People Strategy, Equity, and Culture

Instructional Computer Specialist

  • Title: Instructional Computer Specialist
  • Class: Academic Professional
  • Exempt Status: Exempt
  • Level: 5

Nature and Scope of Work

The Computer Specialist is responsible for performing a full range of professional administrative and instructional duties in an open campus environment. Incumbents will have specialized skills in mainframe or personal computer systems in order to design, develop, and implement courses that meet business and student needs. Responsibilities also include recruiting and hiring expert instructors for specialized classes, develop customized training for employers, instruct continuing education, community education, for credit, and customized classes, develop web pages, and act as a resource and/or mentor to instructors.

Principal Accountabilities (includes some or all of the following)

  1. Instruct classes relating to computer technology, which may include networking, database, operating systems, and hardware/software troubleshooting courses. Develop and implement course materials. Identify client needs and schedule classes to support those needs. Design and instruct customized training as requested by businesses. Interface with certifying organizations to ensure compliance with certification requirements and official curriculum. Participate in long-range strategic planning.
  2. Coordinate logistics of each class. Process course evaluations, continuing education credits, and course grades. Provide instructors with necessary certification and official curriculum materials. Ensure that students receive official curriculum materials and course completion certificates.
  3. Partner with other departments in developing new methods of instruction, e.g. Distance Learning. Train instructors on effective methods of teaching using that technology. Create web sites for class schedule each term.
  4. Recruit, interview, and hire instructors. Evaluate instructor effectiveness and offer suggestions for improvement. Review paperwork and ensure it is processed in a timely manner. Follow-up and respond to any student complaints. Follow-up with instructors on any classroom issues.
  5. Coordinate and partner with college Information Systems Technology staff on various projects, including writing computer programs. Coordinate with technicians on classroom hardware/software needs required for lab room preparation. May maintain computer network for class ensuring computers and network are working properly. Perform back-ups or reloads when necessary.
  6. Stay abreast of emerging trends in the software, hardware, and multi-media fields. Participate in professional development (upgrade industry certificates) and review current periodicals.
  7. Advise students about program requirements. Develop individual courses of study for students entering the program, and mentor them during their time in the program.
  8. Work with Marketing Coordinator by providing technical information about programs.
  9. Work with technical staff to ensure that all equipment/software is installed prior to classes beginning each term. Liaison between technical staff and instructors to accommodate a wide array of classroom configurations. Provide technical staff with classroom configuration setup requirements.
  10. Perform other related duties as assigned.

Work Environment

Work is performed in an office/classroom environment. Work also involves sitting at a computer for extended periods of time. Instructional requirements may include regular evening and weekend hours.

Physical Requirements

Ability to bend, crawl, and lift hardware equipment that may weigh up to 50 pounds required in the course of setting up and instructing classes.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Education, Communication, Computer Technology, or related field. Master’s degree in same and/or special certification(s) in specific operating systems or software programs may be required dependent upon position. Experience performing the duties of this job may substitute for the degree requirement on a year for year basis.

Demonstrated experience working in a technical computer environment required. Demonstrated experience working with adults in a training or informational exchange environment that includes course development. Experience troubleshooting computer software, hardware, and network problems. Experience within mainframe or PC environment may be required dependent upon position.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:
  • Demonstrated knowledge of computer software, hardware, and network troubleshooting.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of specialized operating systems or software packages such as UNIX system, Microsoft Office, Microsoft DOS, Microsoft Windows, Netscape Navigator, Microsoft FrontPage or HTML.
  • Knowledge of effective marketing methods and techniques.
  • Knowledge of effective classroom instruction and adult learning theory.
  • Must have successfully completed certification exams.
Skills in:
  • Skill in facilitating and instructing both large and small groups of adults.
  • Skill in designing and writing classroom instructional material.
  • Skill in evaluating courseware.
  • Skill in troubleshooting computer software, hardware, and network problems.
Ability to:
  • Ability to advise students in specific program area.
  • Ability to analyze problems and develop logical solutions.
  • Ability to communicate technical information in a clear and understandable manner.
  • Ability to work with a diverse student population.
  • Ability to effectively communicate in oral and written form.

Est. 9/97

  • Rev. 03/02