Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes Best Employers lists each year. Including:
2024 - Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes Americas Best Midsize Employers list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.
2023 - Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes Americas Best Midsize Employers list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.
2022 - Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes Americas Best Employers by State list.
Western Carolina University is the UNC systems westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.
Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans - eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.
Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.
WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences - many of which are offered free of charge.

The primary location of this position is on the main Cullowhee, NC campus.

The network engineer works within the IT Divisions Networking and Communications department to design, maintain, and enhance the campus data and voice network services. The engineer leverages their knowledge of network technologies to create and maintain a robust and reliable network that meets the needs of the campus. The engineer collaborates with the networking team and IT Division staff to support all aspects of the campus voice, video, data, and CATV networks. Additionally, the engineer maintains network management systems, assists in maintaining the security of the campus network, and maintains accurate network documentation.

Candidates that meet the minimum qualifications but may not have experience in all the preferred qualifications are encouraged to apply. Extensive professional development is available for the candidate that documents and can demonstrate a capability to learn and implement new technologies.

WCU IT/Networking provides opportunities for up to 20% remote work, and schedule flexibility for ad hoc personal situations.

Demonstrated ability to successfully manage short and long-term projects with high complexity that includes coordination with internal and external resources.

Possess excellent oral and written communication skills; and the ability to work as an independent, productive, responsible, and self-motivated member of a team in high-pressure situations.

The ideal candidate will have skills in the following areas:

- Supporting a large higher education network.
- Working effectively and efficiently as a member of a large IT organization.
- Juniper EX and QFX network equipment in an enterprise environment ideally with EVPN/VXLAN experience
- Aruba WiFi infrastructure components and capabilities
- 802.1X wired and wireless network authentication ideally with Aruba ClearPass experience
- Automating common network management tasks ideally with Ansible experience
- Expert knowledge in IP configuration, routing, and troubleshooting
- Expert in wireless network design and management
- Data, and voice network protocols, systems, troubleshooting, and common practices
- PaloAlto firewalls including GlobalProtect
- F5 load balancers
- Enterprise DDI management ideally with BlueCat experience.
- VoIP, POTS, and cellular voice systems including call center and other advanced voice capabilities.

Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire.

Please include a cover letter, current resume and a list of three professional references with complete contact information.

For questions or additional information please contact Brian Foster at fosterb@wcu.edu.