Web Specialist, Information Technology Services: University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture

The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture (UTIA) invites applications for the Web Specialist with the Information Technology Services (ITS) Department. This position is the Institute’s subject matter expert on Microsoft SharePoint and Teams and will guide the continued implementation of those solutions to fit the diverse needs of our faculty, staff, and students. This position will utilize Microsoft’s Power Platform along with MS Forms, Qualtrics, and other such tools to develop and maintain custom web solutions for UTIA’s business units.

Job responsibilities include but are not limited to the following. Within each area this position will be expected to lead and manage small to medium projects. Prioritize tasks effectively and establish realistic timelines for project completion. As well as, provide training for our faculty, staff, and students in written, in-person, or video-based format depending on the need of the client(s).

SharePoint and Team Sites Management

• Oversee and participate in the design, implementation, management, and migration of SharePoint sites.
• Use out-of-the-box (OOB) SharePoint functionality to create standardized and supportable solutions that follow UTIA’s accessibility and branding guidelines.
• Work with UTIA’s user community to assist and guide setting up functional and user-friendly sites that include navigational elements, editable content areas, role-based security, workflow tasks, and publish content.
• Collaborate with ITS staff, users, and clients to develop the best solution for client’s needs.

Web Application Solution Development

• Collaborate with stakeholders to gather requirements and conceptualize solutions.
• Organize and manage the development process from start to finish.
• Ensure web solutions are user-friendly, accessible, and meet the Institute’s standards.
• Conduct thorough research to identify suitable technologies and collaborating with other ITS staff to ensure a supportable solution is created.
• Develop, test, troubleshoot, and implement solutions, ensuring timely resolution of any issues.
• Align solutions with the Institute’s content management strategy and web application road-map.

Web Development and Maintenance

• Assist in supporting UTIA’s content management system (CMS) which is currently WordPress.
• Meet with clients to understand their technical needs and timeline. Provide leadership, expertise, and support in creating a consistent and attractive web presence using UTIA templates and branding.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure the site structure is functional, accessible, and user-friendly. Also ensure the site has the appropriate navigational elements.
• Participate in development, testing, and moving sites into production.
• Participate in testing core functionality of CMS including new and updated plugins and features.
• Assist with CMS environment administration.
• Utilize analytics to inform and guide content management.

Required Qualifications

• Education and Experience:
  • Associate's degree in computer science (or related field) or 3 years of experience as web designer or SharePoint designer or equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
  • Skills necessary to conceptualize, build, problem-solve, and test solutions that leads to a direct application of a solution to informational/business needs.
  • Basic project management and leadership skills.
  • Ability to work with or without supervision.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills including the ability to document processes/procedures in a way that is understood by both technical and non-technical staff.
  • Demonstrated sound decision-making, and critical and strategic thinking.
  • Ability to work with web development tools for existing and new applications - such as: Adobe Creative Cloud products, WordPress, Drupal, etc.
  • Knowledge and skills to apply branding, accessibility, and security standards.
  • Intermediate Microsoft Office product knowledge and skills.
  • Knowledge and ability to design sites in SharePoint.
  • Knowledge of MS Power Platform, Dataverse, and Application Lifecycle Management (ALM).

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment visa status.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education and Experience:
  • Bachelor’s degree or 5 years of progressive experience as a web designer or SharePoint designer in a professional environment or equivalent combination of training and experience.
  • 2 years of experience designing electronic workflow on platforms such as SharePoint or MS PowerApps.
  • Experience working in IT at a higher education institution.
  • 3 years of experience in out-of-the-box SharePoint features, PHP, Python, or .NET applications.
• Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
  • Demonstrated ability to support MS Teams and SharePoint sites.
  • Experience with MS Power Platform, Dataverse, and Application Lifecycle Management (ALM).
  • Knowledge of web design and data integration/manipulation languages such as Javascript, CSS, HTML, HTML5, PHP, MYSQL and MS SQL.
  • Knowledge of Visual Studio.

Work Location:

• Knoxville, Tennessee. This position is onsite with the possibility of hybrid (cannot be 100% remote).

Compensation and Benefits:

• Anticipated hiring range: $65,000 – 70,000, with potential for higher compensation based on experience and qualifications.
• Benefits include group hospitalization and life insurance; State Employees Retirement; Workers’ Compensation; sick and annual leave; numerous University of Tennessee and state benefits programs, including liberal time off for holidays and longevity pay after three years of service. Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions:

• For full consideration, applicants must complete an application and attach the following
  • Resume
  • Cover Letter
  • Complete contact information for 3 Professional References
• Screening of applicants will begin immediately and continue until the position has been filled.

About The College/Department/Division:

Information Technology Services (ITS) at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture is dedicated to developing and facilitating technology-based solutions for Institute personnel and those they serve through the land-grant mission. This team of IT professionals provides innovative solutions in web and application development, network solutions, and more across the Institute which includes 10 AgResearch and Education Centers, 95 county Extension Offices, Four 4-H Centers, two colleges, and an international center.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.

UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.

UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices that attract and retain a diverse community and that support a culture where everyone matters and belongs.

The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.

Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!