Information Technology (IT) Specialist presso The Cottonwood School

Description

The Cottonwood School offers dynamic homeschooling pathways for TK-12: a uniquely personalized, whole-learner approach that nurtures academic, social, and emotional achievement. The Cottonwood school is a tuition-free, public charter school serving transitional kindergarten through 12th-grade students in Alpine, Amador, El Dorado, Placer, and Sacramento Counties. We take an integrative approach that education is more than academic learning. We understand that a rich education includes social and emotional development as well as a strong academic foundation. 

Our Homestudy Pathway fosters holistic learning through the many activities and events we offer each month—field trips, workshops, hands-on, experiential activities.

Our Cottonwood College Prep Academy is a hybrid on-site High School Pathway that offers Montessori-inspired project-based learning that encourages collaboration and creativity.

At The Cottonwood School, we envision a world where students flourish, communities thrive, and staff are fulfilled. 

Application Deadline: Until Filled

Start Date: January 5, 2026

Vacancies: 1

Employment Type: Full Time

Direct Supervisor: Director of Technology

Salary Schedule:Schedule E (Office Tech III) 

Work Calendar: 260

Classification: Classified

FLSA Status: Nonexempt

Location: This position is eligible for telecommuting up to 5 days per week, with in-person presence required as needed to fulfill the duties and responsibilities of the position.

Position Summary

Under the direction of the Director of Technology, the IT Specialist will assist the school staff and students in maintaining and using schoolwide technology to meet school objectives. An IT Specialist may be assigned areas of primary responsibility, but each Specialist will provide support services for all school technology.

Required Qualifications

? One (1) year experience in a tech support role

? High school diploma or equivalent

? Must live in Northern California and be able to commute to El Dorado Hills

Preferred Qualifications

? Experience working at a charter school

? Prior experience working in network set-up, at a help desk, and troubleshooting

Employment Requirements

? Background Clearance

? Tuberculosis Clearance

? I-9 Verification

Duties and Responsibilities

? Maintain various school information-system database software by performing basic activities such as adding user accounts, creating and printing reports, and troubleshooting problems. E

? Assist with school software and systems: inventory, SIS, purchasing, GAFE, Zoom, Clever, Wordpress, Azure, Adobe, and others. E

? Set up and maintain Chromebooks, Windows, and Apple systems. E

? Create application documentation, such as user guides, to assist the end-user. E

? Support design, updating, customizing and monitoring of school websites. E

? Performs basic wifi network installations and repairs; repairs/installs switches and routers; routes and terminates network cables; installs wall jacks and troubleshoots or tests faulty connections.

? Install, set up, and maintain multimedia projectors, computer settings, and other school devices. E

? Serve as a resource to staff in answering questions and assisting in the effective utilization of school technology. E

? Research solutions to technology challenges. E

? Provide training to end-users on a variety of technology issues. E

? Participate with school technology committees to identify instructional goals and objectives and to develop long-range technology plans to accomplish them.

? Assist in the planning and development of school computers, related hardware, and software. E

? Administer and/or support the state and local standardized testing processes and policies.

? Support website and other online resources through editing and maintenance.

? Support accuracy of records on the configuration, installation, warranty, licenses, and allocation of computer software, hardware, and/or network systems. E

? Professionally represents the School in interactions with parents, community, staff, and

? students and resolves conflicts in a professional manner. E

? Attend department meetings.

Other Duties

? Respond to non-urgent communication within 24 school hours and urgent communication within two school hours. E

? Attend all required virtual and in-person meetings/events as assigned. E

? Resolve escalated employee, parent, and student issues in alignment with core values and ensuring compliance with the school’s Uniform Complaint Policy, Technology Use Policy, and the provisions of California Penal Code Section 11166 (Child Abuse and

Neglect Reporting Act). E

? Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities

? Ability to troubleshoot software and hardware issues on the telephone and in person for students and staff schoolwide.

? Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from students, parents, or staff.

? Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.

? Must have a working knowledge of the technological tools employed by teachers and other staff members.

? Knowledge of HTML, CSS, JavaScript and PHP (esp. for WordPress).

? Ability to research new technology and troubleshooting methods.

? Understand the set-up and configuration of school computers

? Ability to analyze issues and determine an appropriate course of action

? Display tact and courtesy at all times

? Work as part of a team and maintain effective working relationships

? Strong oral and written communication skills in English

? Must possess strong customer service skills

? Ability to work independently, with minimum direction, and make decisions within the framework of established guidelines

Work Environment

The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be  made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. These physical standards are generic and tasks may vary depending on the school site or specialized site assignment. The information contained in this physical standards description is for compliance with the Americans with Disability Act and is not an exhaustive list of duties performed. The individuals currently holding this position perform additional duties and additional duties as assigned.

Physical Demands

? Continuously - Sufficient strength, stamina (including physical, mental, and emotional), physical ability, and mobility to visually observe and assist students.

? Continuously - Sit or stand for extended periods of time.

? Occasionally - Bend at the waist, kneel, stoop, squat, reach, and crouch.

? Seldom - Work variable hours

? Seldom - Lift, push, and/or pull objects weighing approximately 20 pounds.

? Occasionally - Ability to reach in all directions including overhead and horizontally.

? Continuously - Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate equipment including computer keyboard/mouse and standard office equipment necessary to do job functions.

? Continuously - Communicate effectively with students, staff, parents, and community members.

? Continuously - Comply with timelines and deadlines with frequent interruptions.

? Seldom - Travel for department meetings and school training/in-service meetings.

? Continuously - See to operate equipment, read and understand written material, and ability to detect information displayed on a computer screen.

? Seldom - Restrain students when necessary.

Physical Demands Frequency Definitions Based on an 8-hour day:

? Never = 0%

? Seldom = 1 - 10% (less than 45 minutes)

? Occasionally = 11 - 33% (up to 3.0 hours)

? Frequently = 34 - 66% (up to 6 hours)

? Continuously = 67 - 100% (more than 6 hours)

Environment including Hazardous Conditions

This position may include indoor offices/classrooms and outdoor work (including eating and common area(s), auditorium, playground(s), restroom(s), stairs if applicable, and parking lot(s)) with the following possible exposures: dust; wind; sun; insects; bloodborne pathogens and biohazardous waste; variances in weather conditions (snow, rain, sleet, etc.); noise which can

range from quiet to loud; fast-paced work environment with possible stressful situations and need to multi-task; traffic congestion; playground projectiles such as baseballs, footballs, basketballs, etc.; intervening physically to stop conflicts between angry or emotionally upset students; and, dealing with students, parents, employees and the general public who may

exhibit unpredictable or anti-social behavior.

Employees in this position may have a higher level of exposure to illness or infection from students. May be exposed to students who may ask inappropriately personal questions, display socially unacceptable behavior, display physically aggressive behavior, and insult your personal characteristics including appearance, age, sex, and race. There is also frequent contact with staff and the public.

Right to Revise

This job description is not meant to be all-inclusive and the School reserves the right to revise this job description as necessary without advance notice.

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do

not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the employer without notice

E = Essential job functions

Compensation & Benefits

In addition to competitive salaries, The Cottonwood School offers eligible full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package that can include: Medical, Dental, Vision coverage, Life & Disability insurnace, 403(b) and 457(b) plans(with matching available for certain classifications), an Employee Assistance Program, Flexible Spending accounts for Health care and dependent care, Paid Time Off and sick leave benefits (for certain classifications and eligible staff), pet insurance, and more!

Requirements

Required Qualifications

? One (1) year experience in a tech support role

? High school diploma or equivalent

? Must live in Northern California and be able to commute to El Dorado Hills

Preferred Qualifications

? Experience working at a charter school

? Prior experience working in network set-up, at a help desk, and troubleshooting

Employment Requirements

? Background Clearance

? Tuberculosis Clearance

? I-9 Verification