POSITION IDENTIFICATION
TITLE Director, Networking
CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 1560
GRADE 38
CLASSIFICATION Exempt
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Chief Information Officer
GENERAL FUNCTION
The Director of Networking plans, organizes, and manages the administrative and technical aspects of the University’s data networks at all Missouri State University campuses and locations. Duties include installation, maintenance, monitoring, and planning for the network infrastructure to support both academic and administrative responsibilities. The Director of Networking supervises the networking staff in their support of the University’s networking environment, develops goals and objectives conducive to ongoing and enhanced computing capabilities, and assists in the formulation of strategic planning for both short- and long-term activities.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A Bachelor’s degree is required; a Bachelor’s degree in a computer-related field is preferred. An equivalent combination of years of experience and education may be considered for substitution of educational requirements.
Experience: A minimum of five years of experience in network analysis and design of a major multi-vendor network environment is required. Demonstrated successful experience managing complex network-based projects is required. A minimum of three years of supervisory experience is required. A minimum of three years of comprehensive management experience involving project management, planning, preparing project cost estimates, budget oversight and development is preferred. Work experience in a higher education environment is preferred.
Skills: Must be able to effectively manage multiple, complex network-based projects concurrently. Effective interpersonal, customer service, organizational, and team-building skills are required. The ability to maintain confidentiality regarding information processed, stored, or accessed by the systems is required. Excellent verbal and written communication skills and proficiency in writing technical specification documents is required. Strong technical skills and current technical knowledge are required. The ability to work effectively with a variety of constituencies possessing a wide range of technical knowledge is required. A thorough understanding of network protocols including TCP/IP and networking equipment including routers, switches, classic firewalls, and next generation firewalls is required. The ability to solve network-related problems by using diagnostic techniques and protocols is required. The ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds is required.
Effort: The position requires working at computers for extended periods of time, occasionally lifting and carrying objects weighing up to fifty pounds and requires sufficient mobility to replace networking equipment and connect cables in ceilings and wiring centers which may require climbing ladders and working in confined spaces.
Other: The 24-hour scope of university operations requires this position to be available evenings, nights, and weekends to respond to calls regarding questions or problems with the University’s networks. Occasional travel to remote sites to provide support or engage in professional development opportunities is required.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Ensures a high-quality program of support in network services by coordinating and
managing the efforts of the Networking Department by assigning duties and objectives,
supervising the maintenance of University networks within the Missouri State system,
and providing technical assistance in networking issues to faculty, staff, and students.
2. Ensures the hiring and continued employment of quality personnel by directly or
indirectly supervising the selection, training, and evaluation of the Networking Department’s
staff.
3. Develops proposals, presentations, plans, timelines, and budgets for complex projects
and manages priorities, equipment, and staff resources to ensure completion of projects
within budgets and timelines.
4. Ensures operational integrity and continuity of the network services by providing
leadership in the development of objectives for the Networking Department to support
both academic and administrative networking within the University through reliability,
responsiveness, documentation, and currency of software/hardware.
5. Provides the highest level of effectiveness and support in network operations by
obtaining and maintaining an in-depth knowledge of any network-related hardware and
software utilized within the University through both vendor-supplied training and
individual effort.
6. Provides proper scheduling of downtime when upgrading campus networking components
and ensures effective communication to the campus community concerning networking
outages.
7. Ensures appropriate security measures and components are in place to protect campus
networks and computer systems from intrusion attacks.
8. Coordinates activities such as assignment of software/hardware installations, upgrades, maintenance, and any associated training which is designed to accomplish the departmental mission.
9. Increases departmental effectiveness by assisting with the evaluation of software and hardware products regarding acquisition and development and making appropriate recommendations to the CIO.10. Contributes to the overall success of the Office of Information Services by participating in the establishment of goals and standards conducive to the successful development of ongoing and enhanced capabilities and by assisting in the formulation of strategic planning for both short- and long-term activities.
11. Ensures the availability of network and computer resources by managing disaster prevention and recovery efforts caused by events like power outages, hardware failures, etc.
12. Participates in the University's common operational objectives by assisting other departments as well as individuals with network-related questions and support.
13. Facilitates a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.
14. Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses required to do so.
15. Contributes to the overall success of the Office of Information Services by performing all other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Chief Information Officer.
SUPERVISION
The Director of Networking is supervised by the Chief Information Officer and supervises
the networking staff. Job functions are routinely handled independently with a limited
amount of supervision.
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
REVISED MARCH 2023
