Network Specialist

The University Information Services (UIS) has a new permanent full-time position on Grade 7 for a Network Specialist in the Network Systems Team.

Under the guidance of the Senior Network Specialist, and working within a highly supportive and collaborative team of 8, you will be responsible for designing, building, operating and supporting:

- The University's internet connections to its supplier, Janet.
- The University's backbone network, the University Data Network (UDN).
- The Data Centre Network (DCN).
- Multiple customer networks.
- The University DNS environment, acting as the University Hostmaster.

The team undertakes a broad spectrum of activities and you should expect to work in several different areas. As such, you will be expected to:

- Work on various interconnected network systems, such as routers, switches and firewalls.
- Monitor the network estate to detect and resolve operational issues.
- Respond timely to customer service requests, such as standard network changes to switches, creating new logical networks (VLANs and IP subnets) or making changes to the University DNS.
- Manage minor projects, co-ordinating between the team and stakeholders both inside and outside the UIS and University.
- Liaise with customers on a day-to-day basis to resolve network issues.
- Keep your technical skills relevant and up to date and help colleagues develop their skills, with support from the University.

You must:

- Have a solid grasp of networking fundamentals, specifically switching.
- Be enthusiastic, persuasive and able to use their own initiative.
- Be able to build relationships with colleagues and customers at all levels of the organisation.
- Have excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Be educated to either degree level qualification or Level 6 vocational qualification, have attained an industry standard certification or able to demonstrate an equivalent level of experience.

Your experience includes: -Working in a dynamic IT environment and managing technical activities and tasks assigned.
- Knowledge of switching concepts and protocols, such as VLANs, Ethernet, ARP and LLDP.
- Troubleshooting Layer 2 and 3 network issues through understanding of the OSI model and other networking protocols, technologies and concepts such as DHCP, DNS and IP subnetting (IPv4 and IPv6).

The following would be useful:

- Working at an operational level to deliver core technologies.
- Designing network solutions and services that meet business objectives.
- Understanding of routing and dynamic routing protocols, such as OSPF, ISIS and BGP.
- Scripting using languages such as Python.
- Experience of using Linux based systems.
- Network automation (Git, Ansible and YANG).
- Exposure to Software Defined Networking (DCN or Campus).
- Experience with Cisco (Catalyst and NXOS), Aruba (CX switch platform) and Fortinet.
- Strong planning skills.
- Familiarity with internet standards and RFCs.

The team have many exciting projects over the next few years, such as overhauling the Janet connection for increased bandwidth and security, making use of Software Defined Networks and exploring dynamic Network Access Control (NAC) services. If you are looking for exposure to true enterprise-level network technologies this is the role for you. Investment within our staff is paramount, we understand not everyone has the skills needed and plenty of support and instruction will be on offer, so even if you think you do not fit all the criteria we strongly encouraged to apply.

The position is based at the UIS West Cambridge Site. Currently, you can expect to work in a hybrid fashion. Core hours are typically between 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday. However, this can be reasonably adjusted depending on your needs.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.