IT Specialist (Apply by: January 2, 2024)

About JFF:  

Jobs for the Future (JFF) drives transformation of the U.S. education and workforce systems to achieve equitable economic advancement for all. Seeing that millions of people are unfairly shut out of quality jobs and the chance for a better life, our goal is to align education, workforce, and employment changemakers toward a shared North Star: In 10 years, 75 million people facing systemic barriers to advancement will work in quality jobs.    

To achieve that goal, we design solutions, scale best practices, influence policy and action, and invest in innovation. With a staff of more than 300 people across the country working remotely and in offices in Boston (headquarters), Washington, DC, and Oakland, California, we operate at the national, state, and local levels, forging deep partnerships with employers, investors, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and education and workforce development providers to break down barriers and reimagine what’s possible.   

We’re on a path of ongoing growth and expanding impact. We have an operating budget of $105 million, and we’re funded by dozens of leading government agencies, foundations, and corporations. Learn more about JFF and join us as we build a future that works—for everyone. 

DEIBW at JFF  

Diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and well-being (DEIBW) are core to JFF’s North Star and mission. We employ and build diverse teams across race, ethnicity, sex, gender identity and expression, age, and lived experiences and are constantly working toward ensuring these differences are celebrated and included. We aim to cultivate a culture that centers the overall care, well-being, and success of the employee through flexible work hours, balanced workloads, professional development, and equitable career advancement opportunities. Learn more about what DEIBW looks like in practice at JFF.  

We seek to invest and learn from those who represent the communities we serve, particularly individuals from populations who have been explicitly or implicitly excluded from the workforce. Knowing its importance to the success of our work and the engagement of our staff members, we aspire to attract and retain a diverse team and welcome people of all backgrounds to apply to our open roles. JFF is a fair chance employer and in alignment to our North Star, we strongly encourage individuals whose highest level of education attained is less than a 4-year degree; People of Color; and people with records to apply.  

About the position:  

Reporting to the Senior Director of IT, the IT Specialist will play a critical role in ensuring that JFF’s staff members are technologically equipped to be successful. This person will join a 4-person IT Team that currently manages the technology needs across all of JFF, a national organization of approximately 350 staff members (and growing!). Specifically, the IT Specialist will support IT help desk requests, training/onboarding of staff members, daily IT operations and maintenance, and meetings/events support. The IT environment is mostly cloud-based with a few on-premise systems and applications (less than 20%). Additionally, the desktop environment that this role supports is around 95% MacOS with the remaining 5% on a Windows OS, all of which are operating in an Office 365 environment.  

In this role you will have the opportunity to interface regularly with JFF staff members at all levels and key external partners or clients as needed. 

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is looking to grow and apply their technological knowledge and IT support experience to hit the ground running and support a growing, mission-driven organization.  

What you'll do:   

Support IT Help Desk/Operations and Maintenance 

• Troubleshoot and resolve computer and other IT equipment problems and malfunctions 
• Maintain operability of in office equipment 
• Support administration of user accounts including email, remote access, etc. 
• Set up new employee accounts and provide onboarding and end user application training 
• Procure and coordinate employee equipment 
• Perform offboarding activities such as terminating accesses, archiving files, coordinating equipment return 
• Support initial set-up and upgrading of computer systems for end users 
• Support asset management/inventory of all equipment, software, and licenses 
• Create and develop training/how-to guides as needed 
• Support maintenance and troubleshooting of company networked systems 

Serve as tech support for JFF Meetings and Events to ensure smooth execution 

• Staff live virtual help desks to assist attendees of meetings and events 
• Troubleshoot technical issues during event and meeting preparation or live sessions  
• Demonstrate use of virtual event platform (e.g., WebEx, MS Teams, Zoom, etc.) to attendees while being proactive in identifying and instructing individuals with limited technical expertise 
• Accurately document and report any technical issues  

Who you are:   

The qualifications listed within the job description are intended as a guide and we do not expect candidates to bring all experiences and skills listed. Research supports that self-selecting out of potential professional opportunities is particularly common among individuals with identities that are marginalized in professional spaces. So, if you believe that you can meet the overall expectations of the position, we encourage you to apply so that we have an opportunity to learn more about you and the unique strengths you would bring to the work. 

• You bring experience using Mac operating systems and knowledge of computer systems, computer repair, and network management (New hires at the Manager level at JFF typically bring 3-5 years of prior professional experience through a combination of full-time, part-time, internship, and/or freelance positions)  
• You are proficient in Microsoft Office 365 and Exchange administration  
• You have knowledge of common IT tools such as ITSM tools, mobile device management tools, and remote desktop support tools. Experience with Zendesk, Jamf, TeamViewer a plus. 
• You are highly capable of learning new software and platforms quickly  
• You are a resourceful and self-starting problem-solver with the ability to troubleshoot new and critical technical issues as they arise 
• You have the ability deploy, configure, and support operating systems on desktop and mobile devices 
• You have an understanding and appreciation for information security within systems and user devices 
• You have a drive to provide excellent customer service and experience, with strong time management and prioritization skills 
• You are comfortable supporting audio/visual equipment and platforms (Webex, Zoom, MS Teams) 
• You are dependable and willing to work a flexible schedule with the need for on-site and occasional inconsistent hours dictated by IT issues and meeting/event schedules 
• You model inclusive leadership, working effectively with diverse staff, and building and stewarding an organizational culture that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion 
• You are a curious and adaptive learner, with a willingness to take in new information, perspectives and data to inform your work  
• You demonstrate a growth mindset and a desire to continuously improve in your work and approach  
• You possess high energy and passion for JFF’s mission and North Star, and the ability to apply JFF’s core values to all areas of your work    
• You are energized by stewarding JFF’s DEIBW values and practices within your day-to-day work, including embracing the differences and celebrating the diversity that each individual brings to JFF  
• You value building positive and collaborative relationships with others, including people whose identities and backgrounds differ from your own 
• You are able and willing to travel up to 10%. (The frequency will vary according to mix of projects. Note: JFF requires COVID-19 vaccination for all work-related travel.)  

What We Offer  

At JFF, we’re fueled by the desire to create a world where everyone has equal opportunity for economic advancement. Our team works hard to push the boundaries of what is possible, and in return, we provide a gratifying work experience, competitive salaries, and a comprehensive benefits program that includes flexibility and choice as core values in order to support people wherever they are in their lives and careers.   

To improve the employee experience and promote productivity when working remotely, JFF offers an annual home office stipend to all regular full-time and part-time employees. In addition, new employees receive office equipment as needed.     

The hiring range for this role is $70,000 - $90,000 annually, in alignment to JFF’s Manager salary band and our compensation philosophy. Starting salaries for new hires will be determined based on a combination of the new hire’s relevant experience and market demands. 

To Apply  

As part of your application, please include your resume and a thoughtful cover letter, addressed to Marcy Jenkins, Senior Director, IT, outlining how your skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position.  

We are accepting applications through January 2, 2024 at 9am ET. Applications submitted by that date will be reviewed and candidates will receive updates on their candidacy by the week of January 8, 2024.   

At JFF, we’re also committed to accessibility and want to ensure that everyone, including people with disabilities, can fully access and engage with our application and hiring process.  

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability and/or have specific access/accommodation needs in order to fully participate in our hiring process, please contact us at [email protected]. 

Positions at JFF are not eligible for employer-visa sponsorship or open to F-1 student visa holders.