Recreation Systems Specialist
A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.
Department Summary:
Student Life Technology Solutions elevates the student experience by working with Student Life and campus partners to provide innovative and creative technology solutions. Student Life Technology Solutions has a strong focus on developing relationships with Student Life units, understanding the units work, and providing tailored solutions while seeking economies of scale where it makes sense. Functional areas include Operations and Infrastructure, Web and Applications, Project Management, and Business Intelligence.
The mission of the University of Michigan Recreation is to enrich lives through connection, movement & discovery. The Department operates multiple programs, four indoor facilities, and three outdoor field complexes. The department consists of 40 full-time staff and over 700 student employees. Established in 1913, the department is considered to be one of the first collegiate recreation programs and is the first program to have a facility dedicated to student recreation (Intramural Sports Building, 1928). Michigan Recreation reports to Student Life through the Associate Vice President of Student Life (Health & Well-Being).
Position Summary:
The Recreation Systems specialist supports Michigan Recreation computing systems and infrastructure, including: providing recommendations regarding hardware and system software planning and budgeting; supporting production change control and fulfilling the training needs of Michigan Recreation and other users of the system. This role provides collaborative technical systems guidance for all Michigan Recreation stakeholders.
This role will be primarily responsible for Esports systems and infrastructure, as well as application-level systems expertise for Michigan Recreation's main business systems, including Innosoft Fusion. The role will be a strong connection between Michigan Recreation (M-Rec) and Student Life Technology Solutions (SLTS) on all aspects of technology used in M-Rec, and will be an SLTS staff member in the Operations and Infrastructure team.
Position Responsibilities
(primary responsibilities and duties expected in this position totaling 100% allocation):
50% Software Implementation, Training, Consultation, Troubleshooting, System Vendor Liaison & Staff Support
- Responsible for moderately complex applications and systems, implementation, and maintenance to support project requirements and end-user needs.
- Creates process change by integrating new processes with existing ones and communicating these changes to impacted teams.
- Recommends and facilitates quality improvement efforts.
- Resolves technical system issues experienced by users through timely engagement with vendor support and technical staff.
- Monitors system functionality & engages in workflow/efficiency improvement actions.
Serves as a liaison with vendor customer service representatives and developers. - Attends System training opportunities and disseminates pertinent information with Michigan Recreation staff and system users.
- Develops and maintains training and reference manuals and materials for internal users when needed.
- Provides required access and training for internal and external stakeholders, as directed and/approved.
- Identifies needs, modifies, configures, and/or revises system modules to meet the current needs of internal users.
- Collaborate with the vendors and internal users to conduct system planning and integration of system enhancements.
- Communicate/Train staff regarding changes/opportunities available due to enhanced system functionality.
20% Hardware Implementation, Training, Consultation, Troubleshooting, System Vendor Liaison & Staff Support
- Resolves technical system issues experienced by users through timely engagement with vendor support and technical staff.
- Involves specialized SLTS staff as needed in problem resolutions.
- Monitors system functionality & initiates repair processes, as needed.
- Serves as a liaison for Michigan Recreation IT systems vendors customer service representatives and developers.
- Identifies changing hardware needs and makes upgrade recommendations to meet the current needs of users.
20% Data and Project Management
- Provides consultation and support for department technology projects, at the direction of the Associate Director of Strategy & Engagement.
- Support the collection of data from various department systems and platforms, as needed.
- Support data governance to ensure compliance by Michigan Recreation and understanding of Student Life Tech Solutions' needs and requirements.
10% Department Leadership
- Provide departmental leadership and representation: Serve on committees and work teams that advance department, division, and university goals; collaborate with and represent the department in cross-campus initiatives and projects.
- Lead collaboration with Michigan Recreation: Partner with Michigan Recreation staff to assess needs, align priorities, and deliver coordinated solutions and services that support departmental operations and strategic objectives.
- Champion continuous improvement and technical readiness: Stay current on relevant technology trends and apply that knowledge to guide team decisions and service improvements. Maintain up-to-date understanding of IT policies/procedures, hardware, software, and technical services through training, conferences, research, and hands-on testing.
- Model professional growth and performance excellence: Pursue development opportunities and translate new skills into measurable workplace impact improving efficiency, effectiveness, customer outcomes, and performance against established metrics.
- Mentor and develop others through clear communication: Provide effective training, coaching, and mentorship to less experienced staff; ensure teams adopt and consistently apply current policies, procedures, and best practices to complete work.
- Bachelor's degree in higher education, or a technology-related field, or equivalent years of education and experience.
- Minimum of 2 years of related experience in desktop support, troubleshooting, or administering Windows and/or Mac-based systems and layered software.
- Minimum of 2 years of related experience troubleshooting network connectivity, printing issues, A/V issues, digital signage, and/or related technologies.
- Extensive knowledge of information technology products and services.
- Work Authorization: Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without company sponsorship.
- 2-4 years of experience utilizing management systems.
- Prior experience with Recreation system management software.
- Prior experience working at an institution of comparable size and student demographic.
- Prior experience with University of Michigan processes and systems.
- Demonstrated ability to conceptualize complex projects and implement ideas to further unit goals.
- Demonstrated ability to manage sensitive and confidential data.
- Ability to independently identify trends, raise key issues, and provide timely recommendations for solutions.
Salary may vary depending on qualifications, experience, and education of the selected candidate.
This role may have reporting obligations under Title IX and Clery.
Authorization to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment and applicants for this position will not be sponsored for work visas.
Selected candidates whose start date is 4/1/2026 or after, will not be eligible for the university FY26-27 salary/merit plan unless otherwise notified.
Salary may vary depending on qualifications, experience, and education of the selected candidate.
Relocation will not be offered for this role.
Position Responsibilities Criteria (leadership and behavioral qualities expected in this position):
- Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
- Demonstrated organizational and systems thinking abilities.
- Demonstrated ability to independently accomplish complex tasks, establish priorities, and exercise sound decision-making.
- Demonstrated capacity to contribute to a diverse environment of colleagues and students representing diverse populations (e.g., race, national origin, ethnicity, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, religion, ability, socioeconomic status, and other social identities).
- Strong competencies in database management.
- Demonstrated competencies utilizing Excel for data organization and reporting.
- Strong interpersonal, writing, and communication skills.
Working Conditions:
This position may require occasional work outside of normal business hours for planned upgrades, best-effort response to major outages, and/or events.
Physical Requirements:
This position requires campus-wide mobility to troubleshoot and address technical issues, including accessing equipment in confined spaces, utilizing ladders for elevated installations, and occasionally transporting equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
Direct Reports:
No direct reports. This position may assist in the functional supervision of student staff.
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