Amherst has taken a leadership role among highly selective liberal arts colleges and universities in successfully diversifying the racial, socio-economic, and geographic profile of its student body. The College is similarly committed to enriching its educational experience and its culture through the diversity of its faculty, administration and staff.
Job Description:
Amherst College invites applications for the Network Administrator position. The Network Administrator is a full-time, year-round position, starting at $85,000 per year - commensurate with experience. Given Amherst's distinction as one of the most diverse liberal arts colleges in the country, the successful candidate will demonstrate the ways in which they bring value to and will work towards supporting a broadly diverse community.
The Network Administrator is a mid-level position within the Systems and Networking team at Amherst College, designed to bridge the gap between junior and senior network administrators. The primary purpose of this role is to ensure the stability, security, and efficiency of the college's enterprise network infrastructure by managing day-to-day network operations, troubleshooting complex issues, and assisting in network upgrades and optimizations.
Key responsibilities include maintaining Layer 1 networking infrastructure, administering and configuring Juniper switches and routers, managing Aruba wireless networks, and supporting Passive Optical Network (PON) technology. The Network Administrator collaborates with IT staff and other college departments to design and implement network improvements, respond to performance issues, and ensure compliance with security policies, including firewall management and network access controls.
This position plays an integral role in Amherst College's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion by ensuring reliable network access for a diverse community of students, faculty, and staff. The Network Administrator will work collaboratively across teams, documenting solutions and sharing knowledge to create an inclusive and supportive technical environment. Additionally, the role requires participation in an on-call rotation (one week every 8-10 weeks) to address urgent networking issues outside of normal business hours.
Summary of Responsibilities:
Maintain and Troubleshoot Layer 1 Networking Infrastructure
Manage fiber optic networks, cabling, patch panels, and related hardware
Perform routine inspections and repairs to ensure optimal network performance
Administer and Configure Juniper Switches and Routers
Manage Juniper QFX and MX series switches and routers in an enterprise environment
Implement and maintain VLANs, QoS, and other network configurations
Monitor and Maintain Aruba Wireless Networks
Administer Aruba ClearPass for network access control (NAC) and Aruba Central for centralized network management
Troubleshoot and optimize wireless network performance
Assist in the Design and Deployment of Passive Optical Networks (PON)
Support the planning, implementation, and maintenance of PON infrastructure
Troubleshoot Complex Network Issues and Ensure Performance
Work with IT personnel to diagnose and resolve network performance issues
Use tools like Wireshark and SolarWinds for network monitoring and packet analysis
Enhance Network Security and Compliance
Support network security initiatives, including firewall management (Palo Alto) and access controls
Ensure compliance with organizational security policies and best practices
Provide Technical Support and Documentation
Assist junior network administrators and other IT staff with technical guidance and troubleshooting
Maintain clear and thorough documentation of network architecture and procedures
Support Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives
Ensure equitable access to a stable and secure network for all members of the college community
Foster a respectful and inclusive work environment by collaborating with diverse teams and departments
Qualifications:
Required
Bachelor's Degree (Technical Degree)
5+ years of IT experience in enterprise networking environments
3-5+ years of experience with Layer 1 networking, including cabling, infrastructure setup, and fiber optic management (Cat5e/6, single- and multi-mode fiber)
3-5+ years of experience administering Juniper switches and routers, specifically QFX and MX series
3-5+ years of experience managing Aruba ClearPass (NAC) and Aruba Central for network access and centralized management
In lieu of minimum education and related experience, specialized skill training/certification (Aruba and/or Juniper Certification)
Experience troubleshooting complex networking issues and providing timely resolutions
Experience working in a cross-functional IT team supporting enterprise network infrastructure
Strong understanding of network protocols, including TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, and VLANs
Proficiency in network troubleshooting tools, such as Wireshark and SolarWinds
Ability to implement and manage network security measures, including firewall management (Palo Alto)
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail in maintaining network documentation and configurations
Excellent communication and teamwork skills, with a collaborative approach to supporting IT operations
Commitment to working with a diverse and inclusive community
Successful completion of required reference and background checks
An acceptable criminal offender records information (CORI) check
Successful completion of pre-employment physical and lift test
Preferred
Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Network Engineering, or a related technical field
ITIL Certification: ITIL 4 Foundation (preferred for understanding IT service management best practices)
Experience with Passive Optical Networks (PON) and fiber-based networking technologies
Proficiency in network monitoring and troubleshooting tools, such as SolarWinds, Wireshark, or similar
Experience with network security protocols and firewalls (Palo Alto preferred)
Familiarity with network automation and scripting, such as Ansible, Python, or Bash, to improve efficiency in network administration
Experience working in a higher education IT environment, understanding the unique challenges of supporting a large and diverse academic community
Amherst College offers many opportunities for professional growth and development, continued learning, and career advancement.
Amherst College is pleased to provide a comprehensive, highly competitive benefits package that meets the needs of staff and faculty and their families. Benefits are an important part of our overall compensation, so it is critical that you review all of the options to ensure it meets your total compensation requirements. Click here for Benefits Information.
Interested candidates are asked to submit a resume and cover letter online at https://amherst.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/Amherst_Jobs. Please be sure to upload all requested documents prior to clicking Submit. Applications cannot be revised once submitted. (Current employees and students should apply by clicking on the Jobs Hub icon from their Workday home screen) Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
To apply, visit https://amherst.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Amherst_Jobs/job/Amherst-Campus/Network-Administrator_JR5907