Texas Center for Digital Knowledge

Job Description

The Texas Center for Digital Knowledge (TxCDK) is a research, development, and consulting service enterprise that brings together researchers from multiple disciplines to enhance the relationships between individual knowledge workers and the technology-based environments in which they work to advance today's global knowledge and economy. The student hired for the position of Technology Support Assistant will play a vital role in ensuring that TxCDK has quality, reliable information systems that support the needs of TxCDK staff, faculty research fellows, and their associates in pursuing digital knowledge-related research funding opportunities. The student should be a highly-motivated, self-starter with a commitment to understanding our business needs and applying appropriate innovative solutions in an efficient manner.

The Technology Support Assistant will develop, maintain, and enhance web-based, database-driven applications for internal and external use by the Texas Center for Digital Knowledge (TxCDK), including, but not limited to:

• The TxCDK website (www.txcdk.unt.edu), designed to promote center services and needs of research fellows, which has been developed in Drupal, an open source content management system
• The Proposal Tracking system, designed to track faculty grant submissions, which has been developed in MySQL and PHP
• The Student Employee system, designed to support student research assistants working on grants, which has been developed in MySQL and PHP
• The Student Travel Program, designed to provide financial support to PhD students who travel to present at conferences, which has been developed in Drupal
• The Student-Faculty Research Grant Program, designed to support applications for joint research projects, which is currently in the design phase
• Other systems as identified by the TxCDK Director and Associate Director

The Technology Support Assistant will provide support the technology needs of research projects run under the auspices of TxCDK, including, but not limited to:

• Maintenance for web and database servers, including security patches and system upgrades
• Technical assistance with web and other systems issues
• Other support needs as identified by the TxCDK Director and Associate Director

The Technology Support Assistant will perform other tasks as assigned by the TxCDK Director or Associate Director.

Job Requirements

1. Data Systems Management

Some familiarity with and a willingness to enhance knowledge of system development life cycle methodologies, content management systems, open source software, SQL, and sound database design and data management principles.

2. Web Development Skills

Expertise in HTML, CSS, PHP, and MySQL. Prefer experience in Javascript, XHTML, XML, XSLT as well. Ability to develop websites from scratch, maintain existing websites, and propose ways to implement appropriate new features (e.g., Web 2.0).

3. Content Management Skills

Good understanding of content management principles. Prefer hands-on experience working with Drupal or Joomla modules and themes.

4. System Administration

Working knowledge and experience with Linux and Unix operating systems, Solaris, and VMWare.

5. General Skills

• Able to work effectively as part of a team
• Able to identify and communicate the need for resources, both internally and externally
• Able to estimate amount of time needed to complete assigned tasks
• Able to meet deadlines, or communicate issues that may impact ability to meet deadlines
• Able to work with a minimum of supervision
• Able to follow directions, when provided
• Excellent spelling skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Excellent organizational skills
• Dependable and reliable
• Self-motivated

Special Instructions: Applicants must complete an online student profile on the TxCDK website at http://www.txcdk.unt.edu/studentprofile (requires login with EUID and password) and complete an application via the Career Center website.