Desktop Support Specialist

Purdue University; West Lafayette (IN); On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Purdue University is seeking a Desktop Support Specialist in West Lafayette, Indiana. This role is crucial in delivering technical support to faculty and staff, ensuring technology aligns with educational and administrative goals. Key responsibilities include troubleshooting, hardware/software installation, and collaboration with IT teams for effective service delivery.

Candidates should have an Associate degree in a related field and at least six months of relevant IT experience. Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical staff are essential.

Qualifications

• 6 months of IT desktop support experience.
• Experience with hardware/software installation and maintenance.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical support for faculty and staff.
• Install and configure computers and peripheral devices.
• Troubleshoot hardware/software issues.

Skills

Technical troubleshooting

Communication skills

Team collaboration

PC hardware knowledge

Mac OS support

Networking basics

Education

Associate degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

Windows Operating System

Apple Operating System

Microsoft Active Directory

SCCM

Job description

Job Summary

Join a collaborative IT environment where your work directly supports teaching, research, and daily operations. The Desktop Support Specialist plays a key role in delivering reliable, responsive technical support to faculty and staff, helping ensure technology effectively supports academic and administrative goals.

Position Overview

As a seasoned individual contributor working with limited supervision, this role is responsible for coordinating and providing end‑user technical support services. You will help maintain and enhance the use of technology across the organization by supporting hardware, software, and related systems, while identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and user experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate and deliver technical support for faculty and staff, responding to a variety of technology needs.
• Install, configure, upgrade, and maintain hardware, software, and peripheral devices.
• Troubleshoot issues and provide practical, user‑focused solutions to support day‑to‑day operations.
• Collaborate with IT colleagues to ensure consistent, high‑quality service delivery.
• Contribute to the evaluation and implementation of technology solutions that enhance instructional, academic, and research activities.
• Support ongoing efforts to improve processes, tools, and user experience across supported environments.

What You Bring

• Demonstrated ability to diagnose and resolve technical issues across a range of systems and devices.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to work effectively with both technical and non‑technical users.
• A collaborative, service‑oriented approach with attention to detail and follow‑through.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently while contributing to a team environment.

Working Environment

You will be part of a team‑oriented IT function that partners closely with faculty and staff. The role offers a balance of independent work and collaboration, with opportunities to contribute to new technology initiatives and continuous improvement efforts that support the broader mission.

Education and Experience Required

• Associate degree in Computer Science, Computer Technology or a related field of study.
• Six (6) months of IT desktop support or related IT experience, including installing and maintaining hardware, software, and peripheral components of PC (Windows) and Macintosh‑based workstations, operating system, hardware drivers, and common office automation software.
• Consideration will be given to an equivalent combination of related education and required work experience.

Skills Required

• Expansive knowledge of one of the following operating systems (Apple and Microsoft Windows), as well as PC hardware networking.
• Apple software/hardware and A+ certification preferred or the ability to earn certification within the first six months of employment is required.
• Knowledge of personal computer, network, server and office productivity technologies; computer networking concepts including IP networking and firewalls.
• Capable of providing quality end‑user support and training with patience and consideration of others.
• Clear and effective verbal and written communications skills; good interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot hardware and software problems on desktops.
• Ability to plan, organize and prioritize workloads, manage details of multiple projects simultaneously, and work within a team environment; complete projects within deadlines; lift and carry 10–25 pounds frequently and 40 pounds occasionally.

Preferred

• Basic understanding of Microsoft Active Directory management including group policy.
• Ability to navigate collections and packages via SCCM.
• Knowledge of workstation/user administration within a LAN environment, web design and maintenance desirable, multiple operating systems.
• Previous academic support is strongly preferred.

Additional Information

• Purdue University will not sponsor employment authorization for this position.
• A background check will be required for employment in this position.
• FLSA: Non‑Exempt (Eligible for Overtime).
• Retirement Eligibility: Non‑exempt Defined Contribution Plan.
• Benefit Statement: Purdue University offers a substantial Benefit Package including medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as a generous paid time off package for sick and vacation days.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Purdue University is an EOE employer.