A Senior Network Specialist is a highly technical position who will be responsible for completing large, complex network design, engineering, configuration, and operational tasks and projects on TDS's combined voice/video/data network infrastructure. This position will provide subject matter expertise in multiple network technologies and will integrate multiple, diverse technologies. A Senior Network Specialist will proactively drive improvements to processes and standards across Technology and Service Delivery. This position will have significant interaction with vendors, will assist in escalations, and will mentor other team members. A Senior Network Specialist will successfully lead large project teams and will assist management in analyzing the business impacts of technology decisions, often presenting results to senior management.

A Senior Network Specialist will perform these duties in one of the following Network Operations functional areas:

Network Infrastructure Planning
• Network Architecture
• Network Architecture, Design & Technology Assessment
• Network Engineering
• Data Network Engineering
• Technology Development
• Operational Readiness
• Network Translations
• Circuit Design
• Network Design
• Configuration Management
• Advanced Technical Support
• Service Activation

TDS Telecom, headquartered in Madison, Wis., employs 2,900 people and is a subsidiary of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. [NYSE: TDS], a Fortune 1000 company. Founded in 1969, TDS Inc. employs 9,100 people and has approximately six million connections nationwide through its businesses U.S. Cellular, TDS Telecom, OneNeck IT Solutions LLC, and TDS Broadband Service. TDS Inc. has been named to several Forbes lists, including America's Best Employers for Diversity, Best Large Employers, and Best Employers for Women. Visit tdsinc.com.

• Understands and follows established processes, and completes assigned work in accordance with established quality measures to Plan, Engineer, Implement, Optimize or Operate TDS's combined Voice/Video/Data network infrastructure.
• Makes use of quality improvement techniques, and drives organizational/team process/standards improvement.
• Mentor co-workers on essential TDS network technologies, processes, network equipment, and products.
• Utilizes vendor contact in accordance with TDS contractual obligations. Understands and initiates appropriate level of vendor use.
• Grow technical skills as they pertain to TDS's network infrastructure through a variety of mechanism including self-training, formal classes and coaching.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree (or higher) -OR- 4+ years professional work experience.
• 6+ years experience in Voice/Data/Video networking.

Other Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have knowledge and experience in the following areas:

• Enterprise voice expertise working with collaboration platforms and solutions
• Proven track record working with leading unified communication systems like Metaswitch
• Hands-on experience with Session Border Controllers and Voice Gateways
• Expert level knowledge of VoIP Protocols such as SIP, RTP/SRTP including TLS
• Very good knowledge of protocol and packet analysis
• Experience working with switching and routing protocols
• Programming experience using Perl, Python, PHP, SQL, etc.
• Experienced in virtualization platforms like VMWare
• Strong understanding of NAT traversal for VoIP
• Experience working with AD, LDAP, DNS, DHCP a plus
• Experience as a Linux System Administrator a plus
• Experience interpreting RFCs as they relate to issues
• Effective communication and strong analytical skills

Technical:

• Is familiar with the following areas and has a working technical knowledge in one or more:
  • Broadband and narrowband access technologies including (but not limited to) POTS, xDSL, T1, DS3, PRI, BRI, WiFi, WiMAX, PON, OCX.
  • Transport technologies including (but not limited to) SONET, ATM, Ethernet, POS, DWDM, WDM.
  • Voice Switching technologies including Legacy TDM and Softswitch technologies.
  • TCP/IP technologies including (but not limited to) routing and routing protocols (e.g., OSPF, BGP, etc.), subnetting, multicast, tunneling, bridging, MPLS, IP quality of service, traffic engineering, VoIP and IPTV.
  • Power Concepts associated with AC and DC power equipment and HVAC implementations in both cabinet and building applications.
  • Customer premises equipment including (but not limited to) Routers, PBX, Handsets, set-top boxes, home wiring concepts

Additional Skills:

• Able to participate in a small group to work specific network issues.
• The ability to manage changing priorities and the ability to handle several simple network tasks concurrently with assistance required to help set priorities.
• Scope of responsibility limited to assignments from manager.
• Able to work with diverse individuals/teams/customers. Able to interact and work with others as part of a team. Understands the role s/he plays on the team, and how his/her work supports the team's goals.
• Able to take the lead to get well understood issues resolved. May require assistance for more difficult issues.
• Ability to work within a changing environment.
• Good organizational and written/verbal communication skills.
• Good presentation skills.
• Positive attitude and team focus are required.
• Requires software knowledge and skills in business and office applications, such as spreadsheets, database applications, word documents, network drawing tools, basic network applications (telnet, FTP Client, FTP Server) and basic Unix tools.
• The ability to make timely decisions.
• The ability to organize priorities to achieve maximum performance cost effectively.
• Basic mathematical and statistical analysis.

Other:

• Ability to travel as necessary if the needs of the business dictates.
• If the needs of the business dictate, perform network tasks outside normally scheduled business hours to complete project work, provide on-call support and/or implement scheduled network changes.

Physical Demands and Work Environment. The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Benefits

As a part of your total compensation, #TDS provides a comprehensive, competitive benefit package. The benefit plans address both the immediate and long term needs that you and your family may have. For an overview of what we have to offer for full-time employees including vacation, health benefits and retirement options please click here.

At TDS, we embrace Equal Employment Opportunity by valuing our differences and consider all qualified applicants without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran or any other status protected by law. To learn about our diversity & inclusion philosophy and culture, click here!