Network Administrator

Salina, KS Great Plains Manufacturing is seeking an experienced Network Administrator to assist with the design, analysis, planning, installation, configuration, security, monitoring, maintenance, documentation, and troubleshooting of the local and wide area network equipment. This is an on-site position based in Salina, KS. This role typically works Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Some day-travel to other facilities within Kansas is required. Occasional hours outside this schedule, including evenings or weekends, may be required for special projects., * Design, evaluate, and maintain network infrastructure across LAN, WAN, wireless, segmentation, and network security zones to support business operations, performance, and scalability.

• Research emerging network technologies, industry trends, and best practices, and recommend solutions that improve reliability, security, and efficiency.
• Collaborate with IT teams and business stakeholders to plan and communicate network updates, migrations, maintenance windows, and downtime events.
• Coordinate with internet service providers, telecommunications vendors, and third-party partners on circuit upgrades, service issues, and hardware maintenance.
• Plan, test, and implement firmware and software updates for network devices, ensuring successful validation, change control, and deployment across the environment.
• Evaluate, select, test, install, and support network hardware and related technologies using internal resources and external vendors as needed.
• Partner with IT Security and cybersecurity teams to implement and maintain network security controls, including firewalls, segmentation, access controls, and logging standards.
• Review and audit network security configurations for vulnerabilities and assist with remediation efforts in coordination with Security & Privacy teams.
• Perform and verify regular backups of network device configurations, including switches, firewalls, wireless controllers, and other critical infrastructure.
• Administer and support network monitoring tools to ensure visibility into system health, performance, capacity, and availability; investigate and report anomalies.
• Troubleshoot network, connectivity, and performance issues through resolution, working closely with internal IT staff, vendors, and consultants as necessary.
• Document network incidents, outages, root causes, corrective actions, and resolutions; communicate status updates to IT leadership and affected stakeholders.
• Provide technical support for local and wide area network services, including connectivity issues affecting end users, systems, and business-critical operations.
• Support cybersecurity initiatives by maintaining awareness of current threats and assisting with implementation of risk mitigation strategies and security policies.
• Configure and monitor network settings to ensure stable, secure, and efficient communication across company locations and with external partners.
• Create, maintain, secure, and publish accurate documentation for network topology, configurations, standards, procedures, and change history.
• Follow all company and OSHA safety requirements and use prescribed safety and protective equipment when working in operational or plant environments.
• Participate in occasional after-hours or weekend support as needed for maintenance, upgrades, emergency response, or special projects.
• Perform other duties as assigned, including responsibilities requiring additional training, qualifications, or physical demands.

3+ years of Network Administration experience required., * Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Information Systems, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education, certifications, and relevant experience.

• 3+ years of hands-on experience in network administration, network engineering, or infrastructure support.
• Experience supporting enterprise LAN/WAN environments, switching, routing, wireless networking, and VPN technologies.
• Working knowledge of firewalls, network segmentation, access control lists, and general network security best practices.
• Experience with network monitoring, alerting, and diagnostic tools for troubleshooting performance and availability issues.
• Familiarity with firmware management, patching practices, configuration backups, and disaster recovery processes for network equipment.
• Experience working with ISPs, telecommunications vendors, and third-party service providers.
• Experience with TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VLANs, subnetting, routing protocols, and network performance optimization.
• Ability to document network configurations, procedures, diagrams, and incident resolution clearly and accurately.
• Experience in Windows Server and virtualized environments preferred.
• Exposure to cybersecurity frameworks, vulnerability remediation, and audit support is a plus.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to prioritize and resolve technical issues efficiently.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work effectively across technical and non-technical teams.
• Excellent time management, organization, and project coordination skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and adapt in a fast-paced environment.
• Industry certifications such as CompTIA Network+, Security+, Cisco CCNA, Fortinet NSE, or equivalent are preferred.
• Willingness to travel occasionally to other company facilities within Kansas.
• Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future employer sponsorship; this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship