Description

Department Description:
ITS Infrastructure, Operations & Networking (IO&N) manages the ITS data centers and provides around-the-clock support for ITS business computing activities. I&O also supports and maintains the infrastructure for network, data communications transport services, and campus desktop computers, and maintains the infrastructure for the operating systems for non-research ITS servers and for disaster recovery and business continuity activities for ITS. I&O also manages the enterprise-wide IT Service Management platform ServiceNow.

Position Description:

Senior Network Operations Engineer

A Career-Building Hybrid Role in Networking and Service Monitoring

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY
This is a rare and exciting opportunity for a curious, motivated technologist who wants to grow quickly and build a broad foundation across enterprise networking and IT service monitoring. Rather than specializing in a single discipline from day one, the person in this role gains hands-on exposure across multiple infrastructure teams, making it an ideal launch point for someone early in their career who is eager to learn, contribute, and advance.

The position is anchored in our Operations Center, a 24×7×365 facility responsible for monitoring a broad range of critical IT systems, providing timely notifications and service-issue escalations and coordinating responses to major outages. What sets this role apart is its hybrid design: approximately half of the work time is now spent in the field alongside our Network Deployment team, with regular collaboration across Network Engineering, Wireless, and Architecture.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• As a senior team member, mentor co-workers and help lead technical projects within the group.
• Vigilantly monitor IT services and infrastructure to ensure system availability and performance.
• Identify, analyze, and help resolve service disruptions and potential issues before they impact operations.
• Support and enhance the centralized monitoring platform, including onboarding new systems from central IT and other university departments.
• Work in the field with the Network Deployment team and collaborate with Network Engineering, Wireless, and Architecture on network management, configuration, and troubleshooting.
• Participate in the design, implementation, and maintenance of network systems to support institutional goals and technical standards.
• Execute established incident response procedures, independently manage event escalations, and provide clear, timely communication during outages or service degradations.
• Contribute to process documentation, performance metrics, and continual improvement efforts across both operational and networking domains.

WORK STRUCTURE
This position splits approximately half of its time between the Operations Center and hands-on work with the Networking group, depending on coverage and project needs. 

The dual placement is deliberate: it creates ongoing opportunities for collaboration, cross-training, and deeper technical integration across infrastructure teams, and it gives the person in this role a clear path to develop new skills and grow professionally.

WHO THRIVES IN THIS ROLE
This role is well suited to someone who is:

• Curious and eager to learn across networking and service monitoring disciplines.
• Early in their career and looking for a role with room to grow and advance.
• Comfortable balancing structured monitoring work with hands-on fieldwork.
• A clear communicator who stays calm and organized during high-pressure incidents.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT
This role is part of the Infrastructure and Operations division within Information Technology Services (ITS), a group of over 300 professionals dedicated to advancing higher education through innovative IT initiatives, reliable infrastructure, and exceptional service delivery.

Essential Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

• Demonstrated knowledge or experience with networking/data communications technology
• Demonstrated communication skills (verbal and written)
• Demonstrated experience in the Information Technology field
• Candidate must be able to accommodate flexible shifts and understand the challenges of working in a 24/7/365 environment. High interpersonal, planning, organizing, communication skills, and attention to detail.

Education Requirements:
Master’s or Bachelors and 0-2 years’ experience; or will accept a combination of related education and experience in substitution.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Experience in a 24/7/365 IT operations center
• Experience in Change Management procedures
• Experience in Major Incident Coordination
• Experience with Opsview or some other centralized monitoring platform
• Experience with xMatters
• Experience in Windows, Mac OS, and Linux Operating Systems
• Knowledge of networking fundamentals, including but not limited to: TCP/IP, STP, LACP, LLDP, MLAG, MVRP, 8021q, PoE standards
• Experience in Networking Operating Systems like XOS, Cisco IOS 
• Experience with Aruba wireless
• Ability to code with preference in python/DJANGO 
• Experience with Cisco Meraki wireless

Quick Link for Direct Access to Posting: https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/322530

Office of Human Resources Contact Information: If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at (919) 843-2300 or send an email to employment@unc.edu
Please note: The Office of Human Resources will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.

Equal Opportunity Employer:
The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.