TDS Telecommunications LLC (TDS Telecom/TDS®) delivers high-speed internet, TV entertainment, and phone services to more than 1,000 rural, suburban, and metropolitan communities across the U.S. With 1.2 million connections, TDS is a rapidly growing technology company. Powered by fiber-optics and new industry-leading technologies, TDS delivers up to 2 Gigabit internet speeds and offers internet-protocol based TV entertainment solutions along with traditional phone services. TDS also offers businesses VoIP advanced communications solutions, dedicated internet service, data networking, and hosted-managed services. Visit tdstelecom.com.

• This position provides detailed network engineering, architectural planning, and operational readiness for the TDS Networks with significant emphasis placed on the individual’s technical leadership skills. Specifically, the Network Consultant will have the following responsibilities:
• Identify, generate and manage system-wide projects, which produce implementation, integration, and support direction for new network technologies. These technologies and systems include all voice, video, and data network areas.
• Maintain a high level of industry expertise in network hardware, software, and architectures. See section 5 for detailed list of key concepts and components.
• Identify and research new technologies and architectural design opportunities and evaluate their potential for implementation and integration into the TDS networks.
• Represent TDS on technical, business, and industry associations.
• Network technology and system integration.
• The Network Consultant will have the following technical and systems integration responsibilities:
• Manage large-scale technology testing and certification projects.
• Identify and research integration and support model processes to best introduce new technologies into the TDS networks.
• Assist TDS Network Services management in process engineering and re-engineering efforts.
• Communicate Network Industry trends, both System and Technology, to TDS business entities.
• Create and Publish Engineering Standards Documents (ESD). These are documents that provide Network Services with standard approaches to implementation of network elements and systems.
• Create and Publish Engineering Notes (EN). These are documents that provide TDS and Network Services with brief reviews of technologies and systems that are installed in the TDS Networks.
• Develop and present networking trends and technology/support model advancements to TDS management so as to educate them and illustrate their impact on the TDS networks. This is to ensure TDS management has appropriate information to understand and approve strategic direction for TDS business units and their networks.
• Provide network engineering, architectural, integration, and support model consulting services to various TDS teams as needed.
• Generate and publish technical direction papers and assist TDS’s senior management in selecting appropriate technical direction based on availability of technologies and TDS market growth statistics. This is primarily handled in the form of Architectural Designs and Technology Assessments and Technology Integration projects.
• Provide Cost Effective Planning Recommendations for network related change requests (Needs Requests).
• Certify network configurations.
• Provide technical consulting to NS and all business units as it relates to long-term network architecture and service delivery plans.
• Attends training on various network equipment features/functions.
• Provides informal training to other Network Services members.

• Bachelor's degree (or higher) OR 4+ years professional work experience
• 10+ years' experience in Voice, Data, or Video networking
• Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation and insurance.

• Thorough understanding of network architecture planning fundamentals such as architectural designs, engineering standards and technology assessments. Also familiar with fundamentals of product integration and support model ideologies.
• Extensive knowledge of the following concepts and components of TDS’s networks: Routers, LAN and WAN Switches, Central Office Switch Architectures, Broadband Serving Area Architectures, Fiber and Copper Transport elements, Video Architectures, Internet Architectures, Capacity Planning and Management practices, Capacity Planning Tools, DSL, TCP/IP and associated protocols and concepts such as routing and routing protocols (e.g., OSPF, BGP, etc.), subnetting, tunneling, bridging, MPLS, IP quality of service, traffic engineering, SS7, ATM, SNMP, Ethernet, modems, multiplexors, DACS, DOCSIS, circuits
• Knowledge of LAN/WAN architectures.
• Knowledge of Wireless Broadband architectures.
• Knowledge of monitoring and troubleshooting tools.
• Excellent project management skills. Must have the ability to understand a business need and provide network requirements. Proven leadership skills and the ability to assemble clear and concise documentation.
• Excellent written, presentation, and oral communication skills.
• Experience in performing cost and comparative analyses.
• In addition, the Network Consultant should have the following characteristics:
  • Ability to make timely decisions.
  • Ability to prioritize multiple tasks.
  • Ability to organize time.
  • Demonstrated professional attitude and courteous manner towards clients, partners, and peers.
  • Delivers projects on time and within budget.
  • Willingness to help where help is needed.