Interviews are expected to take place on
Friday 26 April 2024
There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.
For the purposes of sponsorship, this is a role under SOC code 2135.
The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers and welcome applications from those who would contribute to further diversification of our staff and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into the substance of the role. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including gender, identity, race, age, class, and ethnicity.
The Post
Systems & Support Services is responsible for delivering and supporting infrastructure solutions that enable the University to deliver excellent services to all its stakeholders. The service is comprised of specialists with expertise in networks, servers, information provision and associated infrastructure, together with support and systems administration across IT clients, learning & study environments and library systems.
The Infrastructure Development team will design and develop emerging cloud IT infrastructure and existing core on-premises systems in support of research, learning & teaching and university business. The team will build on the recent work to produce highly available, resilient and intuitive systems incorporating security, communications, data storage and processing, wired and wireless networks, IT client management, and learning technologies. The team is critical to the success and implementation of the emerging Digital Strategy.
The Infrastructure Development team incorporates three main specialisms covering Networking, Microsoft Systems and Unix Systems. It is expected that the post holder will work closely with the Microsoft and Unix Team Leaders. It is seen that this role will ‘bridge the gap’ between the two specialisms and assist in progressing Infrastructure Development towards a unified Server DevOps Team. The post holder reports to the Head of Infrastructure.
Although work will primarily be in relation to the Universities Microsoft Azure Tenancy, the role is also expected to contribute to the work of the Microsoft and Unix sections, also collaborating with Network Infrastructure colleagues. As well as development work on new systems and services and routine maintenance of existing ones, they will assist Operational Support colleagues in providing second line technical support for the resolution of end-user requests and fault reports. The role involves liaison with the Product Development team and with the front-line Customer Services staff of Information Services.
The role is key to the development, deployment and administration of core IT resources for learning, teaching and study. This requires effective knowledge exchange with colleagues in Infrastructure Development, Operational Support, IS Information Centre and Digital Skills, and Student Support Services. The outcome is to ensure effective delivery of IS facilities in quantity and variety which provide engaging high-quality digital services for learning, individual study, group study, and social collaboration.
The post holder ideally possesses a degree, or equivalent education and experience, in Computing or an IT-related subject.
Scope, including but not limited to:
1. Working within the University Azure tenancy
2. Using Infrastructure as Code, alongside containerisation
3. Developing automation
4. Proving support and guidance on their Azure platform, managing the environment
5. PaaS, IaaS, VM, Server Administration, Azure networking
6. Moving manual or semi manual processes over to be fully automated
7. Maintaining the current platform and continuous improvement
8. Troubleshoot any issues and provide 3rd line support
Description of Duties
9. Contribute to infrastructure planning exercises and take active involvement in the preparation of investment proposals for continuous improvement and technology changes that will strengthen the service’s ability to deliver on strategic aims: Prepare detailed plans of resources required and a project outline of deliverables needed to ensure their successful implementationProvide timely development of high-quality solutions, in line with project objectives to defined timescales and budgetDevelop design proposals for core infrastructure to allow integration of new and emerging ICT which reflects the ambition for a fully digitally enabled environment
10. Assist in the skills development of other team members
11. Build a strong professional partnership and work collaboratively with colleagues in Operational Support and Customer Services teams for the smooth transition of system changes from development to support, ensuring operational staff are fully equipped with the knowledge to provide 1st and 2nd line support and continuous operational development of implemented solutions
12. Provide sound technical advice to complex system problems, recommending courses of action to be taken and monitoring their execution
13. Represent the Head of Infrastructure as required at internal and external meetings
14. Monitor and manage server resources using appropriate tools. Investigate and resolve as necessary, any issues that are identified
15. Provide service statistics on request
16. Document systems and procedures. Identify improvements that could be made Propose solutions for these improvements, which may involve technologies not previously used at the University
17. Apply patches and hot-fixes
18. Research and recommend improvements to services which increase reliability and/or security
19. Engage in continuing professional development to keep knowledge and skills up to date with changes in the technology and market
20. Provide cover as necessary for absences of other members of the team
21. Undertake additional duties appropriate to the role
22. Follow ITIL processes for Incident, Problem and Change Management
Essential Criteria
23. Proven experience of systems administration, both on premises and in a Cloud platform
24. Proficiency in a scripting / programming language
25. Understanding software and database concepts
26. Understanding of the main internet protocols, such as: HTTP, MQTT, DNS, etc
27. A good understanding of networking, both physical and virtual with a solid understanding of network security
28. Strong hold on the concept of DevOps and containerization
29. Knowledge of hypervisors and data visualisation
30. Experience of rest APIs
31. Understanding of Information Security management standards
32. Data backup and recovery
33. A good communicator with proven diagnostic and problem-solving skills, a commitment to customer service, and capable of demonstrating a consistent and systematic approach to work
Desirable Criteria
In addition to the main role of Infrastructure Development Cloud Specialist, it would be expected that support be given to the Infrastructure Development Server Teams. This should include, but not be limited to:
Microsoft Windows systems
34. Experience of user account management (AD)
35. Previous work with M365 support
36. Knowledge of Microsoft platform virtual servers
37. Exposure to data backup system
The Unix/Linux systems
38. Experience of Linux OS and virtual machines
39. Support of university and departmental web sites, the University portal and student systems
40. Understanding of DHCP and IP Subnets
Behaviours and Competencies
The role holder will be required to evidence that they can meet the qualities associated with the following behavioural competencies, as detailed within the AUA Competency Framework.
41. Managing self and personal skills
Being aware of your own behaviour and mindful of how it impacts on others, enhancing personal skills to adapt professional practice accordingly.
42. Delivering excellent service
Providing the best quality service to external and internal clients. Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to drive up service standards.
43. Finding solutions
Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically to analyse problems and to develop workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation.
44. Embracing change
Being open to and engaging with new ideas and ways of working. Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, shifting demands and changing roles.
45. Using resources effectively
Identifying and making the most productive use of resources including people, time, information, networks and budgets.
46. Engaging with the wider context
Enhancing your contribution to the organisation through an understanding of the bigger picture and showing commitment to organisational values.
47. Developing self and others
Showing commitment to own ongoing professional development. Supporting and encouraging others to develop their professional knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable them to reach their full potential.
48. Working together
Working collaboratively with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process.
49. Achieving Results
Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.