Technical Services ESP — 
Building a Quality Workforce

Jack of All Trades — Jurisdiction Over None

Technical Services ESP work at a variety of locations throughout a school district. They are in central offices, administrative centers, maintenance facilities, transportation centers, audio-visual and language departments, distance education and media centers, art and printing departments, photography and journalism centers, writing and word processing departments, supply and storage facilities, security and medical campus offices, and special education departments. They perform support services on equipment for many different individuals and departments, often in several locations in a single day. As a result they continually struggle with a lack of clear lines of supervision, jurisdiction, and expectation from those for whom they service.

They must constantly prioritize and organize their work orders while trying to meet the high expectations of those who need their help. Project management is crucial to the effectiveness of service provided by Technical Services ESP, and very often has a unique demand built in. Much of the service provided is time sensitive, which creates yet another priority challenge for Technical Services ESP.

Supervisors and administrations are very often lax in recognizing the degree to which jurisdictional problems adversely affect Technical Services ESP. Support and training are scarce. Flexibility and alternatives do not exist. Most often Technical Services ESP must muddle through this minefield on their own. Despite inadequate training and professional development programs, they rise to these challenges with skill and over-the-top dedication to the students and staff they serve.

To Section 5: The Constant Tug-of-War -- So Much to Do, Never Enough Time