Network Administrator

Join a team that nourishes life from farm to table! Upstate Niagara Cooperative, proudly owned by 200+ local family farms, is one of America’s largest and most stable dairy cooperatives. Guided by farmer- and employee-led values, we process and market high-quality milk, yogurt, dips, sour cream, cottage cheese, and more under our trusted brands: Upstate Farms®, Bison®, Milk for Life®, and Intense Milk®. Here, you’ll support sustainable farming, strong communities, and the mission to deliver fresh, local dairy to families every day.

The Network Administrator is responsible for maintaining a reliable, secure, and efficient data communications network. This role includes overseeing the deployment, configuration, maintenance, and monitoring of all network equipment, servers, and edge computing devices to ensure smooth operation and optimal network performance and the overall security and integrity of data. A successful Network Administrator should be detail-oriented, an excellent problem solver, and able to communicate technical concepts effectively to non-technical stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Network Infrastructure Management

• Provisions, analyzes, and resolves problems related to networks, servers, and telecommunications systems’ software and hardware.
• Conducts hardware and software life-cycle updates.
• Ensures network security and connectivity.
• Monitors network performance and tests for weaknesses

User & Access Management

• Sets up user accounts, permissions, and passwords.
• Resolves problems reported by end users related to access or connectivity.

Application & Third-Party Support

• Supports and administers third-party applications tied to network operations.

Asset & Documentation Management

• Maintains asset inventory and lifecycle information for all equipment.
• Maintains, tags, and documents cabling systems, equipment racks, cabinets, racking systems, backboards, and telephony circuits.
• Manages asset moves, adds, and changes.

Other Responsibilities

• Other responsibilities as required for evolving business needs.

Qualifications

Education

• Associate’s degree required; bachelor’s degree preferred.

Experience

•  Three to five years of related experience and/or training (or equivalent combination of education and experience) in telecommunications, IP telephony, traditional telephone service, and computer networking.
• Proven experience in a Network Administrator role.
• Hands-on experience in networking, routing, and switching.

Skills

• Excellent knowledge of best practices around management, control, and monitoring of server infrastructure.
• Experience with firewalls, internet VPN remote implementation, troubleshooting, and problem resolution.
• Ability to set up and configure server and network hardware.
• Familiarity with backup and recovery software and methodologies.
• Knowledge or experience with:
• Cloud Management
• Fortinet
• Meraki
• VMWare
• Citrix XenApp
• Microsoft Active Directory
• Office 365
• Cisco Systems
• ShoreTel network and phone equipment

Competencies

• Excellent at organizing, prioritizing, and multitasking.
• Effective communication skills for interacting with internal teams and end-users.
• Ability to travel regularly (up to 25%) within the region.

Working Conditions (Physical demands)

• Availability to be on-call 24/7 and work weekends as needed.
• Capability to lift and install electronic equipment up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to work in a manufacturing plant environment.

Pay:

$65,000-$75,000 a year*

*The salary range indicated in this posting represents the minimum and maximum of the salary range for this position. Actual salary will vary depending on factors including, but not limited to, budget available, prior experience, knowledge, skill and education as they relate to the position’s qualifications, in addition to internal equity. The posted salary range reflects just one component of our total rewards package. Other components of the total rewards package may include participation in group health and/or dental insurance, retirement plan, wellness program, paid time away from work, and paid holidays.

Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc. is committed to equal employment opportunity for all, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic.