IT Support Associate

IT Support and Technology Associate Full-time Regular Professional Santa Barbara, CA, US Salary Range: $28.85 To $38.45 Hourly Summary Job Description Direct Relief is seeking a Technology Support Associate who is passionate about computers, networking, and helping people. This role is responsible for triaging the Help Desk, supporting end-user devices, assisting with AV/meeting room technology, and ensuring staff have a smooth, secure technology experience. You do not need deep help desk experience — but you must be curious, proactive, a strong communicator, and excited to grow in IT. Key Responsibilities Serve as the first point of contact for incoming help desk tickets. Review, categorize, and prioritize tickets based on urgency, impact, and service level expectations. Resolve common issues directly and escale more complex cases to senior IT staff with proper documentation. Maintain accurate, clear notes within the ticketing system. Follow up proactively with users to ensure their needs are met and issues are fully resolved. Identify recurring problems and report patterns to IT leadership for continuous improvement. Support Provide friendly, professional support for desktops, laptops, mobile devices, printers, and peripherals. Assist users with account access, MFA, Microsoft 365 apps, Teams, VPN, and cloud services. Troubleshoot hardware, OS, software, and network connectivity issues. Set up and configure new devices following established IT standards (Intune enrollment, updates, baseline configuration). Support conference room AV systems including Teams Rooms, webcams, microphones, displays, and sound systems. Help staff with meeting setup, testing, and troubleshooting audio/video issues. Assist with maintenance and documentation for AV equipment inventory. Technical Operations Support Perform basic network tasks such as cable testing, port patching, and Wi‑Fi troubleshooting. Assist with device updates, inventory documentation, and asset management. Support IT‑led rollouts, upgrades, and special projects as needed. Follow security, compliance, and acceptable use policies when handling user devices and accounts. Qualifications Required Fundamental understanding of PCs, operating systems, and software troubleshooting. Basic networking knowledge (IP addressing, Wi‑Fi, LAN basics). Strong critical‑thinking skills with the ability to break down and diagnose problems logically. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills — patient and approachable with all levels of staff. Passion for technology, learning, and continuous improvement. Preferred (Nice to Have) Experience handling a help desk queue or ticket system. Exposure to Microsoft 365, Entra ID, Intune, or similar modern IT tools. Familiarity with AV systems, Teams Rooms, or meeting technology. Basic understanding of cybersecurity best practices. Personal Attributes We Value Highly personable and empathetic when supporting non‑technical users. Organized and reliable with follow‑through on tasks and tickets. Enjoys solving problems and learning new technologies. Works well with a small, high‑performing IT team. Professional Growth & Learning Opportunities This role provides hands‑on exposure to modern enterprise IT systems, including identity management, device management, networking, cloud services, cybersecurity, and collaboration platforms. Ideal for individuals who are eager to advance into more technical roles; you will learn alongside experienced engineers and participate in real‑world IT projects. The organization invests in ongoing training, mentorship, and certification pathways for those who demonstrate initiative and a desire to grow. Opportunities to work on advanced areas over time — such as system administration, cloud operations, security, automation, and network infrastructure. #J-18808-Ljbffr