IT User Support Specialist - Oriental Institute
Department
Oriental Institute: Administrative Staff
About the Department
The Oriental Institute (OI) of the University of Chicago recently commemorated one hundred years of pioneering research and study of the civilizations, cultures, and languages of the ancient Middle East. Founded in 1919, the OI was envisaged as a research laboratory with the purpose of tracing humankind’s progress from the most ancient days of the Middle East through the Medieval period. Today, we strive to be the world’s leading center for the study of the ancient Middle East by combining innovation in theory, methodology, and empirical discovery with the highest standards of rigorous scholarship. Our legacy of transformative archaeological excavation and research spans from Tunisia to Afghanistan, with current field projects in Egypt, Sudan, Israel, Jordan, Iraq, Turkey, and Uzbekistan. We also pursue linguistic research that furthers the decipherment of ancient languages and philological projects that allow for the reconstruction of histories, literatures, religions, and socio-economic institutions. Our transformative dictionaries serve as cultural encyclopedias for long-lost civilizations. State-of-the-art satellite and digital imaging laboratories discover, document, and study ancient settlements, and we are dedicated to the preservation of imperiled cultural heritage. Our world-renowned museum is a reflection of our past one hundred years of research — we house the largest collection of ancient Middle Eastern artifacts in the United States, with more than 350,000 artifacts excavated primarily by OI archaeologists. Some 5,000 artifacts are on display to the public in the OI Museum, comprised of some 1,500 square meters of gallery space on the University of Chicago campus.
Job Summary
The IT User Support Specialist, under limited supervision, provides support to end users, including OI staff and faculty working remotely, for PCs, Macs, servers, database and other specialized applications, and hardware. Frequently serves as first contact for OI staff and faculty in need of IT support and acts as a liaison between technology and business, assessing the best IT solutions. Provides support for technical applications that are often non-standard. Learns core business functions, researches, and analyzes computer products and systems available in the marketplace and makes recommendations to end users. Interacts with network services, software systems and/or applications development to restore service and/or identify and correct core problems. Performs analyses and assists in a variety of IT support activities including, but not limited to, providing professional support to end users in problem resolution related to hardware, site licensing, software and networking; guiding end users through troubleshooting procedures; developing troubleshooting scripts; and providing technical assistance in setup, installation, and configuration of desktop hardware and software in compliance with internal controls, policies, and standards. Supports faculty and staff through the installation of basic applications and computer peripherals. With moderate direction from others, deploys a variety of devices to staff and faculty, including computers, tablets, mobile phones, and printers/copiers. Performs upgrades to hardware and software used by OI staff and faculty. Maintains and helps staff manage websites and video/audio editing. Recommends systems modifications to reduce user problems. Maintains currency and high level of technical skill in the IT support field. May occasionally refer more complex problems to the University’s central IT Support group. Partners with the University’s Managed Print Services Department to ensure successful provision of printing and scanning services to OI staff and faculty. Serves as OI representative to University-wide IT committees and communicates University-wide problems or upcoming changes to impacted OI staff and faculty.
Responsibilities
-
Becomes expert in operating and troubleshooting the highly specialized, custom programmed audio/visual system in Breasted Hall.
-
Provides primary A/V operational support and management during OI events, including events that may occur after regular business hours.
-
With some direction from others, performs a variety of IT support activities for end-user hardware/software resolution, and guides end-users through troubleshooting procedures. Uses fundamental knowledge of University software systems to recommend system modifications to reduce user problems.
-
Performs set-up, installation, and configuration of desktop hardware and software in compliance with internal controls, policies, and standards.
-
Coordinates and implements updates to network hardware, software systems, and applications.
-
Performs other related work as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.---
Work Experience:
---
Certifications:
---
Preferred Competencies
-
Ability to communicate with non-technical audiences effectively.
-
Being a willing team participant, while being able to work independently.
-
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
-
Ability to meet deadlines and perform under stress.
-
Ability to handle multiple tasks, responding to changing priorities effectively.
-
Demonstrated success managing University IT systems and processes.
Application Documentation
-
Resume
-
Cover Letter
-
Three (3) Professional References
When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.
Job Family
Information Technology
Role Impact
Individual Contributor
FLSA Status
Non-Exempt
Pay Frequency
Biweekly
Scheduled Weekly Hours
37.5
Benefits Eligible
Yes
COVID-19 Vaccination or Approved Medical or Religious Exemption Required
Yes
Drug Test Required
No
Health Screen Required
No
Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
No
Posting Statement
Effective October 15, 2021, the University of Chicago requires COVID vaccination for all students, faculty, and staff members. Individuals may claim exemption from the vaccine requirement for medical or religious reasons.
The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.
Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.
We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.
All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.
The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.
