Network Administrator

Description

Please Note: This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States at the time of application. This is an on-site position and is not remote; the selected candidate will be expected to work in person in Danville, VA.

About IALR
The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation. The mission will be accomplished through applied research, advanced learning, economic development, advanced manufacturing, and conference services. Driving Economic Transformation is at the heart of everything we do at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research. WE discover breakthroughs, create opportunity, grow innovation, power progress, and host greatness. Each of our divisions plays a critical role in daily preserving and delivering this mission.

About the Role
As a member of the IT leadership team, the Network Administrator will collaborate with IT leaders and partners to ensure the delivery of network services to IALR staff, tenants, and students throughout IALR’s growing campus. You are responsible for IALR’s LAN, WLAN, WAN, firewall, and Azure GCC PaaS. You will also monitor network performance and perform necessary maintenance to support network availability and security and assist with network modeling, analysis, planning, and coordination.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Network Management:
  • Oversee the design, implementation, and maintenance of IALR’s Cisco-based LAN and WAN infrastructure, including Catalyst and Nexus switching platforms, firewalls, and Azure GCC PaaS environments.
  • Ensure network availability, reliability, and security for staff, tenants, and students across the campus.
  • Manage IP addressing with DHCP, DNS, and VLAN/subnet planning across multi-site Cisco environment.
• Performance Monitoring:
  • Monitor network performance, identify issues, and perform proactive maintenance to prevent downtime and optimize performance.
  • Analyze network traffic and resolve bottlenecks or other issues affecting network speed and efficiency.
  • Implement and manage VRF, HSRP, EtherChannel, and Spanning Tree (RSTP/MSTP) for high availability and redundancy.
  • Monitor network health using SNMP, NetFlow, and Syslog, integrating with tools like Auvik network monitoring
• Security Management:
  • Implement and manage firewall configurations, including Palo Alto next-generation firewalls, to safeguard IALR’s network from unauthorized access and threats.
  • Ensure compliance with security protocols and policies to protect sensitive data and network integrity.
  • Monitor and analyze security alerts and incidents to identify and respond to threats.
  • Conduct vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify security weaknesses.
  • Assist with network segmentation, security audits, and compliance initiatives.
• Network Modeling and Planning:
  • Assist with network modeling, analysis, and planning to support IALR’s current and future infrastructure needs.
  • Collaborate with IT leadership and partners to develop and execute strategic plans for network expansion and upgrades.
  • Leverage Aruba Central for wireless performance monitoring, client analytics, and centralized configuration management.
• System Integration:
  • Manage and integrate Microsoft Windows Server products, Office365, Active Directory, and Group Policy within the network infrastructure.
  • Oversee the configuration and management of VMware vSphere environments to ensure virtualization solutions meet organizational needs.
• Wireless System Management:
  • Administer and maintain managed wireless systems, with a preference for Aruba systems, ensuring seamless wireless connectivity across the campus.
  • Leverage Aruba Central for wireless performance monitoring, client analytics, and centralized configuration management.
  • Leverage ClearPass for 802.1X authentication and network access control.
• Storage Management:
  • Oversee the operation and management of storage area network (SAN) equipment, with a preference for NetApp systems, ensuring data storage solutions are robust and reliable.
• Collaboration and Support:
  • Work closely with IT leadership, partners, and other stakeholders to deliver high-quality network services and support.
  • Provide technical guidance and support to team members, fostering a collaborative and solutions-oriented work environment.
• Continuous Improvement:
  • Stay updated with the latest network technologies and best practices, and continuously seek opportunities to improve network infrastructure and performance.
  • Be willing to learn and integrate audio-visual technologies such as Dante and Crestron into the infrastructure as needed.
  • Participate in disaster recovery and business continuity planning, documentation, and testing.
• Documentation and Reporting:
  • Document network architecture, configurations, and standard operating procedures using Cisco Visio stencils and config backups.
  • Prepare reports on network performance, security, and other key metrics for IT leadership.

Work Location
We are looking for staff to work onsite in Danville, VA.   

The Ideal Candidate

• A self-starter with the ability to work independently and with a team.
• A solutions-oriented driver with a relentless work ethic.
• Bachelor’s degree in computer-related discipline preferred.
• Preferably 10 years of industry-related experience in advanced network engineering.
• Experience with Microsoft Windows Server products, Office365, Active Directory, and Group Policy is required.
• 3-7 years of experience in a VMware vSphere environment.
• 3-5 years of experience with Palo Alto next generation firewalls.
• 3-5 years of experience with managed wireless systems required; Aruba preferred.
• 3-5 years of experience with storage area network equipment required; NetApp preferred.
• Knowledge of audio-visual technologies such as Dante and Crestron and/or willingness to learn.
• A Cisco or another applicable network certification required (e.g., CCNP, CCNA, PCNSA).

Essential Physical Requirements:

• Sits for long periods of time while completing duties
• Must be able to move freely between facilities
• Must be able to operate and manipulate a keyboard and mouse

Salary & Benefits
IALR will offer a salary of $75,000- $85,000 plus applicable shift differential. IALR offers unique career opportunities in an innovative environment, all to support the economic transformation of Southern Virginia. Eligible employees are afforded excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage with lower-than-expected costs and participate in the Virginia Retirement System to save for their future.

How to Apply
Apply online at www.ialr.org/employment. Interviews will begin as qualified applicants are identified.

Salary : $75,000 - $85,000