360s2g
Network Specialist
Denver, Colorado•Contract
About the Job
Network Specialist
Professional Summary:
Experienced Network Specialist with expertise in designing, implementing, and supporting enterprise network infrastructure using Cisco Catalyst switching platforms and Palo Alto Networks firewalls. Skilled in Layer 2/Layer 3 networking, network security, telemetry, automation, and performance monitoring. Proven ability to troubleshoot complex network issues, optimize network availability, and implement secure, scalable solutions across data center and campus environments.
Key Responsibilities:
- Design, configure, and maintain Cisco Catalyst switches
- Deploy and administer Palo Alto Networks firewalls, including security policies, NAT, VPNs, GlobalProtect, App-ID, User-ID, and Threat Prevention.
- Implement and manage network telemetry solutions using NetFlow, SNMP, Syslog, IPFIX, streaming telemetry, and Cisco DNA Center.
- Monitor network performance using tools such as SolarWinds, PRTG, ThousandEyes, Cisco DNA Center, Grafana, or Splunk.
- Analyze network traffic and identify performance bottlenecks using Wireshark and packet analysis tools.
- Troubleshoot routing, switching, firewall, VPN, and connectivity issues in enterprise environments.
- Implement high availability and redundancy solutions for mission-critical infrastructure.
- Configure and maintain site-to-site IPSec VPNs and remote-access VPN solutions.
- Perform firmware upgrades, configuration backups, disaster recovery, and network documentation.
- Collaborate with security, cloud, server, and application teams to support business-critical services.
- Support change management, incident management, and root cause analysis processes.
Technical Skills:
- Cisco Catalyst 9000 Series Switching
- Palo Alto Networks Firewalls (PAN-OS)
- Layer 2 & Layer 3 Networking
- VLANs, STP, RSTP, MSTP
- Access Control Lists (ACLs)
- Cisco DNA Center
- SolarWinds, PRTG, Splunk, Grafana
- Wireshark Packet Analysis
- Network Automation (Python, REST APIs, Ansible)
- Cisco IOS-XE
- TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP
- Azure and AWS Networking (preferred)
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field (preferred).
- 5+ years of enterprise networking experience.
- Hands-on experience with Cisco Catalyst switching platforms.
- Strong experience managing Palo Alto firewalls.
- Experience implementing network monitoring and telemetry solutions.
- Knowledge of network security best practices and zero-trust architecture.
Preferred Certifications:
- Cisco CCNA
- Cisco CCNP Enterprise
- Palo Alto PCNSA or PCNSE
- Cisco DevNet Associate (preferred)
- ITIL Foundation (preferred)
Core Competencies:
- Enterprise Network Administration
- Network Security
- Routing and Switching
- Firewall Administration
- Network Performance Optimization
- Incident Management
- Root Cause Analysis
- Network Automation
- Infrastructure Monitoring
- Technical Documentation
- Cross-functional Collaboration