Telecommunication Lead

The Episcopal School of Baton Rouge is a dynamic, forward-thinking, independent school serving students from Pre-K through 12th grade. With a strong commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and community, Episcopal nurtures a diverse and inclusive environment that empowers students to achieve their full potential.

As we continue to expand our digital and communication infrastructure, we seek a Telecommunication Lead to oversee and enhance our systems, ensuring seamless connectivity and communication between faculty, staff, students, and families.

Position Summary

The Telecommunication Lead will be responsible for the design, implementation, maintenance, and security of the school's voice, video, and data communication systems. This position plays a key role in ensuring the reliability, scalability, and performance of telecommunication services.

The ideal candidate will have strong technical expertise in VoIP systems, unified communications, network infrastructure, and troubleshooting, along with excellent project management and leadership skills. This is a remote position, but occasional on-site visits to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, may be required for system upgrades or critical projects.

Note: Only candidates who are U.S. Citizens will be considered for this role due to data privacy and security compliance requirements.

Key Responsibilities

System Management & Support

Oversee the day-to-day operation of all telecommunication systems, including VoIP, video conferencing platforms, paging systems, and mobile device management.

Configure, monitor, and optimize telecommunication infrastructure to ensure high availability and performance.

Serve as the primary escalation point for telecommunication issues, providing expert troubleshooting and resolution.

Ensure compliance with E-Rate and other federal or state telecommunication regulations.

Strategic Planning & Development

Lead the design and implementation of telecommunication projects, including upgrades, new deployments, and system integrations.

Develop a multi-year strategy for the growth and evolution of the schools communication systems.

Collaborate with IT leadership to integrate voice, video, and data systems with other technology platforms.

Security & Compliance

Implement and enforce security best practices for voice and data communications.

Ensure compliance with FERPA, HIPAA, and other applicable laws and school policies.

Manage system backups, disaster recovery plans, and risk mitigation strategies for telecommunication services.

Training & Support

Develop and deliver training materials and workshops for faculty and staff on telecommunication systems.

Create clear documentation, manuals, and user guides for internal use.

Provide excellent customer service to end-users, maintaining a high level of satisfaction.

Vendor & Budget Management

Manage relationships with telecommunication vendors, service providers, and contractors.

Evaluate vendor proposals and negotiate contracts to ensure cost-effective solutions.

Track and manage the telecommunications budget, including hardware, licensing, and recurring service costs.

Required Qualifications

Citizenship: Must be a U.S. Citizen.

Bachelors degree in Information Technology, Telecommunications, Networking, or a related field (or equivalent experience).

Minimum 5+ years of experience in telecommunications management or related IT leadership role.

Strong technical expertise with VoIP systems (e.g., Cisco, Avaya, Zoom Phone, RingCentral).

Hands-on experience with network infrastructure, including routers, switches, firewalls, and QoS configuration.

Knowledge of video conferencing platforms, such as Zoom, Teams, and Google Meet.

Familiarity with E-Rate funding and compliance guidelines for educational institutions.

Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills with a detail-oriented mindset.

Strong communication and leadership abilities, with experience managing cross-functional projects.

Ability to work independently in a remote environment while maintaining strong collaboration with on-site teams.

Preferred Qualifications

Masters degree in a related field or advanced industry certifications (e.g., CCNA, CCNP, CompTIA Network+, Avaya Certified Specialist).

Experience working within educational institutions or non-profit organizations.

Familiarity with cybersecurity protocols for voice and data systems.

Experience integrating telecommunication systems with learning management systems (LMS) or student information systems (SIS).