SMC Technician I

GCI Communication Corp•Anchorage, AK

27d•$2,500•Hybrid

About The Position

GCI's SMC Technician I will monitor and support critical network elements to maintain the continuous operation of the company’s network and system infrastructure. Provide on-shift surveillance, management, advanced-level troubleshooting response, and trouble resolution of the company’s Wireless Radio Access Network (RAN) equipment and Core Transport Network in order to provide the highest level of network availability, restoring service. This is an entry-level technical position within the network control monitor and surveillance discipline with a basic skill set and proficiency working under close supervision. Conducts work assignments as directed with an understanding of telecommunications network technical environments. Reviews planned and unplanned changes to network infrastructure ensuring all networks are meeting industry standards and performance goals. Follows all documented procedures and participates in troubleshooting response and resolution. Provides on-shift surveillance and supports senior level technicians and management. Compile and submit notifications and reports on network status and activity. Initiate notifications to management as determined by protocol to ensure the proper operation and maintenance of the company’s network. Monitor the network and associated network elements, investigating and determining the cause of network events and alarms. Perform network troubleshooting and corrective maintenance. Respond to and isolate outages, working with the appropriate technical groups to prevent and/or restore service. Initiate disaster recovery actions as required. Interact with internal teams; the company’s customers and vendors in a professional manner to resolve issues at the lowest level and as timely as possible. Work closely with various engineering and network control technicians to support development and implement tools and processes to improve capabilities ensuring quality service levels. Provide technical support and assistance to senior technicians. Mentor junior technicians as requested.

Requirements

High School diploma or equivalent.
Associate degree in Telecommunications, Computer Science, or related field.
Minimum of four (4) years of increasing responsibility and experience within a technical network telecommunications environment or related background.
Proficient computer skills and MS Office knowledge (e.g., Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel) to complete job duties effectively.
Broad based working knowledge of interdepartmental and external communication and coordination required.
Ability to work with peers and senior-level technicians to accurately communicate status of GCI’s network assets to stakeholders, including physical facilities, network devices, and current service level availabilities during critical outages and maintenance events.
Demonstrated ability to receive and classify work requests via email, tickets, and/or phone calls and assign tasks on a priority basis to team members of various technical abilities and assignments.
Ability to develop, test, and enrich new processes and procedures; periodically assessing for accuracy and optimization to align with current departmental goals and overlying company mission.
Ability to read, interpret, and contribute to network documentation.
Knowledge of ITIL framework; specifically Change Management, Service Validation and Testing, and Incident Management.
Knowledgeable of transmission facilities including the test, turn up, and troubleshooting of T- 1 and Ethernet circuits required.
Experience with network troubleshooting and corrective maintenance; responding to circuit and facility outages within GCI’s network; isolating outages and working with appropriate technical groups to restore service.
Comprehensive understanding of standard operations concepts such as availability, redundancy, reliability, and testing.
Working knowledge of Linux/Unix operating systems.
Ability to diagnosis basic routing problems.
Knowledge of IP address nomenclature and meaning, IP protocols, IP routing, router and switch components and facilities, Communication facilities (fiber, cable, RF, PSTN, T1, ISDN, DDS, etc.) and Communication equipment (CSUs, modems, xDSL, wiring frames, cabling, etc.).
Ability to accurately communicate information and ideas to others effectively.
Ability to make valid judgments and decisions.
Must work well in a team environment and be able to work with a diverse group of people and customers.

Nice To Haves

CCNA (Cisco), Juniper, or SCTE DOCSIS certifications.
Telecommunications experience.
Other relevant telecom industry or job specific certifications.
Knowledge of regulatory agencies and requirements around telecommunication incidents such as RCA, FCC, FAA, NORS, and PSAPs preferred.
Preferred DOS/Windows/UNIX/Open view and associated applications.
Demonstrated knowledge of Wireless RF concepts such as UMTS/HSPA, GSM/GPRS/EDGE, CDMA/EVDO, LTE and 5G preferred.
Experience with Ericsson and Nortel Wireless Networks preferred.
Understanding of RF propagation principles and cellular theory preferred.
Demonstrated knowledge of RF transmission concepts of multiple access, duplexing, and communications protocols.
Experience operating, maintaining, or installing satellite, microwave, or other wireless networks to preferably include programming, configuring, and troubleshooting.
Understanding of RF transmission principles used in microwave or satellite communications preferred.
FCC license is desired.
Experience in a wide variety of telecommunications networks to include Force 10/Turin, Cisco ONS, ALU, Calix GPON, BTI, TYCO NEC, Tellabs, ECI, Juniper, and ADTRAN equipment.

Responsibilities

Function and work as a team to troubleshoot complex company network and customer issues using all required skills to perform the necessary duties.
Follow procedures to identify and validate trouble conditions and take the appropriate course of action to minimize service interruptions.
Consult with employees, other departments, and management to determine the root cause of an incident, outage, or failure of services and determine corrective actions.
Perform proactive network status checks as part of normal surveillance activities ensuring optimum performance.
Work closely with various engineering groups, network control, and field technicians to develop and implement tools and processes to improve capabilities and ensure quality service levels.
Ensure all networks meet industry standards and identified performance goals.
Compile and submit notifications and reports on network status and activity.
Initiate notifications to management as determined by protocol to ensure the proper operation and maintenance of the company’s network.
Monitor the network and associated network elements, investigating and determining the cause of network events and alarms.
Perform network troubleshooting and corrective maintenance.
Respond to and isolate outages, working with the appropriate technical groups to prevent and/or restore service.
Initiate disaster recovery actions as required.
Interact with internal teams; the company’s customers and vendors in a professional manner to resolve issues at the lowest level and as timely as possible.
Provide technical support and assistance to senior technicians.
Mentor junior technicians as requested.