Network Designers - 15-1099.03    
 
Description
Determine user requirements and design specifications for computer networks. Plan and implement network upgrades.
 
Providers Compare
Asher College (TechSkills)
OSC Computer Training - Sacramento
Sierra College

 

Occupation Details
 The information in this section represents occupational characteristics included in O*NET which defines key features of an occupation as a standardized, measurable set of variables called "descriptors". These distinguishing characteristics of an occupation are described in greater detail in the O*NET Content Model. All items are listed in descending order of importance.

  • Tasks
  • Knowledge and Skills
  • Job Zone
  • Work Styles and Values
Tasks
  • Adjust network sizes to meet volume or capacity demands.
  • Communicate with customers, sales staff, or marketing staff to determine customer needs.
  • Coordinate network operations, maintenance, repairs, or upgrades.
  • Design, build, or operate equipment configuration prototypes, including network hardware, software, servers, or server operation systems.
  • Determine specific network hardware or software requirements, such as platforms, interfaces, bandwidths, or routine schemas.
  • Develop and implement solutions for network problems.
  • Develop conceptual, logical, or physical network designs.
  • Develop procedures to track, project, or report network availability, reliability, capacity, or utilization.
  • Develop or recommend network security measures, such as firewalls, network security audits, or automated security probes.
  • Estimate time and materials needed to complete projects.
  • Evaluate network designs to determine whether customer requirements are met efficiently and effectively.
  • Monitor and analyze network performance and data input/output reports to detect problems, identify inefficient use of computer resources, or perform capacity planning.
  • Participate in network technology upgrade or expansion projects, including installation of hardware and software and integration testing.
  • Prepare or monitor project schedules, budgets, or cost control systems.
  • Prepare detailed network specifications, including diagrams, charts, equipment configurations, and recommended technologies.
  • Research and test new or modified hardware or software products to determine performance and interoperability.
  • Coordinate installation of new equipment.
  • Coordinate network or design activities with designers of associated networks.
  • Design, organize, and deliver product awareness, skills transfer, and product education sessions for staff and suppliers.
  • Develop or maintain project reporting systems.
  • Develop disaster recovery plans.
  • Develop network-related documentation.
  • Explain design specifications to integration or test engineers.
  • Develop plans or budgets for network equipment replacement.
  • Prepare design presentations and proposals for staff or customers.
  • Supervise engineers and other staff in the design or implementation of network solutions.
  • Use network computer-aided design (CAD) software packages to optimize network designs.
Knowledge
  Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  Telecommunications - Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
  Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
  Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
  English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Skills
  Operations Analysis - Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
  Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  Systems Evaluation - Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
  Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  Systems Analysis - Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
  Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
  Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
  Technology Design - Generating or adapting equipment and technology to serve user needs.
  Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
  Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.
  Management of Personnel Resources - Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
  Persuasion - Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
  Instructing - Teaching others how to do something.
  Quality Control Analysis - Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
  Equipment Selection - Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
  Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Abilities
  Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  Fluency of Ideas - The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
  Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
  Visualization - The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
  Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  Originality - The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
  Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
  Mathematical Reasoning - The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
  Speed of Closure - The ability to quickly make sense of, combine, and organize information into meaningful patterns.
  Flexibility of Closure - The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
  Selective Attention - The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
  Number Facility - The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.

Work Activities
  Interacting With Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
  Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
  Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
  Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
  Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
  Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
  Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
  Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
  Provide Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
  Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
  Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
  Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
  Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
  Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
  Communicating with Persons Outside Organization - Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
  Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
  Monitoring and Controlling Resources - Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
  Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
  Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Job Zone  
Title Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Overall Experience A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Job Training Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Job Zone Examples Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include accountants, sales managers, database administrators, teachers, chemists, environmental engineers, criminal investigators, and special agents.
Education Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Interests
Conventional - Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Investigative - Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outsi
 
Work Styles
Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.
 
Work Values
Achievement - Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Independence - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Recognition - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
Working Conditions - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.