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Closing Date:
10/01/2026
Type of Position:
Professional Staff - Information Technology

Workstudy Position:

No
Job Type:
Regular

Work Shift:

Sponsorship Available:

No
Institution Name:
Arkansas Research and Education Optical Network (ARE-ON)

Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions, you should review before applying for the opening.

Department:
Network and Technical Support

Department's Website:

https://www.areon.net
Summary of Job Duties:
The ARE-ON Associate Network Engineer's role is to ensure the operations and service delivery of the ARE-ON state-wide backbone network and subscribed network services for our member organizations.

About ARE-ON

ARE-ON provides and supports WAN and select networking services for 45 institutions of higher-ed and healthcare delivery in Arkansas, including internet delivery, managed WAN router service, and project consulting. The ARE-ON associate network engineer is directly responsible for supporting technology services that drive the healthcare, research, and education missions of some of the largest public organizations in the state. ARE-ON is a unit of the University of Arkansas System, and all our employees are eligible for the same benefits package as the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville campus.

Day-to-Day Work

The Associate Network Engineer for ARE-ON reports to the Director of Network Services and provides hands-on installation, maintenance, and support for ARE-ON's state-wide network infrastructure. This role installs fiber cabling and networking equipment at ARE-ON facilities and performs basic troubleshooting of network switching and routing systems, their operating systems, and associated components. The Associate Network Engineer documents equipment and connections as they map to ARE-ON's services, maintaining accurate and current network records. This role participates in on-call rotation, triaging and resolving network service incidents and tickets, and supports the broader network team with project execution, systems support, and infrastructure management.

This role is on the ARE-ON network operations team of 5 that shares the support of the state-wide telecommunications shelters, more than 2,200 miles of leased and owned fiber optic cables and strands, optical transmission systems, installed network router and switch hardware, and a myriad of other network support hardware and software that encompass ARE-ON's Network and member services.

This position reports directly to the ARE-ON Director of Network Services.

Work Conditions
• Network maintenance activities, including both planned and emergency work, frequently occur during off-peak hours, including evenings, overnight, and weekends, to minimize disruption to member institutions' operations
• Regular in-state travel and occasional interstate travel to ARE-ON network facilities, points of presence, and member institutions is required, up to 50% of working time
• Participation in an on-call rotation to support incident response outside of standard business hours
• Remote work for this position is allowed under the University of Arkansas Fayetteville Policies and Procedures 412.3. The employee must be a resident of Arkansas but does not have to work out of the Fayetteville ARE-ON offices or reside in the Northwest Arkansas area.
• Regular, reliable, and non-disruptive attendance is an essential job duty, as is the ability to create and maintain collegial, harmonious working relationships with others.
Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• Associates Degree from an accredited institution of higher education
• At least three (3) years of experience in network engineering as a primary job function,
• Demonstrated experience with interior routing protocols (e.g., OSPF or similar) and network switching.
• At least one (1) year of experience with exterior routing protocols, including the use of BGP and autonomous systems
• Valid Drivers License (driving is required for this position)

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field from an accredited institution of higher education
• At least five (5) years of experience in network engineering as a primary job function, including at least two (2) year of experience with exterior routing protocols
• Entry-level certification from a major data networking vendor in network routing and switching (e.g., CCNA, JNCIA, or equivalent)
• Working exposure to network monitoring and management tools and practices
• Experience working with DC-based power systems in data center or telecommunications environments

• Proven knowledge and experience with supporting Internet networks, including specific experience with the use of autonomous systems, BGP routing protocols and policy, IP multicast, IPv4 and IPv6, SNMP network monitoring and management

KSA's

• Working technical knowledge of current network hardware, protocols, and Internet standards
• Knowledge of working with Juniper, Cisco, or other carrier-grade routing and switching hardware, including network operating systems/firmware, network management software, and firewalls
• Proven customer service skills
• Experience working in a team-oriented, collaborative environment
• Strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills
• Highly self-motivated and directed, with keen attention to detail
• Able to effectively prioritize tasks in a high-pressure environment
• Proven analytical and problem-solving abilities

Additional Information:

Salary Information:

$98,800 - $114,200 commensurate with education and experience)

Required Documents to Apply:

List of three Professional References (name, email, business title), Resume

Optional Documents:

Cover Letter/Letter of Application, Proof of Veteran Status

Recruitment Contact Information:

Contact University HR

All application materials must be uploaded to the University of Arkansas System Career Site https://uasys.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/UASYS

Please do not send to listed recruitment contact.

Constant Physical Activity:
Manipulate items with fingers, including keyboarding
Frequent Physical Activity:
Driving, Lifting
Occasional Physical Activity:
Climbing
Benefits Eligible:
Yes