Network Planner III

Job Purpose

This position reports to the Director -- Planning & Capacity. In general, this position is responsible for the support of the corporate strategic direction in the planning and design of altafiber's evolving transport, access, IP/MPLS, and inside plant networks to provide the best customer experience along with capital efficiency, ease of service, and network reliability.

This is a highly technical position that requires significant detailed knowledge of analog, data, and digital transmission.

A customer-focused, team-oriented, self-motivated person is needed to perform in this position. The person will have a direct impact on responsiveness to customers requiring complex services. The ability to quickly analyze the customer's technical requirements and translate those into designed circuits will improve the timeframes to install network services, thus having a direct impact on CVA. This position can significantly impact the efficiency of all field forces involved in the installation and repair of network services through the introduction of new technologies.

It requires participation in aspects of ITIL best-practices including but not limited to Change Management, Event Management, Problem Management, Incident Management, and Capacity Management..

 

Essential Functions

Network Design and Implementation

• Design and deploy appropriate network elements that support strategic corporate initiatives including short- and long-term options
• Provide analytics of plant and customer data to effectively determine network requirements
• Conduct what-if simulations and bottleneck analysis, investigate the impact of network changes, and recommend design optimizations
• Work closely with other engineering and operations teams on the delivery of an innovative and progressive network
• Work directly with Sales and end customers on network build requirements and translate those into cost-effective network designs
• Manage the capacity of network equipment
• Coordinate site visits to evaluate equipment to be used, placement, power and environmental constraints, and fiber construction needs
• Evaluate new equipment or upgrades to existing equipment
• Review and update stock levels (field and central stock) of transport equipment used at central offices and customer premises
• Create quotes for services and assist with service order development
• Create Network diagrams, routing sequences, and WORD documents
• Mentor and advise junior planners on network design strategy and implementation issues
• Manage the decline of the legacy network and proactively proposing and coordinating solutions to migrate customers to strategic networks
• Create design models in TIRKS for use in flow through provisioning
• Prepare manual designs for highly complex circuit requirements
• Provide technical support for design personnel and the Team Leader - Circuit Design and Testing for complex design problems
• Research circuit equipment alternatives to minimize costs and increase efficiency
• Prepare action plans, methods, and procedures, recommendations for process/equipment changes
• Perform TIRKS system administration functions related to circuit design parameters
• Interface with Telcordia and other companies to plan future network development
• Serve as a technical support person to assist Carrier Services sales and others in meeting future customer demands for custom solutions
• Use project management skills to ensure the implementation of recommended changes

 

Financial Support

• Responsibility for capital projects including cost analysis, weighing of alternatives, project approval, project management, and capital forecasting. Develop annual and monthly capital forecast for network services; total budget responsibility between $2M - 10M annually
• Support Business and Carrier Market in responding to RFQs by providing equipment quotes and estimates on turn-up costs

Service Management and Process Improvement

• Evaluate processes within the Network Planning and Engineering team, and related groups to improve efficiency and reduce re-work
• Participate as needed in the CBT/HT Change Management process, including attendance at the Change Management governance meetings (TRB, CAB, eCAB)
• Participate as needed in the Major Incident response and Incident Command processes
• Participate in the maturing of multiple Service Management processes across Network Operations and Cincinnati Bell, including but not limited to Change Management, Event Management, Problem Management, Incident Management, and Capacity Management
• Champion process changes no matter which process they are in

 

Education

Four years of College resulting in a Bachelor's Degree or equivalent

 

Certifications, Accreditations, Licenses

• Former Nortel NCDE, NCA, and/or other Nortel Voice Certifications desirable
• Cisco CIPT, CCVP, CCIE (VOIP) certifications desirable
• Nokia 3RP/SRA Service Routing certification desirable

Experience

8 to 10 years in related field

• 8-10 years of network engineering, planning, and/or operations experience in a telco environment
• Experience and working knowledge of the TIRKS system
• Experience in special services design
• Experience in transport facility design or engineering
• Experience in a technical support role
• Experience leading project teams

Experience working with internal and external workgroups as well as direct customers

Special Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong analytical ability as evidenced through critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Ability to recognize and understand the interoperability of customer applications and customer-provided equipment with network services
• Strong process improvement orientation
• Ability to perform financial analysis
• Strong written and oral communications
• Strong interpersonal and team-building skills
• Working knowledge of network and operations, installation, repair, maintenance, order fulfillment, and corporate planning processes
• Proficient in prioritizing and managing multiple projects simultaneously, optimizing limited resources, and managing issues to resolution
• Vendor management skills
• Ability to relate technical capabilities to customer applications Understanding of non-traditional network applications PC skills (Microsoft Office Products), VISIO, and ability to utilize the TIRKS systems, LCAM, and other systems to obtain information on the network
• Understanding of core Ethernet, SONET, and WDM transport networks as well as strength in legacy system operations.
• Database skills and the ability to analyze large amounts of data
• Comfort operating in a fast-paced, changing work environment with the ability to prioritize multiple functions and tasks, manage time efficiently, and navigate ambiguity.
• Working knowledge of technical standards and regulatory requirements that impact the reliability of the CBT network
• Knowledge of altafiber's network architecture, products, and services OSP Engineering, wireless engineering, or another engineering discipline Network Operations Data Analytics
  
  

Supervisory Responsibility

• No Supervisory Responsibility