L4 IS Apprentice

The University

At Durham University, we are proud of our p eople, because they are at the heart of our globally outstanding institution, which is a key part of our local community.  We inspire our people to do extraordinary things and we invite you to join our fantastic team.     

Across the University, we have a huge variety of roles and responsibilities, which together make us one large and successful community. Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer.    

At the University we promote and actively champion equality, diversity and inclusion.  It is crucial that everyone can be themselves and can flourish in an environment where everyone respects each other and is treated fairly. We want our people and wider community to feel happy, secure and proud to be a part of Durham. We are looking for the same values in you.      

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.  For more information on our EDI strategy and values, click here

The Role and the Department

The Computing and Information Services (CIS) has an annual operational budget in excess of £12m, multi-million pound programmes of change within year, and approximately 185 staff. The Senior Leadership Team report directly to the Chief Information Officer (CIO) with the following portfolios: Strategy and Change; Technical Services; Information Services (IS), and Cyber Security. CIS work with departments across the university to provide academic, teaching and administrative services that underpin the day-to-day activities of the whole organisation. Details of the Digital Strategy and ongoing work can be found at Digital Strategy - Durham University

CIS is a friendly, but demanding department, where much is expected and can be achieved by competent, self-motivated individuals who are demonstrable in their team work ability. The department works in a hybrid capacity depending on the job role and individual personal requirements.

As an IS Apprentice you will assist with activities to maintain the day to day operation and on-going development of Computing and Information Services (CIS). Assigned to one of the IS teams, during the course of the apprenticeship you will maintain a high level of IT services throughout the University, assisting students, staff, visitors in their use of Durham University IT systems.

You will undertake activities relating to, and work with increasing independence in relation to:

·       Software design

·       Software development

·       Software testing

·       Software integration

·       Software configuration

·       Software support and troubleshooting

·       Data and analytics

·       User experience analysis, design, and evaluation

·       Content authoring and publishing

·       Security operations

·       Incident ownership and management

Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.   

Working at Durham
A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:

• 27 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 39 days per year. The University closes between Christmas and New Year
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
• Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• On site nursery is available and children’s clubs in the summer holidays.
• Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
• There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
• The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community
• Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.
• We offer generous pension schemes.

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion
Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work.
As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It’s important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

What you need to demonstrate when you apply      

When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role including:   

Essential:

1.     Good oral and written communication skills. 

2.     Good digital skills including experience in using core digital tools including internet, email, digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications.   

3.     Five GCSE’s at least Grade C or level four (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics (or equivalent experience).

4.     Must have completed:

•        an Level 3 digital related apprenticeship or;
•        have achieved an A-Level pass in any subject/discipline or;
•        have a Level 3 BTEC Diploma or;
•        have 2 years’ work experience in a relevant IT support role

5.     Good numeracy and literacy skills. 

6.     Evidence of personal development to maintain skills or the desire to take part in personal development.  

7.     Experience of working in a team.

8.     Experience of managing time in order to meet deadlines.  

9.     Ability to follow instructions, written or oral, accurately.

10.  Health and safety compliance knowledge.

11.  Some previous experience of working with computers. For example: using applications, installing software, and programming, repairing or building computers

12. Basic level of software coding gained either within an educational setting, or from a previous employment, or through a hobby related interest

13. Ability to solve problems as part of a team and resolve straightforward issues.  

Desirable

1.     Experience of working in a buildings, estates, services, or IT provision area.

2.     Health and safety compliance knowledge.

3.     Experience providing telephone or/and face-to-face user support

How to Apply     

We prefer to receive applications online.  When you apply you need to submit a CV and/or a statement that tells us your experience and gives examples of how you meet the essential criteria above and/or submit the application form and include the information within the form. When evidencing each Essential criteria, please use the essential criteria headings.   

We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system.

Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.    

Who to contact for more information   

If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role or if you are struggling to complete the application process, Catherine Wilson would be happy to speak to you. Catherine.Wilson@durham.ac.uk       

Further helpful information about the role   

Typical Role Requirements

Service Delivery

·       Provide an excellent service to our students, your colleagues and anyone else you come across as part of your role by carrying out your tasks using the relevant procedures (which we will provide training for).

·       Look after yourself and others by following health and safety regulations including correctly wearing any protective clothing or equipment provided [e.g. safety shoes], being aware of any hazards and risks and reporting any incidents.

·       Carry out some tasks that may require specialist skills 

·       Clean and look after specialist equipment  when necessary.

Teamwork

·       Help and cooperate with the rest of your team.

·       Help your colleagues when required with other key activities undertaken within your service .

·       Help to move, set-up and dismantle any equipment 

·       Learn new skills and practices from more experienced colleagues.

·       Bring any problems to the attention of more senior colleagues.

Communication/Personal 

·       Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values.

·       Respond to routine requests for information.

·       Use digital devices and apps (such as email) to communicate with students, your colleagues and anyone else you come across as part of your role].

·       Any other reasonable duties.

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Privacy Notices - Durham University  which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.     

Specific role requirements

1.       In order to fulfil the terms and conditions of the apprenticeship, the post-holder will be required to complete training on a weekly basis towards achieving:

Either a Level 4 in one of the following specialisms, depending upon the specific IS team the apprenticeship role is based within, and the level of any IT related qualification obtained previously:

·       Business Analyst

·       Cyber Security Technologist

·       Data Analyst

·       DevOps Engineer

·       Software Developer

Or, a Level 3 in one of the following specialisms, depending upon the specific IS team the apprenticeship role is based within, and the level of any IT related qualification obtained previously:

·       Data technician

·       Cyber security technician

·       Software development technician

2.     Whilst working within Information Services the hours of service are currently 8.00 am to 6.00 pm Monday to Friday but a flexible approach to work will be required to ensure that all duties are covered, especially at times of a major incident or software upgrade. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required.

3.     Whilst working within Information Services there is a four-week annual leave ban in place at the start of the academic year Sept/Oct to support staff and students over that known busy period.

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement https://www.dur.ac.uk/ig/dp/privacy/pnjobapplicants/  which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.