At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide IT support to students and staff, resolving technical issues across campus.
- Company: University of Sheffield, a leading institution with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: 38 days annual leave, flexible working, discounts, and generous family-friendly policies.
- Other info: Great career advancement opportunities and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and enhance your tech skills while making a difference.
- Qualifications: A-Level or equivalent in IT, plus experience in troubleshooting hardware and software.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 30000 £ per year.
The IT Support Assistant plays a crucial role within both central IT Services and Faculty IT teams at the University of Sheffield. This position requires a good technical aptitude, problem‑solving skills, and competent communication abilities to deliver professional IT support to students and staff across the university. You will provide comprehensive technical support for a range of IT systems and services, diagnosing and resolving moderate to complex technical issues with minimal supervision. Working across campus locations, you'll apply your technical knowledge to address hardware, software, and network problems while contributing to the continuous improvement of IT services. This role offers excellent opportunities for career advancement in IT support.
As a valued team member, you'll develop specialised technical skills while supporting the university's teaching, learning, and research activities through reliable and efficient IT services.
Main duties and responsibilities:
- Provide responsive IT support to students, staff and academics, resolving common technical issues and escalating more complex problems according to established procedures.
- Support the IT service desk and TechBar locations across central and faculty locations, delivering in‑person assistance with hardware, software, and systems.
- Process and manage IT support tickets using the university's service desk system (TOPdesk), ensuring accurate documentation and timely updates.
- Troubleshoot basic issues with Windows and macOS devices, peripherals, software applications, and network connectivity.
- Assist users with university‑specific systems including email, VPN, Wi‑Fi, printing services, and learning management platforms.
- Set up and configure equipment including computers, monitors, printers, and other peripherals.
- Maintain and contribute to IT knowledge bases and self‑help resources for common issues.
- Participate in IT induction sessions for new staff and students, providing guidance on university systems.
- Support the preparation and deployment of IT equipment for university events and the start of academic terms.
- Develop understanding of faculty‑specific IT requirements to provide tailored support across different academic areas.
- Gather user feedback to help improve IT services and identify recurring issues.
- Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.
Person Specification:
- Essential: A‑Level, BTEC, or equivalent qualification in an IT‑related field, or 1‑2 years of practical experience in IT support.
- Essential: Demonstrated knowledge of computer hardware, operating systems (Windows and macOS), and standard software applications.
- Essential: Experience troubleshooting and resolving common technical issues with hardware, software, and network connectivity.
- Essential: Working knowledge of IT security principles and data protection requirements.
- Essential: Experience using helpdesk or ticket management systems to track and resolve technical issues.
- Essential: Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with the ability to diagnose issues methodically.
- Essential: Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain technical concepts clearly to users with varying levels of technical understanding.
- Essential: Ability to manage multiple priorities effectively and work independently with minimal supervision.
- Essential: Demonstrated ability to learn and adapt to new technologies and systems quickly.
- Desirable: Technical certification such as CompTIA A+, Microsoft, or Apple certification.
- Desirable: Knowledge of basic networking concepts and troubleshooting.
- Desirable: Experience in an educational or higher education IT environment.
What we offer:
- A minimum of 38 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
- Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
- Generous pension scheme.
- A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
- A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development.
- Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
- A commitment to development with access to learning and mentoring schemes.
- A range of generous family‑friendly policies.
- Paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies.
- Support for those going through the menopause.
- Paid time off and support for fertility treatment.
IT Support Assistant in Sheffield employer: Diversity Dashboard
The University of Sheffield is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth and development. As an IT Support Assistant, you will benefit from a generous annual leave policy, flexible working opportunities, and access to extensive learning and mentoring schemes, all while contributing to the university's mission of enhancing teaching, learning, and research through reliable IT services.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land IT Support Assistant in Sheffield
✨Join the IT Consultancy Buzz
Get involved in local or virtual IT consultancy meetups and forums. This is where we can rub shoulders with industry professionals, get insights into what Diversity Dashboard values, and even spot unadvertised opportunities. Don't miss out on these chances to make a name for ourselves in the IT world!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a personal project or case study relevant to the challenges Diversity Dashboard might face. Use platforms like GitHub or Medium to share your findings. This not only demonstrates our consulting skills but shows a proactive attitude, making us stand out from the crowd when applying for that full-time gig.
✨Leverage LinkedIn for Connections
Follow and engage with the relevant thought leaders and influencers in IT consultancy on LinkedIn. Share insightful content and join discussions to gain visibility. A well-placed comment or shared article could catch the attention of someone at Diversity Dashboard!
✨Direct Apply to Diversity Dashboard
Let's not forget to apply directly through the Diversity Dashboard website! Tailor your application to showcase our understanding of their consulting style and how we can contribute to their projects. A personalised approach can make a huge difference in landing that full-time position!
We think you need these skills to ace IT Support Assistant in Sheffield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In IT consulting, it's all about problem-solving, so make sure your CV highlights your analytical skills and any relevant projects you've tackled. Mention specific technologies or methodologies you've used to resolve issues or improve processes; this shows you can think critically and deliver results, which is vital for us at Diversity Dashboard.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Certifications like ITIL, PMP, or even specific tech stack qualifications can really make you stand out. Make sure to include these in your CV, as they not only demonstrate your expertise but also your commitment to staying current in the field. We love seeing candidates who are proactive about their professional development!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to connect personally with us at Diversity Dashboard. Share stories about your experiences in IT consulting, and how they shaped your desire to join our team. Mention why you’re excited about this particular role, and how you see yourself contributing to our projects.
Keep It Clear and Concise:We're all busy, so make sure your application is easy to read. Use bullet points for key achievements, and don’t overload us with jargon. A clean, professional layout goes a long way. Remember, the clearer your application, the more likely we are to invite you in for an interview!
How to prepare for a job interview at Diversity Dashboard
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Skills
For an IT consulting role, be ready to demonstrate your technical prowess. You might face questions on systems integration, cloud technologies, or even troubleshooting specific software. If you have experience with tools like AWS, Azure, or even specific programming languages, make sure you can talk about them fluently.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Approach
IT consulting is all about solving problems for clients. Think about how you can illustrate your approach to a past challenge using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). It's a great way to show how you tackle complex issues and come up with effective solutions.
✨Know the Business Impact of IT Solutions
When discussing your experiences, focus not just on the tech solutions you implemented, but also on their business impact. Employers want to see that you can connect IT with organisational goals. Prep examples that highlight how your tech contributions improved efficiency or reduced costs for past clients or projects.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Since IT consulting often involves teamwork and client interactions, expect behavioural questions that assess your interpersonal skills. Be prepared with examples that demonstrate your adaptability, communication skills, and how you handle client feedback. Before the interview, think of situations where you worked closely with clients to create effective IT strategies or changes.
