This document includes information about the role for which you are applying and the information you will need to provide with the application.

Transcription

1 Further Particulars This document includes information about the role for which you are applying and the information you will need to provide with the application. 1. Role details Vacancy reference: 9726 Job title: Systems Engineer (Application Packager) Reports to: Client Systems Team Leader Salary: 30,728-36,661 Terms and conditions: Academic Related Grade: G7 Duration of post: Permanent Working hours: Full Time Location: Walton Hall, Milton Keynes Closing date: Midday 16 January 2014 Type of application form accepted: Full application form with CV Number of referees required: 3 Unit recruitment contact: Glyn Bailey Page 1 of 7

2 2. Summary of duties Systems Engineers report to a Leading Systems Programmer and form part of a small team of staff responsible for the provision of technical support and development of central IT infrastructure services for users and students across the University. Much of your role will involve working with leading software packages, applications and infrastructure framework solutions to make them fit for the University s purpose. Examples from the current Infrastructure workload include System Centre 2007/2012, Application management and deployment using App-V 4.6. We operate a VMWare based virtual infrastructure. The management of a range of operating environments is a critical part of the work, ensuring that systems operate securely and at the optimal level of performance to provide the university with a reliable, robust operating environment. The person appointed is likely to be qualified to degree standard or equivalent. They will have a good working knowledge of Infrastructure technology; Active Directory and Group Policy administration. Windows operating systems administration. Application infrastructure packaging using Admin Studio 11 and App-V 4.6. The person appointed will also possess the following skills: Good organizational, interpersonal and communication skills. An ability to work well with others within a team The ability to communicate clearly with non-technical colleagues The Team supports staff in their professional development with training and personal learning materials. Responsibilities To evaluate, install, configure and deploy new application packages. To provide a centre of expertise that systems development and operations staff can refer to for advice, support and problem-solving. To research, assess and introduce new IT infrastructure developments. To design technical infrastructure components, and utilities, to integrate a wide range of operating systems. To build or integrate infrastructure components and utilities to meet high standards of robustness, efficiency and maintainability. To support such components in an operational environment by analysing and resolving problems as they occur. To provide a centre of expertise on Application Packaging and Deployment within the Infrastructure. To be a final point of resolution for the most complex infrastructure problems, providing support to other IT Support Teams. To provide training and briefing to other staff to ensure that they make effective use of the Page 2 of 7

3 infrastructure to deliver applications which meet user requirements. To liaise with suppliers of infrastructure software (operating systems, databases, user interfaces, networking, middleware) to 1. resolve operational problems 2. plan appropriate upgrades and developments 3. identify new opportunities To research new IS/IT opportunities and to assess their technical viability in relation to the Infrastructure Technical Roadmap and the OU's plans. To plan the introduction of and to implement new techniques. To keep abreast of developments in hardware, software and techniques. To coach, and, on occasion, supervise more junior or less experienced colleagues within one s own area of specialist expertise. (N.B. normally carried out by Senior Systems Engineer.) As a member of a panel, to provide out-of-hours cover for overcoming critical central software failures, and produce a written report on each actual request and actions taken. (The terms of this scheme are documented separately). 3. Person specification Level Essential Desirable 1. EDUCATION AND TRAINING Degree or equivalent professional qualification Educated to A level standard or equivalent or, HND in a related subject. Evidence of on-going relevant professional training (industry standard courses, personal reading etc) 2. EXPERIENCE A person without the essential experience for the post, but who shows the necessary personal qualities and abilities, may be taken on as a trainee systems programmer Has been part of a team supporting a large desktop environment The services will have ideally been delivered to a community of at least 1000 on-site users and to the Internet. Page 3 of 7

4 Level Essential Desirable Has recent practical experience of PC management in a service support environment. Be familiar with the principals of good systems design, implementation and maintenance. Ideally this experience would have been in a dedicated IT services department or company with at least 5 staff using an ITIL methodology. Be able to demonstrate experience of operating system installation, management, maintenance, monitoring and upgrade Has developed and managed systems for large numbers of users. Experience of installing, configuring and deploying Application Packaging technologies Experience of setting up, configuring and managing back office systems such as MS System Centre, Active Direcrtory 3. KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS A person without the essential knowledge and skills for the post, but who shows the necessary personal qualities and abilities, may be taken on as a trainee systems programmer Knowledge of at least one major Application Packaging programs or scripting language and a willingness to learn others. An in depth knowledge of Linux, Solaris and/or Windows. You should have the systems knowledge required to achieve a systematic and logical approach to IT systems development, monitoring and problem investigation. Ability to address the requirements of the business by identifying suitable new technology. Ability to produce infrastructure design specifications that meet user requirements. Page 4 of 7

5 Level Essential Desirable Can provide accurate and appropriate documentation for systems 4. PERSONAL QUALITIES AND ABILITIES Organisation and planning skills to manage own work within the constraints of team and project plans Ability to act on own initiative but also be a good team member Keenness to learn appropriate new technical and programming skills Willingness and freedom to provide out-of-hours cover, which means living within reasonable travel distance of the University Able to deliver information with detail and clarity, which is pitched at an appropriate level. Ability to produce clear written reports Ability to contribute to informal and formal discussions and presentations at meetings and workshops. Willingness and potential to take responsibility for small projects 4. Role specific requirements e.g. Shift working NA 5. About the unit/department INFORMATION ABOUT INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) The Higher Education sector in England is undergoing dramatic change as institutions adjust to serious reductions in state funding for teaching and students have to bear more of the cost of their education. As well as these cost drivers, the entry of more private providers to the sector and the increasing consumer power of high fee-paying students will put a premium on service delivery and cost efficiency. In turn, this will Page 5 of 7

6 throw emphasis on the development of robust, efficient, enterprise-scale IT systems to increase efficiency and customer choice. Information Technology provides and supports all central University IT services and is responsible for the institution's Technical Infrastructure. In addition to this service and support provision, it develops systems to support the business requirements of the organisation. Infrastructure Section The approximately 50 staff in the Infrastructure Section are responsible for the design and strategic management of the Communications, Systems and IT infrastructure for the University. It is on these foundations that the other sections of Information Technology build applications and operational services. The Section includes Infrastructure Architecture Group, Host Systems and Networks Group, the Distributed Systems Group and the Security Group, each providing leadership for a section of the diverse service types required by the university. Infrastructure Architecture: Infrastructure Architecture is a small team that supports colleagues across IT both directly and as part of the IT Architecture Group and Architecture Design Board. They define infrastructure design principals, produce infrastructure design patterns and high-level designs, and develop the infrastructure technology roadmap. They work with IT colleagues to design and select infrastructure solutions and provide infrastructure resource estimates. In addition they produce work packages to deliver infrastructure to projects and provide project management and support. Host Systems and Networks: comprises of five teams that are responsible for the delivery of centrally hosted business and teaching application platforms and the enterprise network. Services include the management of operating system and storage, web application environments, database server environments, backup systems, support and management of the core, access and distribution layers of the network as well the wireless network, support of AV equipment and support for specialist systems such as Finance and Personnel application platforms. Distributed Systems Group: comprises of 2 teams responsible for development, provision and support of the Desktop and Applications Infrastructure to users across the University. Services include design and development of desktop systems management, telephony, networked file and print services, content and collaboration systems infrastructure and messaging systems. Information Security: The Information Security team has an institutional responsibility for improving the security of the OU's information infrastructure and minimising the risk of damage caused by unauthorised use. The existence of a specialist team, with dedicated resources, represents a commitment on the part of OU to ensuring its information assets are appropriately protected 6. How to obtain more information about the role or application process If you would like to discuss the particulars of this role before making an application please contact Juliet Raith on or Juliet.Raith@open.ac.uk If you have any questions regarding the application process please contact Glyn Bailey on or IT-Recruitment@open.ac.uk. Page 6 of 7

7 7. The application process and where to send completed applications Please ensure that your application form and CV reaches the University by: Midday 16 January your application to: Or, Post it to: Name/Job title: Glynis Bailey - Recruitment Coordinator Department/Unit: Information Technology Address: Berrill Level 1N Walton Hall Milton Keynes Post Code: MK7 6AA 8. Selection process and date of interview The interview panel will be chaired by Adrian Wells, Assistant Director, Infrastructure. The other members of the interview panel will be Juliet Raith Head of Distributed Infrastructure Systems and Mike Davis Systems Programmer. The interviews will take place on a date to be advised. The selection process for this post will include a panel interview. We will let you know as soon as possible after the closing date whether you have been shortlisted for interview. Further details on the selection process will also be sent to shortlisted candidates. Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted. Page 7 of 7