Telecom Service Desk Support Specialist

Department

OPS ITS - Communications Technology Services (CTS)

About the Department

IT Services (ITS) collaborates with campus partners to support the mission of the University of Chicago through the consistent delivery of high-quality solutions and services. We provide secure, stable, and reliable infrastructure and applications that support the mission of the University. ITS supports and enables faculty research and teaching with the effective use of technology, simplifies the technology experience for all users, and identifies, manages, and mitigates technology risks for the University.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Manager of Voice Services and Operations, the Telecom Service Desk Support Specialist administers and coordinates daily support operations for enterprise voice infrastructure across the University and Medical Center, including on-premise and cloud-based telephony, conferencing, contact centers, faxing solutions, and cellular services. This role is responsible for front-end order processing, including service adds, moves, and changes, and auditing voice service processes for improved efficiency. Primary responsibilities include entering, assigning, monitoring, and closing ServiceNow tickets; providing technical support to customers via email and phone; troubleshooting and escalating user issues as needed; managing support workflows and queue health; and maintaining accurate provisioning and documentation. This role collaborates with internal project teams and external telecom carriers, such as AT&T and Lumen, to coordinate circuit installs, repairs, and cancellations, and to support voice-related implementations. The Specialist works independently, acting as an expert resource, collaborating across teams, advising technical leadership, and driving process improvements to optimize voice services for all users.

Responsibilities

• Provides and coordinates Tier 1 and Tier 2 technical support for enterprise on-prem and cloud voice technologies, including Cisco Call Manager, Webex Control Hub, Unity voicemail, UCCX, Finesse, Voice Gateways, VoIP/Analog phone systems, and cellular devices.
• Manages and resolves complex technical issues, escalating and documenting for third-tier support as needed.
• Monitors interruptions in phone, voice, and cellular services; coordinates rapid response and resolution, ensuring service levels and customer needs are met.
• Utilizes ServiceNow and internal work order management systems for ticket entry, tracking, triage, and closure; delegate incoming service requests and repair incidents to Voice Services technical staff.
• Guides end users and targeted clients in voice and data problem resolution and technical support.
• Audits and analyzes voice and cellular services; recommends and implements improvements based on user needs and technology advancements.
• Acts as a technical expert, providing guidance to colleagues and IT leadership as needed.
• Collaborates on telecommunications projects, including implementation and coordination for new system deployments, office moves, upgrades, adds/changes, and circuit audit and rationalization.
• Coordinates with carriers, such as AT&T and Lumen, for installs, repairs, cancellations, and service modifications; follows through with escalations to resolution; places orders and facilitates site visits for repairs; cancels services as needed and ensures proper billing and credits post-cancellation.
• Provisions, maintains, and deletes users and accounts for telephony services and contact centers.
• Assists with voicemail and phone tree messaging; ensures accuracy of public documentation and supports materials for end users.
• Verifies completion and resolution of all user requests through order management tracking and closure workflows.
• Provides and updates ongoing technical documentation, knowledge base articles, and compliance materials for internal and external stakeholders.
• Acts as the initial contact for daily support issues using ServiceNow and the Voice Services contact center; leverages best practices and enterprise knowledge to recommend system enhancements and improved user experiences.
• Monitors resource responsiveness and tracks progress toward SLA targets; prioritizes assignments and ensures all issues are resolved efficiently.
• Guides the education, training, development, promotion, and implementation of voice and data services. Collaborates with users in the analysis, research, and implementation of voice and data requirements for all users within the University and affiliate groups.
• Solves complex problems in voicemail and standard voice services based on user need and technology. Uses in-depth knowledge and experience to maintain optimum cellular services for University users.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Bachelor's degree in a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.

Work Experience:

5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

• --

Preferred Qualifications

Certifications:

• Certification in Cisco, voice systems, or IT Service Desk applications.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Strong knowledge of enterprise telephony and unified communications (Cisco Call Manager, Jabber, Webex, Zoom, and RightFax).
• Proficient at configuring and troubleshooting analog/digital circuits and endpoints, such as Centrex, voice gateways, FAX, wireless, and conference phones.
• Skilled in account provisioning and ticketing systems, preferably ServiceNow; experience with provisioning tools such as Akkadian.

Preferred Competencies

• Excellent verbal and written communication for user support, documentation, and stakeholder coordination.
• Comfortable working with technical peers, vendors, and end users to resolve complex issues.
• Manage multiple tasks and tickets simultaneously; strong organizational skills for tracking progress and meeting targets.

Working Conditions

• Standard office environment with flexible hours and limited on-call responsibilities.
• Extended computer use with repetitive hand/wrist movements required.
• Physical mobility needed, including bending, crouching, and lifting up to 25 lbs.
• Strong sensory requirements including color/depth vision and acute hearing.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• References Contact Information (3)(required)

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Information Technology

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Salary

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Range

$95,000.00 - $115,000.00

The included pay rate or range represents the University's good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.