Junior Network Engineer

Job Details: Job Location: LifeLong Herrick - Berkeley, CA, Position Type: Full Time, Salary Range: $27.81 - $35.00Hourly, LifeLong Medical Care is seeking a Junior Network Engineer to support the reliability, security, and performance of the organization’s network infrastructure across multiple healthcare locations. This position is responsible for monitoring network connectivity, troubleshooting network issues, assisting with network installations and configuration changes, and maintaining network documentation.

The ideal candidate has a foundational understanding of networking, strong troubleshooting skills, and a customer-service-oriented approach. The Junior Network Engineer will work closely with the Network Manager, Infrastructure team, Service Desk, and external technology partners to maintain reliable connectivity and minimize disruptions to clinical and business operations. This is a Full Time In Person Position requiring travel between health clinics as needed.

Key Responsibilities

1. Network Operations and Support

Monitor network connectivity and availability across LifeLong facilities.

Troubleshoot network connectivity issues involving LAN, WAN, Wi-Fi, switches, routers, and firewalls.

Investigate and resolve connectivity issues affecting workstations, printers, phones, wireless devices, and other network-connected equipment.

Respond to network incidents and service requests within established service-level targets.

Escalate complex issues to senior engineers, the Network Manager, or external service providers as appropriate.

Assist with after-hours maintenance and emergency troubleshooting when required.

2. Network Infrastructure

Assist with the installation, configuration, and maintenance of network switches, wireless access points, routers, and related equipment.

Support network cabling, patching, equipment replacement, and connectivity testing.

Assist with VLAN assignments, IP addressing, DHCP, DNS, and basic routing and switching configurations.

Help troubleshoot wireless coverage, performance, and authentication issues.

Support network infrastructure upgrades, equipment refreshes, and site implementations.

3. Network Monitoring and Documentation

Monitor network performance, availability, and alerts using approved network monitoring tools.

Assist with identifying recurring outages, performance issues, and potential infrastructure risks.

Maintain accurate network diagrams, equipment inventories, IP address records, configuration documentation, and site connectivity information.

Document troubleshooting steps, root causes, and resolutions.

Assist with routine network health checks and preventative maintenance.

4. Security and Compliance

Follow established network security standards, configuration baselines, and change-management procedures.

Assist with network segmentation, secure wireless access, and device connectivity controls.

Coordinate with the cybersecurity team to investigate suspicious network activity and remediate identified vulnerabilities.

Follow organizational policies related to HIPAA, protection of electronic protected health information (ePHI), and access to healthcare systems.

Ensure network changes are documented, authorized, and tested appropriately.

5. Project and Vendor Support

Assist with network deployments, circuit activations, site openings, office moves, and infrastructure upgrades.

Coordinate with internet service providers, managed service providers, and equipment vendors to troubleshoot connectivity issues.

Participate in network testing, maintenance windows, and disaster recovery exercises.

Provide technical support to the service desk and desktop support teams for network-related incidents.

Qualifications: Required Qualifications

One to three years of experience in IT support, network support, or a related technical role; equivalent hands-on experience may be considered.

Foundational knowledge of TCP/IP, subnetting, DNS, DHCP, VLANs, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi.

Familiarity with switches, routers, firewalls, wireless access points, and basic network troubleshooting.

Ability to diagnose connectivity problems using tools such as ping, traceroute, ipconfig, and packet or network monitoring utilities.

Strong analytical, troubleshooting, documentation, and communication skills.

Ability to work independently on routine assignments while recognizing when escalation is necessary.

Ability to travel between LifeLong facilities as required.

Ability to participate in occasional planned maintenance or after-hours support.

Preferred Qualifications

CompTIA Network+ or Cisco CCNA certification, or progress toward certification.

Experience with enterprise network monitoring and management platforms.

Familiarity with managed network services, SD-WAN, VPN technologies, and enterprise wireless environments.

Exposure to network security, VLAN segmentation, firewall rules, and network access controls.

Experience supporting multiple office locations or a distributed enterprise environment.

Healthcare IT experience is beneficial but not required.

Technical Skills

The successful candidate should have foundational knowledge or experience in the following areas:

Networking: TCP/IP, IPv4, subnetting, VLANs, routing, switching, DNS, DHCP, and NAT.

Infrastructure: Ethernet cabling, patch panels, switches, routers, wireless access points, and firewalls.

Wireless: SSIDs, authentication, signal coverage, and connectivity troubleshooting.

Monitoring: Network availability, performance alerts, bandwidth utilization, and connectivity testing.

Documentation: Network diagrams, equipment inventories, IP address management, and incident records.

IT Operations: Ticket management, incident escalation, change management, and vendor coordination.

Performance Expectations

Performance will be evaluated based on the following:

Timely investigation and resolution of assigned network incidents.

Network availability and reduced recurrence of preventable connectivity issues.

Accurate and current network documentation and equipment inventories.

Compliance with established change-management and security procedures.

Effective coordination with the service desk, infrastructure team, and external providers.

Demonstrated growth in technical knowledge, troubleshooting independence, and professional certifications.

Responsiveness to issues affecting clinical systems and patient-care operations.

Working Relationships

The Junior Network Engineer will collaborate with the Network Manager, IT Manager, systems administrators, desktop support, service desk analysts, cybersecurity personnel, and external network service providers.

Physical and Work Environment Requirements

The position requires work at multiple healthcare facilities, including occasional equipment-room access, handling and installation of network equipment, and travel between sites. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the role, with reasonable accommodation where applicable.

Equal Employment Opportunity

LifeLong Medical Care is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.