Desktop Engineer

Candidates must have valid U.S. work authorization at the time of application; UNC cannot provide H-1B sponsorship at this time.

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on 03/31/2026.

Position Summary:

The Desktop Engineer position exists to ensure the reliability, security, and effective operation of the University of Northern Colorado’s endpoint computing, academic technology, and desktop service environment. This role is critical to supporting the university’s teaching, learning, research, and administrative missions by delivering stable, secure, and customer‑focused technology services to students, faculty, and staff.

The Desktop Engineer provides comprehensive desktop engineering and academic technology support across Windows and Apple environments, including university‑owned computing devices, classroom and laboratory technologies, and client‑facing software and services. The position is responsible for both day‑to‑day operational support and the ongoing design, administration, and improvement of Desktop Engineering (DE) systems and frameworks. This includes endpoint management, software packaging and deployment, patching and vulnerability remediation, file and print services, classroom and lab technology support, documentation, and close collaboration with other IM&T units to ensure integrated and reliable service delivery.

This role requires advanced knowledge across multiple disciplines of desktop and endpoint technologies, a strong commitment to customer experience, and a passion for education and technology. A successful Desktop Engineer demonstrates initiative, strong written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to develop creative, practical solutions to complex technical challenges while ensuring technologies and services meet or exceed service and operational expectations with minimal disruption to university operations.

Job Duties:

35 % Desktop Engineering & Endpoint Support:

• Install, configure, maintain, and support computer hardware, operating systems, software, and peripherals for Windows and macOS environments.
• Provide workstation support, diagnosing and resolving hardware, software, and access issues.
• Monitor and manage the ticketing system; prioritize, document, and resolve incidents and service requests within established service levels.
• Maintain accurate asset and configuration information in the ticketing and inventory systems.
• Escalate unresolved issues appropriately and coordinate with other IM&T teams and vendors as needed.
• Support and maintain Desktop Engineering systems and frameworks to ensure reliability, security, and performance across the university environment.
• Assist with system administration tasks related to endpoint management, software deployment, patching, and compliance.
• Collaborate with the Assistant Director on system modernization efforts, including migration of on-premises systems to cloud-based services.
• Maintain working knowledge of, and contribute to, systems and frameworks such as:
  
  • Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager
  • Microsoft Intune (UNCO, STUDENT)
  • Microsoft Admin Portals (Microsoft 365, Teams, SharePoint, etc.)
  • Enterprise file share services
  • Enterprise print servers (physical and virtual)
  • Apple device management (Intune, JAMF, Apple School Manager)
• Adapt responsibilities as systems evolve or are replaced due to cloud migration or technology refresh initiatives.
• Contribute to project planning, implementation, and post‑implementation support activities.

25 % Customer Experience:

• Deliver a consistent, positive customer experience for students, faculty, and staff by providing timely, professional, and effective technical support.
• Communicate clearly and respectfully with customers, setting appropriate expectations and providing status updates throughout the lifecycle of incidents and service requests.
• Act as an advocate for the customer by identifying recurring issues, service gaps, or pain points and collaborating with Desktop Engineering leadership and IM&T partners to improve services.
• Apply customer-centric troubleshooting practices that minimize disruption to teaching, learning, and university operations.
• Gather informal feedback during support interactions and use insights to improve processes, documentation, and service delivery.
• Ensure support interactions align with university service standards, accessibility expectations, and Desktop Engineering policies.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with academic and administrative units to foster trust and confidence in technology services.

25 % Academic Technology & Classroom Support:

• Provide first call response for academic technology issues in classrooms, labs, and instructional spaces.
• Respond to critical classroom technology issues promptly to minimize instructional downtime, with severe issues addressed within defined response targets during business hours.
• Support classroom hardware and software, including computers, displays, peripherals, and instructional technologies.
• Support student-facing computer hardware and software, including both physical and virtual lab spaces.

10 % Security, Documentation, and Monitoring:

• Document systems, procedures, configurations, and support processes within the Desktop Engineering work unit.
• Assist with monitoring system health, device compliance, and service performance.
• Ensure operating systems, applications, and firmware are patched regularly in alignment with university policy.
• Address findings from vulnerability scans and security reports related to Desktop Engineering systems and endpoints.
• Ensure device and system configurations comply with UNC and Desktop Engineering standards and policies.
  

5 % Research, Analysis, and Continuous Improvement:

• Research and evaluate new technologies, tools, and solutions that may improve efficiency, security, or service quality.
• Participate in special projects, including system upgrades, pilots, and integrations with the existing IT environment.
• Recommend hardware and software standards and improvements based on operational experience and emerging trends.
• Maintain current technical knowledge through training, documentation review, conferences, formal coursework, and computer based learning.
• Remain flexible and open to new approaches and technologies that improve service delivery and operational effectiveness.

Minimum Qualifications:

A college degree from an accredited college or university. Candidates with a High School Diploma (or GED) and equivalent related professional experience will be considered for employment (without the required bachelor's or other post-secondary education).

At least 2 years of professional experience providing technology support.

Industry-based certifications are preferred but not required.

Excellent team building and interpersonal skills with the ability to motivate and educate coworkers.
Superb interpersonal skills: able to work with customers at all levels and develop effective solutions to diverse and complex business problems.
Strong written and oral communication skills, sufficient to convey complex issues effectively to technical and non-technical audiences.
Exceptional customer service.
Competence with asset management principles.
Strong time-management and organizational skills, with a record of being flexible, accurate, detail-oriented, reliable, and self-motivated.
Demonstrated ability to work in a team-oriented work environment.
Flexible schedule to perform major campus maintenance and upgrades to critical technologies.
Knowledge of computer infrastructure, both PC and Apple.
Experience supporting or managing enterprise computing environments, preferably with systems such as Microsoft Intune or SCCM

This position is required to work on-site at the Greeley campus with a normal schedule of Monday – Friday from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
Position is required to have a cell phone in order to be contacted by voice or Teams calls.
Position may be required to be on call to ensure the functionality of critical systems outside of normal working hours.

Benefits:
Benefits available include health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance, as well as a selection of several defined contribution retirement plans for all full-time positions. Employees at UNC receive sick leave, and other leave options may be available based on position. Full-time employees are eligible to receive tuition waiver benefits, as well as dependents and spouses of UNC Employees who are employed at 0.5 FTE or above are eligible for undergraduate dependent tuition grants of up to 50%. These tuition grants will cover in-state tuition charges. Further requirements may exist. Other benefits may be available based on position.

About UNC
The University of Northern Colorado is a public doctoral/research institution located in Greeley, Colorado. UNC’s commitment to education began in 1889 and continues to be a transformational force for our students. Recognized as a top university for social mobility, UNC is proud to be a Hispanic Serving Institution and to serve more than 44%  of our undergraduates who are the first in their family to attend college.  UNC is also committed to providing our faculty and staff with the support they need to succeed as professionals, educators, and in life. Please visit UNC’s Career Hub, to learn more about UNC’s strategic plan, school programs, and employee benefits. Go Bears!

EEO Statement
The University of Northern Colorado offers an educational and working environment that provides equal opportunity to all members of the UNC community. In accordance with federal and state law, UNC prohibits unlawful discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, disability, genetic information, and/or veteran status. UNC also prohibits discrimination based on gender identity, and gender expression. Retaliation against persons who oppose a discriminatory practice, file a charge of discrimination, or testify for, assist in, or participate in an investigative proceeding relating to discrimination is prohibited. Constitutionally protected expression will not be considered discrimination or harassment under this policy. It is the responsibility of all departments, employees, and students to ensure UNC’s compliance with this policy.

ADA Accommodations
The University of Northern Colorado is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to 970-351-2718 or human.resources@unco.edu. 

Background Check
Satisfactory completion of a background check, educational check, and authorization to work in the United States is required after a conditional offer of employment has been made. The successful candidate must submit original transcripts within one (1) month of hire.

This position is contingent on funding from the Colorado State Legislature, approval by the Board of Trustees, and subject to the policies and regulations of the University of Northern Colorado.

Clery Act
In compliance with the Clery Act, the most recent University of Northern Colorado Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report is available online. A paper copy can be requested at the UNC Police Department. This report contains crime statistics and policy statements related to safety, conduct processes and Title IX investigations.