Network ArchitectLocation: Albany, NY Position Type: Contract Rate: DOE $/hr. on W2 Interview Process: Phone Green Card, U.S Citizens and GC-EADResponsibilities:Design and implement short- and long-term strategic plans to make certain network capacity meets existing and future requirements.Develop, implement, and maintain policies, procedures, and associated training plans for network resource administration and appropriate use.Practice network asset management, including maintenance of network component inventory, life cycle management and related documentation.Establish service level agreements with end users.Provides "ownership" of problem thru final resolution.Plan, acquire, and coordinate installation of in-house and remote hardware and software across the organization's network.Conduct research and make recommendations on network products, services, protocols, and standards in support of network procurement and development efforts.Prepare contracts, scope of work reports, and other documentation for IT projects and associated efforts.Perform cost-benefit and return on investment analyses for proposed systems to aid management in making implementation decisions.Negotiate with vendors, outsourcers, and contractors to secure network products and services.Assess, approve, and administer all equipment, hardware, and software upgrades.Manage and ensure effectiveness of servers, including e-mail, print, and backup servers, and their associated operating systems and software. Responsible for on-site and off-site data centers.Manage and ensure optimal operation of all network hardware and equipment, including routers, switches, hubs, UPSs, and so on.Manage and ensure effectiveness of security solutions, including firewalls, anti-virus solutions, and intrusion detection systems.Establish and maintain regular written and in-person communications with the organization's executives, decision-makers, stakeholders, department heads, and end users regarding pertinent network activities.Test network performance and provide network performance statistics and reports; develop strategies for maintaining network infrastructure.Test server performance and provide network performance statistics and reports; develop strategies for maintaining server infrastructure.Oversee the administration of user accounts, permissions, and access rights in AD.Direct and administrate a contingent of network analysts and technicians, and where necessary, conduct performance reviews and corrective action.Provide guidance to junior members of the team.Manage infrastructure projects.Position Requirements: Formal Education & CertificationFour-year university degree or college diploma required, preferably in the field of computer science or other related academic fields.Knowledge & ExperienceFive years of experience managing and configuring enterprise-wide LANs, WANs, WLANs, VPNs, etc.Exceptional knowledge of service and application delivery, as well as successful service level agreement accomplishments.Two years successful leadership of an infrastructure team.Excellent knowledge of current protocols and standards, including Active Directory, Group Policies, MS Exchange, Core Switching/Routing, SSL/IPSec, SAN, Virtualization, Business Continuity, Disaster Recovery.Experience in interpreting the applicability of local and federal laws/regulations (including data privacy practices and laws) to company operations.Hands-on experience troubleshooting hardware such as servers, routers, bridges, switches, hubs, modems, network interface cards, and so on.Knowledge and understanding of system flow charts, data processing concepts, and telecommunications principles.Experience installing network cabling and telephony systems.Advanced network skills on the following systems:Cisco routersCisco switchesDell network switchesJuniper VPN devices including SSG and SRX series.Checkpoint firewallsAerohive wireless systemsDell wireless systemsF5 VPN systemsUse in-depth network administration hardware and software tools to monitor the network environment, including but not limited to:Dell Open ManageSolar Winds OrionFluke Network Analyzer