GEMS/MARS Student Assistant

State of Michigan; Lansing (MI); Hybrid; USD 17,000 - 22,000; Part time

Job summary

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) is seeking a Student Assistant to provide entry‑level operational, data, and application support for the GEMS/MARS system, the department’s primary platform for compliance monitoring and reporting. The role includes assisting with system access, troubleshooting issues, and guiding users through workflows.

Hybrid in‑person/remote work at the John Hannah Building in Lansing with supervision, entry‑level responsibilities, and opportunities to gain

Qualifications

• Entry-level position supporting the Michigan Department of Education's GEMS/MARS system.
• Ability to assist with system access, troubleshooting, and user guidance within workflows.

Responsibilities

• Assist with system access and troubleshooting for GEMS/MARS users.
• Support data validation, reporting, testing, and basic configuration tasks under supervision.
• Guide users through system workflows and provide runtime support as needed.

Skills

Data entry

Troubleshooting

User support

SQL basics

Tools

SQL

GEMS/MARS system

Job description

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE)

provides leadership, resources, support, and guidance to approximately 200,000 school district staff serving approximately 1.5 million students in public and non-public schools and 39,000 students in special education transition services. In addition, MDE provides administrative support and supervision for the Michigan School for the Deaf and the Library of Michigan.

MDE is responsible for state education leadership in a local control state and works to implement state and federal education laws, disburse state and federal resources, license educators, develop state summative assessments and accountability systems, create state academic standards, and coordinate school health and nutrition programs. In addition, in developing and promoting the state’s Top 10 Strategic Education Plan, MDE works with partner education entities and stakeholders to improve public education for children across the state. MDE’s role in the improvement of public education extends to providing information and feedback to public policy‑makers, convening educators on public policy issues, recommending draft language on legislation, and developing guidance to districts on statutory changes adopted at the state and federal levels.

Join a team of highly trained and educated individuals committed to supporting learners and learning in Michigan. Serving students, parents, families, educators, and communities within a culture that promotes excellence and respects diversity, our work is meaningful and impactful.

As a State of Michigan employee, you will receive a competitive wage and benefit package that values your experience and skills. You will join a team of more than 400 professionals at the department and almost 50,000 in state government who are committed to excellence in public service.

The Office of Systems, Evaluation, and Technology (OSET)

works collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders in the areas of systems coordination, integration, and improvement; evaluation, data analyses, and data‑driven decision making; and educational technology and infrastructure. The three focus areas of the Office of Systems, Evaluation, and Technology play important roles in supporting and implementing each of the goals within Michigan's Top 10 Strategic Education Plan, as well as assisting in the monitoring and evaluation of Michigan's progress towards becoming a Top 10 education state.

Primary Physical Work Address:

Position is located at the John Hannah Building, 608 West Allegan Street, Lansing, Michigan. Hybrid flexible schedule of in‑person and remote work arrangement.

Position Summary:

This position provides entry‑level operational, data, and application support for the Michigan Department of Education’s GEMS/MARS system, the department’s primary platform for compliance monitoring and reporting.

The Student Assistant supports internal and external users by assisting with system access, troubleshooting issues, and guiding users through system workflows. In addition, this position supports system operations by assisting with data validation, reporting, structured query development, testing activities, and basic configuration support tasks under supervision.

Position Description: Student Asst.

Job Specifications: Student Assistant

Please review the job specification and the position description for the full list of responsibilities, required education and experience, and knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Equivalent combinations of education and experience that provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Your submittal is considered complete with the following required documents:

• Completed Application
• Resume (entered or attached to the job posting)
• Official copy of transcripts (when necessary)

The Michigan State Employees Retirement System (MSERS) is separate from the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System (MPSERS). If you are currently a MPSERS retiree, there should be no impact to your MPSERS pension due to employment with the Michigan Department of Education. If you are currently eligible for a MPSERS retirement benefit and become the successful candidate for this position, you should contact the Office of Retirement Services (ORS) to determine any impact if you elect to immediately begin receiving your MPSERS retirement benefit.