Who works with VoIP?

I have a possibility at getting a "VoIP Administrator" job...

description is kind of vague, but it sounds like an entry level-ish job....

but the money is a decent amount higher than I make now... and it's a foot in the door in the DoD party...

I was an AT&T telephone man for 9 years... so the Voice side of Networking seems like a logical progression, I just dont know what all goes down over there....

can someone in a voice type role give me a lay person overview?

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Comments

shodown

This just depends.

I"ve done NOC work which was Tier 1-3 support, I've done Admin type work where its move's add's changes Tier 2 troubleshooting, and I've done Engineering and design work which was new system build out.

jdancer

If you want to get your hands into VOIP, try the open source solutions first. Piece together a Linux box running Asterisk or any other open-source VOIP software. Get some soft-IP (voip) phones going. You'll definitely learn by doing. For kicks, configure your smartphone to make voice calls using your 4G connection. I use GrooveIP myself.

Mike-Mike

jdancer wrote: »

configure your smartphone to make voice calls using your 4G connection. I use GrooveIP myself.

Damn you Sprint..... no 4G in my city....

Mike-Mike

Maybe this will help:

Position Summary:
The VOIP Administrator will join the Network Support VOIP Team. This Team’s responsibilities lie in resolving technical problems and answering queries by telephone in support of internal and outside customer computer hardware, software, network, and telecommunications systems.
Responsibilities Include:

Diagnose, identify, isolate and analyze problems utilizing historical database records.
Route calls to product line specialists and will maintain and update records and tracking databases. Alert management to recurring problems and patterns of problems.
Develop specific contracts for installation, maintenance and moving of various AirCard and wireless telecommunication services.
Work with various service providers to ensure recruiters have the required functional wireless communications.

Requirements:

Knowledge in basic auditing and billing procedures
Wireless, landline telecom and extensive customer service skills required
Security+ Certification or must obtain prior to starting
Ability to perform assigned technical/para-engineering tasks
Able to produce technical and project related documentation as needed
Limited drawing and writing skills to adequately document and present communication efforts
Must be capable of lifting up to 50 lbs.

alanaround

We have voice administrators here (forms part of a bigger position as we run a small team) and their tasks include anything to do with the setup, removal or changes relating to end user devices (phones, Communicator instances and conference phones) which includes the set up and deployment of the phone itself, allocation/management of DIDs and helping the user with their own preferences such as speed dials, fast dials and phone button preferences. They also handle the mailbox side on Unity which includes addition/deletion of mailboxes, password resets and recording/setup of the auto-attendant greetings/menu flow for offices where there isn't a full-time receptionist. Basically, full client-facing voice support. Problem with the phone (error message/load issues) or anything dial-plan related? send it up the line.

I used to work in this role and felt that it gave me a great handle/introduction to Cisco's voice solutions and how the end-user side all fits together. It also was a great way to familiarize myself with the GUI.

Mike-Mike

actually re-reading that.... it sounds helpdesk-ish.... which is odd, since the pay is way higher than any help desk I've seen.....

shodown

My 1st job out the military was VOIP help desk and it paid me 63K. High wash our rate and very stressful.

networker050184

Same first job I got out of the military as well. Payed well but I hate doing any kind of support so wasn't for me!

shodown

I remember you saying that a few times, what made you take it in the 1st place out of curiosity? I know your distain for VoIP is like mine for security. I'm just wondering how you got into it.

networker050184

I don't hate VoIP the actual technology so much as I hate trying to chase call quality issues and then figuring out its a call to a damn cellphone.

I got into VoIP and stayed into it for my first few years out of the military. I worked with PBXs and Callmanagers in the military so had the good buzz words and experience on the resume to get decent paying jobs. My passion has always been in the service provider R&S world though so I went that route when given the chance.

Mike-Mike

not to be self centered here, but lets get back to me, everyone focus on me, me and me only, only me... just me.....

I'm just kidding, I think hearing your stories are fascinating. 63k for help desk is crazy! did you take a paycut to leave? or just stick around until you got to that level?

based on the description I posted, do you all think it looks like a helpdesk? Or would i get CCNA Voice type experience?

Currently I'm a Network Monitor more or less, and I'm looking to get more in-depth

JustFred

you will be lifting stuff, sure your back can handle it in the long run?

Node Man

I work voip now. For about 2 years. To me, it feels more like a stop in a career path, not a destination.

Also, with all your certs, i would imagine you would want to do alot more, and get paid more, than a Voip person might earn.

Trifidw

I find the VoIP side of my job both the most challenging and the most rewarding, on the flip side changing names on a phone/PINs gets dull very quickly. Would I want to do it as my only focus? At this stage in my career, no. If I'm still in IT in 10 years time I can see myself specialising in it though.

If I was you, I'd be looking at setting up a full Callmanager lab ASAP if company uses Cisco equipment.

networker050184

Node Man wrote: »

I work voip now. For about 2 years. To me, it feels more like a stop in a career path, not a destination.

Also, with all your certs, i would imagine you would want to do alot more, and get paid more, than a Voip person might earn.

Though VoIP isn't for me I completely disagree with all of this. There is great earning potential and plenty of room to make a great career path if its what you are into.

shodown

I made it through the early trenches of voip, I couldn't' even tell you how to BAT in phone now, but if you want a E164 Dial plan, Multiple Gatekeepers, call center, Video all designed and implemented I got you. The engineering side of VOIP is way more fun that the Admin side, the salaries are very high as well.

Node Man

Gosh everyone, i must be working voip for the wrong company!

shodown

The best voip work is with a Large Partner or a Service provider. If you are with a small partner you will be doing mostly UC500's and CUCM BE5k/6k. If you are in a enterprise 9 times of out 10 a partner will be doing the work and you will just be doing admin work and maybe a new site add after the design is done. I've actually had someone interview with me and a client site and taken credit for work I did years ago. Service providers large and small you get to do some pretty cool things on the VOIP side of the house. It just depends on the job you take.

Mike-Mike

JustFred wrote: »

you will be lifting stuff, sure your back can handle it in the long run?

strong like bull......

well, I'm 33, six foot one, about 220, and I could probably stand to drop 20 pounds... my back couldn't handle 20 more years of that, but for a year or two while I build my resume.... shouldn't be a problem