IT Operations Specialist

                              IT OPERATIONS SPECALIST
This is an on-site position located in Conway, Arkansas.

PURPOSE: 

The IT Operations Specialist will be responsible for evaluating, configuring, and supporting server and network monitoring technologies. They must also maintain current and thorough knowledge of customer environments. Strong communication skills are a must with a specific focus on verbal interaction.  

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Demonstrate intuitive problem-solving skills and allow for flexible scheduling.  

• Support, configuration, and maintenance of systems and networks.  

• Monitor network and server traffic for outages and issues and perform triage analysis to identify the root cause.  

• Performs technical analysis of system issues and outages as they occur across customer enterprise networks.  

• Performs research to troubleshoot and resolve the issue or, depending upon complexity, escalates the issue to higher-level systems administrators and network engineers.  

• Prioritize remediation of issues in a 24 x 7 environment with critical uptime requirements.  

• Perform and/or assist with digital forensic analysis post-incident.  

• Configuration/Administration support for Mobile Device Management and cloud applications  

• Installation/Configuration/Administration of network and server monitoring tools  

• Work closely with the other teams to assess risk and provide recommendations for improving our security posture.  

• Implement new technologies and roll-out new products and systems in coordination with Senior Engineering staff.  

• Performs trend analysis on monitoring alarms, incident reports, and service tickets, to resolve identified issues.  

• Provide timely response to all incidents, outages, and performance alerts. Categorize issues for escalation to appropriate technical teams.  

• Collect and review performance reports for various systems, and report trends in hardware and application performance to assist senior technical personnel to predict future issues or outages.  

• Monitor a wide variety of information and network systems that include, but are not limited to routers, switches, firewalls, VoIP systems, servers, storage, backup, operating systems, and core applications.  

• Document all actions in accordance with standard company policies and procedures.  

• Perform basic systems testing and operational tasks (installation of patches, network connectivity testing, script execution, etc.).  

• Monitoring, maintenance, diagnostics, and repair of computer equipment and downloading of client products.  

• Other Responsibilities as assigned by management.  

MINIMUM SKILLS, EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE 

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent  

• Must have strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.  

PREFERRED SKILLS, EDUCATION OR EXPERIENCE 

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems/Computer Science or 1+ years applicable help desk role preferred.  

• Experience with a Managed Service Provider (MSP) is a plus  

• MS-900 M365 Fundamentals  

• AZ-900 MS Azure Fundamentals  

• CompTIA Server +  

• CompTIA Network+  

• CompTIA Security+  

• ITIL 4 Foundation Training  

Starting Compensation: $45,000/year

The salary for this position is commensurate with experience, skills, and qualifications. The range is intended to reflect our commitment to attracting top talent, and the final offer will be based on factors including, but not limited to, the candidate's previous experience, expertise in the field, relevant certifications, and the specific requirements of the role. In addition, internal equity, market trends, and geographic location may also influence the final salary.

At Ascend Technologies we firmly believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are not only fundamental values but also powerful drivers of innovation, growth, and success. We are committed to fostering an environment where every individual feels valued, respected, and empowered. 

CORE VALUES 

We are seeking highly motivated individuals who have the willingness and ability to demonstrate Ascend core values:   

• Committed to Client Success: Our actions and our words always align with the best interest of the client. 

• One Team: We work collaboratively to overcome challenges with humility and respect and do what it takes to find innovative solutions. 

• Integrity: We are unquestionably committed to doing the right thing even when it is hard. 

• Accountability: We hold ourselves and each other accountable for keeping our commitments to our clients, our communities, and one another. 

• Transparency: We create open lines of communication with each other and our clients, fostering relationships founded on candor and trust. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  

Must be able to sit, stand, and bend for the duration of shift. The position is mainly sitting, with occasional lifting up to 50 lbs, such as laptop, server equipment, and, driving to the work site to meet with client(s).