IT Specialist II (Mid-Level) – Network Monitoring & Operations

Job Description

The IT Specialist II supports enterprise network operations through continuous monitoring, troubleshooting, analysis, and incident response activities. This position serves as a key member of the Network Operations Center (NOC) team and is responsible for leveraging SolarWinds and other enterprise monitoring tools to identify, isolate, diagnose, and resolve network performance and availability issues across mission-critical environments.


The successful candidate will possess strong hands-on experience using SolarWinds for enterprise network monitoring and troubleshooting and will be capable of translating monitoring data into actionable operational solutions. This role requires a solid foundation in networking technologies, incident management, and enterprise IT operations supporting Department of Defense (DoD) environments.


Essential Duties and Responsibilities


Network Monitoring & Operations

• Monitor enterprise network infrastructure utilizing SolarWinds and related enterprise monitoring tools.


• Identify, isolate, and troubleshoot network outages, performance degradation, latency issues, packet loss, and connectivity problems.


• Maintain situational awareness of network health, system availability, and operational status across supported environments.


• Support continuous monitoring efforts to ensure optimal network performance and availability.

SolarWinds Administration & Analysis

• Utilize SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (NPM) and associated modules to monitor and analyze network activity.


• Review and interpret SolarWinds alerts, events, logs, performance data, and historical metrics.


• Investigate root causes of network incidents using monitoring and diagnostic tools.


• Generate recommendations for issue resolution, escalation, and performance improvements.


• Monitor network devices and infrastructure components including routers, switches, servers, interfaces, circuits, and other connected systems.

Troubleshooting & Incident Response

• Diagnose and resolve network performance issues affecting enterprise services.


• Troubleshoot:
  
  
  
  • Device and interface availability issues
  
  
  • Bandwidth utilization concerns
  
  
  • CPU and memory utilization issues
  
  
  • Interface and transmission errors
  
  
  • Network performance anomalies
  
  
  • Routing and switching problems
  
  
  
  


• Respond to monitoring alerts and operational incidents in accordance with established procedures.


• Document troubleshooting activities, resolutions, and escalation actions.

Network Infrastructure Support

• Support enterprise networking technologies and services, including:
  
  
  
  • TCP/IP
  
  
  • DNS
  
  
  • DHCP
  
  
  • VLANs
  
  
  • Routing and Switching
  
  
  • SNMP
  
  
  • Network performance monitoring tools
  
  
  
  


• Assist with maintaining network reliability, performance, and operational readiness.


• Support implementation and validation of network changes and upgrades.

Operational Excellence

• Collaborate with engineering, cybersecurity, and operations teams to resolve service-impacting issues.


• Maintain accurate operational documentation and incident records.


• Participate in problem management and continuous service improvement initiatives.


• Contribute to meeting organizational service level agreements (SLAs) and operational objectives.

Minimum Qualifications


Education

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.

Experience

• Minimum of three (3) years of experience supporting enterprise IT operations, network monitoring, network administration, or Network Operations Center (NOC) environments.


• Demonstrated hands-on experience using SolarWinds for enterprise monitoring and troubleshooting.


• Experience identifying and resolving network availability and performance issues in complex enterprise environments.

Certifications

• CompTIA Security+ certification required.

Security Clearance

• Active Secret Clearance required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting Department of Defense (DoD) or Marine Corps enterprise networks.


• Prior experience in a Network Operations Center (NOC) environment.


• Experience with SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (NPM) and additional SolarWinds monitoring modules.


• Familiarity with enterprise incident management and change management processes.


• Experience monitoring large-scale, geographically dispersed network infrastructures.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of SolarWinds monitoring and troubleshooting capabilities.


• Strong understanding of enterprise networking concepts and protocols.


• Working knowledge of:
  
  
  
  • TCP/IP
  
  
  • DNS
  
  
  • DHCP
  
  
  • VLANs
  
  
  • Routing and Switching
  
  
  • SNMP
  
  
  
  


• Ability to analyze alerts, logs, performance metrics, and operational data.


• Strong troubleshooting and root-cause analysis skills.


• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple incidents simultaneously.


• Strong verbal and written communication skills.


• Ability to work effectively within a fast-paced operational environment.


• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.

Work Environment

• Onsite position located in Quantico, Virginia.


• Required to work onsite 40 hours per week.


• Office and secure government facility environment.


• Minimal travel required.


• May require participation in shift coverage, after-hours support, or operational surge requirements.

Success Factors


Successful candidates will demonstrate:

• Proven hands-on expertise with SolarWinds monitoring and troubleshooting tools.


• Strong network diagnostics and root-cause analysis capabilities.


• Ability to rapidly identify and resolve network performance issues.


• Effective incident management and escalation decision-making skills.


• Strong understanding of enterprise network operations and monitoring best practices.


• Commitment to mission success and operational excellence in a secure government environment.

The anticipated salary range for this role is $60,000 to $70,000 annually. The anticipated salary range for this position is provided in accordance with applicable pay transparency laws. The final starting salary will be determined based on a variety of job-related factors, including the selected candidate's qualifications, skills, relevant experience, education, certifications, and work location (where applicable), as well as internal equity and market considerations.


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