Position Overview
The Department of Undergraduate Learning Services in the Faculty of Science is currently seeking a Full-time Regular Education Technology Technician.
The Faculty of Science has been catalyzing change and inspiring discovery, creativity, and innovation for over 50 years. Our strategic direction integrates current and emerging strengths with areas targeted for future growth and investment. Our strategic priorities, goals, and values guide our mission to advance research, scholarship, and innovation, create authentic learning experiences, and inspire careers of the future. We fuel transformational change, and build a strong community through teaching, learning, research, scholarship, and collaborative partnerships. We do this work to generate curiosity-drive discovery and contribute solutions to society’s grand challenges. For more information, visit science.ucalgary.ca.
We thrive in the dynamic context of the University of Calgary, one of Canada’s most youthful and innovative universities. We are a bold and ambitious research university, grounded in innovative learning and teaching, fully engaged in Calgary’s entrepreneurial spirit.
Reporting to the Manager, Experiential Learning, in the Undergraduate Learning Services (ULS), the Education Technology Technician will take direction from the Education Technology Team Lead.
The primary purpose of the position is to provide technical solutions (i.e., Unix/Linux and Windows computing) to meet the teaching and learning requirements (i.e., undergraduate, graduate, and professional graduate programs) as well as the unique research projects related to teaching in the Department of Computer Science (CPSC) and Faculty of Science. The Education Technology Technician acts as a facilitator and communication partner between the members and students of the Department/Faculty and other IT personnel in the Central IT at the University of Calgary. The Education Technology Technician will work with the Education Technology Team Lead to provide technical support for classroom, computer learning, computer assessment, computer labs, mobile devices, and other technical aspects, including systems and applications training, that affect instructors and students.
Position Description
Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):
Technical:
- Work with the Education Technology Team Lead and department instructors to assess technology requirements, evaluate effectiveness of current classroom technology, and adopt new classroom technology in consultation with IT and Communications Media.
- Reverse engineering, documenting, and redesigning or optimizing existing systems.
- Support various computational equipment used for teaching and specialized research activities associated with teaching. Work with Team Lead, IT, and vendors to develop and advance teaching & learning technology standards and resolve complex issues with classroom learning technologies.
- Provide end user support for classroom learning technologies.
- Research and evaluate the use of new technologies and their impact on student learning outcomes and help determine best practices.
- Initiate and develop new technologies or solutions to enhance teaching and student experience.
- Organize and prioritize incoming tasks while effectively managing competing priorities.
- Support robust computer lab spaces, including preparing labs to meet instructional requirements.
- Support software infrastructure for teaching and learning, including cloud-based solutions.
- Use logic, reasoning, and analysis to address problems and resolve incidents.
- Design and make recommendations on technology solutions that support teaching and specialized research.
- Maintain high quality documentation including logs, end-user, and systems documentation, etc.
- Perform repairs and support of non-standard IT and Com-Media hardware.
- Ensure the timely and effective resolution of technical issues.
- Maintain departmental lab space alongside IT.
- Understand and adhere to all policies of the Faculty, IT, and the University of Calgary.
- Take initiative implementing, or bringing back to team, innovative approaches to teaching technology problems.
Relationships/Collaboration:
- Create and maintain positive relationships with all stakeholders with emphasis on student support.
- Maintain a collaborative environment within departments and faculty.
- Ask questions; provide suggestions and offer support and training where appropriate.
- Involve Team Lead and IT technical members as needed.
- Act as a resource to the department to provide recommendations and guidance on technical solutions that align with University mandated best practices and security policies.
- Act as a representative of the department with the Central Information Technologies business unit.
Other:
- Adapt to the shifting challenges and responsibilities as the department and Faculty structure changes.
- Identify professional development needs and skill priorities; continue own personal development, learning and training; keep current with post-secondary developments.
- Adhere to all university policy and regulatory requirements, including FOIP legislation.
- Liaise with other units as appropriate.
- Participate in cross training to assist in other areas when needed and to meet Undergraduate Learning Services priorities.
Qualifications / Requirements:
- Successful completion of post-secondary education in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or related field.
- Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience required; combination of education and experience is considered. Previous experience at an educational institution would be an asset including 3 years progressive experience in supporting students directly.
- Direct knowledge of educational technology advancements is an asset.
- Proficiency with desktop computers, printers, scanners, associated drivers, and server hardware issues and resolutions, as well as with networking hardware and protocols.
- Knowledge and experience with Unix/Linux operating systems and productivity tools is required.
- Knowledge of PC Desktops, Laptops, and Servers is an asset.
- Knowledge and some experience in the following are considered an asset:
- Microsoft, and Mac, operating systems and tools
- Unix/Linux shell scripting, Java, C/C++, PHP programming, Perl, Python, SQL
- DNS/DHCP configuration and management
- Application implementation, maintenance, testing, validation, and documentation
- Security controls and processes
- ITIL Foundations certification is an asset.
- Ability to think critically and creatively under pressure while exercising good judgement and discretion required.
- Demonstrated ability to be resourceful, creative, innovative, and flexible required.
- The ability to work independently to tight timelines, maintain confidentiality and deal effectively with overlapping and changing deadlines is required.
- Effective time management skills with ability to prioritize and meet competing deadlines.
- Strong communication skills with experience in technical writing an asset.
- Must possess strong client relations skills and ability to provide strong support via telephone, email, and remote software tools in addition to in-person support.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills are required, including debugging and troubleshooting.
- Ability to be creative, challenge and demonstrate initiative to generate improvements and foster positive outcomes.
- Ability to perform some manual labour (e.g. lifting) work related to the equipment.
- A proven track record of effective project planning, management and development is required.
- Knowledge of university policies and procedures is an asset.
- Ability to build relationships to accomplish goals with diverse groups within and outside of the Faculty of Science essential.
- Previous experience working with PeopleSoft and D2L is an asset.
Application Deadline: July 19, 2022
We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.
Additional Information
This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Technical Job Family, Phase II.
To find out more about management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary and all we have to offer, view our Management and Staff Careers website. For more information visit Careers in the Faculty of Science.
The University strongly recommends all faculty and staff are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
About the University of Calgary
The University of Calgary is Canada’s leading next-generation university – a living, growing and youthful institution that embraces change and opportunity with a can-do attitude. Located in the nation’s most enterprising city, the university is making tremendous progress on its Eyes High journey to be recognized as one of Canada’s top five research universities, grounded in innovative learning and teaching and fully integrated with the community it both serves and leads. The University of Calgary inspires and supports discovery, creativity and innovation across all disciplines. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.
The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy in line with the foundational goals of Eyes High, committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.
As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (equity@ucalgary.ca) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources (hrhire@ucalgary.ca).
We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.