Network Operations Center Manager
General Job Description:
The Network Operations Center (NOC) Manager’s primary responsibilities are to overall monitor and maintain operational infrastructure, provide timely reports on various criteria, respond to network outages, and assist with installations of business and residential customers, and manage/mentor all NOC Tech 1/2 and Senior NOC Tech personnel. This includes service calls, install issues, repairs and service provider issues. The NOC Manager assists in making sure that network reliability is 99.999% uptime.
The NOC Manager interoperates with internal personnel such as customer service, network engineers, order fulfillment and field technicians, as well as management staff. Construction and installation contractors will also rely on the NOC Manager as they call in for assistance. The NOC Manager will also support service providers that provide services on the UTOPIA network. The NOC Manager is responsible for all processes within the NOC, and developing processes that exist outside the department as he/she works with other managers or contract groups. The NOC Manager adheres to goals and standards that are contained within the Operational Standards document.
Education and Experience:
A Network Operations Center Manager should have the following:
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science, networking, or related field and;
- Either eight years experience as a NOC Manager; OR five years of comparable job-related experience which must have included managing an operation center, or network system from a monitoring/configuration/personnel perspective; OR an equivalent combination of job-related education/experience (substituting one year of post-secondary education/training for six months of experience)
Supervisor:
The NOC manager reports directly to the Chief Operations Manager
Skill Set:
- Advanced ability to monitor, maintain, and resolve network and performance issues; ensure continuity of voice, video and data services
- Advanced ability to identify, evaluate, and prioritize opportunities and projects for the Network Operations Center Group
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively deal with all levels of personnel, customers, and visitors
- Excellent ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism
- Excellent ability to multitask in a high stressed environment
- Excellent organizational skills
- Excellent documentation skills including network documentation
- Excellent team player skills
- Advanced ability to use software tools such as ticketing systems, chat and text systems, email systems, Microsoft Word and Excel or Google docs
- Advanced understanding of the Layer 1-3 of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model
- Advanced ability to use Telnet, SSH and other configuration/support network protocols
- Advanced experience with network monitoring systems (NMS) such as Solar Winds, Zabbix, OpenNMS, Zennos, Cacti, or Nagios particularly in data presentation such as a report
- Understanding of Layer 2 protocols such as RSTP, SPB, VLANs, ARP, MAC, etc.
- Ability to configure network devices including IP configuration and VLAN configuration on routers, switches, etc.
- Advanced ability to use traceroute and ping for network troubleshooting
- Advanced understanding of SNMP (simple network management protocol) and how it works with an NMS system
- Understanding of OSPF, BGP, ISIS, MPLS, PBB, EVPN, or other routing or transport protocols
- Demonstration of how to run a 24/7 Network Operations Center and staff
- Demonstrate an ability to understand reporting requirements and provide such reports to the various groups that need them.
Certifications:
- CCNA or NRS1 or higher preferred
- Zabbix Certified Professional or similar preferred
Work Environment:
The NOC manager typically sits in a climate controlled office setting. The NOC Manager will sit at a desk for long periods of time as they perform their duties. The NOC Manager needs to understand and support UTOPIA’s mission. Perform tasks by written and verbal instruction. Meet high attendance and punctuality requirements. Manage personnel to accurately enter data into current operational systems to closeout work orders and tickets. Manage the monitoring of the network system using tools to ascertain issues or problems that come up, and facilitate the notification process. Possible shift work including day, swing or graveyards and work weekends and holidays. Possible overtime as needed. Train and mentor other personnel as necessary. Perform other duties as directed.