Role Overview
The Network Administrator Associate is to support the daily operations of our Cisco-based network infrastructure in the Macon, GA area. You will be responsible for monitoring network performance, assisting with hardware deployments, and providing initial troubleshooting for connectivity issues.
Core Qualifications
Education: A bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Systems, or a related technical field is typically required. A relevant professional certifications or 4+ years of full-time experience can often substitute for parts of the educational requirement.
Required Cisco Certifications
The following certifications are industry standards for validating skills in a Cisco-heavy environment:
- CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate): The baseline requirement for most entry-to-mid-level roles. It validates foundational knowledge in routing, switching, and wireless access.
- CCNP (Cisco Certified Network Professional): Highly preferred for mid-to-senior analysts. It demonstrates deeper expertise in specific areas like Enterprise Networking or Security.
Essential Technical Skills
Candidates should demonstrate hands-on experience with:
- Hardware: Expertise with Cisco Catalyst Switches (e.g., 6500, 4500 series), ASR/ISR Routers, Cisco 3110 Firewall, and Wireless LAN Controllers (WLC).
- Protocols: Advanced knowledge of TCP/IP, OSPF, BGP, EIGRP, and VLAN trunking.
- Network Analysis Tools: Proficiency in using tools like Wireshark for packet analysis and SolarWinds for performance monitoring.
- Connectivity Services: Configuring and troubleshooting VPNs, DNS, DHCP, and MPLS environments.
Key Responsibilities
- Monitoring & Performance: Analyzing network traffic to identify bottlenecks and ensure 24/7-365 reliability for mission-critical operations.
- Security Implementation: Managing Cisco ASA or Firepower firewalls, testing VPN stability, and ensuring compliance with federal security standards like NIST SP 800-171.
- Troubleshooting: Acting as a Tier II or Tier III escalation point for complex connectivity and data flow issues.