Job Title: Senior Technical Support Specialist (Contract)
Location: Chicago, IL (West Loop - Onsite)
Contract Duration: 3-6 months
Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours/week
Overview:
A dynamic and growing team is seeking an experienced Senior Technical Support Specialist to join on a short-term contract basis. This role is ideal for someone with a strong background in hybrid IT environments, who can dive into cloud and on-premise systems with confidence, provide high-level support to users, and ensure operational excellence across platforms.
You'll be responsible for ensuring system reliability, supporting end users, overseeing hardware procurement, and leading technical initiatives, especially those involving Microsoft Azure and cloud-based tools. A hands-on, solutions-oriented mindset and the ability to work independently are key to success in this role.
What You'll Do:
- Provide expert-level support for a hybrid IT environment, including cloud services and local infrastructure.
- Act as the go-to person for escalated technical issues across hardware, software, networking, and cloud services.
- Oversee and maintain secure, scalable Azure cloud environments and virtual networks.
- Coordinate device procurement and manage the full lifecycle of laptops, desktops, and mobile equipment.
- Deliver clear and effective user support and training, especially for Tier 2/3 technical challenges.
- Champion best practices for security, system updates, and compliance standards.
- Maintain backup and disaster recovery plans, and ensure they are tested and operational.
- Document processes and drive improvements in IT workflows.
- Partner with vendors and service providers to ensure timely and cost-effective solutions.
- Contribute to information security protocols and alignment with compliance frameworks.
Ideal Background:
- 5+ years of experience in IT support, with at least 3 years working directly with cloud-based platforms like Azure.
- Proficiency with Office 365, Windows/Linux environments, and virtualized systems.
- Comfortable with scripting and automation (PowerShell, Python, etc.).
- Strong communication skills - capable of translating technical speak for non-technical audiences.
- Previous experience with backup systems, endpoint management, and network troubleshooting.
- Certifications in Azure administration, cloud security, or ITIL are a plus.
Hourly Rate: $38-$40/hour, based on experience