Applications Specialist

Applications Specialist

At Richwood Bank, our purpose is to inspire, protect, and celebrate anything that makes communities thrive.

Have you ever wanted to work for a company that exceptionally lives its values? One hundred and fifty years ago, we began as a small community bank. Today, we are still a community bank - as well as a payroll processing team, a marketing agency, a coffee shop, and more. We have flipped the switch on traditional banking. Yet, we have always aimed to provide the very best customer experience, contribute to the greater good of our local communities, and make every effort to be the best employer in the area with a company culture that works hard to develop, recognize, and award its team members.

Richwood Bank has a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees including, but not limited

to, medical and wellness program, dental, vision, employee assistance plan, life insurance and

supplemental short-term disability. Full time and part time employees have access to a 401(k) plan, and

enhanced Wellness program, tuition reimbursement, and tons of professional development

opportunities!

The Applications Specialist is primarily responsible for administering, supporting, and optimizing the bank's Microsoft 365 environment (e.g., Exchange Online, Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive) as well as maintaining critical banking applications (e.g., core banking system, ancillary software). This role ensures smooth operations, timely updates, effective troubleshooting, and comprehensive user training on all relevant applications.

Richwood Bank prides itself on a unique company culture and all team members should be active and engaged participants.

Essential Functions

• Microsoft 365 Administration
  • Oversee daily performance and configuration of Microsoft 365 services, including Exchange Online mailboxes, Teams channels, SharePoint sites, and OneDrive.
  • Manage user identities, licensing, and permissions in Microsoft 365 Admin Center, ensuring compliance with security best practices and bank policies.
  • Coordinate with Microsoft (and third-party vendors if applicable) to resolve escalated technical issues, deploy patches, and schedule upgrades.
  • Monitor and optimize Microsoft 365 usage, implementing new features to improve collaboration and productivity.
• User Support & Training (Microsoft 365)
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for end users regarding Microsoft 365 questions, issues, and training needs.
  • Create and maintain user guides, FAQs, and other reference materials; conduct periodic training sessions to increase user adoption and proficiency.
  • Troubleshoot application-related problems, track support requests, and escalate complex issues as needed.
• Banking Applications Administration
  • Support and maintain the bank's core banking system (e.g., Fiserv, Jack Henry, CSI) and other related applications (e.g., lending systems, account opening platforms).
  • Coordinate with software vendors to resolve escalated technical issues, implement patches, and schedule updates specific to banking applications.
  • Manage user access, roles, and permissions within banking applications, ensuring alignment with security and compliance requirements.

• Banking Applications Support & Training:
  • Provide frontline support for branch staff, lenders, and other departments using core and ancillary banking software.
  • Develop and deliver training materials for new features, best practices, and workflow optimizations within banking applications.
  • Collaborate with various departments to gather feedback, identify improvement opportunities, and enhance user satisfaction.
• Compliance and Security
  • Work closely with Information Security to ensure that Microsoft 365 and banking applications meet FFIEC guidelines and internal bank policies.
  • Support data retention, eDiscovery, and advanced security, maintaining detailed documentation of configurations and policies.
  • Assist in regulatory audits and examinations by providing necessary reports and demonstrating compliance practices.
• Integration and Project Support:
  • Participate in planning and execution of Microsoft 365 and banking application integrations or enhancements (e.g., Single Sign-On, MFA, data migrations).
  • Conduct testing (UAT), collaborating with stakeholders, and coordinate go-live activities to minimize disruption to daily operations.
  • Provide ongoing project status updates, maintain project documentation, and track deliverables.
• Reporting and Data Analysis
  • Use reporting tools (e.g., Power BI, built-in banking system reports) to create custom analytics for management, compliance, and operational efficiency.
  • Help departments interpret data, identify trends, and recommend process improvements.
  • Automate or streamline reporting workflows, collaborating with IT and business units to increase efficiency.
• Collaboration and Communication
  • Partner with Network and Systems Administrators on application integrations, performance tuning, and infrastructure-related needs (e.g., server patching for banking apps).
  • Participate in regular IT team meetings, sharing insights on support tickets, user adoption of Microsoft 365, and banking application improvements.
  • Cultivate positive relationships with end users, promoting a customer-centric approach and continuous improvement culture.

Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft 365 administration (Exchange Online, Teams, SharePoint Admin, OneDrive, Power Platform).
• Familiarity with core banking systems (e.g., Fiserv, Jack Henry, CSI) or other financial applications strongly preferred.
• Basic understanding of database structures and the ability to run basic queries (SQL) is a plus.
• Comfort with Microsoft Office Suite, including advanced functionalities and Microsoft Power BI or similar reporting tools.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with keen attention to detail.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, capable of explaining technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
• Effective time-management and the ability to juggle multiple projects with competing deadlines.
• Willingness to provide off-hours support for critical system maintenance or emergency issues.
• Ability to work effectively in a team-oriented, collaborative environment.
• Experience in regulated industries (especially banking) and familiarity with FFIEC guidelines is a plus.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in information systems, computer science, business administration, or equivalent work experience.
• 2-5 years of experience in application support, preferably with a focus on Microsoft 365 (Exchange, Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive) and/or banking systems.
• Experience working in a highly regulated industry, preferably banking or financial services.
• Relevant certifications such as Microsoft Certified, Microsoft 365 Certified, Azure Administrator Associate, or Enterprise Administrator Expert.
• Any certification related to financial services compliance is a plus. (e.g. Certified Information Systems Auditor CISA)

Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veterans. Richwood Bank is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.