Job Posting End Date
10-19-2026 Please note the job posting will close on the day before the posting end date.
Job Summary
The Telecom Consultant is responsible for supporting and maintaining enterprise network infrastructure, including Cisco firewalls, routers, switches, and Arista switching platforms. This role provides operational support, implements network and security changes, troubleshoots network issues, and participates in a 24x7 on-call rotation supporting critical business services.
Job Description
What You’ll Do:
Learns and adheres to policies, procedures, standards, codes, and regulations relevant to assignments.
Pursues Zero Harm.
Develops knowledge of American Electric Power (AEP) networks, components, and facilities to enable more efficient and comprehensive responses to projects and problems.
Under general direction of more experienced employees:
prepares cost estimates for routine engineering assignments.
perform documentation of project work using established guidelines.
use approved applications and tools for projects as required to perform routine engineering tasks.
Assists higher-level employees in handling well-defined routine projects and problems.
Reviews and adheres to AEP's budgeting and approval processes as part of annual planning, project planning and trouble response scenarios.
Learns AEP's organizational structure and specific role and responsibility of one's individual organizational unit.
Completes other duties as assigned.
Responsibilities
Network Support
Configure, maintain, and troubleshoot Cisco routers and switches.
Configure and support Arista switches.
Monitor network performance, availability, and reliability.
Support network upgrades, maintenance activities, and technology deployments.
Maintain network documentation and diagrams.
Routing and Switching
Support Layer 2 and Layer 3 networking technologies, including: VLANs
STP
EtherChannel
OSPF
BGP
EIGRP
HSRP/VRRP
QoS
Firewall Administration
Configure, maintain, and troubleshoot Cisco firewall platforms.
Implement and manage firewall Access Control Lists (ACLs).
Support firewall rule changes, NAT, VPNs, and security policies.
Review and validate firewall requests to ensure compliance with security standards.
Troubleshoot firewall-related connectivity and security issues.
Operations and Incident Response
Participate in a 24x7 on-call rotation supporting critical network infrastructure.
Respond to and resolve network outages, incidents, and service disruptions.
Perform root cause analysis and implement corrective actions.
Support maintenance windows and emergency changes during off-hours as needed.
Coordinate with vendors, carriers, and internal teams during incident response activities.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with Cisco ASA, Firepower, or Secure Firewall products.
Experience with network monitoring tools such as SolarWinds.
Experience with Wireshark or similar packet analysis tools.
Knowledge of network automation tools including Python, Ansible, or PowerShell.
Experience supporting utility, operational technology (OT), or critical infrastructure networks.
Preferred Certifications
CCNA or CCNP
Cisco Security Certifications
Arista ACE-A or higher
CompTIA Network+ or Security+
Key Competencies
Network troubleshooting and problem resolution
Cisco and Arista network administration
Firewall and ACL management
Incident response and outage management
Change management and documentation
Customer service and teamwork
Ability to work effectively in a 24x7 operational support environment
This role is focused on maintaining secure, reliable network services through hands-on support of Cisco routing, switching, firewall technologies, ACL implementation, and Arista switching platforms.
What we're looking for:
Telecom Consultant Assc
Education: Bachelor's degree in engineering, engineering technology, computer science, telecommunications, or related field of study or Associate's degree in field mentioned above with 2 years of relevant work…