Network Specialist 2 - Columbus AFB, MS

M.C. Dean; Columbus (MS); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Leadership training

Tuition reimbursement

Open communication with leadership

Job summary

M.C. Dean is seeking a Network Specialist 2 within the SES Business Unit to support the U.S. Air Force Education and Training Center.

The role covers network installation, configuration, maintenance, and security oversight, with engagement across design, testing, and operations. Strong ITIL, security, and collaboration skills are required. Responsibilities include testing, QA, and periodic maintenance; the candidate must be able to work with field engineers and project teams while supporting a

Qualifications

• Understanding of ITIL concepts and security implications for network solutions.
• Knowledge of network concepts, technologies, and design principles.
• familiarity with system development methodology and project management.
• Strong communication, writing and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Survey reports measurement results in actionable form for senior personnel and management.
• Install, configure, and maintain network services, equipment, and devices.
• Assist senior engineers in designing and testing and resolving issues.
• Troubleshoot complex network problems and implement improvements.
• Support a 24/7 on-call schedule.
• Document procedures and troubleshooting for network operations.
• Prepare test plans and commissioning procedures.
• Commission deployed systems.

Skills

ITIL concepts

Network security

Networking concepts

System architecture

Problem solving

Oral communication

Technical writing

Presentation skills

Team collaboration

Education

High School Diploma

Associate's Degree

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering/CS/IT

Tools

Cisco

Aruba

Juniper

Arista

Wireshark

PuTTY

Visio

Job description

Network Specialist 2 – Security and Electronic Systems (SES) Business Unit

Position supports the U.S. Air Force Education and Training Center.

Responsibilities

Technical:

• Survey reports measurement results in actionable form for senior personnel and management.
• Conduct surveys, inspections, tours, etc. of client sites as required.

Design:

• Install, configure, and maintain network services, equipment, and devices.
• Work closely with field engineers to simulate expected system level performance and provide quick feedback on potential improvement.
• Assist senior network engineers to identify and resolve network security issues.
• Support network designs for each SLA classification; prepare design documents for small projects and large programs.
• Assist senior engineers in preparing designs, including narrative design documents, systems designs, subsystem designs (CAD, panels, layouts, wiring, hardware, communications).
• Prepare specifications, perform QA/QC and technical reviews of designs.
• Comment on resolution testing and commissioning review/approval of test plans (safety, risk, manufacturability).
• Author test plans, lead and supervise testing activities.
• Author testing and commissioning procedures.
• Prepare test reports.
• Commission deployed systems.
• Develop test fixtures and simulation devices.
• Generate standard PITCO plans and procedures.

Service & Maintenance:

• Troubleshoot and debug complex network problems and recommend operational efficiency improvements.
• Perform preventative maintenance (software/hardware/firmware upgrades), including security updates and performance upgrades; schedule maintenance.
• Originate and submit maintenance plans and provide rollback plans.
• Serve as backup for team members during paid time off.
• Perform hardware and software upgrades and replacements on existing systems.
• Support a 24/7 on‑call schedule.

System Analysis and Reporting:

• Document crucial working procedures and troubleshooting for network operations.
• Employ moderate understanding of network administration as related to business operations.
• Assist team members in identifying and resolving basic/moderate network/telecom issues.
• Interpret and analyze results versus established benchmarks and goals.
• Work with project managers to meet expectations for network tasks.
• Complete project tasks and assignments to meet deadlines.
• Contribute to own team and related teams through quality and accuracy of output.
• Perform research on available technologies and products as needed by operations or project managers.

Qualifications

Clearance/Citizen Type: Applicants must be eligible for a U.S. Citizenship and subject to a government security investigation. Ability to obtain a DoD Secret clearance is required.

Education:

• High School Diploma with 8+ years of progressive experience.
• Associate's Degree with 6+ years of progressive experience.
• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology (IT), or related discipline and 2+ years of progressive experience.

Technical Skills:

• Understanding of ITIL concepts.
• Understanding of security issues and implications for network solutions.
• Knowledge of network concepts, technologies, tools and philosophies; ability to design an organization’s network infrastructure and services.
• Knowledge of system development methodology, project management, system architecture, and analytical/problem‑solving skills.

Communication Skills:

• Strong oral, technical writing, and presentation skills.
• Ability to build productive relationships with team members, clients and other network/system stakeholders.
• Ability to establish working relationships with others outside area of expertise.

Behavioral Skills:

• Ability to balance high quality standards with schedule pressures in a demanding environment.
• Resourceful, self‑starter, flexible, pro‑active, solution‑oriented, and customer‑oriented.

Preferred Experience:

• Reading network and connectivity schematics and plans.
• Network system startup, configuration, and calibration.
• Testing and troubleshooting.
• Use of basic electrical and machinist hand tools.
• Use of testing, calibration, or industry‑specific tools and software (spectrum analyzer, cable tester, alignment tool).
• Ticketing and monitoring toolsets.
• Knowledge of one or more IT/Network platforms such as Cisco, Aruba, Juniper, or Arista.
• Standard network software: Visio, Wireshark, PuTTY, CLI, etc.
• Knowledge of cybersecurity and STIG applications to network systems.

What We Offer

• Collaborative team inspired by engineering and innovation to improve customer outcomes.
• Opportunity to lead and build a business with the support of an industry‑leading firm with 75 years of experience.
• Investment in your skills and expertise through professional and technical training programs, including leadership training and tuition reimbursement.
• Open and transparent communication with senior leadership and local office management.

Abilities

• Exposure to computer screens for an extended period.
• Sitting for extended periods.
• Reach by extending hands or arms in any direction.
• Have finger dexterity to manipulate objects with fingers rather than whole hands or arms, e.g., using a keyboard.
• Listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• Read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
• Apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
• Identify and understand the speech of another person.