Job Posting Title:
Senior Academic Technology Specialist
Hiring Department:
Academic Technology
Position Open To:
All Applicants
Weekly Scheduled Hours:
40
FLSA Status:
Exempt
Earliest Start Date:
Mar 24, 2025
Position Duration:
Expected to Continue
Location:
UT Main Campus
Job Details:
Purpose
The Senior Academic Technology Specialist oversees academic technology products and software to deliver central business operations and support the academic mission of the University. This position specializes in the University’s Course Evaluation System and Process (CES) and technology (Explorance Blue) and is responsible for the effective administration of course evaluations each semester.
The mission of the Office of Academic Technology (OAT) is to coordinate a strategic and holistic academic technology ecosystem where students, faculty, and staff thrive. The Senior Academic Technology Specialist works to support academic excellence for all UT Austin students, faculty, and staff by facilitating the collection and reporting of student feedback on instruction and other special projects.
Responsibilities
- Serve as the primary product specialist for UT Austin’s Course Evaluation System and Process (CES). Develop, maintain, and update expertise on all CES software applications and processes on campus, with an emphasis on Explorance Blue.
- Ensure that all course evaluation lifecycle phases are planned, coordinated, optimized, and managed effectively each semester and according to fixed timelines, and existing business requirements, policies, standards, stakeholder interests, and processes. Stay current on all University, UT System, and Statewide policies on course evaluations and the student evaluations of teaching literature. Serve as primary contact between the Office of Academic Technology and Academic Information Systems to support the successful deployment of course evaluations.
- Develop optimized customized audits and reports using course evaluation data for strategic planning and risk management.
- Coordinate all CES contacts and departmental Course Evaluation Liaisons (CELS) representing over 240 departments, units, and fields of study through the effective setup of course evaluations in the Explorance Blue software each semester. Develop and conduct frequent technical assistance and training offerings for CES contacts and CELs. Create and maintain a robust suite of effective operational strategies and training resources for CES contacts and CELs to support the successful deployment of course evaluations each semester.
- Oversee the CES customer service and support model for students, faculty, and university administrators. Conduct research and resolve and escalate service requests promptly and with expertise. Maintain expertise within a variety of general and special use cases
- Supervise, develop, and train at least one part-time Course Evaluation Assistant and seasonal course evaluation staff
- Assist the Assistant Vice Provost with OAT department initiatives
- Other related functions as assigned.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree. At least three years of experience in academic program administration, instructional technology, academic technology, instructional design, and design research or related area(s). Exceptional organizational skills and fine-grained attention to detail. Demonstrated ability to work autonomously as well as part of a team. Experience managing or working in an environment with ongoing, high-stakes deadlines and priorities with the ability to maintain decorum, professionalism, and influence under pressure. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Demonstrated ability to recognize and successfully resolve ambiguity with independence. Commitment to learning by effectively seeking and implementing feedback. Willingness and ability to learn from errors and mistakes. Experience working and communicating effectively across units with various project stakeholders and contributors. Experience troubleshooting, problem-solving, mitigating risk, and making and recommending timely decisions.
Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree. More than five years of experience in project administration, instructional technology, academic technology, instructional design, or design research of related area(s). Experience with higher education student information systems, admissions, academic scheduling, or course evaluation processes.
Salary Range
$70,000 + depending on qualifications
Working Conditions
- Work performed in a standard office environment
Required Materials
- Resume/CV
- 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
- Letter of interest
Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.
Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.
Employment Eligibility:
Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.
Retirement Plan Eligibility:
The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.
Background Checks:
A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.
Pay Transparency:
The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.
Employment Eligibility Verification:
If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.
E-Verify:
The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:
Compliance:
Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.
The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.
