Overview

The Services Operations Center (SOC) is a team within Customer Success whose function is to monitor the quality of service of VAST Data clusters deployed in the field, and take the necessary actions in the case of service degradation or outage.  The person that works in a SOC is a SOC Operator.  This person will be looking at a dashboard of monitored items, and when green lights turn red, they will click on the red light, read a runbook, and endeavor to resolve the issue.  If they can fix the problem in 30 mins, they will.  If they can not fix the problem, they will declare an ‘incident’ and page in Support who will begin troubleshooting, and begin keeping a timeline of events.  If Support can't fix the problem, the SOC Operator will page in R&D.  The SOC Operator will 'run' the incident until the issue is resolved.  Once resolution occurs, the SOC operator close out ticket, and publish a Preliminary Findings Report in the ticket.  All the while, the SOC Operator will provide a play-by-play in the internal slack channel to keep everyone aware of what's happening.  

SOC Operator Job Description

Position Title: Services Operations Center (SOC) Operator

Job Summary: As a SOC Operator, you will be responsible for monitoring and maintaining the health and performance of our fleet of installed clusters. You will work in a 24/7 operations environment, ensuring the availability, reliability, and security of services. This role involves real-time monitoring, incident detection, incident management, incident resolution, and clear written and verbal communication with other teams and stakeholders.

Responsibilities:

• Monitor clusters using internal monitoring tools to detect and troubleshoot issues promptly.
• Respond to alerts and incidents in a timely manner, following standard operating procedures (SOPs) and escalation processes.
• Perform initial investigation and diagnosis of problems, escalating complex issues to support or R&D.
• Document incidents, including their details, troubleshooting steps, and resolutions in the incident tracking system.
• Collaborate with other teams, including Support, R&D, Account teams, and customers to ensure effective incident resolution and communication.
• Conduct routine checks and audits to identify potential problems or vulnerabilities.
• Assist with the implementation of changes and updates to the infrastructure as directed by team leads.
• Participate in shift-based work schedules, including nights, weekends, and holidays, to provide 24/7 coverage in the SOC.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of storage technologies, industry trends, and best practices.
• Adhere to security protocols and ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of network and system data.
• Contribute to the development and improvement of SOC processes and procedures.
• Provide excellent customer service to internal and external stakeholders during incident resolution and communication.

• High school diploma or equivalent; a degree or certification in information technology or a related field is a plus.
• Proven experience as a SOC Operator or in a similar network monitoring role is preferred.
• Strong understanding of networking concepts, protocols, and technologies (TCP/IP, SNMP, DHCP, DNS, etc.).
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team-based environment.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills, with the ability to multitask effectively.
• Good communication skills, both written and verbal, to interact with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Willingness to work in a 24/7 shift-based environment, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Detail-oriented and committed to maintaining accurate documentation.
• Demonstrated commitment to continuous learning and self-improvement.

Note: This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the responsibilities and requirements for the SOC Operator role. The specific duties and qualifications may vary depending on the organization and its network infrastructure.