Network Operations Center Technician
A Network Operations Center Technician monitors and maintains a company's telecommunications networks and its related computing environments, including hardware, software, and all data communication systems.
Top Articles for Network Operations Center Technician
Sample Job Descriptions for Network Operations Center Technician
Below are the some sample job descriptions for the different experience levels, where you can find the summary of the role, required skills, qualifications, and responsibilities.
Junior (0-2 years of experience)
Summary of the Role
As a Network Operations Center (NOC) Technician, you are responsible for monitoring the health and performance of a company's network, responding to alerts, and providing first-level support to resolve network-related issues. You will work in a dynamic environment and collaborate with the network team to ensure the stability and integrity of network communications.
Required Skills
- Knowledge of network protocols and hardware.
- Ability to interpret alerts and identify system issues.
- Problem-solving skills and proactive work ethic.
- Ability to document actions and findings.
- Effective communication and collaboration abilities.
- Basic understanding of IT security practices.
- Willingness to work in shifts as NOCs often operate 24/7.
Qualifications
- Associate's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related field, or equivalent technical training.
- Basic knowledge of networking principles and various networking technologies such as TCP/IP, WAN, LAN, VLAN, VPN, etc.
- Understanding of network monitoring and management tools.
- Ability to analyze, troubleshoot and resolve basic network-related issues.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Attention to detail and ability to follow procedures.
- Preferably holds or is working towards relevant certifications such as CompTIA Network+ or CCNA.
Responsibilities
- Monitor network performance and troubleshoot problem areas as needed to identify and rectify any issues.
- Ensure available network communications are consistent and reliable.
- Receive and respond to incoming calls, alerts, and e-mail notifications regarding network connectivity.
- Track and analyze trends in network performance and generate statistical reports.
- Collaborate with network engineers and other team members on the resolution of issues.
- Support network configuration and infrastructure management tasks.
- Maintain a comprehensive log of all issues and actions taken.
- Provide technical support and guidance to end-users as required.
- Assist in the implementation of upgrades, patches, and other proactive maintenance tasks.
Intermediate (2-5 years of experience)
Summary of the Role
An intermediate Network Operations Center (NOC) Technician is responsible for monitoring and maintaining an organization's computer networks and supporting network infrastructure. The technician plays a key role in ensuring network availability and performance.
Required Skills
- Excellent problem-solving and communication skills.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
- Attention to detail and analytical skills.
- Good organizational and multitasking abilities.
Qualifications
- Proven experience as a NOC technician or similar role.
- Understanding of networking concepts including TCP/IP, OSI model, and network diagnostics.
- Experience with network monitoring tools (e.g., SolarWinds, Nagios).
- Ability to diagnose and troubleshoot technical issues.
- Familiarity with network hardware and software.
- Industry-recognized certifications such as CCNA, CCNP, or CompTIA Network+ are an advantage.
Responsibilities
- Monitor network performance and ensure system availability and reliability.
- Perform network maintenance and system upgrades including service packs, patches, hot fixes, and security configurations.
- Provide Level 2 support and troubleshoot to resolve issues.
- Collaborate with network engineers to optimize system performance.
- Coordinate with vendors and other IT personnel for problem resolution.
- Document technical issues and solutions for future reference.
- Manage and monitor installed systems and infrastructure.
- Assist in network design and capacity planning.
Senior (5+ years of experience)
Summary of the Role
As a Senior Network Operations Center (NOC) Technician, you will be responsible for overseeing complex network systems, ensuring their reliability, performance, and security. You will serve as a technical lead within the NOC, coordinating with various teams to troubleshoot advanced network issues and optimize network operations.
Required Skills
- Network monitoring and analysis
- Advanced troubleshooting
- Technical leadership
- Network security
- Communication and coordination
- Mentoring and team development
- Documentation and reporting
- Change management
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, IT, or a related field is preferred.
- At least 5 years of experience working in a Network Operations Center.
- Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) or equivalent certification.
- Proven experience with network management and monitoring tools such as Nagios, SolarWinds, or Zabbix.
- Knowledge of networking protocols (e.g., TCP/IP, BGP, MPLS).
- Experience with firewalls, VPNs, and other network security technologies.
- Strong troubleshooting and analytical skills.
- Availability for on-call rotation and ability to handle emergency situations.
Responsibilities
- Monitor and analyze network performance and report on trends.
- Respond to and resolve complex network issues in a timely manner.
- Collaborate with network engineers to design and implement network optimizations and upgrades.
- Develop and maintain comprehensive documentation for network infrastructure.
- Lead incident response efforts during network outages and coordinate with stakeholders.
- Mentor junior technicians and provide technical leadership within the team.
- Ensure adherence to network security protocols and best practices.
- Perform regular network backups and recovery drills.
See other roles in Science and Technology and Telecommunications