Laboratory Specialist – Computer Networking Systems & Security (CNSS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) 2026-2027

Pay Grade: CNSS Lab Assistant | FLSA: Non-Exempt | FTE: 37

Department: Technology | Campus Location: Escanaba | Min Salary: $15.00 | Max Salary: $15.00

This is a grant-funded, temporary position lasting 9 months per year with a work schedule of 20 hours per week, as determined by the supervisor.

About the Role

The primary responsibility of this position is to provide lab support assistance for the Computer Networking Systems & Security (CNSS) program. This role reports to the Dean of Business, Technology and Workforce with daily direction from the CNSS Department Faculty.

Qualifications

• Degree-seeking student in CT/CNSS or a related IT degree.
• Working towards obtaining at least one industry certification such as CompTIA A+ or Network+, with Cisco certification (CCNA) preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability in effective written and oral communications.
• Experience using Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services, or Google Document environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Willingness and ability to travel to local/regional CNSS sites as needed.
• Proprietary and open-source software expertise.

Responsibilities

• Assist with maintaining CNSS and GIS labs (402E, 402F, 402H, and GIS server availability), server room, servers, and workstations (hardware, images, storage, network, wireless).
• Actively support student success by assisting CNSS and GIS faculty with labs and classroom support (open lab, testing and assessment, etc.).
• Assist in lab maintenance and equipment recommendations or selection of vendors to fix or return failed components (e.g., hard drives, adapters).
• Maintain CNSS lab workstations and servers by ensuring updates occur, lab hardware and software maintenance, and CNSS domain security is applied and followed.
• Organize and maintain software inventory controls related to Dreamspark/Microsoft IT Academy licensing.
• Work with the IT Department to ensure students can use their IT credentials to log onto CNSS workstations each fall by checking with each class and instructor.
• Assist with CNSS Assessments (Certiport, CompTIA, Microsoft, EH Council), including maintaining Certiport software functionality for all CNSS labs and performing work as directed by the ITS Department in Business Division labs.
• Provide information related to career exploration at the direction of CNSS/GIS faculty.
• Assist in maintaining positive relationships with employers and advisory board members.

Benefits

• Michigan Public School Employees Retirement Systems

Work Environment

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to varying weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but may be loud in areas of equipment operation.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

• Stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Reach with hands and arms, climb stairs, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Talk or hear, and taste or smell.
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.