In order to ensure your company’s network remains viable and secure at all times, you are going to need a first-class network engineer working for you. The field of computer science has grown in recent years, so there are plenty of people skilled in this line of work. They are incredibly in-demand, so you need to convince these professionals that your company has something to offer them that other businesses cannot. It all starts with the job listing you post onto forums, and this listing needs to have a well-written job description. Read through this network engineer sample job description in case you need some ideas for your own.
Network Engineer Job Summary
You will be required to troubleshoot any and all problems that arise with the network. Your responsibilities will also include building net connections and configurations in order to maintain the company’s network performance.
Network Engineer Job Responsibilities and Duties
- Ensure all company security policies are enforced so that the network can remain secure
- Design the company’s network configuration in order to establish the networking environment
- Troubleshoot any network issues and fix outages in a timely manner
- Schedule upgrades when needed and collaborate with other network architects in order to fully optimize the organization’s network
- Monitor all areas of the network in order to catch problems before they become more severe
- Gather information related to the network in order to give operational reports
Network Engineer Skills and Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field
- Minimum of five years of experience working with a professional network
- Ability to multitask and prioritize tasks
- Knowledgeable with both a VOIP and multi-site WAN environment
- Comprehensive knowledge of wireless and video conferencing technologies
- Team player
- Great analytical skills
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Ability to work independently when necessary
Company Profile
Manamuse is a non-profit organization that has been operating since 1927. We are dedicated to providing food to the hungry at every corner of the planet. Although we have begun expanding into numerous other countries, there is still plenty to be done, and we require a skilled network engineer to help us on our mission.
Writing a Job Description Best Practices
- Feel free to deviate from this network engineer sample job description as much as you want so that your company’s job description matches the needs you have. Additionally, you should follow this list of rules as well to make your description amazing.
- Do not write the position’s job description in a vacuum. You should speak with someone in your organization who currently works as a network engineer or had that position in the past. These people will let you know if you should add or get rid of something.
- Do not throw in a bunch of corporate buzzwords that do not ultimately mean anything. Stick to clear, easy to understand language so that job seekers do not have any questions by the time they reach the end of the page.
- Do follow the Goldilocks rule. That means you do not want a job description that is too short or too long. Instead, you want your description to be just the right length, which generally means that you do not go over 700 words.
- Do put yourself in applicants’ shoes. If you were looking for a new job, then what kinds of things would you be paying attention to in the job description? Would it be a fun company culture? Are there perks you can offer? The answers to these questions should be addressed.
- Do use visuals if appropriate in order to make your job description different. This can include putting in a few pictures of your offices. If you have an informational video, then include that as well.
- Do mention what type of employment it is going to be. The job being full-time or part-time can highly influence whether someone is interested in applying or not.
- Do get specific when you are discussing the position’s responsibilities. You should have somewhere between five and 10 duties listed, and you should include an many relevant details you can.
You get back what you put in. If you take the time to write a really great job description, then you are more likely to get better candidates. If you only spend five minutes working on it and leave out a bunch of pertinent details, then your applicant pool is going to reflect that.
Network Engineer Job Responsibilities
The list of job responsibilities in a network engineer job description should be put together carefully. Jobseekers will have trouble matching their skills to a vague, underwhelming or overwhelming list of network engineer job responsibilities, which can put off high-quality candidates who only apply for positions that will suit them well.
You’ll want to put together a succinct list of the core responsibilities of the position. Be as specific as possible; for example, mention software currently in use that a candidate will need to be familiar with. Clarify whether this is an in-house position or whether the new hire will be serving external customers. Most network engineer positions involve both installation and maintenance of systems; prioritize tasks like this in your list, with the most common task at the top and responsibilities that won’t take as much of your new employee’s time at the bottom of the list. Follow the above guidelines and check out the examples below to help compose a network engineer job description that fits your company perfectly:
- Collaborate with customers on network development to help create, install and maintain the network that meets their needs
- Stay up to date on new technologies and network designs
- Improve, update and support network software and hardware for customers as needed
- Develop positive professional relationships with customers
- Respond promptly to requests for service and support
Network Engineer Job Specifications
Writing job specifications for a network engineer job description shouldn’t be difficult, but it does require a nuanced understanding of the role your new hire will fill. A sloppy set of requirements could bring on a deluge of unqualified candidates, or lead to quick turnover if you attract overqualified candidates who won’t be satisfied with the position you have to offer. Gauge existing employees who hold the same or similar positions at your company; how much experience and education did they have when hired? Keep the minimum requirements in your network engineer job description aimed toward the lower range of similar hires who worked well. You can always add a second set of preferred requirements with longer experience, but you don’t want to miss out on enthusiastic candidates with all the right skills who will be eager to do well in the position in favor of candidates who will get bored and move on quickly.
Here are some suggested network engineer job specifications that you may consider using:
- Current CCNA certification required
- Minimum three years of experience in network design, management and administration; five years preferred
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science/engineering or equivalent preferred
- Strong communication skills in person, over the phone and by email needed, as customer service is part of this position
- Availability for travel to customer sites for in-person network setup and maintenance