Computer network support specialists help IT departments by testing and evaluating existing networks, maintaining existing networks and troubleshooting LAN and WAN networks. They also troubleshoot internet systems. These specialists help non-IT personnel with computer problems.
When discussing education requirements on your computer network support specialist job description, be specific, as this vocation offers entry-level positions to those with an associate degree and more advanced positions to those with a bachelor’s degree. Communication skills are necessary for this position, as the specialist will work in a computer support capacity with all company personnel.
The most important skill is the ability to solve problems that can often be mystifying and frustrating. The ability to analyze a network issue, no matter how complex, and then resolve it is a definite must. View the sample computer network support specialist job description below for additional guidance.
Computer Network Support Specialist Job Summary
Are you the Indiana Jones of computer network support specialists who can guide us to the Holy Grail: a fast and reliable business network? Do your friends ask you to stop analyzing everything? Are you an expert in evaluating existing network systems and making recommendations to improve them? Do you thrive at the challenge of building a local area network (LAN) and wide area network (WAN) that laughs at attempted interruptions? Then we need you. Your expertise in analyzing, maintaining, testing and troubleshooting network and internet systems will be invaluable to our operations. You know this technical stuff; we don’t.
Job Responsibilities
- Analyze, design, build and configure local area network (LAN) and wide area network (WAN), including installation of network software, firewalls and security settings for all network endpoints to support business growth
- Configure LAN and WAN routers and all related equipment when new systems needed
- Set up desktop computer equipment and install all network and system software, including operating systems and user software packages for new employees
- Set up new users on LAN and/or WAN networks, provide access permissions to approved groups and configure security settings for new employees
- Maintain and back up all networks, including hardware and software updates daily to keep systems running efficiently
- Troubleshoot and indentify daily LAN and WAN network issues, including at the user and user group level, to ensure minimal connectivity problems and outage
- Analyze all attempted or successful network security breaches daily to determine breach cause, resolve related issues and secure network to prevent future infiltration
- Evaluate and document LAN and WAN data to ensure networks are performing at peak capacity and suggest solutions to improve performance and mitigate disaster
Job Skills and Qualifications
Reqiured:
- Associate degree
- Three years remote access, network and computer server experience
- Network software experience, e.g. Cisco Systems, Hewlett-Packard, SolarWinds
- Monitoring, Security and OS Software experience, e.g. Cisco Systems, IBM, Apple, BlackBerry Enterprise, McAfee
Preferred:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Previous IT help desk experience
- Previous hardware and software testing experience
Computer Network Support Specialist Job Responsibilities
One of the most crucial components of your computer network support specialist job description is the job responsibilities section. This section should be the meatiest section of your job description, detailing core responsibilities of the position so jobseekers gain a thorough understanding of what you will expect of them on a daily basis if they fill the position. That being said, don’t overwhelm potential candidates with a longwinded list of every single aspect of the job. Aim to include between six and eight bullet points.
Put a lot of thought and effort into this section of your computer network support specialist job description to draw jobseekers in. Start each description with an eye-catching action verb, and use clear and confident language throughout the section to help jobseekers picture the position.
For ideas of what computer network support specialist job responsibilities to include, refer to the following examples:
- Maintain the functionality and security of company computer networks and all interlinked systems on a daily basis
- Assist users with network diagnosis and support in person, on the telephone and over email
- Evaluate network data to ensure consistently adequate speed and space
- Record network troubleshooting activities and perform preventative maintenance to achieve optimum, uninterrupted network performance
Computer Network Support Specialist Job Specifications
The qualifications and skills section may not be as long as the job responsibilities section, but it is equally important to your computer network support specialist job description. To avoid wasting the time of your hiring manager and unqualified jobseekers, come up with an exact list of every prerequisite necessary to fulfill the position. The clearer and more precise this list, the better your chances of receiving applications from only those who are suitable candidates.
Consult with your hiring committee or manager before drafting this particular part of your computer network support specialist job description. Use their input to make sure this section contains a realistic and thorough list of the education, experience, skills and other qualifications necessary for the position. Determine which qualifications are required and which are preferred, and structure your list accordingly to avoid confusing readers.
Look at these examples of computer network support specialist job specifications to better understand what to include in this section:
- Previous experience as a computer network support specialist
- Associate degree in computer networking or a related area
- Advanced understanding of LAN and WAN support
- Expertise in diagnostic and security software
- In-depth knowledge of networking equipment and infrastructure devices
- Skills in problem solving, customer service and prioritizing