Entry Level Computer Networking Jobs in Gaithersburg, MD

Koniag Technology Solutions, Inc, a Koniag Government Services company, is seeking a NOC Technician Tier 1 to support KTS and our government customer in Washington, DC. This position requires the candidate to be able to obtain a Public Trust. The position is hybrid, requires 4 days onsite. This position is for a Future New Business Opportunity. We offer competitive compensation and an extraordinary benefits package including health, dental and vision insurance, 401K with company matching, flexible spending accounts, paid holidays, three weeks paid time off, and more. Koniag Technology Solutions Inc, a Koniag Government Services company, is seeking a motivated Network Operations Center (NOC) Tier 1 Technician to join our 7x24x365 NOC team supporting a mission-critical infrastructure serving thousands of internal users and millions of external users. The ideal candidate will be an enthusiastic technology professional with strong customer service skills and a passion for learning, capable of monitoring systems, responding to alerts, and providing first-level technical support in a fast-paced environment. This position offers an excellent opportunity to launch or advance a career in IT operations and network support. The NOC Tier 1 Technician will serve as the first line of defense in monitoring and maintaining network and system infrastructure, responding to incidents and alerts in real-time to ensure optimal availability and performance. This role operates within a 7x24x365 Network Operations Center environment and provides critical support to maintain continuous operations. Principal responsibilities will include but are not limited to: * Monitor network infrastructure, servers, applications, and services using various monitoring tools and dashboards * Respond to system alerts, alarms, and service notifications in accordance with established procedures and SLAs * Perform initial troubleshooting and diagnosis of network and system incidents * Document all incidents, activities, and resolutions in the ticketing system with accurate and detailed information * Escalate complex issues to Tier 2/3 support teams following established escalation procedures * Execute predefined remediation procedures and runbooks for common issues * Verify system backups, scheduled jobs, and automated processes complete successfully * Conduct routine health checks on network devices, servers, and critical applications * Answer incoming calls and emails from users reporting technical issues * Open, update, and close trouble tickets in the incident management system * Participate in shift handoffs to ensure continuity of operations between teams * Communicate proactively with stakeholders regarding ongoing incidents and service impacts * Assist in maintaining NOC documentation including procedures, contact lists, and knowledge base articles * Monitor and report on system performance metrics and trends * Perform basic network connectivity tests and ping/traceroute diagnostics * Support network maintenance windows by monitoring systems during changes * Maintain awareness of current issues, planned maintenance, and known problems * Follow change management procedures and coordinate with change implementers * Participate in on-the-job training to develop technical skills and knowledge Education and Experience: Required: * High school diploma or GED equivalent * 1-2 years of experience in IT support, help desk, NOC, or related technical role * Basic understanding of networking concepts and technologies * Experience using ticketing systems and documentation tools Preferred: * Associate's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field * CompTIA A+, Network+, or similar entry-level IT certification * 2-3 years of experience in a NOC or help desk environment * Experience supporting enterprise-level infrastructure Required Skills and Competencies: * Basic knowledge of networking fundamentals including TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, and VPN * Familiarity with monitoring tools and ticketing systems (e.g., ServiceNow, Remedy, Jira) * Understanding of incident management and ITIL framework concepts * Ability to follow documented procedures, runbooks, and standard operating procedures * Strong attention to detail and ability to identify patterns and anomalies * Excellent customer service orientation with professional communication skills * Ability to multitask and manage multiple concurrent incidents effectively * Strong written communication skills for documenting technical issues clearly and concisely * Capability to work under pressure in a fast-paced, time-sensitive environment * Self-motivated with ability to work independently during assigned shifts * Flexibility to work rotating shifts including nights, weekends, and holidays as required * Basic understanding of Windows and Linux operating systems * Ability to learn new technologies and tools quickly * Team player with collaborative mindset and positive attitude * Reliable and punctual with strong work ethic * Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel) * Ability to interpret system logs and identify critical error messages * Basic understanding of network devices including routers, switches, and firewalls Security Requirement: * Ability to obtain Public Trust or higher security clearance Desired Skills and Competencies: * Experience working in a federal government IT environment * Additional IT certifications (CompTIA Security+, ITIL Foundation, Cisco CCENT) * Familiarity with network monitoring platforms (SolarWinds, Nagios, PRTG, Splunk) * Basic scripting knowledge (PowerShell, Bash, Python) * Understanding of cloud services and platforms (AWS, Azure, Office 365) * Experience with remote desktop tools and remote access technologies * Knowledge of database concepts and basic SQL queries * Familiarity with application monitoring and APM tools * Understanding of wireless networking technologies * Experience with VoIP and unified communications systems * Knowledge of cybersecurity concepts and best practices * Exposure to network protocols and packet analysis * Understanding of backup and disaster recovery concepts * Familiarity with virtualization technologies (VMware, Hyper-V) * Experience creating or updating technical documentation and knowledge base articles * Bilingual language skills (Spanish or other languages) * Ability to obtain Public Trust or higher security clearance * Prior military IT experience or equivalent technical training * Customer service certifications or training * Experience supporting high-availability, mission-critical environments Our Equal Employment Opportunity Policy The company is an equal opportunity employer. The company shall not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, color, religion, creed, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity (except where gender is a bona fide occupational qualification), national origin or ancestry, age, disability, citizenship, military/veteran status, marital status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We are committed to equal employment opportunity in all decisions related to employment, promotion, wages, benefits, and all other privileges, terms, and conditions of employment. The company is dedicated to seeking all qualified applicants. If you require an accommodation to navigate or apply for a position on our website, please get in touch with Heaven Wood via e-mail at or by calling 703-488-9377 to request accommodations. Koniag Government Services (KGS) is an Alaska Native Owned corporation supporting the values and traditions of our native communities through an agile employee and corporate culture that delivers Enterprise Solutions, Professional Services and Operational Management to Federal Government Agencies. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Koniag, we apply our proven commercial solutions to a deep knowledge of Defense and Civilian missions to provide forward leaning technical, professional, and operational solutions. KGS enables successful mission outcomes for our customers through solution-oriented business partnerships and a commitment to exceptional service delivery. We ensure long-term success with a continuous improvement approach while balancing the collective interests of our customers, employees, and native communities. For more information, please visit www.koniag-gs.com. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled. Shareholder Preference in accordance with Public Law 88-352