Network Administration Officer

About AARNet

Australia’s Academic and Research Network (AARNet) was established in 1989 and is widely regarded as the founder of the Internet in Australia and renowned as the architect, builder and operator of world-class network infrastructure for research and education. 

As Australia’s National Research and Education Network (NREN). We connect over one million users — researchers, faculty, staff, students, hospitals, vocational training providers, schools and museums — across Australia.

We are an organisation of innovators, doers, and courageous thinkers. We don’t settle for the status quo; instead, we anticipate the future needs of our customers and build solutions today. If you share our imagination, foresight, and drive to shape the future, why not come and join us?

https://www.aarnet.edu.au/

Role Purpose

The Network Administration Officer is responsible for assisting with documentation, reporting and automation processes, significantly enhancing the efficiency, accuracy, and effectiveness of the Operations team while directly supporting the successful execution of upcoming initiatives. Their primary focus will be on enhancing documentation processes and ensuring the accuracy of network infrastructure records and producing reports. The Network Administration Officer will collaborate with team members within Operations as well as across departments to ensure network operations run smoothly and support the organisation's goals.

Key Accountabilities

At AARNet, all employees are accountable for:

• Actively promoting safe work practices in the workplace during all activities consistent with AARNet’s policies and comply with all WH&S legislation, policies and procedures.
• Actively contributes to a safe and supportive working environment that is inclusive of all staff through celebrating their nationality, cultural background, LGBTI status, abilities, gender and age.

In this role, your main responsibilities are:

Enhanced Documentation and Automation:

• Collaborate with team members to maintain accurate and up-to-date network and service line diagrams.
• Assist with Incident and Change Management related activities, identifying network impact and diversity as required.
• Document details for both new and existing services, ensuring comprehensive records are maintained.
• Work proactively to uphold the quality and integrity of data within systems that hold network information, producing periodic reports to confirm quality of information.
• Identify opportunities for process automation. Assist in developing scripts or tools to automate routine tasks and maintain existing automation processes.

Process Efficiency and Compliance:

• Take ownership of quarterly audits of data center access, portal access, and associated roles, ensuring adherence to compliance and security standards.
• Promptly address any compliance-related issues or discrepancies identified during audits to mitigate risks and maintain a secure network environment.
• Collaborate with the team to implement improvements to streamline audit processes and reports.
• Develop and implement processes for the efficient tracking and replenishment of spare parts and device spares across all states, optimizing resource allocation and reducing costs.

Network Configuration, Reports and Maintenance:

• Assist engineers in performing basic network configuration management to ensure the consistency and reliability of network configurations.
• Conduct daily audits of monitoring alarms, promptly addressing any issues or anomalies detected.
• Collaborate with network engineers to implement recommended changes or optimizations to enhance overall network performance, SLAs and reliability.
• Generate comprehensive reports covering network performance, incidents, changes, SLAs, telemetry, and capacity planning to provide insights and inform decision-making.
• Regularly review and analyze telemetry data to identify trends and potential areas for improvement in network capacity and performance.
• Liase with suppliers to arrange maintenance contracts and equipment repairs.
• Raise purchase orders for equipment and ensure there is an adequate supply of spare parts in the appropriate locations.

Client Support and Expertise:

• Service as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for network-based products provided to AARNet customers.
• Provide support and expertise to the Operations Centre team, addressing inquiries and troubleshooting issues to ensure their satisfaction.

About you in the role

You will celebrate diversity, inclusion, belonging and welcome all people regardless of lifestyle choices, ethnicity, faith, sexual orientation or gender identity.

Your directorate: Operations

You’ll report to: Operations Centre Manager

Your expertise, experience & qualifications

• At least 2 years’ experience in a network support related role, or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and training
• Strong understanding of network concepts, protocols, and technologies including Fibre optical technology.
• Must be able to work collaboratively across physical locations
• Demonstrated problem solving and troubleshooting skills
• Experience working with ITSM solutions
• Excellent written, oral and interpersonal communication skills

Even better

Although not essential to the role, it would be even better if you had any of the following experience/skills:

• A desire to learn new skills and technologies. 
• Professionally respond to and work collaboratively with customers and colleagues
• Work independently, be self-motivated and able to prioritise tasks

Benefits at AARNet

AARNet is committed to diversity and providing equal opportunity to all. We’re a great place to work if you want to make a difference. 

AARNet provides a host of other benefits in line with our HR policies which include:

• Competitive remuneration;
• 17% superannuation; 
• Flexible work options including a hybrid work model;
• Focus on wellbeing – year-round initiatives and social engagement activities;
• Ethical Leadership: A sector leader in cyber security, social responsibility, and equal opportunity;
• Options to purchase additional Annual Leave; 
• 2 days paid Women’s Wellness Leave per month; 
• 24 weeks paid Parental Leave – Primary Carer; 
• Welcome back to AARNet superannuation payment – on unpaid Parental Leave for Primary Carer; 
• 4 weeks paid Birth Trauma Leave; 
• 24 weeks paid - Adoption Leave; 
• 16 weeks paid Parental Leave – Secondary Carer; 
• 5 days paid – First Nations Cultural Leave; 
• 2 days paid Family Wedding Leave; 
• 24 weeks paid – Foster Carer Leave; 
• 5 days paid – Fertility Leave; 
• 8 weeks paid – Gender Affirmation Leave; 
• Strong Equal Opportunity focus;  
• Modern office environment: Hotdesking system and new facilities;
• Support your success: A culture and company structure that allows your career to grow with access to leading edge technologies;
• An opportunity to give back to the academic and research sector.