Senior Associate Technical Consultant-Network

As a Senior Associate Technical Consultant-Network at AHEAD, your primary responsibilities include building, configuring, and troubleshooting customer networks. You will work closely with both AHEAD's technical team and clients to gather requirements for LAN and WAN systems, ensuring efficient design and implementation. Additionally, you will provide ongoing technical support, knowledge transfer, and will keep the Practice Manager updated on project statuses while pursuing relevant certifications to enhance your skills.

To qualify for the Senior Associate Technical Consultant-Network position at AHEAD, candidates typically need a minimum of 1 to 2 years of experience in network engineering. A CCNA certification or equivalent work experience is required along with a foundational knowledge of TCP/IP networking, scripting languages like Python, and experience with Cisco switches and routers. Familiarity with firewalls such as Cisco FTD and Palo Alto is a plus.

Essential skills for the Senior Associate Technical Consultant-Network role at AHEAD include strong verbal and written communication abilities, proficiency in Visio and Microsoft Office, and a solid understanding of networking technologies such as Cisco Nexus and routing protocols like OSPF and BGP. The ability to document work clearly and participate in continuous learning is also crucial for success in this position.

AHEAD is dedicated to the professional growth of its Senior Associate Technical Consultants by providing access to a multi-million-dollar lab with advanced technologies, as well as sponsoring certifications and trainings. The company encourages employees to engage in cross-department training and provides benefits that support work-life balance, including paid parental leave and generous holiday time.

At AHEAD, every employee, including Senior Associate Technical Consultants-Network, plays a crucial role in contributing to our diversity and inclusion initiatives. You can embrace different perspectives and encourage collaborative discussions by engaging actively within our internal groups like Moving Women AHEAD and RISE AHEAD, promoting an inclusive culture where every voice is recognized and valued.

When answering this question, focus on specific projects or scenarios where you applied your knowledge of TCP/IP. Discuss the protocols you've worked with, any troubleshooting you undertook, and how you ensured network reliability.

Outline your systematic approach to network troubleshooting, starting from identifying the problem, diagnosing potential causes, to implementing solutions. Include tools you've used and methods to communicate the issue to clients.

Discuss your commitment to continuous learning, any relevant courses you've taken, books, or industry webinars you follow. Highlight specific certifications you're pursuing, such as CCNP or CCDP, to demonstrate your dedication to professional growth.

Describe the types of Cisco equipment you’ve worked with, elaborating on any specific configurations, installations, or optimizations you accomplished. Include examples of complex setups and how you overcame challenges.

Discuss your familiarity with scripting languages such as Python, including specific use cases in automating network configurations or data analysis. Provide examples where scripting improved processes or reduced manual errors.

Share a specific project where collaboration was key. Detail your role, how you communicated technical information clearly, and how you navigated any challenges to reach a successful outcome.

Discuss layered security strategies, including firewalls and encryption methods. Provide examples of policies you've implemented or recommended to protect clients' networks from potential threats.

Demonstrate your organizational skills by sharing methods you've used for task prioritization. Emphasize your ability to keep calm, assess urgency, and communicate with team members effectively.

List your certifications and relate each one to specific skills or knowledge domains they've enhanced. Discuss how these credentials have opened doors for you in terms of job opportunities or increased confidence in your abilities.

Highlight how AHEAD's culture, focus on diversity, and commitment to innovation resonate with your career goals. Explain how you see yourself contributing to the team and growing within the company's dynamic environment.