As the Network Engineer for Answer Financial you will be responsible for the design, implementation, administration, and operation of all network technologies, and play a key role on our eBusiness-Systems team. Responsibilities will include all network technologies and support across the enterprise including support for two datacenters, remote users access via VPN, integration with various cloud computing solutions and business partners, LAN connectivity within all datacenters and at home users, oversight and facilitating with service providers for WAN connectivity between datacenters, production application traffic across Internet circuits, remote employee connectivity, the security remediation and incident response of all network assets, and support for multiple high-volume call center operations. Note, Answer Financial is 100% remote - work from home environment.

Answer Financial is a member of the Allstate family of companies and a leading insurance comparison provider. We have been in business for 25 years and we are one of the largest auto & home insurance agencies in the U.S. Insurance shoppers in all 50 states can compare insurance prices from some of the more than 40 top-rated insurers that Answer Financial represents. In addition to buying insurance online, customers can buy over the phone with assistance from one of our licensed insurance professionals.

Responsibilities:

• Collaborates in the entire process of move, add and change (MAC) processes.
• Develops test plans, new application flows, perform network configuration and clean-up.
• Identifies opportunities to gain efficiencies and/or improved delivery of service.
• Orders and maintains circuits, network services and applications for entire organization, as necessary.
• Ensures proper documentation of system configurations. Conducts appropriate maintenance and support for various network services applications.
• Provides support for all network and network security issues and assist in departmental projects.
• Keep abreast of current and new technology advances and their potential application at the company.
• Participation required for “on-call” rotation and availability to remediate or assist with IT related activities as needed.
• From time to time, it will be required to work after standard work hours to implement activities for changes, projects, Disaster Recovery exercises or address unforeseen issues or problems.
• Receptive to perform other IT related duties and responsibilities, as requirements arise.
• Implements, maintains and supports Load Balancing, Firewall services with App-ID, User-ID, “at home” office VPN clients, URL Filtering, Two-Factor authentication, and any network related services.
• Oversee network circuits, virtual tunnels, network accounting and reporting.
• Review and validate network billing, verify for monthly accurate capital spending, account reconciliation.
• Evaluate next generation opportunities for network technologies and services, review and demonstrate to peers and manager.
• Effective ownership to troubleshoot problems, communicate clearly solutions, provide input to incidents and root cause analysis.
• Actively participate in the Change Management process to minimize risk to business operations.
• Participate in the company business continuity and disaster recovery programs, performing tasks and responsibilities related to network and telco services.
• Work with peers to establish and maintain an effective after-hours on-call support model across the entire IT infrastructure team.
• Work with the Security team to ensure all network technologies are in line with company information security policies.
• Partner with internal business units, vendors, outsourced managed service providers, and other internal teams to ensure all services are efficiently delivered to meet business needs.
• Participate in the company business continuity and disaster recovery programs, performing tasks and responsibilities related to network and telco services.
• Work with peers to establish and maintain an effective after-hours on-call support model across the entire IT infrastructure team.
• Work with the Security team to ensure all network technologies are in line with company information security policies.
• Partner with internal business units, vendors, outsourced managed service providers, and other internal teams to ensure all services are efficiently delivered to meet business needs.

Experience:

• 7 to 10 years in-depth knowledge and understanding of Network Systems, including Network Protocols, Cisco Technologies, Palo Alto, Citrix ADM(NetScaler), RSA, Certificate Management, and network monitoring and alerting.
• Support, maintain and collaborate with peers about security services such as IDS, IDP, IPsec, Web App Firewall (WAF), Network Access Security (NAC), VLANS, Network Addressing schema, DNS, DHCP, Certificate Services, Load Balancing, Firewalling and security protocols.
• Understanding and former experience with MPLS, Routing, Switching, Access Lists, VMWare networking, VLANs, Network Segmentation, Zero-trust network security principle, TCP/IP packet flow, HTTP/SSL protocols, and network pertinent services.
• Network management and monitoring including SNMP, Syslog, Wireshark, Packet traces and analyzers, troubleshoot connectivity with service providers, vendors and partners.
• Call Center environment experience, including a high-volume call center environment, Call Recording, VOIP, soft phones, hard phones, and VPN connectivity to corporate services.
• Advanced knowledge of TCP/IP networking/communication protocols, troubleshooting, packet capture and analysis.
• Hands-on knowledge of IP QoS, telephony integration with Avaya and Microsoft Teams.
• Verint call recording platform and Workforce Management portal administration highly desired.
• Microsoft SQL Server, Avaya, Call Manager, Active Directory, Azure, AWS, and related network technologies are a plus.
• Experience in developing and deploying disaster recovery solutions.

Required skills:

• Ability to work and constructively contribute to team-work environment utilizing Agile/Scrum practices and work closely with project managers to take ownership of tasks, complete and follow-up with customers.
• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of information and adhere to compliance and security considerations.
• Ability to self-organize, prioritize and handle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Attention to detail and follow through including the ability to work swiftly and accurately to meet stringent deadlines.
• Excellent analytical, reasoning, organizational, time management and problem-solving skills are essential. Excellent oral and written communication skills including ability to interact effectively with executives, customers, vendors and department staff.

Education/Certifications:

• Bachelor's Degree - Computer Science or related field highly desired.
• Palo Alto networks, Citrix ADM, Cisco certifications - highly desired.

We offer you a competitive salary, comprehensive health and wellness benefits on day one, company matched 401(k), generous paid time off, tuition reimbursement, charitable gift matching programs, and much more! Visit our benefits site to learn more at www.allstategoodlife.com/AFI.

Candidates must possess authorization to work in the United States, as it is not our practice to sponsor individuals for work visas.

Answer Financial is an equal opportunity employer.