Network Administrator

Job Description Summary At EKC, our network is the digital backbone that enables learners, educators, and communities across Kansas and Missouri to access meaningful pathways into high-wage, high-opportunity jobs. As a Network Administrator, you will play a critical role in building and sustaining the infrastructure that powers this mission.
This is a role for someone who wants their technical expertise to have real, measurable impact. You will own Ora Nexum, an edge-based high performance, highly secure private cloud network that hosts the DataSphere, TalentSphere, Heartland Cyber Range, and IdeaSphere. Ora Nexum is hosted in partnership with schools, libraries, higher education institutions, nonprofits, industry and community organizations across the region, ensuring access to opportunity is not limited by geography. Your work will directly support students, teachers, industry professionals, and organizations who rely on EKC’s platforms to help grow the regional talent supply chain.
The Network Administrator plays a critical role in ensuring stability, security, and scalability of our network. This role is responsible not only for maintaining day-to-day network and IT operations, but also for providing technical ownership and strategic guidance as our infrastructure continues to grow.

Job Description

Ownership:

• Own Ora Nexum, EKC’s distributed, edge-based network architecture spanning rural and urban partner-hosted environments across Kansas and Missouri.

• Serve as the technical owner and escalation point for EKC’s network, infrastructure, and core IT systems.

• Maintain accountability for network reliability, security posture, scalability, and documentation.
• Provide technical leadership and architectural guidance as EKC’s infrastructure evolves.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, manage, and operate EKC’s distributed network across partner-hosted sites.

• Ensure reliable connectivity, appropriate bandwidth utilization, and consistent performance across the network.

• Implement and maintain secure network segmentation using firewalls, VLANs, DMZs, or equivalent controls.

• Monitor network health and performance, identifying trends, risks, and opportunities for improvement.

• Maintain configuration standards and comprehensive network documentation.

• Support server installation, placement, and operational readiness through familiarity with server hardware and hosting environments.

• Serve as a technical point of contact for prospective and existing partners.

• Explain EKC’s infrastructure model and hosting requirements to both technical and non-technical audiences.

• Collaborate with leadership and internal teams to align infrastructure decisions with EKC’s mission.

• Provision, configure, and maintain associate laptops, including baseline security and system setup in coordination with TIFEC IT.

• Troubleshoot and resolve associate workstation issues.

• Support conference rooms and shared spaces, including AV, displays, audio, and conferencing systems.

• Oversee infrastructure assets, including servers and hosted machines.

General Responsibilities

• Provide technical support and troubleshooting for network related issues.

• Document network configurations, procedures, and best practices.

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment of network infrastructure with business goals.

• Conduct and implement disaster recovery planning and strategy.

• Conduct regular audits to ensure network security and compliance with industry standards.

• Identify potential partners and contact them in pursuit of a meeting.

• Respond to all requests from external and internal clients in a timely and professional manner.

• Identify business and market trends utilizing multiple sources of data.

• Comply with all company policies and proactively protecting confidentiality of Client and company information.

• Develop weekly Progress, Problems, Plans (P3) report.

• Additional responsibilities as assigned.

Expected Outcomes:

• Robust and scalable internal network infrastructure.

• Expansion of the network through successful partner acquisitions.

• Improved network performance and reliability.

• Mitigation of network related risks and vulnerabilities.

• Increased geographic diversity and redundancy in the decentralized edge network, reducing the risk of single points of failure and improving overall system resilience.

• Establishment of a scalable infrastructure framework for future growth and adaptation to evolving business needs and technological advancements.

• Establishment of a proactive cybersecurity culture within EnterpriseKC, reducing the risk of security incidents.

Key Metrics:

• Network uptime and availability.

• Number of new partner acquisitions for hosting EKC machines.

• Performance metrics of the network (latency, throughput, etc.)

• Partner satisfaction ratings.

• Compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards.

Attributes:

• Smart, creative, analytic, problem solver

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to engage with both technical and non-technical partners and Associates.

• Self-starting results oriented.

• Strategic thinking and business acumen to identify opportunities for network expansion.

• Inquisitive, life-long learner, particularly around new technologies.

• Attention to detail and ability to prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment.

• Trustworthy, respects and practices confidentiality

• Familiarity with edge computing concepts and decentralized network architectures.

• Polite, respectful and demonstrates good judgment when dealing with people.

• Passion for creating value, delivering above and beyond what is asked.

Skills and Abilities:

• 2-4+ years designing or supporting secure network architectures

• 2-3+ years supporting end-user systems and workplace technology

• 2-4+ years managing infrastructure monitoring, patching, and maintenance at scale.

• Clear, concise verbal and written communication skills.

• Strong presentation skills.

• Strong time management and organizational skills, including planning, goal setting, organizing, scheduling, and prioritizing.

• Knowledge of networking protocols, including TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, and VPN.

• Experience with cloud computing platforms and virtualization technologies.

• Negotiation and relationship building skills for partner acquisition.

• Project management skills to coordinate deployments and implementations effectively.

• Understanding of cybersecurity principles and best practices for network security

• Excellent leadership and communication skills, capable of driving technology visions and engaging effectively with stakeholders at all levels.

• Comfortable operating in a startup-style environment where priorities evolve and responsibilities expand as the organization grows.

• Ability to put team success above personal preference.

• Ability to work outside of normal business hours as needed.

• Strong, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint skills (MS Teams and MS Project skills a plus).