Network Design Specialist

Job Purpose

These are important posts within IT Services providing a focus of technical expertise and support for the operation and/or the strategic development of the Campus Network and the Network Services that are within the overall remit of the Network Team. The range of duties involves significantly different skill sets and therefore no one individual would possess sufficient skills to undertake all activities. The Deputy Head of Core Infrastructure will determine how duties are allocated within the team. These duties broadly cover:
- As lead or participant, investigating, developing, piloting and implementing developments in emerging network technologies and networked services in support of the strategic development of the campus network active infrastructure
- Monitoring and operating the Campus Network , including the day-to-day operation of the various components comprising the active infrastructure following IT Services Change Control and Incident Management processes and procedures

Work context

The Campus Network passive infrastructure (including flood-wired cabling systems, cross-campus fibre optic cabling systems, and Telecoms Rooms), together with the Campus Network active infrastructure (including firewalls, load balancers, ethernet switches, routers, wireless access points, network management and monitoring systems) and the Network Services within the remit of the Network Team (including DNS, DHCP, Directory, Authentication, Network Registration, and Identity Management) are vital in the support of the University’s objectives for teaching, research, and administration. Hardware, software or human failure in the operation of any of these infrastructures or services leading to disruption of other networked based services can have a serious impact on the University’s business even within 30 minutes in some cases (for example, loss of email services or the Corporate Web site). Other failures could potentially lead to long term damage (for example, major disruption to the Corporate IT Systems on which the University’s commercial operations or student recruitment processes depend.)

Also of critical importance is the strategic development of both the passive and active infrastructures and associated network services to enable the University to take full advantage of new and emerging network based services and applications.

Person Specification

• Formal education to degree level or equivalent.
• Experience of Network Design
• Good broad knowledge of C&IT, including latest technology industry trends.
• Extensive relevant experience in C&IT including at least three years in a similar service environment.
• Ability to work cooperatively and collectively within a team environment.
• Customer relationship management skills.
• Communication skills written and oral.
• Project management skills.
• Knowledge of Higher Education and its environment.
• An awareness of developments in IT services of potential relevance to the University of Birmingham.

Highly Desirable experience of the following technologies

• Infoblox
• F5 – BIGIP
• Brocade Networks
• Meru Networks