Computer engineer Jobs in Costa Mesa, CA

Reports To: Principal

Classification: Full-Time, Exempt (10-Month or 12-Month)

Department: Technology / Instruction

Position Overview

The IT Support Specialist & Digital Citizenship Educator is a dual-role position responsible for maintaining the school’s technical infrastructure and delivering a high-quality Digital Citizenship curriculum. This individual ensures that hardware and software are functioning optimally for staff and students while proactively teaching students how to be safe, responsible, and ethical users of technology.

Key Responsibilities

1. IT Technical Support (Approximately 60%)

• Hardware Maintenance: Troubleshoot and repair student and staff devices (Chromebooks, iPads, and laptops). Manage classroom AV equipment, including interactive whiteboards and document cameras.

• Systems Management: Administer the school’s Google Workspace for Education (or Microsoft 365) environment and PowerSchool & report cards, donor data base, including user accounts, groups, and security settings.

• Network & Infrastructure: Monitor local network connectivity (Wi-Fi), manage printer servers, and coordinate with external vendors for large-scale infrastructure repairs.

• Help Desk: Provide timely response to staff "help tickets" regarding software bugs, login issues, and classroom integration hurdles.

• Inventory & Procurement: Maintain an accurate inventory of all school-owned hardware and software licenses. Assist in the research and purchasing of new equipment.

• Security & Filtering: Monitor and manage web-filtering software (e.g., GoGuardian, Lightspeed) to ensure student online safety and CIPA compliance.

2. Instructional: Digital Citizenship (Approximately 40%)

• Curriculum Development: Design and implement a grade-level-appropriate Digital Citizenship curriculum for Elementary and Middle School students (based on ISTE standards or Common Sense Media).

• Classroom Instruction: Lead weekly lessons for ES/MS students covering topics such as:

  • Online safety and privacy.

  • Cyberbullying prevention and "upstander" behavior.

  • Evaluating the credibility of online sources (media literacy).

  • Understanding digital footprints and reputation management.

  • Copyright, fair use, and plagiarism.

• Staff Professional Development: Lead workshops for teachers on how to effectively integrate technology into their subject areas and how to model digital citizenship.

• Parent Education: Occasionally host info sessions for parents regarding home tech safety, social media trends, and screen-time management.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Education, or a related field.

• Technical Experience: 2+ years of experience in IT support, preferably in a K-12 environment.

• Instructional Experience: Demonstrated experience teaching or leading groups of children (either in a formal classroom setting or a camp/library setting), including leading STEM and/or PBL lessons

• Certifications: (Preferred) Google Certified Educator, CompTIA A+, or Apple Certified Support Professional.

Skills & Competencies

• Patience & Communication: The ability to explain complex technical concepts to both a 2nd grader and a non-technical teacher.

• Problem-Solving: A "find-a-way" attitude toward technical glitches and classroom management.

• Knowledge of Child Development: Understanding the differing needs of a 6-year-old learning to login vs. a 13-year-old navigating social media ethics.

• Organizational Skills: Ability to jump between a broken printer and a scheduled lesson without losing focus.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to lift up to 30 lbs (moving boxes of laptops, etc.).

• Ability to crawl under desks for cable management or reach overhead for projector maintenance.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a resume, a brief cover letter outlining their experience in both IT and teachi