TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST (#144)

Lewistown Public Schools

Job Description

Job Title:              TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT SPECIALIST      

Classification:       COMPUTER TECH

Reports To:           Technology Supervisor

FLSA Status:         Non-exempt/Classified

Approved By:        Thom Peck

Approved Date:    October 2, 2017

Work Hours:         8 Hours/Day, 5 Days/Week, 12 Months/Year

SUMMARY:  Be responsible for training, modeling, and assisting teachers in integrating technology in the classroom to improve student achievement. Coordinates the management of instructional and non-instructional school microcomputer networks. Acquires and updates skills as necessary for effective network management. Installs, troubleshoots, and maintains hardware and software. Trains users in applications on the network. Coordinates activities of outside vendors, consultants and trainers.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:   Other duties may be assigned

• Provides teachers with strategies of how technology can be used to achieve the curriculum goals.
• Establishes an environment encouraging creative and independent use of instructional technology.
• Coordinates and/or provides training to school staff in network and software use.
• Encourages student development of skills in the use of instructional technology resources.
• Models effective use of technology in the classroom and media center for teachers and students.
• Facilitates the use of existing and emerging technology by staff and students.
• Performs maintenance, operation and management of existing school microcomputer networks.
• Assists with the planning, design and installation of future network expansions as growth demands.
• Performs all functions and procedures necessary to install and maintain school network hardware and software.
• Configures local workstations as needed.
• Develops and maintains network procedures to ensure regular system backups on a timely basis.
• Facilitates staff participation in the evaluation and selections of new software, hardware, and materials to support instructional objectives.
• Maintains software library and necessary documentation to include, but not to be limited to, network wiring, hardware and software.
• Maintains inventory of hardware and related peripherals.
• Follows troubleshooting procedures for hardware and software. Maintains hardware and arranges for timely repair. Maintains repair history.
• Ensures software in the school is properly licensed.
• Establishes and/or maintains network security.
• Coordinates use of technology with all school personnel.
• Works cooperatively and effectively with staff, supervisor, students and public.

The above performance responsibilities are not all-inclusive and may be altered or added to by the Technology Supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS:  To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:  Three years of classroom experience is recommended. Successful technical training or experience administering local area networks required.  

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITY and SKILLS:  Experience in providing training for adults.  Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with teachers, administrators and district staff.  Employee must display evidence of leadership and organizational skills.  Considerable working knowledge of computer operating.  Experience with local area networks and training networking software.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:  Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.  Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.  Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:  Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.  Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent.

TECHNOLOGY SKILLS:  The work environment has increasingly become technology driven.  Lewistown Public Schools expects staff to meet reasonable expectations in the use of computers and other technology, in and out of the workplace.

REASONING ABILITY:  Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.  Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.  Must maintain good composure in pressure situations.

PHYSICAL DEMAND:  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  School network administration requires operating computer equipment, moving and lifting computer equipment up to 50 pounds, and related peripherals (bending, sitting, standing, walking, pushing, repetitive motions, talking, hearing and visual acuity) to include cable connections (finger dexterity).

WORK ENVIRONMENT:  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.    

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, and risk of electrical shock.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.  The employee will travel extensively throughout Central Montana to provide services to area school districts.  Virtually all trips will be day trips; overnight travel will be extremely rare.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:  Employees of Lewistown Public Schools must exhibit acceptable work habits and perform tasks in a professional manner by adhering to the following guidelines:  Maintain proper grooming and dress consistent with the type of task being performed; be regular in attendance and punctual for work; initiate tasks in a self-directed manner and perform work with a minimum of supervision; organize work and manage time to achieve efficiency and high quality of work; perform tasks neatly and accurately in accordance with desired quality and quantity; provide positive feedback to supervisor(s) for implementing ideas which will make the work assigned more effective and efficient; maintain self control and a friendly, outgoing disposition; and maintain confidentiality of related work matters as applicable.

DRUG FREE WORKPLACE:  Screening tests for alcohol and illegal drug use may be required before hiring and during your employment in the Lewistown Public Schools.  Employees of the Lewistown Public Schools must submit to a fingerprint criminal background check.  Any appointment will be contingent upon the results of the criminal background report received from the Department of Justice, which must be acceptable to the Board of Trustees, in its sole discretion.

EVALUATION:  Performance of this job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the Board's policy on Evaluation of Classified Personnel.