Network Technician

Christensen Farms; Sleepy Eye (MN); On-site; USD 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) plan

Paid holidays

Hybrid work options

Job summary

Christensen Farms in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, seeks a Network Technician to install, troubleshoot, and maintain LAN/WAN networks across our Midwest operations, ensuring security and uptime while following strict biosecurity standards.

You will travel to field locations to set up connections, alarm systems, and telecommunications, collaborating with vendors to procure equipment and provide on-site training. The role requires 2+ years in networking and knowledge of TCP/IP and Cisco Meraki gear.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree or equivalent experience in IT/Networking.
• 2+ years in a technical support or networking role.
• Strong understanding of LAN/WAN, TCP/IP, and network hardware.
• Experience with on-site maintenance and troubleshooting.

Responsibilities

• Install, configure, and maintain network connections, cabling, wireless access points, and security devices at remote sites.
• Troubleshoot connectivity issues and system failures to sustain performance.
• Install and maintain alarm lines, VOIP and POTS, and other communications infrastructure.
• Evaluate and improve network performance through maintenance and testing.
• Perform hardware repairs of network equipment to ensure uptime.
• Coordinate with vendors for equipment purchases and installations.
• Provide on-site technical guidance and training to colleagues.

Skills

Troubleshooting

Communication

Organization

Problem-solving

On-site support

Education

Associate's degree in IT/Networking or related field

Tools

Cisco Meraki

LAN/WAN hardware

VoIP & POTS

Job description

Christensen Farms is one of the largest, family-owned pork producers in the United States, marketing approximately 3 million hogs per year. Headquartered in Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, our 50 year old company operates throughout the Midwest with facilities in Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, and South Dakota. Christensen Farms owns three feed mills, manages 140,000 sows on 44 farms, and oversees more than 350 nurseries and grow-finish sites. Our organization employs nearly 1,000 people and maintains 1,500 contract partnerships. We are an industry leader with a proven commitment to ethical practices, food safety, and nutrition. Join our team!

Position Overview:

The Network Technician will support and maintain reliable connectivity across our operations throughout the Midwest. In this role, you will be responsible for installing, troubleshooting, and maintaining LAN and WAN technologies, ensuring that network systems remain secure, consistent, and optimized across multiple remote sites. The Network Technician will travel to field locations to set up new connections, implement alarm and communication systems, and maintain critical network infrastructure while adhering to strict biosecurity standards.

What You Will Do:

• Install, configure, and maintain standardized network connections, cabling, wireless access points, and security devices across geographically distributed remote sites.
• Troubleshoot and resolve connectivity issues, network bottlenecks, and system failures to maintain long-term performance and reliability.
• Install and maintain alarm lines, phone systems (VOIP and POTS), and other communication infrastructure.
• Evaluate and improve network performance through regular maintenance, upgrades, and testing.
• Perform hardware repairs, including network and peripheral equipment, to ensure continuous uptime.
• Work directly with vendors to procure equipment, coordinate installations, and ensure service quality.
• Provide technical guidance and on-site training to colleagues as needed, supporting network-related processes and troubleshooting.

What You Offer Us:

• Associate's degree in Information Technology, Networking, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 2+ years of experience working in a technical support or networking role.
• Strong understanding of LAN/WAN technologies, TCP/IP protocols, and network hardware configuration.
• Hands-on experience troubleshooting connectivity issues and performing on-site system maintenance.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical users.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to multitask and prioritize effectively.
• Working knowledge of Cisco or Meraki networking equipment and related technologies.
• Commitment to safety, biosecurity, and maintaining high professional and ethical standards.

What We Offer You:

• Take advantage of hands-on leadership opportunities, ongoing training, and clear career advancement paths within a collaborative team environment that values hard work, accountability, and personal growth across all levels of the organization.
• We offer a comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, a flexible spending account (FSA), life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, a 401(k) plan, paid holidays, paid time off bank, an employee assistance program (EAP), and more.
• Be an active part of an organization that gives back to the community in many ways – including feed programs that support local farms, food shelf programs, food support for veterans, agriculture education and promotion, FFA/4H support, charitable contributions, etc.
• A company that has a passionate purpose for food safety, animal welfare, and for living its core values every day – respect, integrity, excellence, adaptability, and innovation.
• A culture that fosters employee growth, hybrid work options, promotion from within, and a highly team-oriented workplace environment.
• The targeted base pay range for this role is $52,000 to $70,000with this range reflecting differences in candidate knowledge, skills, and experience.

Reports To:

Sr. Technology Services Manager

Christensen Farms promotes a culture of inclusion and strives to attract a diverse set of candidates for each of our open positions. We are an equal employment opportunity employer and proud to offer employment and growth opportunities to all candidates without regard to race, color, ancestry, religion, gender, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or veteran status.