Experienced Network Operations Analyst (Contract-to-Hire)

Join GTN and step into a crucial Contract-to-Hire role as a Network Operations Analyst, leveraging your Cisco expertise to support a Fortune 500 energy leader based in Houston, TX. This position involves regular travel across Texas and Louisiana to implement, upgrade, and maintain cutting-edge LAN/WAN infrastructure.

You will be instrumental in network design, installation, configuration, testing, and providing expert Tier 2/3 troubleshooting. A key aspect of this role is building strong, in-person relationships with the client’s site employees and developing a solid understanding of critical plant operations and business objectives.

Core Responsibilities

• Network Management: Plan, execute, and manage all assigned network activities, ensuring compliance with all regulatory standards and procedures.

• Emergency Response: Be available to respond to and resolve urgent network issues, serving as a critical point of contact for technical escalation.

• Infrastructure Design & Implementation: Lead the implementation and architectural design of robust local and wide area network solutions to meet operational needs.

• Travel & Onsite Support: Utilize company vehicles for travel to various client locations to manage and maintain WAN/LAN systems, with comfort working in industrial plant environments.

• Technical Leadership: Direct and collaborate with telecom vendors to ensure projects are completed efficiently and within budget.

• Liaison Role: Serve as the primary link between technical support teams and business stakeholders, clearly communicating technical and business needs.

• Project Participation: Actively participate in network technology upgrades and expansion projects, including hardware/software installation and integration testing.

• Independent Work: Successfully lead job assignments and meet objectives with minimal direct supervision.

Key Technical Experience

• Cisco & Firewall Expertise: Strong, demonstrated working knowledge of Cisco infrastructure and firewalls. Experience with Palo Alto Firewalls is a significant advantage (including management via Panorama).

• Advanced Networking: Maintain a detailed and robust understanding of LAN/WAN topologies, including OSPF, BGP, NAT/PAT, and VPNs.

• Security Focus: Familiarity with information security concepts and best practices, including securing Industrial Control Systems (ICS) as defined by NIST SP800-82 Rev.2.

• Operational Tools: Working experience with SolarWinds and ServiceNow, and adherence to defined change management processes.

Minimum Essential Qualifications

• Education/Experience: Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent related work experience.

• Relevant Experience: Minimum of 7-10 years experience maintaining and supporting complex local and wide area network infrastructures.

• Security Foundation: Robust understanding of firewall operation, policy development, deployment, and common network routing and switching protocols.

• Soft Skills: Excellent customer interface skills, the ability to build effective business relationships, multi-task, prioritize, and ask clarifying questions of business customers.

• Adaptability: Proven ability to thrive in and adapt to new and changing technology environments.

• Certifications (Preferred): Current professional certifications such as CCNP and/or PCNSE.

• Wireless Experience (Plus): Experience with Aruba ClearPass and related Aruba Wireless Infrastructure technologies.

• Industry Experience (Plus): Prior experience in the Oil and Gas industry is a plus.