Technical Support Specialist

For more than 150 years, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) has been a leader in educating the world’s most influential artists, designers and scholars. Located in downtown Chicago with a fine arts graduate program consistently ranking among the top four graduate fine arts programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, SAIC provides an interdisciplinary approach to art and design as well as world-class resources, including the Art Institute of Chicago museum, on-campus galleries and state-of-the-art facilities. SAIC’s undergraduate, graduate and post-baccalaureate students have the freedom to take risks and create the bold ideas that transform Chicago and the world—as seen through notable alumni and faculty such as Michelle Grabner, David Sedaris, Elizabeth Murray, Richard Hunt, Georgia O’Keeffe, Cynthia Rowley, Nick Cave, and LeRoy Neiman.

BASIC FUNCTIONS: Provides support for computer hardware, system software and network connectivity for SAIC administrative and academic departments. Orchestrates the repair of SAIC computers and related equipment. Assists departments and end-users in accessing institutional computing resources. Assists in managing administrative and instructional servers. Covers support for overnight hours and weekends for SAIC instructional facilities.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provides or facilitates support and repair for SAIC administrative and instructional Macintosh, PC and dual-boot / multi-platform computer hardware, system software and network connectivity. Maintains relationships with outside service providers.


• Assists administrative and academic departments with installation of computer hardware, software and related equipment, in coordination with the Assistant Director of Academic Computing Technologies and Assistant Director of SAIC End-User Services.


• In coordination with Assistant Director of SAIC End-User Services, works toward providing task-based and application-specific support for student, staff and faculty end-users. Helps plan ways to support issues related to individual end-user workflow, software failures, print driver installations, color profiling and correction, etc. Participates in ongoing evaluation and enhancement of these services.


• Helps maintain and update computer inventory and help ticket database.


• Keeps inventories of service hardware and parts, technical software and supplies. Orders needed supplies through approved venders.


• Assists CRIT Assistant Director of Academic Computing Technologies and CRIT Technical Support Administrators in managing CRIT administrative and instructional servers. Provides support for server build-outs and roll-outs.


• Participates in ongoing planning of how CRIT can meet future equipment, facility and staff needs as technology evolves and the computing needs of the SAIC community change. Helps develop procedures for more efficient and effective service and support for SAIC end-users.


• Meets regularly with support staff from CRIT and other departments to discuss projects, share technical expertise and resources, and encourage general communication and teamwork.


• Advises SAIC administrative and academic departments on technical computing issues and solutions.


• Keeps abreast of developments in educational and service technologies. Recommends the purchase of hardware and software as needed.


• Be on-call one day per week in the early morning as scheduled with Assistant Director of SAIC End-User Services, to respond to School-wide emergencies.


• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Intimate knowledge of Mac OS X, Windows 2000 and 2000 Server operating systems, Apple hardware and peripherals, and Intel-based hardware.


• Understands function and system requirements of the software suite used in SAIC computer classrooms and administrative offices, including Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office, Apple Pro Apps, etc.


• Familiarity with OS X, Windows and UNIX concepts and command line tools.


• Knowledge of TCP/IP and general networking principals.


• Knowledge of Active Directory Domain structures and practices.


• Understanding of software distribution concepts and methodologies.


• Ability to diagnose problems and correct them with software or by instruction, where possible.


• Familiarity with maintenance programs such as Norton Utilities, DiskWarrior, Drive Image, etc.


• Excellent communication skills.


• Management and organizational skills.


• Able to work independently, as well as in team environments.

Recommended Certifications:

• Microsoft A+


• MCP/MCSA


• Apple Certified Support Professional

We offer a competitive, comprehensive benefits package:

• Generous paid time off


• Paid holidays (up to 14 days)


• Medical, dental, and vision insurance


• Generous parental, caregiver, and medical leave benefits


• Competitive retirement plan (up to 9% matching contribution)


• Tuition remission and Tuition Exchange Program


• Great employee discounts


• Complimentary general admission to participating cultural institutions

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Vaccination Expectation

Becoming vaccinated against COVID-19 is the most important contribution we as individuals can make to ensure our own safety and the safety of our museum and school community. All employees must complete an attestation and provide proof of their vaccination status, or request a medical or religious exemption within the first week of employment.

The Art Institute of Chicago is an equal opportunity, equal access employer fully committed to achieving a diverse and inclusive workplace.