IT Specialist

About Lerch Bates

Lerch Bates is a globally recognized technical consulting firm specializing in enhancing building performance for owners, designers, and users. With over 75 years of experience, they provide comprehensive expertise integrating building science and flow to support design, construction, repair, and modernization projects worldwide. The company operates as a 100% employee-owned organization through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan, allowing employees to share in the company's long-term success and build financial wealth alongside their career.

Role Overview

The IT Specialist plays a critical role in managing and supporting the organization's IT infrastructure, including Microsoft 365, endpoint management, network systems, and security for approximately 500 employees across 28 locations. Reporting to the VP of IT, this position blends advanced troubleshooting, cloud administration, and infrastructure maintenance to ensure reliable, secure, and scalable technology solutions. The role also involves fostering AI technology adoption such as Microsoft Copilot and mentoring junior IT staff within a collaborative and dynamic work environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and support Microsoft 365 services, including Exchange Online, SharePoint Online, OneDrive, Teams, and related platforms.
• Oversee user identity, licensing, and access control through Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD) with security configurations like Conditional Access and MFA.
• Administer endpoint deployments via Microsoft Intune, ensuring application rollouts, device compliance, and patch updates.
• Assist with implementation and support of AI technologies including Microsoft Copilot.
• Configure Microsoft Purview for data loss prevention, sensitivity labels, and compliance adherence.
• Act as an escalation point for complex hardware, software, cloud, and networking issues across multiple offices.
• Install, configure, and maintain desktops, laptops, peripherals, and operating systems.
• Support backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity efforts for local and cloud environments.
• Collaborate with network providers to manage firewall, VPN, wireless, and connectivity.
• Support business applications like Deltek Vantagepoint and Dynamics 365 and manage IT asset inventories.
• Create and maintain technical documentation, runbooks, and knowledge base articles.
• Communicate IT project updates and incident resolutions to stakeholders.
• Engage in security audits, risk assessments, and uphold organizational IT policies.
• Identify and implement continuous improvements in technology effectiveness and security.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to junior team members and service desk personnel.
• Participate and contribute to various special IT projects as assigned.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in IT, Computer Science or equivalent experience.
• 4 to 8 years of growing experience in IT support, systems administration, or infrastructure roles.
• Proven expertise managing Microsoft 365 environments with 250+ users, including Exchange, SharePoint, Teams, Azure AD, and Intune.
• Strong skills in endpoint deployment, compliance, patch management, and device lifecycle oversight.
• Knowledge of security technologies such as MFA, Conditional Access, Data Loss Prevention, and Purview compliance tools.
• Experience troubleshooting hardware, software, networks, and cloud technologies.
• Familiarity with backup, disaster recovery, and business continuity procedures.
• Experience supporting enterprise applications and end-user computing services.
• Excellent problem-solving, customer service, and communication abilities handling diverse audiences.
• Organizational aptitude to manage multiple tasks within a fast-paced setting.
• Demonstrated initiative, adaptability, and dedication to ongoing learning.

Preferred Skills

• Certifications like Microsoft 365 Administrator Expert or Modern Desktop Administrator Associate.
• Hands-on experience with Microsoft Intune Endpoint Management and AI workplace technologies such as Microsoft Copilot.
• Knowledge of Microsoft's Purview compliance solutions.
• Experience supporting Deltek Vantagepoint, Dynamics 365, or similar platforms.
• Familiarity with managing multi-location organizations and distributed teams.
• Understanding of Azure cloud services and best practices.

Employee Benefits and Values

• Competitive pay package.
• Participation in 100% employee-owned ESOP program offering company-funded retirement benefits and wealth-building opportunities.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Starting paid time off of 17 days annually and 10 paid holidays.
• 401(k) plan featuring employer matching contributions.
• Paid parental leave and professional development programs including tuition reimbursement.
• Performance-based incentives and wellness programs.
• Core company principles include ownership, community, integrity, respect, and optimism.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

This position is primarily conducted in an office or remote setting involving routine computer use, with occasional travel for meetings or training. Employees may need to perform tasks requiring sitting for extended periods, frequent use of hands for typing, communicating via various platforms, and occasional lifting or carrying items weighing up to 20 pounds.

Strong organizational skills, problem-solving capability, confidentiality, sound judgment, and professional collaboration are critical to success in this role.

Additional Conditions

Employment depends on passing a background check and a federal-mandated drug screening, including marijuana testing regardless of local legality.

The employer is committed to equal opportunity employment without discrimination on any legally protected basis.