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University of Calgary
Senior Network Specialist - Information Technologies
Higher Ed
Networking
Cisco
Edtech.com's Summary
University of Calgary is hiring a Senior Network Specialist - Information Technologies to provide technical leadership for the team that operates the university's data and communication networks. The specialist is the escalation point for complex network issues and a consultative resource for senior IT leadership on architecture and project design. The role reports to the Manager of Network Services and mentors junior staff despite having no direct reports.
Highlights
- Lead regular technical reviews of architecture and project delivery, and contribute to enterprise standards through deployment guides, QA/QC checklists, and Layer 1 to Layer 3 network diagrams.
- Coordinate patch management for network infrastructure, planning, scheduling, and tracking software, firmware, and security updates across all supported platforms.
- Provide escalation support to the operations team for detection, diagnosis, isolation, and restoration of service, and validate implementation and test plans for key deployments and changes.
- Verify that access controls let authorized users reach services while preventing unauthorized access to systems.
- Mentor team members on network operations and make sure technical support documentation is completed by everyone on the team.
- Run network roadmap sessions, define capacity thresholds, and research and recommend architecture upgrades before limits are reached.
- Represent Research, Teaching and Learning, and Administration stakeholders in dealings with outside vendors and suppliers.
- Hold an undergraduate degree in engineering or computer science, a CCNP with progress toward CCIE, and 10 to 15 years of experience in a highly complex network environment.
- Bring expert knowledge of MPLS, VPLS, BGP, IP, TCP, UDP, and Ethernet, plus Nexus 9K, 7K, 5K, and 2K switch configuration and experience with firewalls, load balancers, wireless, and VoIP.
- Work 35 hours per week plus on-call duty, including work outside normal office hours.
Senior Network Specialist - Information Technologies Full Description
The Information Technologies is currently seeking a Full-time Regular Senior Network Specialist.
This position reporting to the Manager of Network Services in the Technology Services & Operations in IT. The incumbent will be responsible for the overall operations of the University data and communication systems as well as be involved with supporting specific projects. The Senior Network Technical Lead will provide technical leadership to the Network Operations team and provide in depth technical analysis and troubleshooting process with any technical network issues impacting operation IT services. In addition, the incumbent will be a key consultative resource for senior IT leadership and other technical resources.
The position is expected to be an expert in all aspects of the delivery of network services and the operation of the network infrastructure he/she manages to ensure the availability of IT services to all members of the University community. Individuals in the role are required to act as technical experts when leading/participating in architectural roadmaps, project design and implementation, as well as operational escalation support.
The Senior Network Specialist will act as the primary point of coordination for network infrastructure patch management, ensuring software, firmware, and security updates are planned, scheduled, tracked, and completed across all supported platforms in collaboration with Network Services colleagues.
The Network Operations team administers and maintains networking devices to ensure proper operation and availability. The network is the core for all information technology services. It is crucial that services are designed to be redundant, highly available, and rapidly restored when problems arise.
The position works 35 hours per week plus being on call. There is a requirement for work outside of normal office hours. The position requires working closely with IT staff as well as other University stakeholders. The position is required to represent and advocate on behalf of stakeholders in Research, Teaching and Learning, and Administration when dealing with outside vendors and suppliers. The position is expected to lead in technical projects. As a senior team member, the position is expected to mentor junior staff despite not having any direct reports. The position is subject to high stress as it requires balancing multiple priorities and the impact of error can be campus-wide.
Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):
The Senior Network Operations Technical Lead will perform the following:
Project Architectural and Design Oversight and Review
- Apply industry knowledge to create best-practices, and conduct regular technical reviews of architecture and project delivery to ensure optimum production operations and sustainment
- Oversee all network deliverables are executed upon to specified standards through: Participation in enterprise standards development; Deployment guides; QA/QC checklists; Network L1-L3 diagrams
Staff Technical Mentoring
- Provide technical leadership to the team in the form of ongoing technical oversight and technical advice and mentoring to all team members
- Oversee that technical support documentation is completed by all team members
Operations Excellency and Oversight
- Provide technical updates, recommendations and solutions for continuous service improvement
- Enforce the application of vendor provided upgrades to devices and operating systems within a specified frequency
- Provide escalation support for operations team in their process of detection, diagnostics, isolation and service restoration
- Ensure proper access controls are in place so authorized users can access services while preventing unauthorized access to systems
- Validation of implementation and test plans while providing assistance with key deployments and changes where required
Enterprise Standards Development
- Conduct and provide technical network roadmap sessions as part of continuous service improvement exercises
- Maintain awareness of new technologies, procedures and industry best practices that might enhance device operation, capacity, and performance
- Define capacity thresholds and proactively research and recommend architecture upgrades
Qualifications / Requirements:
- Undergraduate degree in Engineering or Computer Science
- CCNP and progression towards CCIE, or related network engineering discipline certification
- 10-15 years of directly relevant experience in a highly complex network environment
- Expert level knowledge of routing and routing protocols including MPLS, VPLS, BGP, etc
- Expert level knowledge of IP, TCP, and UDP
- Expert level knowledge and experience of Ethernet and related technologies
- Experience with scripting languages and network monitoring and testing tools
- Working knowledge and experience with operating systems like VMware, Linux, Windows
- Experience configuring and working with various VOIP devices and protocols
- Experience configuring and working with various CLI device operating systems
- Experience configuring and working with various firewall devices and load balancers
- Experience configuring and working with various wireless devices
- Expert level knowledge of Nexus 9K, 7K, 5K and 2K switches and able to configure devices
- Knowledge of IT governance and operations including ITIL is recommended
- Working knowledge and experience with various compute and storage systems is recommended
Application Deadline: November 12, 2026
We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.
This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Technical Job Family, Phase 3.
As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities.
We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.
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