Applications Specialist, 2026-27

Applications Specialist

The Application Support Specialist serves as the district's primary point of contact for all curriculum-supported digital resources. This role is responsible for ensuring that staff and students can reliably access instructional applications by managing configuration, integration, and user provisioning within the district's digital resource portal (currently Class Link). The specialist adds, configures, maintains, and retires digital resources in alignment with district needs and instructional priorities.

Additionally, this position collaborates directly with vendors to troubleshoot issues, resolve integration problems, and ensure secure, compliant data flows between district systems and third-party platforms. Through strong technical expertise and clear communication, the Application Support Specialist plays a critical role in supporting effective digital learning across the district.

Essential

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Learn, maintain, and support all curriculum-approved digital instructional resources used throughout the district.
• Manage and monitor data integrations between district systems and digital resources using platforms such as Class Link/One Roster, Clever, and vendor-specific administrative consoles.
• Configure, support, and troubleshoot Single Sign-On (SSO) integrations, including SAML, LTI, OpenID, and OAuth
  2.
• Add, assign, and manage digital resources within Class Link, ensuring accurate user access and appropriate group provisioning.
• Conduct annual audits to identify outdated or unused applications, and deactivate or archive them as appropriate.
• Serve as the primary support contact for the district's communication platform, including managing nightly attendance notifications and nutrition services low-balance alerts.
• Develop and deliver training, documentation, and guidance for district staff on supported digital resources.
• Visit school sites to collaborate with technicians and educators, providing hands-on support and troubleshooting for curriculum-related applications.
• Assist CPS families by resetting guardian accounts and providing support for parent/guardian login issues.
• May oversee the creation, provisioning, and ongoing maintenance of all CPS staff, student, and parent accounts within district-approved identity platforms (currently Microsoft Active Directory and Entra).
• May develop processes, scripts, and procedures that improve the accuracy, effectiveness, and efficiency of data integration between district systems.
• Identify, analyze, and correct data errors within Active Directory/Entra datasets and other related data sources.
• Read, understand, and write technical processes and scripts using multiple programming and scripting languages such as SQL, Power Shell, Python, C#, PHP, and HTML.
• Support the implementation and daily use of online payment system across the district.
• Act as the district's main point of contact for most digital curriculum vendors, including submitting and managing support tickets.
• Provide technical phone assistance as a backup to Help Desk Support staff during peak periods.

Perform other duties as necessary to support the mission and vision of Columbia Public School District.

District Expectations:

All employees of the District are expected to adhere to the policies and regulations of the Board of Education, maintain appropriate certification and competencies necessary for the position, and demonstrate the values of the district at all times. For information on policies, regulations, and values, visit (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..cpsk
12.org.

Reporting Relationships:

Reports To:

Application Division Coordinator and Director of Technology Services

Supervises:
None

Qualifications:

Minimum:
High school diploma or equivalent. Education and/or work experience in software/application support. Strong critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills. Experience troubleshooting software and hardware issues, with a basic understanding of networking, firewalls, and filtering. Strong writing and documentation skills, with the ability to work independently and take initiative. Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with both technical staff and end users of varying technical proficiency.

Preferred:
Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field, or a combination of education and five years of relevant work experience. Prior experience or familiarity with educational technology platforms such as Class Link, Clever, JAMF, and Google Workspace for Education. Experience managing user access and provisioning within digital resource portals. Knowledge of data integration standards and protocols for educational applications.

Ideal Candidate:
Demonstrated experience administering and supporting K–12 digital instructional resources, including Class Link and Clever. Experience configuring and supporting Single Sign-On (SSO) protocols and identity providers (IdPs), including SAML, LTI, OpenID, or OAuth
2. Proven ability to troubleshoot complex…