Helpdesk Support Agent - IT Staffing

A Helpdesk Support Agent (Tier 2) position is available in Worcester, Western Cape, South Africa.

Description – Helpdesk Support Agent:

• The Tier 2 Helpdesk Support Agent provides first and second line, as well as core advanced customer support.
• This includes escalations from Tier 1 Agents, advanced troubleshooting, and acting as shift team captain as assigned.
• Support relates to customer internet connectivity issues (WAN and customer side), emails, routers, network related queries pertaining to various hardware (a wireless router or access point), and occasionally VOIP (Voice over IP).
• The Agent provides support both in person and via various communication channels (including telephone, WhatsApp, Webchat, Distant-Desktop, RouteThis and e-mail), using ticketing and tracking systems.
• Calls that cannot be resolved are escalated appropriately.
• Tier 2 Helpdesk Support Agents may also be required to support the shift teams, providing guidance and support as the team captain.
• The career path for Tier 2 Helpdesk Support Agents within company includes Helpdesk Helpdesk Team Leader, NOC (Network Operations Centre) Department Network Engineer and Team Leader, or Field Operations.

Key Responsibilities – Helpdesk Support Agent:

Customer-first and second-line customer support:

• Offer first and second-call resolution support to customers via telephone, WhatsApp, Webchat, Distant-Desktop, Route-this and e-mail, including escalations from Tier 1 Agents.
• Provide more advanced customer support including common mid-level technical questions such as local systems set-up, local network issues, compliance with data standards and applying technical solutions to issues that have established resolution methods.
• Assist walk-in clients where applicable.
• Screen incoming calls, redirect them to the correct departments, and record as well as pass on clear messages when required.
• Log requests through the company's ticketing system, manage ticket queue to ensure optimal support and update ticket status daily or as required.
• Attempt to resolve the issue permanently on first call and on the same day, including following up and providing regular (minimum hourly, and no less than daily) feedback to customers.
• Regularly check Microsoft Teams & WhatsApp for messages requiring call backs.

Troubleshooting, problem-solving and monitoring:

• Gather information through analytical trouble shooting or problem research to determine the nature of faults (including determining whether the fault is a customer side or WAN fault).
• Make use of troubleshooting tools such as tracert, ping, bandwidth test and Route
• Monitoring of Network using PRTG and Zabbix.
• Where the call cannot be resolved, escalate the call timeously to the correct person or team (Team Leader/Team Captain or Technical, NOC, RF (Radio Frequency), Fibre, or Field Ops teams).
• Identify trends with incoming calls, issues, and support requests, and escalate them to the Team Captain or Team Leader immediately.

Customer-side faults:

• Provides basic to advanced troubleshooting on customer-side faults, including password changes, usage reports, application login problems for all value-added services such as VOIP (Voice over IP) and email).

Internal/network faults:

• Identify network issues (e.g. uplink problems, such as a backhaul upstream service provider problem, a fibre PON failure, or a wireless tower failure) through gathering information and troubleshooting, and escalate to NOC through ticketing system.
• Assist Field Technicians remotely with troubleshooting, configuration & service credentials (username and password).
• Develop wireless infrastructures and make recommendations on systems enhancements for optimizations.

Team support:

• Support and assist with the development, training, and upskilling of Tier 1 agents.
• Act in the role of shift captain, when assigned, to support the smooth operations and optimal customer support during each shift.
• Provide support to Helpdesk Teams by assisting with ticket backlogs when required.
• Adhere to and contribute to internal technical documentation and knowledgebase.
• Reporting back regularly on ad hoc requests for data capturing relating to specific projects or assignments.
• Work in a team and collaborate to improve customer support.
• Research and remain up to date with current industry and technologies and share learnings with the team.
• Become familiar with department policies and SOPs (Standard Operating Procedure).
• Learn to use company software programmes, tools.
• Attend and participate in team MOS (management operating systems) meetings.

Knowledge, skills, and ability – Helpdesk Support Agent:

• Networking, ICT and Telecommunications technology and industry knowledge.
• Proven knowledge and understanding of TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, Tunnels, routers, and switches.
• Troubleshooting skills in a networking environment.
• Advanced understanding of PC hardware setup and configuration is advantageous.
• Layer 2 switching knowledge/ability is advantageous.
• Knowledge of Mikrotik, Cambium, Ubiquiti and Toto link hardware.
• Work independently, including remotely (when required).
• Willing and able to work shifts, including evenings and weekends.
• Work under pressure and according to specific call resolution targets.
• Microsoft Office (Outlook, Teams – required, Word and Excel advantageous).
• Coach and train Tier 1 agent and other team members on the job.
• Proficient in English (written and verbal), a second language preferable.

Education – Helpdesk Support Agent:

• Grade 12 / Senior Certificate.
• N+ & A+ certification, or a minimum of 3 years experience in an Internet Service Provider helpdesk call center or ticketing environment.
• Min 3 years of experience working with Wireless and Wi-Fi Routers.
• Additional ICT qualifications (MTNCA, IT Engineering, etc.) are advantageous.