Senior Network Engineer

About The Job

Interview Date: 10 April 2024

The University of Northampton’s Senior Network Engineer has responsibility for managing and supporting the Network services for the university.

The post holder will work with university staff, the Executive, and IT subject matter experts to maintain the Network infrastructure and continually improve the systems and processes we have in accordance with the university’s aspirations and IT strategy.

We are looking for an individual to join the Network team at Northampton University. You will have a high degree of technical knowledge and enjoy working with a hands-on approach in a fast-paced educational environment. We will be looking for you to get involved in the following areas as part of the Networking team.

• Responsible for the delivery and ownership of network services within the agreed service levels and providing assistance within operational level agreements.

• Responsible for providing technical expertise regarding the network infrastructure as well as the technical aspects of design, transition, operation.

• Responsible for the continual improving of services along with the developing of skills required to operate the network infrastructure.

• Responsible for components required to provide network services along with documentation of configurable items, knowledge, and other associations.

• Responsible for providing escalated 3^rd line support as required for solving an Incident or Problem with the aim is to restore as quickly as possible.

• Responsible for ensuring that network infrastructure service processes within design, and continual improvement are fit for purpose.

• To produce service design packages, to ensure robust design and transition of services into operational environments.

The working hours are 37 hours per week, with an occasional on call rota, rotated around the team and some out of hours working requirements.

A generous holiday entitlement of 25 days per annum plus an additional 5 days after 5 years continuous service, plus bank holidays, plus University closed days.

We want you to be able to carry out your work in a way that best supports UON and our students, but also you as an individual. We understand this may vary between different areas of the university as well as from one person to another.  With Smarter Working you can work with increased flexibility, if you would like to, which can facilitate greater freedom and autonomy.

About You

You will have a relevant IT qualification or be able to demonstrate suitable experience, working within the ITIL framework for service management.

You will have all or a mixture of skills from the following areas:

• IP Addressing, DNS and DHCP
• Structured cabling (copper / fibre)
• Cisco routing and switching
• Enterprise firewall administration (Cisco and/or FortiGate)
• Load Balancers
• Software Defined Networking
• Zero Trust Network Access

You will be able to demonstrate at interview that you have experience working as part of a team, while giving exceptional customer service to end users.

Knowledge/experience of project management processes and delivery of project elements.

Experience at undertaking operational activities, such as support, monitoring and trouble shooting incidents.

Personal Qualities

• Excellent interpersonal skills with peers and key stakeholders.
• Self-motivated and able to work on own initiative.
• Demonstrates self-motivation for self-improvement and development.
• Demonstrates learning of new technology and methods.
• Excellent customer service skills with both student and staff requirements
• Good written skills sufficient to produce all types of documentation.
• Good communication and presentation skills.
• Able to work collaboratively within the wider IT department.
• Ability to adapt to organisational change.

Qualifications

Essential:

• CCNA Certified 

Desirable:

• CCNP Certified
• COMPTIA Network
• ITIL Foundation Certified

IT Services

The IT Services department comprises 75 staff, divided into 5 teams, and runs the information and technology services of the university. 

The teams include:

• Customer Services and Support
• Technology Operations
• Application Services
• Cyber Security
• Change and Relationship Management

The department runs a large IT service operation, with a large operational budget and capital budget. We are currently progressing a program of works transforming the systems at the university and this is an exciting time to join the team.

About Us

Come to the University of Northampton and you will see that we do things a bit differently.

We are one of the youngest universities in the UK but we are already leading the way in adding value to society, which we call social impact. We have won multiple awards for our work in this area, among others, but what matters the most to us is ensuring that our students and graduates have the opportunity to make their mark on the world too. That’s why we were the first university in the UK to be named as a Changemaker Campus in 2012.

We want to break the mould of what Higher Education can be. This has led us to build a whole new University from the ground up that is designed to reflect the way that students actually learn rather than the way they are expected to learn. Waterside Campus opened in September 2018.

Our commitment to transforming lives and inspiring change is at the heart of all that we do.

Right To Work

All candidates will be asked to provide proof of eligibility to work in the UK at interview.

Equality

We welcome applications from underrepresented groups.

The University of Northampton is committed to providing a vibrant, ethical and sustainable work, study and living environment that values equality, diversity and inclusion.

This commitment, along with our legal and moral obligations, provides an inclusive environment for staff, students and the public who may be affected by our activities.

Together @ UON confirms our commitment to equality and inclusion, underpinned by our belief in taking action. We are dedicated to creating an environment that celebrates equality and harnesses the power of diversity.

Together @ UON demonstrates our pledge to our staff, students and partners to nurture and develop an environment where equality and inclusion can thrive whilst we Transform Lives and Inspire Change

To find out more, please visit: https://www.northampton.ac.uk/about-us/governance-and-management/management/equality-and-diversity/