How to Apply

To apply for this position, please include a copy of your resume & a cover letter (this should be the first page of your resume) – click the Apply Now button above. Your cover letter should:

The salary for this position will be commensurate with the qualifications, experience, and education of the selected candidate. Please note: The minimum salary of $65,000 does not apply if this position is under-filled at the intermediate level.

Job Summary

Come join a team of passionate and hard-working individuals at a non-profit serving Michigan’s public universities, colleges, K-12 organizations, libraries, state government, healthcare and other Michigan non-profit organizations! This position will be an integral part of the Merit team.

Technical Operations consists of talented, enthusiastic people who are at Merit because they believe in Merit’s mission, and because they enjoy what they do. Technical Operations are driven by Merit values and are committed to making a difference in Merit communities. As part of Technical Operations, the Network Operations team provides high performing network services, infrastructure, security and support to Merit members, customers and staff.

The Network Operations Engineer will report to the Senior Manager of Network Engineering. The qualified individual will be responsible for network operations to install, operate, administer and assist in setting the technical direction of Merit Network staff and customers.

This position will require flexible hours, participation in on-call rotation, and work outside normal business hours to support network changes and upgrades during defined maintenance windows.

To learn more about Merit Network, please visit our website: https://www.merit.edu/

What You'll Do

Essential functions for this position are followed be an (E).

As the Network Operations Engineer, this position’s key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Operational Support Activity (60%):

Configure and install Core, Metro and Edge network equipment with inter and intra-routing sessions. (E)

Provide third-tier network trouble shooting resolution for routing and other service related issues. (E)

Configure and support BGP peering sessions with external peers and customers. (E)

Sales support, including meeting on site with members, phone consultations and develop scope of work plans for members. (E)

Network Engineering, Planning, and Project Activity (30%):

Lead team members to evaluate operational procedures and recommend changes or create new procedures, when needed. (E)

Recommend technologies and equipment to management for new network service requirements. Work with product development on new services to be carried on the Merit network. (E)

Team leadership responsibility on network and service projects, including monitoring and measurement tools needed to operate a statewide IP network. (E)

Develop training material and provide training for Operations, Member Services, Support Center staff, and members. (E)

Participate in network engineering planning and change review teams. (E)

Attend statewide and national technology forums and participate in presentations at these forums. (E)

Additional duties will require working with research partners and vendors on network research projects.

Initiate data entry and create data management tracking processes.

Miscellaneous (10%):

Establish group subject matter expertise in infrastructure platforms and back up and participate in knowledge transfers with team members. (E)

Provide operational/supplemental analysis and reporting as needed for operations, IT and finance partners. (E)

Participate in professional development activities to continually improve skills and knowledge in the areas of, networking services and customer service. (E)

Who We Are

Merit Network is a non-profit, Member-owned organization governed by Michigan’s public universities. Founded in 1966, Merit owns and operates America’s longest-running regional research and education network. After 50 years of innovation, Merit continues to provide high-performance services to the educational communities in Michigan and beyond.

Skills You Have

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related major, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Minimum of two (2) years of experience with network engineering infrastructure and/or field service engineering

Hardware knowledge and problem solving skills are essential.

Network-based service monitoring and management tool experience with focus on trouble and service issue resolution

Ability to work alone as an individual contributor, or as a technical lead / SME.

TCP/IP network management with expert knowledge of IPv4/IPv6, BGP, OSPF, and multicast routing protocols in a LAN/WAN network environment.

Experience with using diagnostic tools such as IPERF, Multicast Beacons, OTDR and optical power/light meters

Ability to develop and recommend network solutions and procedures for a statewide regional network that carries unified services to an educational, research and medical community.

Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

Experience with technical tools, updating database software, Microsoft Word, Excel and Adobe Acrobat pro.

Strong desire to provide exceptional service to the Merit community.

Ability to contribute and collaborate effectively as a member of a highly-functioning and productive team.

Be available to work overtime on short notice when required and participate in on-call duties.

Desired Qualifications

Knowledge of Layer 2 technologies using cross platform switching fabrics.

Valid certification CCNA/CCNP and/or JNCIA/JNCIS.

Knowledge of LAN/WAN systems, networks and applications, including TCP/IP networking, sub-netting and routing protocols, multicast, IPv4, IPv6, VOIP and PBX experience desired.

Team leadership abilities and experience.

Ability to present solutions to team and community members.

Optical network knowledge and experience.

Public speaking and technical writing experience.

Voice & Video over IP knowledge and experience.

Experience working with higher education, K-12 educational institutions, libraries, research institutions, governmental organizations, and other public sector non-profit organizations a plus.

Work Schedule

This is a full-time position, work schedule will be determined by supervisor and may change if necessary. There may be some occasional work required outside of established schedule, which may include weekends and holidays. Typical work schedule is 8am – 5pm, Monday through Friday for most staff, but earlier or later schedules can be accommodated. The position will require flexible hours, participation in on-call rotation, and work outside normal business hours, sometimes with little or no advance notice.

Underfill Statement

This position is being posted at the Senior level, but we will consider filling it at the Intermediate level depending on the qualifications, experience, and education of the preferred candidates. If filled at the Intermediate level, salary will be commensurate with the selected candidate’s qualifications, experience, and education level.

Additional Information

Merit Network offers excellent benefits and wellness opportunities. This position receives paid vacation leave, paid sick leave with provisions for extended benefits, opportunities for professional development, and retirement options with 2-for-1 matching that include TIAA-CREF and Fidelity Investments. Please visit http://careers.umich.edu/benefits/ for more information about benefits.

Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designated to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Work Environment

Requires working in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, cloud-based systems, and AV/teleconferencing software & equipment.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee (with or without accommodations) to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Employee must frequently work at computer station, answer telephone calls, emails, and/or other forms of customer/client communication. Employee may on occasion be required to move items of various sizes and weights throughout the office or building.

Travel

Travel may be required.

Background Screening

The University of Michigan/Merit Network Inc. conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks will be performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven (7) calendar days. This job may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

Contact Information

If you have any questions regarding this job, please visit our website: https://www.merit.edu/about/careers/

If you need assistance completing this application, please call (734) 615-2000, option 1

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.