ARE-ON Associate Network Engineer

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Closing Date:

10/01/2026

Type of Position:

Professional Staff - Information TechnologyNo

Job Type:

RegularNo

Institution Name:

Arkansas Research and Education Optical Network (ARE-ON)

Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas is a land grant institution, classified by the Carnegie Foundation among the nation’s top 2 percent of universities with the highest level of research activity. The University of Arkansas works to advance the state and build a better world through education, research, and outreach by providing transformational opportunities and skills, fostering a welcoming climate, and nurturing creativity, discovery, and the spread of new ideas and innovations.

The University of Arkansas campus is located in Fayetteville, a welcoming community ranked as one of the best places to live in the U.S. The growing region surrounding Fayetteville is home to numerous Fortune 500 companies and one of the nation’s strongest economies. Northwest Arkansas is also quickly gaining a national reputation for its focus on the arts and overall quality of life.

As an employer, the University of Arkansas offers a vibrant work environment and a workplace culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance. The benefits package includes university contributions to health, dental, life and disability insurance, tuition waivers for employees and their families, 12 official holidays, immediate leave accrual, and a choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary.

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

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Department:

Network and Technical Supporthttps://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:

$98,800 - $114,200 commensurate with education and experience)List of three Professional References (name, email, business title), ResumeCover Letter/Letter of Application, Proof of Veteran StatusContact 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.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Pre-employment Screening Requirements:

Criminal Background Check, Motor Vehicle Reports Check, Sex Offender Registry

The University of Arkansas is committed to providing a safe campus community. We conduct background checks for applicants being considered for employment. Background checks include a criminal background check and a sex offender registry check. For certain positions, there may also be a financial (credit) background check, a Motor Vehicle Registry (MVR) check, and/or drug screening. Required checks are identified in the position listing. A criminal conviction or arrest pending adjudication or adverse financial history information alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absence of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

The University of Arkansas seeks to attract, develop and retain high quality faculty, staff and administrators that consistently display practices and behaviors to advance a culture that embeds equal opportunity, educational excellence and unparalleled access for all.

The University of Arkansas is an equal opportunity institution. The University does not discriminate in its education programs or activities (including in admission and employment) on the basis of any category or status protected by law, including age, race, color, national origin, disability, religion, protected veteran status, military service, genetic information, sex, sexual preference, or pregnancy. Questions or concerns about the application of Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, may be sent to the University’s Title IX Coordinator and to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

Persons must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States on the first day of employment.

All Application information is subject to public disclosure under the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.

Constant Physical Activity:

Manipulate items with fingers, including keyboarding

Frequent Physical Activity:

Driving, Lifting

Occasional Physical Activity:

Climbing

Benefits Eligible:

Yes