What are the responsibilities and job description for the Scientific Computing Specialist position at James Madison University?
- 20001368
- College of Science and Mathematics
- Information Technology
- Full-time Staff (Classified)
- Opening on: Jul 15 2025
- Academic Affairs
- 100129 - Dean - College of Science and Math
Working Title: Scientific Computing Specialist
State Role Title: Information Technology Specialist II
Position Type: Full-time Staff (Classified)
Position Status: Full-Time
FLSA Status: Exempt: Not Eligible for Overtime
College/Division: College of Science and Mathematics
Department: 100129 - Dean - College of Science and Math
Pay Rate: Pay Range
Specify Range or Amount: $65,500 - $70,000
Is this a JMU only position? No
Is this a grant-funded position? No
Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No
Beginning Review Date: 07/29/2025
About JMU
James Madison University is a publicly funded university with a beautiful campus and a supportive community that is committed to preparing students for the future. The university offers excellent comprehensive benefits which include paid vacation, sick, parental, and community service leave in addition to 19 paid holidays a year; affordable health insurance; retirement through the Virginia Retirement System. We also offer a work-life balance and integration program, Balanced Dukes, that is designed to support the overall wellbeing of our employees and a Tuition Waiver Program that allows employees to have tuition waived for undergraduate and graduate level courses taken at JMU.
Visit our Prospective Employee site to learn more about what makes JMU a great place to work: bit.ly/JMUEmployment
General Information
The College of Science and Mathematics (CSM) at James Madison University (JMU) is currently accepting applications for a Scientific Computing Specialist. This position aligns with the vision of JMU and the CSM Office of the Dean by providing technical, network, specialized software, and hardware support to the Departments of Chemistry & Biochemistry (CBC) and Physics & Astronomy (P&A). These Departments collectively employ 55 full-time faculty, 3 full-time staff, and 17 part-time faculty. CBC and P&A facilities include a dedicated computer lab, 11 teaching labs, and 13 research labs, 11 of which are equipped with specialized hardware and software requirements. These facilities are located in the Physics/Chemistry Building, Miller Hall, and Holland Yates Hall. The successful candidate will be part of a team of IT specialists within the college who collectively support faculty, staff, and students across the five academic units and college office. The successful candidate reports directly to the CSM Dean.
Duties And Responsibilities
- Provide software support, maintenance, research, testing, and problem resolution services to the faculty, staff, and students of CBC and P&A.
- Maintain and support enterprise network printing, including color and large format printers.
- Manage, maintain, and inventory departmental computing labs and equipment.
- Coordinate with vendors and instrumentation specialists to deploy specialized instrumentation interfacing and support equipment in teaching and research labs.
- Specify, price, install, and support computers, peripherals, software, and supplies for CBC and P&A department faculty and staff.
- Support faculty and students in the use of classroom computer technologies including portable computers and video projection equipment in tandem with Classroom Technology Services to resolve issues.
- Supervise and train student assistants.
- Coordinate with CSM IT Specialist peers and University IT for technology planning, coordination, and information exchange within CSM and the University at large. The successful candidate is expected to work closely with the department heads of CBC and P&A departments.
- Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills are crucial, as is the ability to collaborate effectively with varied faculty, staff and students, and other CSM and JMU IT Specialists.
- Significant experience managing and supporting Windows and MacOS systems along with a working knowledge of Linux endpoint environments and instrument control interfaces.
- The ability to triage and prioritize pressing issues dealing with multiple departments.
- Experience in supporting Dell enterprise and Apple workstations would be beneficial.
- Significant knowledge of current technologies and a willingness to learn and adapt to emerging technologies and specialized hardware interfaces.
- Demonstrated ability to diagnose and resolve computer software and hardware problems.
- Experience in providing service, support, and/or training to others.
- Working knowledge of system administration as active directory, group policy and virtual machine would be beneficial.
Conditions of Employment:
Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.
E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.
EEO Statement
James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.
We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.
Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.
Reasonable Accommodation
If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.
Salary : $65,500 - $70,000
