How to hire a network control operator

How to hire a network control operator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step network control operator hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a network control operator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new network control operator
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your network control operator job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a network control operator for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a network control operator to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a network control operator that fits the bill.

   This list shows salaries for various types of network control operators.

   Type of Network Control Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Network Control Operator	Computer networks are critical parts of almost every organization. Network and computer systems administrators are responsible for the day-to-day operation of these networks.	$27-51
   System Technician	A system technician is a professional responsible for supporting users with issues related to the computer system. System technicians conduct appropriate diagnostics on computer issues and must be able to explain technical issues to clients or team members... Show more	$12-32
   Systems Administrator	Systems administrators are employees who oversee information technology infrastructures in the office. They are skilled information technology professionals who are knowledgeable about the company's network systems and other technology-related infrastructures... Show more	$28-48

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Troubleshoot
   • Switches
   • DOD
   • Juniper
   • Remedy
   • Disa
   • Fault Management
   • NOC
   • Configuration Management
   • Network Operations
   • ATM
   • Security Posture
   • Network Support
   • Corrective Action

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Maintain a high level manage network for DISA with minimum down time.
   • Manage and coordinate troubleshooting and restorative efforts and all networks to include SONET connectivity issues.
   • Manage complex resolution of provisioning issues for installation and maintenance.Responsible for issuing T1 circuit ASR's to LEC/ILEC.
   • Monitor, operate and manage, troubleshooting and restoring to service any of the components comprising the DISN network.
   • Manage the F5 BigIP GTM/LTM appliances to include writing iRules, SSL offload and everyday task of creating WIP and VIPs.
   • Maintain the transport portion of the design which include T1's, T3's, and Ethernet circuits.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your network control operator job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A network control operator salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, network control operators' average salary in montana is 31% less than in washington.
   • Seniority. Entry-level network control operators earn 46% less than senior-level network control operators.
   • Certifications. A network control operator with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a network control operator's salary.

   Average network control operator salary

   $79,719yearly

   $38.33 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level network control operator salary

   $58,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 14, 2025

4. Writing a network control operator job description

   A network control operator job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a network control operator job description:

   Network control operator job description example

   Job Title: Network Controller
   
   Job Location : Scott AFB, IL
   
   Security Clearance: Ability to obtain a US Government Secret clearance before start.
   
   Due to the nature of the work and US Government required, US Citizenship is required.
   
   Job Responsibilities:
   
   Trace Systems is currently recruiting for a Network Controller to support mission critical work at Scott AFB, IL. Support will be provided to one or more of the myriad technical cells within the DISA Global Network Operations Center including the Transport and Internet Protocol (TRIP) NOC; the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) Ground Control Network NOC, the Unified Communications (UC) NOC, and the Airborne Intelligence and Reconnaissance (AISR) Operational Support Cell (OSC). The particular areas of support will be determined by the customer's most immediate needs and the candidate's technical qualifications and experience.
   
   The ideal candidate should have a basic understanding of IP networking and be familiar with the Cisco command line interface. Duties include but are not limited to troubleshooting and monitoring DISA's networks; remotely managing Cisco and Juniper network devices; updating and responding to trouble tickets; documenting effort in the Remedy ticketing system; and managing and troubleshooting long-haul connections across devices including the Multi-Service Provisioning Platform (MSPP), Promina, Optical Digital Cross-Connect (ODXC), Ciena CoreStream, 6500 ADTRAN, and SafeNet encryptors.
   
   Minimum Qualifications:
   
   + Basic understanding of IP networking
   
   + Familiar with the Cisco command line interface
   
   + Experience remotely troubleshooting and restoring telecommunications circuits, trunks, and links.
   
   + DoD 8570 IAT-II certification
   
   + Have the ability to obtain a US Government Secret clearance before start
   
   Desired Qualifications:
   
   + Ability to multi-task and manage/prioritize workload to include monitoring multiple network systems, fielding customer calls via unclassified and classified phone systems, maintain situational awareness via classified chat rooms, and utilizing Global TMS to document all steps taken to identify and resolve service affecting incidents
   
   + CCNA certification
   
   + Customer service oriented and be able to communicate effectively with our mission and government partners to ensure proper assessment of operational/mission impacts and prompt response to priority circuits
   
   Trace Systems
   
   Trace Systems Inc. was founded to support and defend our nation's security interests at home and abroad-- whenever and wherever. We provide enterprise IT, engineering, full life-cycle communications, cybersecurity, cloud and virtualization services and solutions to the United States Department of Defense and other federal agencies.
   
   To Apply: We invite you to put your talents to work by joining a growing team of dynamic professionals here at Trace Systems! Be part of a culture at our leading-edge company where you can achieve great things while fostering a satisfying and rewarding career progression. To learn more about our current openings, text 'tracejobs' to 97211 or apply directly through our website at : www.tracesystems.com . #jointracesystems
   
   COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement: To protect the health and safety of its employees and to comply with customer requirements, Trace Systems may require employees in certain positions to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Vaccination requirements will depend on the status of the federal contractor mandate and customer site requirements.
   
   Trace Systems is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, disability, veteran status, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.
   
   
   # of Openings 1

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find network control operators for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your network control operator job on Zippia to find and attract quality network control operator candidates.
   • Use niche websites such as dice, engineering.com, stack overflow, it job pro.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with network control operator candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   While interviews are great, you will only sometimes learn enough from a conversation with a network control operator applicant. In those cases, having candidates complete a test project can go a long way in figuring out who's the most likely to succeed in the role. If you aren't a technical person and don't know how to design an appropriate test, you can ask someone else on the team to create it or take a look at these websites to get a few ideas:

   • TestDome
   • CodeSignal
   • Testlify
   • BarRaiser
   • Coderbyte

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new network control operator

   Once you've selected the best network control operator candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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