EdTech Specialist

WELCOME TO INDIANAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS!

At IPS, we believe in the transformative power of education. We work collectively every day to prepare our students for success in the classroom and in life by providing equitable, high-quality educational experiences across our family of schools. IPS is a place to make an impact, grow your career, and ensure every student has access to a high quality education, all while earning a good living in a district on the move. While the work is challenging, it is deeply meaningful and impactful. We seek innovators and trailblazers who bring varying experiences and expertise and share our belief that every child deserves access to an exceptional education. As part of TeamIPS, you'll create lasting connections, find a sense of belonging, and feel supported to make a meaningful difference in students' lives.

In return, no matter your role here, we expect a commitment to excellence and accountability. You'll be held to high standards. Resilience and passion are key-you must be adaptable, handling adversity with flexibility while putting students at the heart of everything you do. Ethical conduct, clear communication, and mutual respect are fundamental. Being a dependable, collaborative team player who builds meaningful relationships is essential.

Together, we are Proving What's Possible by building a community where everyone belongs and each student has the opportunity to fulfill their potential.

A Career in IPS Offers...

Purpose and Impact

• Essential Contributions: In every non-teaching and non-leadership role, your work directly supports the success of IPS students and schools. Whether you're maintaining facilities, providing student services, or managing administrative operations, you play a key part in ensuring an equitable and high-quality educational environment.
• Belonging and Community: IPS is a place where every employee is valued. You'll join a supportive community that promotes respect, teamwork, and a shared commitment to serving students and families.
  
  

Professional and Personal Growth

• Training and Development Opportunities: IPS offers a variety of training programs to help staff build new skills and grow professionally. This includes access to development opportunities for administrative, technical, and operational roles, as well as pathways to becoming a certified teacher.
• Skill Enhancement: Whether you're new to your role or seeking to deepen your expertise, IPS provides resources and support for continuous improvement.
  
  

Comprehensive Compensation And Benefits

• Fair Compensation: IPS ensures competitive wages and regularly reviews pay structures to maintain equity.
• Extensive Benefits Package: Employees enjoy comprehensive health coverage, dental and vision plans, life insurance, disability insurance, and retirement plans. Additional financial benefits include flexible spending accounts and eligibility for federal loan forgiveness programs.
  
  

Work-Life Balance And Well-being

• Generous Leave Policies: IPS offers vacation, personal, and sick leave, along with paid holidays. Twelve-month employees benefit from floating holidays, and unused personal leave rolls into the sick leave balance.
• Wellness Programs: IPS prioritizes staff well-being with access to wellness initiatives, including health screenings and an employee assistance program for confidential support and counseling.
  
  

What We Expect

• Professionalism and Reliability: Every role at IPS is vital to the district's success. We expect staff to demonstrate professionalism, dependability, and a commitment to providing excellent service to students, educators, and families.
• Collaboration and Communication: IPS values teamwork. Working collaboratively with your colleagues ensures a supportive environment for all. Clear communication and mutual respect are key to maintaining this culture.
• Flexibility and Problem-Solving: As a large, dynamic district, IPS needs staff who are adaptable and proactive in solving problems to meet the ever-changing needs of students and schools.
  
  

JOIN US!

Indianapolis Public Schools is more than a workplace; it's a community where purpose, impact, and belonging come together to help Prove What's Possible - in your career and in your school. If you're ready to embrace challenges, strive for excellence, and make a meaningful impact, IPS is the place for you.

TITLE: EdTech Specialist

REPORTS TO: Director of Cybersecurity & Infrastructure

Summary Of Opportunity

The EdTech Specialist helps develop, implement, and facilitate technology integration across the district. This role helps ensure that educators and staff have the knowledge and resources necessary to effectively use district supported instructional, operational, and classroom hardware and software. They work in close collaboration with the Professional Learning team and serve as the primary technical liaison between the Academics and Systems divisions. A deep understanding in the use of supported software and hardware within the district is essential.

What You'll Do

Technology Support

• Troubleshoot assessment and instructional software and hardware issues by working directly with school and district curriculum and testing staff, identifying root causes, providing training and solutions, and coordinating with appropriate Systems Division staff for escalated resolutions.
• Manage and/or provide advanced support for the district's LMS Systems(Schoology and Toddle) and SSO Portal (Clever). Also providing support for other education technologies approved for use in the district such as GoGuardian Teacher, Pear Deck and others. This support will primarily be provided by answering and resolving tickets, collaborating with other Systems Division staff, or coordinating directly with the vendors, when appropriate, to escalate issues.
• Serve as primary Administrator for the district's communication and ticketing system, "Let's Talk." Directly supporting system users and collaborating with end-user groups and the vendor to develop solutions, create and maintain forms, and manage system access.
• Provide help to users and support across a wide range of device types and operating systems such as Windows, MacOS, iOS and iPadOS, as well as ChromeOS.
  
  

Technology Strategy

• Lead or participate in governance committees to review and implement technology initiatives for both curriculum and operational needs.
• Partner with the Academics Division and other teams to monitor and analyze key metrics that measure the impact of technology in the classroom, helping to ensure various stakeholder groups are in sync on needs that inform strategic planning and purchasing.
• Evaluate instructional software and hardware for compatibility with current systems, curricular needs, governance and security policies. Provide the first line of support for new Software and Hardware requests (Governance process).
• Stay informed on best practices and innovations by engaging in external professional development opportunities.
  
  

Operational Support and Resource Development

• Help design and maintain training materials and resources to be used by the professional development team and other key groups to support district provided technology platforms and devices. This can include SOP's, digital walkthroughs, and catalogs of supported services and hardware.
• Help coordinate, support and change manage large systemic or process changes when the need arises. Provide clear training and communication plans.
• Partner with external vendors to enhance training resources and address complex issues.
  
  

"Day In the Life" Overview

Your day begins with reviewing and prioritizing support tickets for platforms like Schoology, Clever, or other supported curriculum or testing systems. Troubleshooting issues and collaborating with colleagues or vendors to resolve escalations or perhaps visiting classrooms to dive deeper into supporting an issue. You then work in "Let's Talk"" to manage system access, update forms, and enhance workflows to improve user experience.

Later, you follow up on a new software that has been requested by a school, making sure that the school has provided all needed information to inform the governance process, and it is compatible with student and staff devices and other systems.

You then collaborate with the Professional Learning team, helping to develop professional development materials and communication plans to support an upcoming curriculum systems change.

Balancing immediate technical support with long-term strategy, you ensure smooth operations and enhance the district's use of educational technology.

WHAT YOU'LL BRING: SKILLS AND MINDSETS

• Strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills. Demonstrated ability to collaborate across diverse teams.
• Ability to create and deliver effective training materials and presentations using various tools such as the Google Suite, Canva, Iorad, Camtasia or others.
• Expertise in using Powerschool, Schoology, Clever or other similar instructional systems.
• Proven analytical and technical skills to effectively use and evaluate hardware and software, with a strong eagerness to learn new instructional and operational technologies.
  
  

Education, Certification, And Licensure Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in education or related field. Advanced degree preferred but not required
• Minimum of five years' experience in educational technology support or training, instructional design or classroom instruction with a heavy focus on technology and integration.
• Proficiency in various digital platforms and learning systems.
• Experience developing and delivering professional development programs.
  
  

FLSA CLASSIFICATION

Non-Exempt

ELIGIBILITY FOR REMOTE WORK

Flexible work (hybrid or virtual) will be determined based on project and support needs on a rolling basis.

May require after-hours availability for maintenance, projects, or emergency repairs.

Physical Requirements

The physical requirements described here 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 individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand and walk; use hands to manipulate, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

EEOC STATEMENT

Indianapolis Public Schools, in accordance with its nondiscrimination policies, will not discriminate in its programs, facilities, or employment or educational opportunities on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, veteran or military status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, familial status, domestic violence victim status, homelessness or any other legally recognized protected basis under federal, state or local laws, regulations, or ordinances. Indianapolis Public Schools does not tolerate any form of retaliation or bias-based intimidation, threat, or harassment that demeans individuals' dignity or interferes with their ability to learn or work.

DISCLAIMER

Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the above representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This job description is illustrative only and is not a comprehensive list of all essential functions and duties performed by the occupant of this position. Factors such as regular and punctual attendance are not routinely listed in job descriptions but are an essential function.

More information can be found here: https://myips.org/employment/employee-benefits-and-resources/