Technical Assistant Specialist: Social Work Research & Public Service - UTK

University of Tennessee; Tennessee; Remote; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville-based SWORPS seeks a Technical Assistance Specialist to provide statewide desktop and technical support, learning multiple software products and communicating clearly with users. This full-time role emphasizes professionalism, security, and customer service across state and partner agencies, with remote work possible from a Tennessee residence.

Responsibilities include handling multi-channel support, diagnosing issues, testing custom products with the

Qualifications

• Entry-level experience using technology in a professional work environment, with strong demonstrated competence and comfort working with computers and modern workplace tools
• Experience communicating professionally in a workplace setting through oral, written, and other digital methods, along with at least one (1) year of experience using Microsoft Office products in general and Office 365 specifically
• Skill in professional, compassionate, accurate communication (written, spoken, and multi-channel: phone, text, chat, email, web)
• Ability to operate cloud-based phone systems (call handling, transfers, queue management, and messages/voicemail)
• Ability to learn and use help desk/ticketing software effectively
• Knowledge of modern workplace technology (including Office 365 and Microsoft Teams)
• Ability to quickly learn and apply State, Partner, and University policies and controls when responding to customers
• Knowledge of best practices for information security, privacy, and confidentiality
• Ability to work independently, take direction as needed, and maintain professionalism in remote and on-site environments
• Skill in creating clear, accurate written documentation of work/support interactions
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment-based visa status
• Education: High School Diploma or GED
• Experience: At least one year’s experience providing customer service in a technology-centered environment. Experience working with human service data and technical support
• Knowledge of customer support best practice in a technical environment
• Skill with help desk software
• Location: This is a remote position. The successful candidate must reside in Tennessee and be able to work remotely from a Tennessee residence

Responsibilities

• Answer a toll-free support line and provide a consistently professional, customer-friendly phone experience
• Use cloud-based phone/queue tools to manage calls, transfer callers, monitor queues, and handle message management
• Provide direct customer support across multiple channels, including phone, text, chat, email, and web-based requests
• Learn, navigate, and support multiple software products, including custom applications used by the State of Tennessee and partner agencies
• Diagnose issues, triage requests, and troubleshoot customer needs through to resolution
• Ensure guidance and problem resolution aligns with State, Partner, and University policies
• Collaborate with partner agency help desks as needed to coordinate support and resolve escalations
• Follow best practices related to technology, information security, privacy, and confidentiality in all support interactions
• Document help desk requests and responses clearly and accurately
• Partner with the development team to test custom products and provide clear feedback to improve usability and performance
• Coordinate with partner product teams to test systems and share feedback that supports successful implementation and user adoption
• Work with the internal training team to test and review training materials for custom and technology products, offering improvement recommendations
• Partner with grant agencies to test and provide feedback on training materials related to custom products and technology tools
• Review, test, and recommend improvements for training websites and help desk/support websites
• Perform other duties as assigned to support program and customer service needs
• Must have valid driver’s license, automobile at their disposal, and a current automobile liability policy with continuous coverage

Skills

Customer service

Multi-channel support

Office 365

Microsoft Teams

Help desk software

Remote work

Professional communication

Learn new software

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

Help desk software

Job description

The Technical Assistance Specialist provides desktop and technical support to customers statewide, including users within the State of Tennessee and grant partner agencies. This position requires the ability to quickly learn and support multiple software products and custom applications, diagnose and triage issues, and resolve technical problems efficiently and accurately. The role calls for strong customer service skills, clear and patient communication, and a consistent focus on professionalism. Work must align with State, Partner, and University policies, as well as best practices for technology, information security, privacy, and confidentiality. Specialists must be able to work remotely if required, work independently, and collaborate effectively with others. This is a grant-funded position and is contingent upon the continued funding of the grant.

Responsibilities

• Answer a toll-free support line and provide a consistently professional, customer-friendly phone experience
• Use cloud-based phone/queue tools to manage calls, transfer callers, monitor queues, and handle message management
• Provide direct customer support across multiple channels, including phone, text, chat, email, and web-based requests
• Learn, navigate, and support multiple software products, including custom applications used by the State of Tennessee and partner agencies
• Diagnose issues, triage requests, and troubleshoot customer needs through to resolution
• Ensure guidance and problem resolution aligns with State, Partner, and University policies
• Collaborate with partner agency help desks as needed to coordinate support and resolve escalations
• Follow best practices related to technology, information security, privacy, and confidentiality in all support interactions
• Document help desk requests and responses clearly and accurately
• Partner with the development team to test custom products and provide clear feedback to improve usability and performance
• Coordinate with partner product teams to test systems and share feedback that supports successful implementation and user adoption
• Work with the internal training team to test and review training materials for custom and technology products, offering improvement recommendations
• Partner with grant agencies to test and provide feedback on training materials related to custom products and technology tools
• Review, test, and recommend improvements for training websites and help desk/support websites
• Perform other duties as assigned to support program and customer service needs
• Must have valid driver’s license, automobile at their disposal, and a current automobile liability policy with continuous coverage

Qualifications

• Entry-level experience using technology in a professional work environment, with strong demonstrated competence and comfort working with computers and modern workplace tools
• Candidates should have experience communicating professionally in a workplace setting through oral, written, and other digital methods, along with at least one (1) year of experience using Microsoft Office products in general and Office 365 specifically
• Skill in professional, compassionate, accurate communication (written, spoken, and multi-channel: phone, text, chat, email, web)
• Ability to operate cloud-based phone systems (call handling, transfers, queue management, and messages/voicemail)
• Ability to learn and use help desk/ticketing software effectively
• Knowledge of modern workplace technology (including Office 365 and Microsoft Teams)
• Ability to quickly learn and apply State, Partner, and University policies and controls when responding to customers
• Knowledge of best practices for information security, privacy, and confidentiality
• Ability to work independently, take direction as needed, and maintain professionalism in remote and on-site environments
• Skill in creating clear, accurate written documentation of work/support interactions
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment-based visa status
• Education: High School Diploma or GED
• Experience: At least one year’s experience providing customer service in a technology-centered environment. Experience working with human service data and technical support
• Knowledge of customer support best practice in a technical environment
• Skill with help desk software
• Location: This is a remote position. The successful candidate must reside in Tennessee and be able to work remotely from a Tennessee residence

Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here

Application Process

Applications will be reviewed as received and interviews can begin as soon as 7 days from posting

About the Employer

Since 1975, the Social Work Office of Research and Public Service (SWORPS) has served as the community outreach arm of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville's College of Social Work — partnering with public, private, and nonprofit organizations across Tennessee and beyond. Our mission is to build partnerships that leverage applied research, technology, and human connection to improve lives, guided by a vision of thriving communities with improved outcomes for all

Innovation, Access, Understanding, Collaboration, and Integrity. Joining SWORPS means becoming part of a mission-driven team that bridges communities and transforms lives — not just through our work with partner agencies, but through hands‑on community engagement across the state

Our team — proudly known as "SWORPees" — is organized into divisions focused on Applied Research & Evaluation, Field-Based Services, and Technology & Development, all supported by a dedicated business office that keeps our operations running smoothly

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service

UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory

The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service

UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone

The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine