IT Specialist - Instructional Computing Services

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Urbana (IL); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is seeking an IT Specialist to support teaching labs and classrooms, manage workstations, printers, and printing systems, and maintain related network infrastructure across campus.

The role covers software packaging, testing, deployment, endpoint management, and ongoing application management to ensure instructional software is reliable and up to date. Hybrid on-site work is possible under campus policy.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Two years IT-related coursework or work experience or related work experience.
• Experience with Windows or macOS workstations and printers.

Responsibilities

• Administer, install, configure, and upgrade Windows/macOS workstations and printers using endpoint tools.
• Package, deploy, and maintain instructional applications through endpoint management systems.
• Diagnose and resolve hardware, software, and network issues in labs/classrooms.

Skills

Troubleshooting

Customer service

Teamwork

On-call readiness

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Two years IT-related coursework or work experience

Tools

MECM/Intune

Jamf

Active Directory

Group Policy Objects (GPOs)

PaperCut

Microsoft Teams

Job description

IT Specialist - Instructional Computing Services

Technology Services - University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Technology Services is excited to announce an opening for an IT Specialist on the Instructional Computing Services (ICS) team. IC S plays a vital role in supporting computer labs and classrooms, virtual desktops, and printing services across campus.

This position offers the opportunity to work with a range of technologies, solve technical challenges, and collaborate with colleagues and campus partners. We are looking for someone who enjoys troubleshooting, learning new technologies, and finding practical solutions to technical problems. If you value teamwork, excellent customer service, and the opportunity to develop your technical skills, we encourage you to apply!. Hybrid work options may be available for this position, with the ability to be on-site at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus as needed per the University's Workplace Flexibility policy.

Highlights of Employee Benefits

Job Summary

This position plays a critical role in supporting the University's teaching and learning environment by providing technical support, administration, and maintenance for approximately 1,000 computers and other IT-related devices located in computer labs and classrooms across campus. Responsibilities include the daily administration, configuration, troubleshooting, and maintenance of workstations, instructional technology, printers and printing systems, and associated network infrastructure. The position also supports software packaging, testing, deployment, and ongoing application management to ensure instructional software is reliable, up to date, and readily available.

Duties & Responsibilities

Technical Support for Teaching and Learning Environments

• Administer maintain, install, configure, and upgrade Windows and macOS workstations and printers using endpoint management tools, including MECM/Intune, Jamf, and tools adopted by Technology Services.
• Package, deploy, support, and maintain specialized applications through endpoint management systems.
• Diagnose and resolve hardware, software, and network connectivity issues in Technology Services-supported labs and classrooms.
• Configure user accounts, security groups, and permissions in Microsoft Active Directory; edit and maintain Group Policy Objects (GPOs).
• Activate and troubleshoot network ports; monitor workstation patch status and respond to security vulnerability alerts.
• Monitor printing supplies, recommend replenishment, and assist with PaperCut portal tasks, including reports, refunds, and issue investigation.
• Respond to audiovisual support requests in supported labs/classrooms and elevate complex issues to the appropriate service team.
• Install, maintain, troubleshoot, and support Microsoft Teams VoIP phones and peripherals such as scanners and Wacom tablets.
• Provide Tier 1 support for virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI).

Operational Support

• Assist with full endpoint lifecycle, including procurement, inventory, setup, reporting, and appropriate disposal.
• Evaluate current and emerging technologies that could improve services in supported labs.
• Assist with planning purchases and deployments of hardware and upgrades to operating systems and applications.
• Collaborate with campus IT professionals to address technology needs, improve services, and communicate service offerings and issues to stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities to reduce duplication and overlap among services and technologies.
• Prepare service metrics, reports, and summaries for planning, service evaluation, and stakeholder communication.
• Create, maintain, and regularly update technical and operational documentation to ensure accuracy and consistency for end users and IT staff.
• Perform other assigned duties.

Customer Service

• Advocate for service users and deliver responsive, professional customer support.
• Use, create, and maintain service documentation.
• Investigate and resolve customer satisfaction concerns.
• Work non-traditional hours or respond to on-call requests as needed to support 24/7 service availability.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

The IT Specialist provides technical support across multiple classrooms and computer labs throughout the campus. While much of the work can be performed through management consoles and support portals, the position also requires travel between campus buildings to troubleshoot, install, transport, and position computer equipment and related technology. Travel between buildings may occur in varying weather conditions. Physical requirements include regularly lifting and carrying equipment weighing up to 20 pounds and occasionally lifting equipment weighing up to 50 pounds, as well as accessing classroom and computer lab workspaces to perform technical support activities.

Minimum Qualifications

1. High school diploma or equivalent.
2. Any one or any combination totaling two (2) years (24 months) from the following
   categories:
   a. College coursework which includes Information Technology (IT), IT Management, Programming, IT systems, or a closely related discipline, as measured by the following conversion table or its proportional equivalent: 30 semester hours equals one (1) year (12 months) Associate's Degree (60 semester hours) equals eighteen months (18 months) 90 semester hours equals two (2) years (24 months) Bachelor's Degree (120 semester hours) equals three (3) years (36 months)
3. b. Work experience in IT-related functions, such as hardware/software support, programming, network design, network engineering, IT systems integrations, or closely related field

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Windows or Macintosh desktop operating systems.
• Experience using endpoint management and deployment tools for Windows, macOS, or mobile devices (such as MECM, Intune, Jamf, or comparable tools).
• Experience troubleshooting, repairing, replacing, or reconfiguring computer hardware.
• Experience with Active Directory or Azure Active Directory.
• Understanding of foundational networking technologies, including DHCP, DNS, PXE, NetBoot, and multicast.
• Basic scripting experience with PowerShell, Bash, Python, or a comparable language.
• Basic experience with SQL, WQL, and/or SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS).
• Experience packaging applications for endpoint management systems.
• Self-motivation and willingness to learn new technologies.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with technical staff.
• Ability to learn new software applications quickly.
• Basic knowledge of operational project management.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Installs, images, configures, and patches Windows and macOS workstations through MECM/Intune and Jamf, resolves standard hardware and software issues without escalation, and keeps assigned devices within established patch compliance targets, responding to vulnerability alerts within required timeframes.
• Packages, tests, and deploys instructional applications through endpoint management tools, and verifies successful installation across target labs and classrooms before scheduled class use.
• Creates and maintains Active Directory accounts, security groups, permissions, and Group Policy Objects for lab and classroom endpoints, following change procedures and documenting each change.
• Diagnoses and resolves workstation connectivity issues using DNS, DHCP, and OSI-layer concepts, activates network ports, and escalates issues outside endpoint scope with clear diagnostic detail.
• Resolves first-level issues with printers and PaperCut, Microsoft Teams VoIP phones, scanners, tablets, virtual desktops (VDI), and classroom AV, and routes complex issues to the appropriate service team.
• Maintains accurate inventory records from procurement through setup and secure disposal, and prepares service metrics and reports that support planning, technology recommendations, and stakeholder communication.
• Creates and maintains technical and end-user documentation that another staff member can follow without additional explanation, and updates it when configurations or procedures change.
• Communicates status and resolutions clearly to faculty, students, and staff, investigates and resolves customer satisfaction concerns, and works with campus IT partners to address lab and classroom technology needs.
• Meets commitments or communicates delays before deadlines are missed, follows change and access procedures without shortcuts, handles user data and administrative access appropriately, seeks and applies feedback, and is dependable for on-call and non-traditional hours coverage.

Appointment Information

This is a 100% full-time Civil Service 5031 - Information Technology Technical Associate position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after closing date. The budgeted salary range for this position is $60,000 to $70,000.

For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx.

This position is not eligible for any type of sponsorship for work authorization.

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on November 17, 2026.

At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - the state's flagship public university and one of the world's leading research institutions - every staff member helps shape what's next. Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you're empowering first-generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence - where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive.

Champaign-Urbana

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal, or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at 217-333-0885, option #1, or [e-mail].

Requisition ID: 1038889

Job Category: Technical