Careers

About UMass Amherst

The flagship of the Commonwealth, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land-grant research university that seeks to expand educational access, fuel innovation and creativity, and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1,450-acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity. The institution advances a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where everyone feels connected and valued—and thrives, and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees across 10 schools and colleges, and 100 undergraduate majors. We believe every member of our university community can contribute to our ongoing success by striving for the highest level of excellence as we seek breakthrough solutions to mounting environmental, social, economic, and technological challenges in our world. 

Job Summary

The Network Assistant configures, maintains, and supports the network systems and equipment operated by IT Network Operations team. This network infrastructure provides mission critical services to the campus. These services include campus wired and wireless networking, (data center networking), and regional network, and internet access.

Essential Functions

• Diagnoses, troubleshoots and repairs mission critical network services.
• Maintains, installs and upgrades hardware, software, and firmware on network equipment and related supporting infrastructure.
• Responds to network service interruptions in a timely and professional manner. Processes trouble tickets on a regular basis.
• Performs lifecycle maintenance on network equipment and related supporting infrastructure.
• Diagnoses and troubleshoots connectivity problems including but not limited to, problems involving network switches, network configuration, power failures and cabling.
• Monitors and tunes network equipment performance.
• Keeps current with high availability network practices, established and emerging network standards and protocols, network equipment operating systems, software applications, hardware platforms and industry certifications.
• Make software, hardware, and services recommendations to Enterprise Infrastructure. Stays abreast of current hardware, software, and service technology trends and assesses their usefulness and appropriateness to the campus. Participates in planning, installation, and expansion of local and regional network systems, equipment and services
• Accurately creates and document procedures, document and record work performed.
• Operates motor vehicle to travel to work sites.

Other Functions

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• One (1) year of relevant experience.
• Associate or higher can substitute for the relevant experience.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Familiarity with enterprise-class network hardware, software and service troubleshooting, repair, installation, configuration and maintenance.
• Experience working with multiple computer systems in a networked client/server environment. Must have working knowledge of TCP/IP networking, the management of shared resources in a networked environment, and security management.
• Experience in meeting the demands of complex production-oriented environments where timeliness and availability of information is considered critical. Must be able to work effectively to resolve problems under stressful conditions where the rapid restoration of normal operations is critical.
• Excellent communications skills, both written and oral, especially as consultation and accurate communication with non-technical individuals on technical matters is a requirement for this individual. Ability to converse well in person and by telephone.
• Attention to detail, ability to follow detailed instructions and make independent judgments, and strong technical analytic abilities.  
• Ability to pass Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) background check.

 Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Experience with Cisco, Juniper, Ciena, and other network communications equipment is desirable. 

 Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• Must be able to do occasional lifting up to 50lbs. 
• Balancing, carrying, pulling/pushing, repetitive movement, standing, bending, climbing, driving, reaching, sitting, twisting, and lifting.
• Travel to other campuses as needed. 

 Work Schedule

• Regular 37.5 hours a week.
• Some nights and weekend hours required.
• Participate in team on-call rotation.

 Salary Information

 USA/MTA Grade 15.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume (and cover letter/optional). References will be checked at the finalist stage, please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references. 

The University of Massachusetts Amherst welcomes all qualified applicants and complies with all state and federal anti-discrimination laws.