Network Administrator 1

Who We Are:

Mid-States Distributing ("Mid-States") is the leading Farm, Ranch, and Home Retail Cooperative. Our company is owned by 29 independent Farm, Ranch & Home retailers ( Members ) who operate over 700 stores in 33 states with combined annual sales in excess of 7 billion dollars. Our member/owners retail items such as agriculture parts & supplies, petroleum products, hardware & tools, pet food, lawn & garden, animal health supplies, apparel & footwear, sporting goods, and various other products for the Farm, Ranch, and Home.

We are looking for competitive people who like to win big and have fun doing it. We place a tremendous amount of emphasis on creating a unique and positive company culture. Most of our employees will tell you this is the best place they ve ever worked. We value high-energy people who like to work hard and play hard. Our consumers are primarily rural people raising kids, pets, cows, and crops so traditional values like God, family, and patriotism are important virtues around here. So, if you are enthusiastic and competitive, have a great attitude, have good communication skills, build relationships, love to win, and like ice cream Mid-States is the place for you! If you are not, please apply with our competitors!

POSITION OVERVIEW:

At Mid-States, the Network Administrator 1, under supervision of the IT Manager, is responsible for the networks and solutions that keep our organization running and secure. This highly self-motivated position will protect our critical IT systems and assets, build, implement, and support solutions (both software and hardware), provide training, and assist in developing the overall IT strategy.

From early on, the Network Administrator will empower breakthrough innovations, spearhead challenging assignments, lead initiatives, and be responsible for results. Additionally, this position will act as an escalation point for the IT Support staff.

From enforcing established policy, to overseeing network integrity, the Network Administrator is not only essential IT support but also the thread connecting all operations. Deep technological expertise with a wide range of computer systems, hardware, and software and strong problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills for training and assisting users, is essential for the Network Administrator to excel in this role and help drive our organization forward.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the network.
• Adhere to a firm stance on company and departmental policies and procedures.

• Uphold a high level of professionalism and pride.
• Encourage and grow a positive culture within the department.
• Provide advanced IT support in conjunction with IT Support staff.
• Streamline business processes and develop analytics for meaningful insights.
• Work with internal and external partners to communicate project status, activities, and achievements.
• Prepare, implement, and monitor disaster procedures and recovery.
• Assist in network design, implementation, and maintenance.
• Take responsibility for projects and solutions within the larger business initiative.
• Represent the organization as the main POC on relevant projects.
• Review products and recommend acquisition or modification of hardware, software or contract services.

• improve forecasting accuracy.

Key Responsibilities

• Understand and observe all safety procedures and practices in order to prevent injury to self or co-workers; attends periodic safety meetings as required; may recommend changes to improve safety procedures.
• Maintain stable and consistent connectivity across all network devices.
• Consistently monitor and troubleshoot network stability and performance.
• Maintain essential IT infrastructure, including but not limited to: patch panels, switches, routers, firewalls, UPS, APs, cameras, servers, NAS, email systems, end user devices, software, and hardware.
• Maintain essential IT software.
• Perform server administration tasks (ex: user/group, security permissions, group policies, print services); research event-log warnings and errors; and monitor resources to ensure that systems architecture components work together seamlessly.
• Recommend, test, and implement system and security upgrades.
• Respond to helpdesk requests as needed.
• Order hardware, software, and equipment.
• Write, update, and maintain technical support documentation for network systems and applications.
• Perform routine and scheduled audits of all systems, including backups.
• Additional duties as determined by the IT Manager and Chief Technology Officer.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS, COMPETENCIES, AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor s degree in computer science or related field (preferred but not required)
• Certifications such as: A+, Net+, Sec+, CCNA, MCSA, AZ-104 (preferred but not required)
• 3+ years (flexible) of relevant and proven success in an IT role

• Highly self-motivated and directed, with keen attention to detail and strong customer service orientation.
• Strong problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills for training and assisting users.
• Ability to effectively prioritize tasks in a high-pressure environment.
• Experience working in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.

• Comprehensive knowledge of networking concepts and computing infrastructures. On prem and cloud.

• Strong, hands-on technical knowledge of client and server operating systems, current equipment and technologies, enterprise backup and recovery procedures, systems performance-monitoring tools, active directories, virtualization.
• Familiarity with TCP/IP, VLAN, DNS, DHCP, Active Directory, GPO, Azure, O365, D365, VPN, and Print services.
• Knowledge of help desk problem management systems and ability to document problem/solutions in help desk log.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
• Familiarity with audio visual technologies, concepts, and implementations preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Ability to stand, walk, reach, climb, bend and kneel
• Ability to lift up to 30 pounds frequently and 50 pounds+ occasionally
• Ability to reach above and below the shoulders
• Ability to use hands and fingers to grasp, twist, and pull
• Ability to withstand external weather conditions (rain, cold, heat or other adverse weather) to perform tasks as assigned

TRAVEL:

Some travel by vehicle and airplane required. Overnight stays, to support remote locations, tradeshows, and/or educational conferences.

OTHER DUTIES:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

A few words from our COO:

Mid-States is truly the best company I have ever worked for. We strive to provide a unique, exciting, fulfilling work environment for our staff. We are cautious when we hire because we want to protect that environment. Drama, laziness, and entitlement have no place in Mid-States. Our company is very financially sound and growing like crazy. If you are an enthusiastic, high-energy person with a positive attitude and the skills described above, you may have just found the last job you will ever apply for. I look forward to meeting you. Jeff