Infrastructure Development Cloud Specialist

Infrastructure Development Cloud Specialist Apply
Post Details

Full time
Open Ended

The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 14 April 2024
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:

• Working within the University Azure tenancy
• Using Infrastructure as Code, alongside containerisation
• Developing automation
• Proving support and guidance on their Azure platform, managing the environment
• PaaS, IaaS, VM, Server Administration, Azure networking
• Moving manual or semi manual processes over to be fully automated
• Maintaining the current platform and continuous improvement
• Troubleshoot any issues and provide 3rd line support

Description of Duties

• 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 implementation
  • Provide timely development of high-quality solutions, in line with project objectives to defined timescales and budget
  • Develop design proposals for core infrastructure to allow integration of new and emerging ICT which reflects the ambition for a fully digitally enabled environment
• Assist in the skills development of other team members
• 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
• Provide sound technical advice to complex system problems, recommending courses of action to be taken and monitoring their execution
• Represent the Head of Infrastructure as required at internal and external meetings
• Monitor and manage server resources using appropriate tools. Investigate and resolve as necessary, any issues that are identified
• Provide service statistics on request
• 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
• Apply patches and hot-fixes
• Research and recommend improvements to services which increase reliability and/or security
• Engage in continuing professional development to keep knowledge and skills up to date with changes in the technology and market
• Provide cover as necessary for absences of other members of the team
• Undertake additional duties appropriate to the role
• Follow ITIL processes for Incident, Problem and Change Management

Essential Criteria

• Proven experience of systems administration, both on premises and in a Cloud platform
• Proficiency in a scripting / programming language
• Understanding software and database concepts
• Understanding of the main internet protocols, such as: HTTP, MQTT, DNS, etc
• A good understanding of networking, both physical and virtual with a solid understanding of network security
• Strong hold on the concept of DevOps and containerization
• Knowledge of hypervisors and data visualisation
• Experience of rest APIs
• Understanding of Information Security management standards
• Data backup and recovery
• 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

• Experience of user account management (AD)
• Previous work with M365 support
• Knowledge of Microsoft platform virtual servers
• Exposure to data backup system

The Unix/Linux systems

• Experience of Linux OS and virtual machines
• Support of university and departmental web sites, the University portal and student systems
• 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.

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.

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.

Finding solutions
Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically to analyse problems and to develop workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation.

Embracing change
Being open to and engaging with new ideas and ways of working. Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, shifting demands and changing roles.

Using resources effectively
Identifying and making the most productive use of resources including people, time, information, networks and budgets.

Engaging with the wider context
Enhancing your contribution to the organisation through an understanding of the bigger picture and showing commitment to organisational values.

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.

Working together
Working collaboratively with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process.

Achieving Results
Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.

About Us

Information Services delivers the library, IT, digital learning technology and other information needs and services to enable all students and staff of the University of Stirling to learn, research and work here. Our mission is to equip and empower our users and ourselves to function and achieve successful outcomes in the digital age. We strive to achieving excellent customer service and always aim to exceed our users' expectations.

The University

The University of Stirling is committed to providing education with a purpose and carrying out research which has a positive impact on communities across the globe – addressing real issues, providing solutions, and helping to shape society. Stirling is 4th in Scotland and 43rd in the UK for research impact, with 87% of its research having an outstanding or very considerable impact on society – and more than 80% rated either world leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021).

The University of Stirling is ranked among the top 30 UK universities for student satisfaction (National Student Survey) and top 30 in the UK for postgraduate student experience (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey), and has an overall five-star rating in the QS Stars University Ratings.

More than 17,000 students study with the University of Stirling globally, with over 140 nationalities represented on its scenic central Scotland campus alone. The University – also home to 1,700 staff – is ranked first in the UK and top three in the world for its campus environment (International Student Barometer 2022, wave two). Ranked first in the UK and top five in the world for its sports facilities (International Student Barometer 2022, wave two), Stirling is Scotland's University for Sporting Excellence. Its world-class facilities provide the perfect training environment for the University’s sports scholars – many of whom compete at the highest level, including at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games – and for students, staff, and the wider community.

The University has twice been recognised with a Queen's Anniversary Prize – the first for its Institute for Social Marketing and Health (2014) and the second for its Institute of Aquaculture (2019).

The University is a signatory to the £214 million Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal and a central partner of the Forth Valley University College Health Partnership.
www.stir.ac.uk @stiruni

Job number

SERV01878

Contract Type

Open Ended

Posting End Date

14-Apr-2024

Location:

Stirling Campus

Grade

Grade8 £45,585-£54,395 p.a.

Faculty/Service

Information Services

Post Details

Full time
Open Ended

The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 14 April 2024
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:

• Working within the University Azure tenancy
• Using Infrastructure as Code, alongside containerisation
• Developing automation
• Proving support and guidance on their Azure platform, managing the environment
• PaaS, IaaS, VM, Server Administration, Azure networking
• Moving manual or semi manual processes over to be fully automated
• Maintaining the current platform and continuous improvement
• Troubleshoot any issues and provide 3rd line support

Description of Duties

• 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 implementation
  • Provide timely development of high-quality solutions, in line with project objectives to defined timescales and budget
  • Develop design proposals for core infrastructure to allow integration of new and emerging ICT which reflects the ambition for a fully digitally enabled environment
• Assist in the skills development of other team members
• 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
• Provide sound technical advice to complex system problems, recommending courses of action to be taken and monitoring their execution
• Represent the Head of Infrastructure as required at internal and external meetings
• Monitor and manage server resources using appropriate tools. Investigate and resolve as necessary, any issues that are identified
• Provide service statistics on request
• 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
• Apply patches and hot-fixes
• Research and recommend improvements to services which increase reliability and/or security
• Engage in continuing professional development to keep knowledge and skills up to date with changes in the technology and market
• Provide cover as necessary for absences of other members of the team
• Undertake additional duties appropriate to the role
• Follow ITIL processes for Incident, Problem and Change Management

Essential Criteria

• Proven experience of systems administration, both on premises and in a Cloud platform
• Proficiency in a scripting / programming language
• Understanding software and database concepts
• Understanding of the main internet protocols, such as: HTTP, MQTT, DNS, etc
• A good understanding of networking, both physical and virtual with a solid understanding of network security
• Strong hold on the concept of DevOps and containerization
• Knowledge of hypervisors and data visualisation
• Experience of rest APIs
• Understanding of Information Security management standards
• Data backup and recovery
• 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

• Experience of user account management (AD)
• Previous work with M365 support
• Knowledge of Microsoft platform virtual servers
• Exposure to data backup system

The Unix/Linux systems

• Experience of Linux OS and virtual machines
• Support of university and departmental web sites, the University portal and student systems
• 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.

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.

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.

Finding solutions
Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically to analyse problems and to develop workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation.

Embracing change
Being open to and engaging with new ideas and ways of working. Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, shifting demands and changing roles.

Using resources effectively
Identifying and making the most productive use of resources including people, time, information, networks and budgets.

Engaging with the wider context
Enhancing your contribution to the organisation through an understanding of the bigger picture and showing commitment to organisational values.

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.

Working together
Working collaboratively with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process.

Achieving Results
Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.

About Us

Information Services delivers the library, IT, digital learning technology and other information needs and services to enable all students and staff of the University of Stirling to learn, research and work here. Our mission is to equip and empower our users and ourselves to function and achieve successful outcomes in the digital age. We strive to achieving excellent customer service and always aim to exceed our users' expectations.

The University

The University of Stirling is committed to providing education with a purpose and carrying out research which has a positive impact on communities across the globe – addressing real issues, providing solutions, and helping to shape society. Stirling is 4th in Scotland and 43rd in the UK for research impact, with 87% of its research having an outstanding or very considerable impact on society – and more than 80% rated either world leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021).

The University of Stirling is ranked among the top 30 UK universities for student satisfaction (National Student Survey) and top 30 in the UK for postgraduate student experience (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey), and has an overall five-star rating in the QS Stars University Ratings.

More than 17,000 students study with the University of Stirling globally, with over 140 nationalities represented on its scenic central Scotland campus alone. The University – also home to 1,700 staff – is ranked first in the UK and top three in the world for its campus environment (International Student Barometer 2022, wave two). Ranked first in the UK and top five in the world for its sports facilities (International Student Barometer 2022, wave two), Stirling is Scotland's University for Sporting Excellence. Its world-class facilities provide the perfect training environment for the University’s sports scholars – many of whom compete at the highest level, including at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games – and for students, staff, and the wider community.

The University has twice been recognised with a Queen's Anniversary Prize – the first for its Institute for Social Marketing and Health (2014) and the second for its Institute of Aquaculture (2019).

The University is a signatory to the £214 million Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal and a central partner of the Forth Valley University College Health Partnership.
www.stir.ac.uk @stiruni

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