Network Analyst I, Wireless

Job Summary

The Wireless Network Analyst I is part of the UBC IT NETwork and Infrastructure Services Team. This Team is responsible for supporting and growing the University’s large and complex Enterprise Data Network. UBC’s Date Wireless network is a key pillar of UBC’s Operational needs and consists of 14,000 wireless access points, 100,000 concurrent connected wireless devices, student residential wireless connectivity, and a growing IoT wireless network. All of this spans 400 academic buildings, multiple campus locations, BC Teaching Hospitals, and other satellite sites across the province.

The Wireless Network Analyst I will be responsible for supporting and growing the Cisco-based Enterprise Campus Wireless Data Network. The Network Analyst I consults with and analyses user requirements for information network systems and monitors capacity requirements and network performance. The position will have both project and operational responsibilities for UBC’s Wireless network.

This position has a core focus on wireless field duties, including RF analysis and troubleshooting. WiFi equipment provisioning, installation of indoor/outdoor WiFi equipment including antennas, patch cords, mounting solutions and similar.

Organizational Status
Works within the Network Infrastructure Services unit as of a team providing support for UBCNET. Reports to the Manager, Network and Infrastructure Services. Works with other teams within UBC IT to support campus enterprise network services. Works with other campus IT units, IT units at other universities and institutions, the research community and other customers.

Work Performed

Specific Duties:

• Ensures operational stability of the campus network by providing field support and implementation functions for Wireless and Core Routing and Switching infrastructure.
• Responsible for Wireless Network Design and Planning. Analyzes the requirements of the wireless network and designs a system that meets those needs and aligns with the University Operational needs for Teaching, Learning, and Research.
• Responsible for physical elements of the wireless network including access point provisioning, asset management, access point / antenna installation, site-surveys and end-user equipment testing. Provides equipment racking functions and fibre backbone patching in support of the Network Management Centre and the Connectivity Infrastructure team.
• Assesses physical spaces across the University campuses to determine proper Wireless Data solutions conducive to the particular spaces. Anticipates and identifies potential wireless data issues.
• Responsible for providing secure wireless solutions across UBC that meet all University Cybersecurity guidelines and privacy mandates.

Core Duties:

• Consults with users to determine the required technical support for network systems including monitoring network activity, and troubleshooting and diagnosing network problems.
• Monitors facilities capacity requirements.
• Assesses network performance to ensure that it meets the present and future needs of the enterprise.
• Assists in the development of disaster recovery plans and executes network test plans.
• Analyses user requirements, prepares equipment specifications, and installs and configures or reconfigures network components.
• Implements network security procedures and predetermined software or hardware changes to rectify any security issues.
• Contributes to the development of best practices, standards, procedures and quality objectives across systems infrastructure or platforms.
• Maintains appropriate professional designations and up-to-date knowledge of current information technology techniques and tools.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

Expected to take actions that have a direct impact on UBC's campus network with the potential to affect all academic faculties and departments. This position deals directly with the availability, reliability, and security of the campus network used for academic, research, and administrative computing

Required to make their expert judgement decisions on core network configurations and changes (ie. HSRP, OSPF, BGP, BGP/MPLS, DNS/DHCP, etc) to UBC’s data wireless network. The judgements and decisions a Network Analyst I make can impact the entire UBC campus wireless network

Supervision Received
Works under the general direction of the Manager, Network and Infrastructure Services and the subject matter experts within the UBC Network and Infrastructure Unit. Has autonomy to make independent decision and use their own judgement.

Supervision Given
No direct supervision is required.

Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of two years of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own

- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

CCNA designation in routing/switching, security, or wireless networking.

Experience supporting enterprise LAN/WANs, large campus networks, network operations and network management.

Institutional and advanced wireless network skills to anticipate and identify potential wireless data issues (such as overload from wireless final exams).

Working knowledge in the following Networking disciplines:

• HSRP, OSPF, BGP, BGP/MPLS.
• Wireless: WiFi7 and previous generation, enterprise wireless authentication and encryption protocols, identity-based access control, wireless mesh, indoor and outdoor wireless site survey and wireless intrusion prevention systems (WIPS).Network Management Systems: Intermapper, SNMP, Catalyst Centre, Bluecat IPAM, ELK stack, etc.
• Support Systems: DNS, DHCP, Windows, MAC, Linux, XML, Scripting (bash, perl).

Core Competencies:

Collaboration - Takes initiative to actively participate in team interactions. Without waiting to be asked, constructively expresses own point of view or concerns, even when it may be unpopular. Ensures that the limited time available for collaboration adds significant customer value and business results.

Communication for Results - Converses with, and writes to, peers in ways that support transactional and administrative activities. Seeks and shares information and opinions. Explains the immediate context of the situation, asks questions with follow-ups, and solicits advice prior to taking action.

Problem Solving - Investigates defined issues with uncertain cause. Solicits input in gathering data that help identify and differentiate the symptoms and root causes of defined problems. Suggests alternative approaches that meet the needs of the organization, the situation, and those involved. Resolves problems and escalates issues with suggestions for further investigation and options for consideration as required.

Analytical Thinking - Collates and reports information. Identifies trends and exceptions. Investigates to define problems more accurately. Sorts information in order of importance. Identifies relationships and linkages between components. Identifies variable potential causes and effects. Solicits guidance to define criteria and assign values of importance and urgency. Escalates issues of an exceptional nature.

Information Systems Knowledge - Possesses a basic understanding of the strategy, structures, processes, and procedures of the enterprise in its relationship with the business and its activities. Troubleshoots in response to requests for technical support. Identifies problems and needs. Escalates problems to appropriate technical experts.

Thoroughness - Performs tasks according to quality and output standards. Takes initiative to ensure that outcomes meet internal and external customer requirements. Solicits feedback on performance in new tasks. Measures accuracy using performance metrics. Sets improvement standards to reduce errors, omissions, and oversights.