Senior Research Assistant/Assistant Systems Manager

University of Arkansas System•Little Rock, AR

11d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Research Assistant / Assistant Systems Manager is an IT Services position that supports enterprise student systems, with primary responsibility for assisting with Workday Student operations under the direction of the Systems Manager. This role partners closely with the Office of Records and Registration and other campus stakeholders to support the reliability, integrity, and effective use of academic systems and data. Working under the guidance of the Systems Manager, this position provides technical support for system configuration, integrations, reporting, and data validation activities. The role contributes to the ongoing support and optimization of Workday Student and related technologies while developing technical expertise in enterprise systems, data management, and IT processes. The Senior Research Assistant / Assistant Systems Manager participates in established IT governance processes, including incident, problem, and change management, and supports system stability during academic cycles and Workday releases. This position is governed by state and federal laws, and agency/institution policy.

Requirements

Associate’s degree or higher in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field
Demonstrated understanding of relational database structures and data integrity
Experience troubleshooting technical issues in enterprise systems

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field
Experience with Workday Student or similar ERP platforms
Experience supporting higher education systems such as student records, registration, or curriculum management
Experience with system integrations, reporting tools, or data extract development
Foundational understanding of enterprise systems, data structures, and integration concepts
Ability to troubleshoot system and data issues with guidance and available resources
Familiarity with reporting and analytics tools (e.g., Workday Report Writer, BIRT, Argos)
Exposure to integration tools, APIs, or middleware platforms (e.g., SnapLogic) is a plus
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills
Understanding of data governance, security best practices, and FERPA requirements
Strong communication skills with the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical users
Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to changing needs in a fast-paced environment
Strong customer service orientation and collaborative mindset

Responsibilities

Provide technical and functional support for Workday Student and related systems, including configuration support, issue resolution, and system optimization
Assist with supporting student records processes, including term setup, registration, and academic data updates
Monitor data integrity and system performance, troubleshooting issues and coordinating resolution with the Systems Manager and functional teams
Assist in supporting and troubleshooting integrations between Workday Student and downstream systems using enterprise integration tools and data extracts
Assist in developing and maintaining Workday reports and data extracts to support integrations, compliance reporting, and operational needs
Support data validation and reconciliation processes to ensure consistency and accuracy of student data across systems
Assist with Workday tenant management activities, including testing, release validation, and migration of configuration changes across environments
Support testing, validation, and documentation of system enhancements and bi-annual Workday releases
Participate in incident, problem, and change management processes, including documentation and coordination through established governance channels
Collaborate with the Office of Records and Registration and academic departments to support accurate academic program data (e.g., majors, minors, certificates)
Participate in stakeholder meetings to gather requirements and communicate system-related updates
Support process improvements and cross-functional initiatives related to student systems and data
Maintain technical and functional documentation, reporting resources, and internal tracking tools
Assist campus users in understanding and navigating academic systems and tools
Provide basic technical support for Records and Registration staff, including troubleshooting office technology and coordinating with central IT support teams as needed
Maintain website content and technical documentation for Records and Registration systems
Perform other duties as assigned, including backup support for the Systems Manager
Continuously develop knowledge of Workday Student, integrations, and enterprise systems to support increasing technical responsibilities over time