(Alameda)
We currently have a vacancy for a Technical Support Specialist.
- Who are we?
- Organization
- The Facilities Team
- What will you be doing?
- Who are we looking for?
- What are we like to work for?
- What do we offer?
- What is the selection procedure?
- How do I apply?
Who are we?
Data Connection is an internationally renowned computer technology company specializing in the exciting world of telephony and data communications. Our leading-edge software and hardware products are used by some of the biggest names in the telecommunications and IT industry, such as Microsoft, Cisco, AT&T and Sprint.
MetaSwitch is a division of Data Connection and was founded with a vision to simplify the delivery of next generation voice services, building seamlessly on existing networks. We are now one of the leading providers of next generation telephone switching systems to North American service providers, with more than 350 customers.
As well as providing our customers with world-class products and services, we pride ourselves on providing our employees with an excellent work environment and outstanding benefits. Our success is based on our ability (and dedication) to recruit outstandingly talented individuals, and train and develop them into world-class business men and women. As a company, developing the skills and talents of our people is at the heart of what we do.
Data Connection started in 1981 and we have grown from the seven founders to more than 430 people, retaining the flexibility and vibrancy of a small organization. Our head office is in Enfield (on the edge of North London, UK), and we also have offices in Chester and Edinburgh in the UK, and Alameda (CA), Reston (VA), Dallas (TX), Boston (MA) and Tampa (FL) in the US.
We are a remarkably stable and profitable organization, with both revenue and profit increasing in every year since the company was formed. In our last financial year we achieved a profit of $21M on a revenue of $102M. North America is our most important market, representing more than 80% of our total revenue.
Organization
Data Connection is a growing, vibrant company with an ever-changing and evolving structure. Our organization currently consists of
- two business divisions marketed under the Data Connection name
- a separate business division marketed under the name of MetaSwitch (MSD)
- service functions which support the divisions and include
- accounts
- computer facilities
- office services
- documentation
- personnel administration
- recruitment
- secretarial services
- community affairs.
The Facilities Team
We have a highly expert 'Facilities Team' who are responsible for configuring and supporting the IT infrastructure in our very demanding environment. We are now looking to recruit a Technical Support Specialist to join this experienced team in supporting our infrastructure and maintaining our Interop Lab, to be based in our Alameda (CA) office.
Our infrastructure currently consists of
- a complex network including LANs at each of five office locations (Enfield, Chester, Edinburgh, Alameda and Reston), inter-office VPNs, secure RAS servers, firewalls, Internet proxies, and connections into customer LANs
- over 1000 systems running a variety of Unix and Microsoft Operating Systems, including Windows 2000, XP, 2003, Vista, Solaris, HP-UX, AIX and Linux, as both development machines and test environments
- corporate services including Active Directory, Exchange 2003 email systems, SQL database servers, IIS web servers, data backup systems, automated patch management, file and print services, secure authentication, and DNS
- state of the art hardware, using the latest processors and technologies.
What will you be doing?
The job of the Technical Support Specialist will initially involve an intensive period of hands-on learning, which will be followed by continued personal and technical development managed through quarterly individual development plans.
The role is extremely varied and will include
- providing and maintaining our corporate infrastructure (described under 'The Facilities Team' section above)
- understanding and using the many technologies we use
- troubleshooting and fixing problems with the IT of users in the US (Alameda, Reston, Tampa, Dallas, Boston and for home workers) and providing out of hours support to the UK offices
- handling day to day hardware and software installations such as installing developer PCs, Unix servers, and infrastructure systems which may include travelling to other offices such as the Reston office
- supporting our software engineers and sales force
- dealing with problems with the MetaSwitch PBX and VoIP phones reported by users
- maintaining the lab, network and server infrastructure
- maintaining the Interop Test Lab in Alameda, which will include installing and set up of VoIP equipment
- goods receipt processing and occasionally assisting with Operations duties
- communicating and coordinating activities with the UK-based parent IT organization
- participating in projects to extend and enhance our systems and services.
Who are we looking for?
For this position, we need someone who
- has a strong academic record (a strong GPA score and a good degree)
- has some technical support experience (if you do not have experience but have the enthusiasm and motivation to develop, you may still apply as full training will be given)
- has the aptitude to perform the above technical tasks
- is able to quickly integrate into our existing support team
- is enthusiastic and motivated
- is a good communicator with excellent interpersonal skills
- is highly organized.
What are we like to work for?
We expect excellence and the highest level of professionalism from everyone. As the successful candidate, you will have a position at the heart of the operation of our IT infrastructure and therefore have a significant role to play in maintaining our business.
Your performance and development will be discussed regularly with your manager. We believe in and encourage, free and open communications, exchange of ideas and mutual help. Personal considerations are always given their due weight.
What do we offer?
We will offer a very competitive starting package of up to and possibly more than $80K (which will depend on the experience of the person appointed).
Salaries are reviewed regularly on the basis of performance; we believe that we are one of the few companies who really do pay employees in accordance with their contribution. This claim is strengthened by our policy of profit distribution. Data Connection is privately owned by top-tier investment firms Francisco Partners and Sequoia Capital, together with the Data Connection 'Employee Benefit Trust' which distributes a share of profit to all employees, equitably rewarding them for their contribution. Annual profit share is guaranteed to be a minimum of 7.5% of salary, provided the company is sufficiently profitable (which we have not failed to be in 26 years). In addition, the company operates an employee stock option plan which further provides ownership incentives to our people. This means that all employees have a stake in the future wealth that the company creates, and there is exceptional potential for the right candidate to increase remuneration over time.
In addition, all employees benefit from the following 'package,' which is a combination of what you would expect from a modern, well-managed organization - along with one or two specials of our own.
The benefits include the following.
- We provide excellent retirement benefits (10% of salary contributed by the company into your retirement fund), short and long-term disability insurance, private medical and dental schemes.
- Employees receive four weeks' paid holiday, as well as public holidays. After one year's employment, you can buy/sell up to 10 days.
- There are also regular company outings to relax (in 2006 we visited the sun and sights of Rome, and this year, we went skiing in Courchevel, France), in addition to local events just for the Alameda office (for example, going to a nice restaurant, a baseball game, or even a weekend away in the wine country).
In terms of personal development, we offer the opportunity to do an interesting and demanding job in a well-managed and very successful company. Despite being established for over 26 years, we are a young, dynamic organization with an outstanding record of getting the best out of people - which is why our staff retention is exceptionally high.
What is the selection procedure?
Recruitment at Data Connection is designed to be thorough and tough, yet informative and friendly.
You will normally be asked to come for two visits. The first will be a general interview and aptitude test at our Alameda office. If you are successful, we will invite you to come and spend a full day at our Enfield office in the UK to meet more people and complete a number of exercises to assess your suitability for the role.
How do I apply?
To apply, please send a comprehensive CV (including all academic grades) to the address below, or to our email address .
Kay Heapy
Recruiter
Data Connection Ltd
100 Church Street
Enfield
EN2 6BQ
Tel: +44 (0) 20 8366 1177 (before 10am Pacific Time)
email:
web: www.dataconnection.com/careers
We look forward to hearing from you.