States. Your work has meaning.

Generous Health Benefit Package: We value ouremployees' wellness. We offer a variety of medical, dental, and vision benefits. We have you covered with life, short-term, and long-term insurance. We also offer pet insurance at a discount.

Paid Time Off:We offer liberal vacation and sick leave, plus 15 paid holidays.

Investment in Your Future:CENIC contributes to your 403(b) even if you don't. We also offer matching contributions. Pre-tax and Roth options are also available.

CENIC is an equal opportunity employer – Vets/disabled