Network Operations Specialist - Mitchell, SD

Job description

Network Operations Specialist Vantage Point Solutions is a growing, technology-driven consulting and engineering firm serving broadband, power, and financial industries nationwide. We are seeking a skilled Network Operations Specialist to join our team in Mitchell, South Dakota. This full-time, office-based role supports broadband service provider clients across the country and is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys solving complex network issues, and is committed to delivering reliable service. Overview: As a Network Operations Specialist, you will monitor, maintain, troubleshoot, and improve internet service provider network environments across a diverse range of platforms and architectures. You will work closely with network engineering, managed services, cybersecurity, and NOC teams to support daily operations, respond to incidents, execute maintenance activities, and help ensure high network availability and performance for our clients. This is an entry-level technical role requiring hands-on experience with IP routing, Ethernet switching, broadband access technologies, and operational support processes. The successful candidate will be expected to manage multiple tickets and projects at once, communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders, and participate in scheduled maintenance windows and escalations as needed. Responsibilities: Monitor, maintain, troubleshoot, and support Internet Service Provider (ISP) network topologies and equipment, including routers, switches, optical transport systems, and FTTx broadband access platforms across multiple vendors. Respond to network alerts, incidents, and service disruptions using monitoring and ticketing systems, ensuring timely triage, documentation, escalation, and resolution. Provide advanced support and escalation assistance for the Network Operations Center (NOC) on incident, problem, and change-related activities. Diagnose and remediate network performance issues, outages, routing anomalies, and service-affecting conditions in ISP and enterprise environments. Escalate technical issues to vendor Technical Assistance Centers (TAC) and coordinate troubleshooting efforts through resolution. Perform scheduled maintenance activities including software upgrades, cutovers, intrusive changes, patching, backups, and post-change validation. Develop and follow Method of Procedure (MOP) documents, configuration templates, scripts, and implementation plans for network changes. Collaborate with network engineering, NOC, managed services, cybersecurity, and client teams to support project delivery, operational readiness, and service continuity. Analyze alarms, logs, and performance data to identify recurring issues, recommend corrective actions, and support root cause analysis. Maintain accurate documentation of network topologies, configurations, inventory, standards, and change history. Support provisioning, turn-up, testing, and validation of network services and infrastructure deployments as needed. Assist with capacity planning, lifecycle management, and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance network reliability and operational efficiency. Communicate technical issues, risks, updates, and resolutions clearly to clients, vendors, and internal stakeholders. Deliver responsive, professional customer support and maintain a high standard of service during both routine operations and critical incidents. Participate in the weekly after-hours on-call rotation and support NOC escalation. Qualifications & Requirements: Strong troubleshooting and analytical skills with the ability to resolve technical issues efficiently in a production environment. Working knowledge of network fundamentals including TCP/IP, Ethernet, VLANs, DNS, DHCP, routing, switching, and network monitoring concepts. Ability to prioritize tasks, manage multiple tickets and projects concurrently, and adapt to changing operational demands. Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain technical information to non-technical audiences. Experience working within ticketing, incident management, and change management processes. Commitment to documentation quality, attention to detail, and following established procedures. Willingness to work occasional after-hours maintenance windows and respond to urgent issues when needed. Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively in a team-oriented environment. Strong time management skills and the ability to work efficiently while taking ownership of their time. Ability to travel occasionally as needed, with no limitations on driving or flying. Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a background check. Must be authorized to work in the United States. Preferred Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in computer information systems, computer science, information technology, or a related field; equivalent professional experience may also be considered. 1+ years of experience in NOC, network administration, network engineering, or telecommunications support role. Industry certifications such as CCNA, JNCIS, CompTIA Network+, or similar are preferred. Hands-on experience with IP routing and Ethernet switching platforms from vendors such as Cisco, Arista, or Juniper. Understanding of routing protocols and technologies such as BGP, OSPF, IS-IS, VRRP, and ACLs. Experience with broadband and service provider technologies, including OLT platforms, GPON/Active Ethernet, and subscriber service delivery, is preferred. Optical transport experience with platforms such as Ribbon, Ciena, or Fujitsu is a plus. Familiarity with IPv6, dual-stack environments, and network security best practices is preferred. Experience using monitoring, logging, and ticketing tools to support incident response and operational reporting. Basic scripting or automation experience with tools such as Python or Ansible is a plus. Compensation and Benefits: This position offers a salary range of $60,000 to $70,000, along with a competitive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, 401(k), and more. Compensation will be based on factors such as experience, technical skills, certifications, and overall qualifications. Why Join Us At Vantage Point Solutions, you will have the opportunity to work on meaningful broadband infrastructure projects, build your technical expertise across diverse network environments, and collaborate with experienced professionals who value innovation, teamwork, and continuous improvement. We offer a supportive culture, competitive benefits, and the chance to grow your career while helping clients deliver reliable connectivity to the communities they serve. About Vantage Point Solutions Founded in 2002, Vantage Point Solutions is a customer-focused, technology-driven engineering and consulting firm that helps clients solve complex infrastructure challenges across the broadband, power, and financial sectors. Our team is committed to delivering exceptional client service while fostering a workplace built on collaboration, respect, accountability, and professional growth. Equal Employment Opportunity Vantage Point Solutions is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, or other protected characteristics under applicable law.