Central US Sales Engineer

**** This is an independent contractor role ****

St. Louis is the preferred location. Dallas, Indianapolis, and Chicago are also options (no other location).

Requirements
Job Summary: This position provides quality pre-sales technical support to the sales organization and the dealer channel. The Sales Engineer interacts with customers to execute the technical aspects of the Star2Star sales strategy. The SE works in tandem with Star2Star regional sales VP’s and the dealer channel and actively participates in sales calls.

Dimensions: The SE helps to qualify sales opportunities, assists with technical issues arising during the sales engagement, helps clients define specifications and requirements, develops solutions, and provides technology presentations to both technical and management-level audiences. 80% of the SE’s time is spent on conference calls or web meetings supporting partner sales team(s) with occasional travel as opportunities dictate.

Knowledge Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Business or technical field or equivalent
• Five to seven years technical environment, sales engineering and/or sales in a voice/data environment
• Minimum of two years' in a position requiring direct professional interfacing with customers
• Engineering skills in IP, VoIP/SIP, Sonet, Ethernet, Frame/ATM and Voice applications.
• Technical sales skills, communication skills, presentation skills, strategic planning skills
• LAN technology, WAN technology, customer premise hardware technology, technical network diagramming and design, Cisco, or other router and hardware configuration experience
• CCDA /CCNA preferred but not required
• Ability to travel as required
• Excellent written, presentation and interpersonal skills
• Experience at being a strategic member of sales management team who contributes significantly to growth and development of the business
• High energy level and demonstrated drive to succeed
• Employment of ethical business practices required.
• Demonstrated ability in technical diagram drawing tools, office document products and PC-based network utility tools
  
  Principal Accountabilities:
  * Assist Sales force in presentations to customers and partners
  * Design viable complex voice and data network sales solutions for customer applications, including preparation of network topologies, technical specifications, etc.
  * Provide presales design and engineering support for large and/or complex WAN and VOIP/SIP opportunities
  * Provide the sales team with expert technical solutions for customers
  * Translate and communicate complex technical design considerations between the sales team and prospective customers on sales calls and appointments
  * Evaluate, validate, create diagrams and present design of technical solutions to customers
  * Takes the lead in technical Q&A with prospects and customers
  * Serves as resident technical expert on Star2Star products and services.
  * Ensures technical information and products sold support customer requirements and lead to successfully installed products and services
  * Interface with customers to determine technical requirements and expectations
  * Develop and deliver ad-hoc training for market including new product and new technology
  * Create hardcopy, softcopy and visual aid presentations for sales teams and customers
  * Create technical network diagrams, cost/value analysis, informational and technical presentations
  * Help improve technical skill set of sales team and improve personal skill set through ongoing training
  * Work with customers and their vendors to obtain technical information needed to support clean orders through provisioning and installation process
  * Maintains professional attitude at all times.
  * Maintains good working relationship with all team members and office staff.
  * Performs other duties and tasks as assigned or as become evident.
  
  Human Relations Skills:
  * Strong personal leadership skills, including planning, goal-setting, resource allocation, objectives negotiation, team management techniques and group problem solving.
  * Strong interpersonal skills.
  
  Physical Requirements: Must be able to work in a normal office environment including the operation of a computer keyboard and mouse. Must be able to operate a telephone, fax machine and copy machine. Must possess a valid driver's license and have the ability to travel; traveling to various locations in assigned cities.
  

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Implementation Services Account Manager

BASIC FUNCTION:
This high energy person will be a member of the team responsible for delivering  exemplary Voice over IP system installation support to Customers / Dealers for IP based end to end telecommunications services and infrastructure including telephone systems, services, and voice mail. This high visibility role is critical to the success of the company.

This is an exciting opportunity to deliver and support leading edge technologies for our Customers / Dealers in a fast pace dynamic environment working for a young company.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Handling new sales from time a new phone system is sold through installation including daily Customer / Dealer communication
• Managing customer/dealer phone support
• Managing Email distribution(s)
• Utilizing corporate CRM Ticketing system
• Utilizing corporate internet portal services
• Utilizing vendor internet portal services.
•  Managing installation process to perform quality installations with dealers
• Proactively determine all technical requirements are met before system ships.
• Pre installation review of orders/Quote Calculators
• Equipment/Technical Review
• Pre installation review/support/coordination of VOA circuit services
• Number Porting/Faxing
• Shipping/inventory specifications
• Installation Coordination
• Proactive communication with Dealers based on specifics of each order.  
• Track and log changes, escalations, corrections following best practice discipline
• Use, support and development of  knowledge base content
• Develop, design and authoring of Customer / Dealer technical and user documentation and possible training tools
• Recommend and track improvements to Customer environments
• On site implementations and field support work when required
• Testing of product releases
• Handling technology administrative tasks
• Assisting in dealer training

QUALIFICATIONS:
College degree preferred.  This person must  be comfortable with technologies such as cell phones, pagers, PDAs, phone systems, voice mail, MS Office, dial up networking, wireless networking, TCP/IP, routers/switches, cabling, VPNs, Cable modems/DSL/T1, MS Exchange, Firewalls.  Experience in VoIP implementation and maintenance are a plus. Experience in Quality of Service, bandwidth utilization, addressing, latency is a plus.

Candidate must be able to multi-task, and successfully manage follow through.  The candidate must have excellent interpersonal, project management, oral and written communication skills, and be able to work in high pressure/quick response environment.  Demonstrated ability to create and maintain technical documentation detailing system requirements, design, implementation and administration procedures, and architecture standards. Eager to learn new technologies,  be able to work outside normal business hours when necessary to resolve critical issues. Some travel will be required with this role.
                                                                                                            
Minimum 3 years experience in similar position with a technology company preferred. 

Star2Star is a 'Customer First' focused company and is staffed with passionate team players that are true experts in the telecommunications industry.

As a young, energetic organization Star2Star has developed a culture that attracts people with an entrepreneurial spirit who are seeking technological exploration and challenges.  The staff at Star2Star is treated as the most valuable asset which creates a second-to-none working environment.  At Star2Star you get to work on a team where all the members are intelligent, dedicated and hardworking.  Are you ready to take on a new challenge?

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Customer Configuration Specialist

Basic Function:
This high-energy person will be a member of the team responsible for delivering exemplary Voice over IP system installation support to Customers / Dealers for IP based end to end telecommunications services and infrastructure including telephone systems, services, and voice mail. This high visibility role is critical to the success of the company.

This is an exciting opportunity to deliver and support leading edge technologies for our Customers / Dealers in a fast pace dynamic environment working for a young company.

Main Duties & Responsibilites:

1. Working with end users on web based configuration for Internet based phone systems.
2. Understand Telecom terms and functionality for implementation, including;
   • Ring Groups
   • Queues
   • ACD software
   • Automated Attendants
   • Presence Management
3. Create/address billing tickets

The ideal candidate should have 3 years of Telecommunications experience, preferably with VoIP.  Candidate must be a self-starter that is proficient in networking fundamentals, general computer skills, customer service experience, and be a quick learner.  Candidate will need to be highly organized and be able to multi task multiple customers simultaneously. 

As a young, energetic organization Star2Star has developed a culture that attracts people with an entrepreneurial spirit who are seeking technological exploration and challenges. The staff at Star2Star is treated as the most valuable asset, which creates a second-to-none working environment. At Star2Star you get to work on a team where all the members are intelligent, dedicated and hardworking. Are you ready to take on a new challenge?

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Porting Specialist

BASIC FUNCTION:
Processing and managing of information specific to customer telephone number data.  The position is responsible to drive the number porting process, moving a customer telephone number from one carrier to another carrier. 

The basic tools for this position involve web-based portals and web-based applications.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• As new customers customer adopt the Star2Star service for their telecommunications needs they will move their existing phones numbers from their current carrier to a Star2Star carrier.
• Gather customer information regarding their current carrier
• Process customer information utilizing corporate internet portal services
• Process customer information utilizing vendor Internet portal services.
• Communicate with customers and dealers regarding changes, timeframes, issues and completions
• As new customers adopt the Star2Star service for their telecommunications needs they may opt to add additional new numbers both local and toll free.
•  Gather customer information regarding their current carrier
• Process customer information utilizing corporate internet portal services
• Process customer information utilizing vendor internet portal services.
• Communicate with customers and dealers regarding changes, timeframes, issues and completions

• Additional Number Porting services include;
• Management of emergency 911 services via an e911 provider
• Testing of services for completion
• Troubleshooting services with dialing issues
• Updating canceled services
• Track and log changes, escalations, and corrections following best practice discipline
• Use, support and contribute to knowledge base content
• Recommend improvements on various tools and interfaces
• Assisting in dealer training if needed.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Entry Level - College degree preferred. Individuals should be organized, possessing strong data entry skills, time management skills and the ability to communicate effectively both over the phone and in writing. Above average knowledge of Microsoft Office applications; Word, Excel, Outlook is expected for this position.

Ideal candidates are team oriented, able to multi-task, and manage follow through. Should have the ability to work to successful resolution of issues, and navigate escalation paths as needed.

Order processing experience (such as loan/mortgage processing etc.) preferred.

Project management experience a plus.
References required.
Star2Star is a 'Customer First' focused company and is staffed with passionate team players that are true experts in the telecommunications industry.
As a young, energetic organization Star2Star has developed a culture that attracts people with an entrepreneurial spirit who are seeking technological exploration and challenges.  The staff at Star2Star is treated as the most valuable asset which creates a second-to-none working environment.  At Star2Star you get to work on a team where all the members are intelligent, dedicated and hardworking.  Are you ready to take on a new challenge?

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Financial Analyst

Financial Analyst needed to assist in developing Excel based analytical tools as well as data mining and analysis tasks. Position requirements include:

• Advanced Excel skills required to develop analytical tools, financial models or revise existing budget models
• Creation of user documentation required
• Development of financial reports and ad hoc analysis

Idea l candidate will posses the following skills:

• Must be expert level in Excel
• Capable of calculating formulas, running and developing queries (SQL based)
• Previous accounting and finance experience
• Some tax experience a plus
• Previous experience in a telecommunications environment a plus
• Proven ability to multi-task
• Analytical problem solver
• Strong computer & MS Office skills

Full Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Ins.)

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Technical Writer

BASIC FUNCTION:
This position requires a high energy and versatile individual capable of working in a dynamic ever changing environment. The successful candidate must be focused; well organized, time management oriented and will need to display excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

This is an exciting, high visibility opportunity to really “Make a difference” in a fast pace dynamic environment working for a young company. Technical documentation and video training material produced through this department reach thousands of end-users via the web.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Use technical writing skills when conducting peer review of technical documents for grammar, content and style of writing.
• Handle sensitive and complex issues with discretion and good judgment.
• Document technical customer and developer materials.
• Write a variety of technical articles, training material, reports, brochures, videos and/or manuals for use by our Customers, Dealers and Employees.
• May also be responsible for coordinating the display of graphics and the production of the document and or interacting with a third party company to achieve same.
• Relies on experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals.
• A wide degree of creativity and latitude is absolutely expected for this role.
• Any other associated task and or process deemed necessary to support our Customers and Dealers.

QUALIFICATIONS:
A college degree from an accredited college/university is preferred and a minimum of 5 years experience creating, editing and maintaining technical documents, at least 2 of which has been in the telecommunications industry. Must be able to demonstrate knowledge of telecom systems including PBX, VoIP, Voice Mail systems etc. and have the ability to rapidly acquire product and service knowledge through study and hands-on experience. Candidate must be able to multi-task, yet follow through.  Demonstrate excellent interpersonal, project management, oral and written communication skills, and be able to work in high pressure/quick response environments.  The successful candidate should be a self starter and feel comfortable working in stressful situations. Provide a portfolio of work showing past experience (Mandatory).

Star2Star is a 'Customer First' focused company and is staffed with passionate team players that are true experts in the telecommunications and software industries.

As a young, energetic organization Star2Star has developed a culture that attracts people with an entrepreneurial spirit who are seeking technological exploration and challenges.  The staff at Star2Star is treated as the most valuable asset which creates a second-to-none working environment.  At Star2Star you get to work on a team where all the members are intelligent, dedicated and hardworking.  Are you ready to take on a new challenge?

COMPENSATION /  BENEFITS:
Full Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance)

About Star2Star:
Founded in 2006 in Sarasota, Florida, Star2Star Communications develops and delivers business-focused Internet communications systems and service. Star2Star’s award-winning technology employs a powerful Blended Architecture that overcomes the limitations of other Internet communications technologies. Star2Star delivers innovative features and increased productivity while providing substantial cost savings.

Star2Star products are sold through a diversified international network of distributors, master agents, and certified installing dealers. Available across North America, Star2Star Internet telephone systems are installed in thousands of small- and medium-sized businesses and in many large national retail and restaurant chains.

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VoIP Support Technician

Job Description Summary:
The VoIP Support Technician will work in an inbound call center environment, answering phone calls and emails from our customers and dealers who require technical support assistance with the products and services that we offer. The majority of these calls and emails deal with troubleshooting problems with functionality, assistance with the installation of the hardware, some advanced how-to and dealer follow-up questions,  and working in conjunction with various third parties (voice carriers and ISPs).

Ideal Skill Requirements:
Computer networking fundamentals, experience with Linux/Unix Operating Systems, knowledge of Voice over IP protocols and software, general computer use and troubleshooting skills, excellent written and verbal communication, problem solving skills, ability to prioritize issues, time management, understanding of TCP/IP protocols, LAN/WAN troubleshooting experience, customer service/soft skills, ability to work independently as well as in a team, quick learner, and able to work in a high paced environment.

Education Requirements:
High school diploma required. College degree or some college experience preferred. Related industry certifications (CCNA, Network+, A+, Linux+, etc.) preferred.

Prior Job Experience:
No specific prior experience is required, but we prefer someone who has some experience working in a technical support position at a call center. Prior experience working with similar technologies (networking, VoIP, Linux, etc.) is also preferred.

Essential Job Functions:
Login to various call center queues. Answer inbound phone calls from dealers and customers. Respond to emails from dealers and customers. Work on Support tickets assigned to them from Administrator. Troubleshoot problems and assist with resolving any issues. Document all details and troubleshooting steps performed into our Service Desk ticket tracking system. Submit bugs and feature requests to Development with authorization. Process RMA requests for proven defective equipment. Assist with new system installation. Work with team members and Level-2 technicians on more advanced issues, escalating if necessary. Perform follow-up calls to ensure problem is still resolved.

Full Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Ins.), Stock

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example entry

This is an example entry for cut & paste use...

The Ideal Candidate should have skills in some/all of the following:

• Networking Fundamentals
• Experience with Linux / Unix Operating Systems
• VoIP
• General Computer Skills
• Excellent written and communication skills
• Excellent problem solving skills, ability to prioritize issues in solving a problem, time management
• TCP/IP network troubleshooting skills
• LAN and WAN troubleshooting experience
• Customer Service experience
• Team Player, but can also work independently on projects
• Quick Learner a MUST. This is a fast paced environment and you need to learn things quick.

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