Service Desk Analyst

Laseagrant; Urbana, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Administrative Information Technology Services (AITS) in Champaign-Urbana seeks a Service Desk Analyst to be the first point of contact for customers seeking help with computer systems and usage. You will diagnose issues, reference the knowledge base, and coordinate with IT teams to resolve problems and improve service quality.

Responsibilities include front-line support, system and batch monitoring, incident documentation, knowledge management, and contributing to process improvements.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 2 years IT-related work experience or equivalent.
• Additional education or training may be required based on role.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct customer support via phone, email, and other channels.
• Troubleshoot issues and reference KnowledgeBase to identify root causes.
• Monitor system and batch processing and coordinate with IT teams.
• Document incidents and solutions in a clear knowledge base.
• Maintain knowledge articles and repository content.
• Participate in service/process improvement initiatives and projects.
• Communicate status and updates to customers during incidents.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Writing

Teamwork

Flexibility

Problem solving

Education

High school diploma

IT coursework

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Batch scheduling

Service management

HTML/CSS/JS

SQL

Shell scripting

ITIL

Job description

Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position.

Job Summary

Responds to inquiries and requests for assistance with computer systems and/or usage. Identifies, analyzes, troubleshoots, and assists in problem resolution, with the aim of eliminating recurrences and reducing repeat calls. This position acts as the first single point of client contact to AITS and serves as a contact for problem reporting and resolution, system status and availability, and general information pertaining to procedures, facilities, and other AITS services, and coordinates with other IT areas to resolve problems as necessary. For additional information on Administrative Information Technology Services (AITS), please visit: https://www.aits.uillinois.edu/careers.

Service Desk Analyst

Administrative Information Technology Services

Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position.

Job Summary

Responds to inquiries and requests for assistance with computer systems and/or usage. Identifies, analyzes, troubleshoots, and assists in problem resolution, with the aim of eliminating recurrences and reducing repeat calls. This position acts as the first single point of client contact to AITS and serves as a contact for problem reporting and resolution, system status and availability, and general information pertaining to procedures, facilities, and other AITS services, and coordinates with other IT areas to resolve problems as necessary. For additional information on Administrative Information Technology Services (AITS), please visit: https://www.aits.uillinois.edu/careers.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Customersupport (20%): Provide direct customer support via phone, email, and othersupport channels. Efficiently troubleshoots to understand and isolate thecustomer's root issue; utilizes the KnowledgeBase as primary resource forfinding solutions; thinks creatively to troubleshoot and solve unfamiliarissues; able to make connections between tickets to find common problems;watches for trends that indicate potential problems; directs issues tohigher support tiers and collaborates with external teams to resolveissues when needed. Must think of the customer as the most important partof the job; promotes a professional Service Desk image and sells the valueof the Service Desk.
• Productionrequests and batch monitoring (20%): Provide technical front-line andsecond tier support related to open systems batch processing (e.g., batchrequests, migrations, parameter modification, etc.). Search for andanalyze potential operating and batch problems and initiate correctivemeasures within limits of authority. At times, this will require thecandidate to seek out assistance and work with IT professionals bothwithin and outside the administrative IT organization, and the candidatewill need to demonstrate flexibility and perform duties as each situationdictates.
• Systemand application monitoring (20%): Monitor system activity/performance fora large complex of servers, network interfaces, and peripheral devices,taking corrective action in a timely manner. Ensures all monitoring alertsare acknowledged, resolved, and cleared from view. Pages on-call staff andposts to the university status page to communicate urgent and highpriority incidents in a timely manner.
• Incidentand problem documentation (10%): Logs all calls and email requests intoticketing system; documents solutions in KnowledgeBase in a clean,presentable style that is simple for all customers to understand andfollow; includes in support tickets all pertinent facts on the customerand troubleshooting steps that have been attempted to solve issues,particularly for tickets that need to be transferred to higher supporttiers; works to eliminate recurring problems.
• Knowledgemanagement (10%): Daily and routine management of knowledge articles toensure accuracy and freshness. Create new knowledge articles and updatecontent in existing articles when needed. Maintain content in theknowledge repository so that it is an effective tool for internal supportstaff and for customers alike.
• Serviceand process improvement (5%): Assist in developing and achieving unitgoals to help improve Service Desk service, productivity, and efficiency.Participate on project teams to test and implement new products andservices, facilitate sharing of information within and across AITS groups,and assist in evaluating software tools to enhance monitoringcapabilities. Participate in customer service/process improvementinitiatives. Participate in and encourage a knowledge-sharing environment;develop and deliver cross-training activities to Service Desk staff.Establish and nurture working relationships with clients and AITSdepartmental staff.
• Communication(5%): Keeps peers and end users informed of trends, significant problems,unexpected delays, and anything new in the environment that will impactcustomers; keeps customers informed of wide-reaching problems, scheduleddowntime, etc.; keeps customer informed of progress on problems thatcannot be resolved on first call. Communicate and coordinate all software,hardware, system, and operational problems that arise during shift.Possess a clear understanding of critical events when they happen (e.g.,system interruptions, server crashes, failed backups, production jobaborts) what to do, and with whom to make contact. Proactively shareinformation with Service Desk employees on all shifts to ensure smoothtransition of process ownership and provide workflow direction on specificactivities which will require attention beyond shift turnover. Reportatypical assistance requests and their resolution to all Service Deskstaff.
• ProfessionalDevelopment (5%): Establish and achieve personal career goals. Maintainand develop technical knowledge, analytical skills, leadership skills, andcommunication skills. Stay abreast of current technology. Attend trainingand conferences to stay abreast of current technology and to build andmaintain a professional network.
• Performother duties and responsibilities appropriate for an IT TechnicalAssociate. (5%)

Minimum Qualifications

High school diploma or equivalent.Any one or any combination totaling two (2) years (24 months) from the following categories: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)Work experience in IT-related functions, such as hardware/software support, programming, network design, network engineering, IT systems integration, or closely related field.Based on position requirements, additional education, training, and/or work experience in the area of specialization inherent to the position may be required.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Familiarity with batch scheduling concepts and experience with service management software and ability to extract data, conduct analysis, and develop recommendations strongly preferred.
2. Web design experience and ability to read and edit HTML, CSS, and JS.
3. Knowledge of SQL and shell scripting
4. HDI or ITIL certification

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Extensive customer service experience required. Ability to interact with customers in a professional and courteous manner via telephone and email. Respectful of customers and manages difficult or emotional customer situations appropriately; responds and follows up promptly to needs and requests for service and assistance.
• Ability to identify and resolve problems quickly and effectively; conveys reliable and accurate information so it is easily understood and uses appropriate communication mechanism(s) to disseminate information; possess sensitivity to involvement of the appropriate decision-makers, as needed, and knows when to elevate; implements solutions, not fixes.
• Excellent writing and communication skills. Able to document technical solutions and create clear, high-quality knowledge documents for public use by customers and internal support staff
• Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listens and gets clarification of requests; responds well to questions; ability to interact clearly with people over the telephone, often in stressful situations.
• Must be flexible in work schedules while maintaining punctual, regular, and consistent attendance. Must be available to work overtime or any shift (1st, 2nd, 3rd) as requested or required.
• Excellent teamwork skills and a great team player. Follows team expectations and guiding principles and holds teammates accountable for doing the same.
• Able to work independently; willing and able to make decisions in a timely manner in difficult or ambiguous situations.
• Ability to take initiative and make improvements; anticipate customer needs; look for ways to make things better for the customer; pays close attention to detail.
• Understands concepts of desktop and client software (browsers, operating systems, etc)
• Uses time efficiently; approaches others in a tactful manner; treats others with respect; accepts responsibility for own actions.
• Contributes skills and capabilities to achieve team goals; encourages and gives credit to others for their contributions.
• Performs a wide range of tasks, responding to changes in direction and priorities; accepts new challenges, responsibilities, and assignments. Works outside of ordinary routine.
• Ability to quickly learn and become self-sufficient on new technical skills.

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 the search process concludes.
Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position.
The budgeted salary range for the position is $50,000 - $60,000 Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, while also considering internal equity.
For more information on Civil Service classifications, please visit the SUCSS web site at https://www.sucss.illinois.gov/pages/classspec/default.aspx .

Application Procedures & Deadline Information

Applications must be received by 6:00 pm (Central Time) on October 11th, 2026. In order to be considered as a transfer candidate, you must apply for this position. If required by the position, transcripts or other documentation of credentials are to be provided no later than the first day of employment. For more information about this specific position, please contact Zuri White at [e-mail]. For questions regarding the application process, please contact 217-333-2137.

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: 1038585
Job Category: Technical
Apply at: https://jobs.illinois.edu

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