White River Valley Electric Cooperative's fiber subsidiary, White River Connect, LLC, will soon be offering a robust fiber optic system to all its members and beyond. This system will help connect our communities with a reliable internet service, even in the most rural areas, and will ensure all have access to the most advanced fiber optic system in today’s world.  We look forward to building a world-class fiber network that will transform our rural communities just as the Cooperative’s founders did with electric.    White River Connect is currently looking to add to its team of amazing employees the position of Senior Network Operations Engineer. As a Senior Network Operations Engineer, you will play a critical role in ensuring the smooth operation of our FTTx XGS-PON network infrastructure. You will be responsible for monitoring network performance, resolving issues, and optimizing network efficiency. Your expertise and leadership will be essential in maintaining the high availability and reliability of our network, meeting service level agreements, and driving continuous improvement initiatives.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Directs Network Engineers, Network Technicians, NOC Analysts

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

• Network Monitoring and Troubleshooting: Monitor the performance and availability of the XGS-PON network infrastructure using network monitoring tools. Identify and resolve network issues and anomalies in a timely manner to minimize downtime and ensure optimal network performance.
• Incident and Problem Management: Coordinate the response to network incidents and problems reported by customers or detected through monitoring tools. Investigate and diagnose the root cause, implement solutions, and resolve issues as necessary to meet service level agreements.
• Change Management: Coordinate and implement network changes, including firmware updates, configuration changes, and hardware replacements. Follow established change management processes and ensure changes are implemented with minimal disruption to network services.
• Network Optimization: Analyze network performance data and identify areas for optimization and improvement. Implement network enhancements, capacity upgrades, and performance tuning to optimize the XGS-PON network. Develop network automation to improve efficiency.
• Documentation and Reporting: Maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation of network configurations, procedures, and troubleshooting guides. Generate regular reports on network performance, incidents, and trends, and provide recommendations for improvements.
• Vendor Management: Collaborate with network equipment vendors to troubleshoot and resolve hardware and software issues. Coordinate vendor support for maintenance activities, upgrades, and equipment replacements.
• Team Leadership: Mentor and provide guidance to junior network operations engineers. Foster a collaborative and supportive team environment, ensuring knowledge sharing and continuous skill development.
• Network Security: Implement and maintain network security measures to protect the XGS-PON network infrastructure from unauthorized access and potential threats. Stay updated on network security best practices and proactively address vulnerabilities.
• Compliance and Regulatory Requirements: Ensure network operations comply with relevant industry standards, regulations, and data protection requirements.
• Functions as a technical mentor, offering guidance and sharing expertise with colleagues in the Network team. Provides support and thought leadership to assist in their development of technical skills and knowledge.
• Coordinate the development of product and service roadmaps that are aligned with customer demand, in order to optimize customer satisfaction.
• Work in a round-the-clock environment, 365 days a year, to promptly address critical technical operational emergencies as part of an on-call rotation.
• Attains industry standard certifications and education.
• Performs any other duties as assigned to fulfill the objectives of White River Connect.

External Relationships:

• Subscribers - While your primary focus may be on network operations, you may occasionally interact with customers, especially in cases of escalated issues or major outages. Maintaining a customer-centric approach and providing excellent service will be a priority.
• Industry Associations – Participating in industry associations and forums related to telecommunications and networking can provide valuable networking opportunities, access to industry best practices, and updates on emerging technologies and trends.
• Service Providers – You may work closely with external service providers, such as ISPs (Internet Service Providers) or telecommunication companies, to ensure seamless connectivity and troubleshoot network-related issues.
• Contractors – Collaborate with contractors necessary to coordinate network upgrades, repairs, and expansions.
• Technical Support – Collaborate with external technical support teams to assist in troubleshooting complex network issues or providing specialized expertise.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Telecommunications, or a related field. Relevant certifications, such as CCNP, JNCIP, or equivalent, are highly desirable.
• Experience: Five or more years with a four-year bachelor’s degree or ten or more years in similar role without a bachelor’s degree.

Working Conditions:

• Working inside and outside during regular hours and occasional overtime, including weekends and holidays if necessary. Normal safety precautions and practices are required. Position may require travel outside the service area from time to time. Regular work schedule is Monday through Friday.

Physical Effort and Dexterity:

• Frequent physical activity that includes sitting at a desk for prolonged periods of time, standing, walking, stooping, bending, lifting, and carrying materials under fifteen pounds.

Machines, Tools, and Equipment:

• Capable of operating a personal computer and related software. Must be able to operate office equipment and telecommunications equipment.

Visual Acuity, Hearing and Speaking:

• Comfortable speaking on the telephone and via online conference tools. Must be able to communicate clearly and accurately for work and safety compliance.

Note: This job description is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, and requirements. Management retains the right to assign or reassign duties and/or responsibilities at any time.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Proven experience as a Network Operations Engineer, preferably in a FTTx XGS-PON environment.
• In-depth knowledge of XGS-PON network architecture, protocols, and standards.
• Strong understanding of IP networking concepts, including routing, switching, VLANs, and subnetting.
• Proficient with MPLS traffic engineering.
• DHCP and DNS administration.
• Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VOIP).
• Understanding of IPv4 and IPv6 addressing fundamentals.
• Strong technical, analytical, and organizational skills associated with design and implementation of complicated service provider architectures and applications.
• Experience with network monitoring and management tools for fault detection, performance monitoring, and capacity planning.
• Proficiency in troubleshooting network issues using tools such as packet captures, log analysis, and network diagnostic utilities.
• Familiarity with network security principles and best practices.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to diagnose and resolve complex network issues.
• Excellent communication and documentation skills.
• Familiarity with Python, or other such scripting languages.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Telecommunications, or a related field. Relevant certifications, such as CCNP, JNCIP, or equivalent, are highly desirable.
• Experience: Five or more years with a four-year bachelor’s degree or ten or more years in similar role without a bachelor’s degree.

About White River Connect, LLC

The White River Valley Electric Cooperative's headquarters are in the beautiful Ozark Mountains, just outside the city limits of Branson, Missouri. Our origins trace back to 1935 when the Rural Electrification Administration (REA) was created to bring comforts to rural Americans – like electric lights to extend the day. While the White River Valley Electric Cooperative of today continues to invest in its electrical infrastructure to ensure the same comforts to our rural communities, we are also investing in the future of our communities in which we serve by bringing broadband to all our members. White River Connect, LLC was formed to build a world-class fiber network that will help transform our rural communities just as our Cooperative's founders did with electricity 83 years ago.

Connections working at White River Connect, LLC