Network Engineering, Wireless Specialist

Department
 

F&A ITS - Network Engineering and Operations Manager

About the Department
 

IT Services collaborates with campus partners to support the mission of the University of Chicago through the consistent delivery of high-quality solutions and services. • We provide secure, stable, and reliable infrastructure and applications to support the mission of the University. • We support and enable faculty research and teaching with the effective use of technology. • We simplify the technology experience for faculty, students, alumni, and staff, and we ensure technology is mobile-friendly and accessible. • We identify, manage, and mitigate the technology risks of the University.

Job Summary
 

This position develops network systems by applying engineering, hardware, and software design theories and principles to create a compatible system infrastructure aligned with University strategies. The role assists with developing, designing, implementing, and supporting a wireless network system by applying engineering, hardware, and software design theories and principles.

Responsibilities

• Executes the planning, deployment, and improvement of the University’s Wi-Fi networks from standardized designs to implementation and turn-up by collaborating with vendors, managers, and team members.
• Consults and determines client requirements to deliver solutions to their appropriate needs.
• Provides solutions for product life-cycle upgrade management.
• Implements and supports plans to address consistent and potential wireless network problems.
• Plans for future strategies and initiatives to maintain the wireless network operating at high performance.
• Collaborates with various IT groups and departments internally and throughout campus on supporting client connectivity issues and improvements.
• Trains in-house staff on wireless technologies.
• Implements solutions to continuously test network performance.
• Installs any necessary hardware or software, including those for backups or to monitor system performance.
• Troubleshoots incidents and tasks to minimize downtime.
• Develops plans on deploying access points appropriately and effectively.
• Conducts Wi-Fi site visits for troubleshooting and site surveys.
• Uses in-depth knowledge and experience to monitor and support connectivity services such as wireless and VoIP. Tests workload, monitors network capacity and performance, and diagnoses and resolves complex network problems.
• Manages the installation of network hardware, communications wiring, wireless telecommunication facilities, communications software, and other network components. Identifies problems with network components and services. Conducts trending and analysis of network traffic patterns and makes recommendations.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

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Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

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Certifications:

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) - Cisco

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• College degree in a related field.

Experience:

• Minimum of three years of Wi-Fi experience in information technology operation environments with similar technologies.
• Two years managing, implementing, and deploying Wi-Fi networks.
• Hands-on experience with Wi-Fi networks, network administration and network installation.
• Hands-on experience with various wireless endpoints – PCs, tablets, mobile and smart/IoT devices.
• ​Experience with customer experience monitoring solutions.

Certifications:

• Cisco CCNA or Aruba ACMA.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Cisco CCNP Wireless, WLNP, or equivalent.
• Cisco or Aruba Wireless.
• Ekahau or Airmagnet Wi-Fi survey tool.
• Routing and switching technologies from Cisco, Juniper or Arista.
• Knowledge of routing, switching, wireless, and firewall technologies.
• Basic knowledge of automation principles.
• Basic understanding and use of UNIX commands.
• Basic knowledge of Bash, Python, Perl or equivalent scripting.

Preferred Competencies

• Strong verbal and written communication skills to demonstrate understanding in technical groups of people and one-on-one.
• Convey complicated technical concepts to non-technical clients and IT partners.
• Handle a workload that is not necessarily predictable and may come with peaks and valleys.
• Project management skills, including planning, time management and prioritization.
• Strong customer service and interpersonal skills.
• Strong problem-solving, critical thinking and decision-making skills.
• Active listening skills.

Working Conditions

• Respond to phone calls about network emergencies, which may come at any time.
• Some evening/weekend work.
• On-call rotation.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)

When applying, the document(s) MUST  be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family
 

Information Technology

Role Impact
 

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status
 

Exempt

Pay Frequency
 

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

37.5

Benefits Eligible
 

Yes

Drug Test Required
 

No

Health Screen Required
 

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Posting Statement
 

Employees must comply with the University’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements. More information about the requirements can be found on the University of Chicago Vaccination GoForward .
The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

 

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

 

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu . Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.