Computer Application Specialist (A-5)

Workforce Diversity Statement

The Newington Public Schools is dedicated to recruiting, hiring, growing and retaining a culturally diverse workforce that represents the racial, ethnic, and linguistic diversity of our community - to challenge student achievement and realize equity for all in our schools. To achieve this, we value and strive for the highest levels of:

• Family and Community Engagement;
• Culturally Relevant Organizational Practices;
• School Climate;
• Student-Centered Learning;
• Diverse Staff of Excellent Educators
• Equitable Student Access; and
• Fiscal Equity
  
  

We are interested in candidates who are passionate around these values; candidates who represent the racial, ethnic, and linguistic diversity of our community; and candidates who will engage fully in our continuous improvement efforts to achieve equity for all.

This entry level role is a part of the IT Department within the School District. This team is dedicated to providing essential support for technology resources that enhance teaching, learning, and administrative operations across the district.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with the setup, maintenance, management, and troubleshooting of Chromebooks and other instructional technologies.
• Provide support for teachers and staff for teaching and learning with technology.
• Collaborate with the IT team to identify and resolve issues and concerns promptly, minimizing disruptions to learning.
  
  

Ideal Candidate:

• At least one year of experience supporting Chromebooks and instructional technologies in K-12 educational settings.
• Confident with strong problem-solving skills and a proactive attitude towards addressing challenges.
• Strong attention to detail, especially when working with data.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills to effectively interact with vendors, educators, and administrators.
  
  

Job Description

• Under the general supervision of the Director of Information Technology or his/ her designee oversees and ensures completion of tasks pertaining to supporting Town computer, telephony, and data network resources. This includes assisting in planning and coordinating the installation, configuration and maintenance of servers, computers, laptops, mobile devices, printers, telephony, network/ data equipment, and supporting software for Town departments. Assists with website maintenance, updates, postings and serves on project teams as assigned.
  
  

Essential Job Functions

• Plans and organizes work according to established or standard office procedures.
• Determines priority of work tasks.
• Prepares statistical and narrative reports of varying complexity.
• Transmits and explains directions to proper persons and follows up to assure compliance, completeness and conformance with deadlines and policies.
• Assists with specific service related activities such as: help desk support, desktop support, application support, website support and other networking components.
• Assists with product implementation and/or upgrades.
• Works with other IT staff and outside consultants regarding technology needs and solutions for Town departments.
• May serve as a primary contact for hardware and/or software vendors through which vendor provided service and support will be coordinated.
• Assists Town staff using desktop and mobile computer systems by trouble-shooting hardware and software problems, such as system compatibility and configuration issues, hardware failures, and provides end-user training.
• Answers and resolves trouble calls and help desk tickets from Town staff. Must use and understand call taking process and utilize the Town’s Help Desk System.
• Assists with PC life cycle management processes such as: technology purchasing, data retention and deletion, inventory, surplus, etc.
• Maintain existing documentation and creates new documentation detailing technical processes and procedures ensuring that repeatable processes are in place and followed.
• May act as lead technical support for Town departments. This also includes mentoring and training application support staff members.
• Assists with the process of installs, configures, and maintains voice and data communication equipment. This can include but is not limited to configuring, diagnosing, repairing, upgrading, and optimizing telephony systems and services, voicemail, PBX communication systems, and network routers, etc.
• Assists with maintaining inventory of boards, connectors, and other related replacement parts for telephony and Town data systems.
• Assists/ Coordinates with other staff members to provide and maintain communications between multiple network protocols (TCP/ IP, DNS, DHCP, etc.) This includes all hardware and software requirements to enable LAN communications.
• Assists with budget preparation.
• Assists with website maintenance, updates and postings.
• Ability to learn new products and technologies as they become available.
• Assists with network backup and restore processes.
• Some off hours work is expected for meetings, upgrades and projects in addition to being on call 24/7.
  
  

Additional Job Functions

• Performs additional tasks and duties as requested.
  
  

Required Skills, Knowledge, And Abilities

• Ability to use computer equipment and related software programs and to type with speed and accuracy.
• Ability to establish and maintain complex files and record systems.
• Ability to work with a minimum of supervision.
• Ability to compose clear and correct letters and reports.
• Ability to efficiently schedule and coordinate projects and events.
• Ability to process paperwork accurately and efficiently.
• Ability to compile data as requested.
• Ability to acquire a working knowledge of the functions and responsibilities of the department.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of information as necessary.
• Ability to work effectively with other employees, elected officials and the general public in person and via the telephone.
  
  

Required Physical And Mental Effort And Environmental Conditions

• Works in office setting subject to continuous interruptions.
• Exposure to video display terminals on a daily basis.
• Ability to work under stress from demanding deadlines and changing priorities and conditions.
• Ability to sit/ remain/ stand continuously for prolonged periods of time.
• Ability to hear normal sounds with some background noise and to communicate effectively.
• Ability to concentrate on fine detail with constant interruption.
• Ability to attend to task/ function for more than 60 minutes at a time.
• Ability to carry and lift documents and office equipment weighing up to 75 pounds.
• Ability to move throughout the Town Hall and other Town buildings and sites.
• Ability to see objects closely as in reading a map.
• Ability to remember multiple task/ assignments given to self and others over long periods of time.
  
  

Required Minimum Qualifications

The skills and knowledge required would generally be acquired with:

• Graduation from a two-year accredited college with a Associate’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or related field and two (2) years experience in supporting computers (Windows OS, Linux OS, MAC) and LAN/ WAN administration or an equivalent combination of education and experience substituted on a year-for-year basis.
• Ability to obtain a current Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) or a combination of two (2) or more of the following certifications: Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA), Microsoft Certified Desktop Support, Microsoft Certified Professional, A Certification, Cisco (CCNA), Sonicwall Certification, VMWare Certification, Citrix Certification, and Linux Certification.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft operating systems, topologies and protocols.
• Must be able to demonstrate considerable and highly technical knowledge of personal computer hardware, peripherals, operating systems, and network operating systems, including installation procedures, architecture and trouble-shooting techniques.
• Knowledge of principles of data communications and related equipment.
• Ability to communicate clearly, both verbally and in written form.
  
  

License Or Certificate

Valid Connecticut Motor Vehicle Operator’s License.

Note: The above description is illustrative of tasks and responsibilities. It is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task or responsibility.