Employment Opportunity: Desktop Support/Help Desk Specialist

If your answer to the following questions is yes, then this may be just the job you have been looking for. Do you:

  • enjoy helping others with computing issues?
  • like solving software and hardware problems on PCs and Macs?
  • want to live in one of the most popular cities in America?
  • enjoy campus life?
  • want to progress in your career in an environment with ample opportunities for training and further learning?
  • want to receive a great comprehensive benefits package?

The Social Science Computing Cooperative (SSCC) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison has an immediate opening for a Desktop Support/Help Desk Specialist. In common with all positions at the SSCC, this position combines technical duties with direct user services in support of faculty and graduate student research and instruction.

Main responsibilities

(50%) Provide hardware and software support of desktop computers used by faculty, staff, and students for their research and instructional computing:

  • Install and maintain network clients within a Windows Active Directory forest.
  • Set up new PC and Mac hardware, thin clients, printers, and other peripherals.
  • Setup (including automated installations) and configure operating systems including Microsoft Windows (7, 8) and Apple OS X.
  • Diagnose, test, and repair PC and Mac hardware, printers, other peripherals, and mobile devices.
  • Troubleshoot and answer Windows and Mac operating system questions.
  • Install and troubleshoot commonly used software including Citrix Receiver, Microsoft Office (esp. Word and Excel) and other productivity applications, Adobe Acrobat, various email programs, and terminal emulators for Linux connectivity.

(50%) Participate in SSCC's help desk operations used by faculty, staff, and graduate students for their research:

  • Staff help desk up to 15 hours per week.
  • Enter and assign reported problems in SSCC’s helpdesk software.
  • Provide one-on-one consulting on a variety of computing issues including account and password problems, connecting to and using SSCC’s Windows server farm via the Citrix Receiver, and connecting to SSCC’s Windows and Linux servers, email and calendaring issues, and assisting with transition to Microsoft Office 365.
  • Add and delete user accounts on Linux and Windows. Create groups and set permissions for Linux and Windows project space.
  • Research and collaborate with other SSCC staff to solve complex and difficult problems.

Degree and Area of Specialization

Bachelor’s degree required. Relevant areas of concentration include Computer Science, Computer End-User Technologies, or related field.

Minimum number of years and type of relevant work experience

This is an entry level position with the following relevant work experience preferred (specialized course work may be substituted for work experience):

  • One year experience with PCs and Macs in a network environment including installing and maintaining operating systems, installing and supporting applications used in research, and troubleshooting and repairing computer hardware and printers. 
  • One year system administration experience with Microsoft Windows Active Directory. 
  • One year experience in a help desk or other customer service environment.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills and enthusiasm for solving problems for faculty, staff, and students with varying degrees of technical understanding.  Commitment to quality customer service; strong interpersonal communications skills.

How to Apply

Send a resume and cover letter to ssccjobs@ssc.wisc.edu or to:

Nancy McDermott, Director
Social Science Computing Cooperative
University of Wisconsin - Madison
4226 Sewell Social Sciences Building
1180 Observatory Drive
Madison, WI 53706

To ensure consideration, applications must be received by June 13, 2014.

NOTE: Unless confidentiality is requested in writing, information regarding applicants must be released upon request. Finalists cannot be guaranteed confidentiality.

UW-Madison provides equal employment opportunity for all persons and is in compliance with State and Federal regulations.

Visit the Office for Human Resources web site for the official posting.