IT Specialist

IT Specialist

Haddington Full-Time No home office possible
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East Lothian Council

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead the design and support of IT systems for corporate and educational environments.
  • Company: Join East Lothian Council, a dynamic organisation in one of Scotland's fastest-growing regions.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible working options, including home and hybrid arrangements, plus a supportive work culture.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in digital transformation while growing your skills in a collaborative environment.
  • Qualifications: Proven IT experience, especially with Microsoft 365 and endpoint management; project management skills are a plus.
  • Other info: Must hold a valid driving licence and be willing to travel to various council sites.

Vacancy Information

Hourly rate of pay: £25.21 – £28.15

Days And Hours Of Work

Monday – Friday, 09:00-17:00

Flexi time is applicable, and starting and finishing times are flexible.

To start asap.

Are you an experienced IT professional with a passion for delivering excellent customer service and driving innovation? East Lothian Council is seeking a skilled IT Specialist to join our Desktop & Service Desk Team, supporting one of Scotland\’s fastest-growing regions.

About The Role

Reporting to the Team Manager: Desktop & Service Desk, you\’ll lead the design, development, and support of our end user computing environment across both corporate and educational settings. You\’ll manage a diverse hardware estate-primarily Windows endpoints in corporate environments and a mix of Windows and Chrome devices in schools-ensuring systems are secure, efficient, and aligned with user needs.

Key Responsibilities

  • Design and evolve personal computing hardware, software, and support infrastructure.
  • Provide expert technical guidance to staff and service teams.
  • Lead complex procurement and upgrade projects for hardware, software, and systems.
  • Plan and implement robust cyber security and resilience measures.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional project teams and engage stakeholders at all levels.

You\’ll support and administer a wide range of platforms and tools, including:

  • Microsoft 365 (including CoPilot and Power Apps)
  • Google Workspace
  • Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)
  • AutoDesk Product Suite
  • Adobe Creative Cloud
  • Modern endpoint management and MDM solutions

We\’re Seeking a Candidate With

  • Broad technical expertise in corporate or enterprise IT environments.
  • Proven experience with Microsoft 365 and enterprise platforms.
  • Strong knowledge of endpoint management, MDM, and security best practices.
  • Understanding of Data Protection and Information Security in public sector or enterprise contexts.
  • A proactive mindset and commitment to continuous learning.
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills.

Experience in educational IT environments, particularly supporting classroom technologies and managing school devices, is highly desirable. Project management training or certification (e.g. PRINCE2, Agile) would also be advantageous.

Why Join Us?

At East Lothian Council, you\’ll play a vital role that supports our values of Enabling, Leading, and Caring. We offer a flexible, inclusive, and collaborative working environment that values individuality and supports professional growth. Flexible working options are available, including home, hybrid, or office-based arrangements. However, you should be willing and able to attend our HQ in Haddington or other council sites as required.

Home / Hybrid Working Consideration

Applications for home or hybrid working will be considered for this post in accordance with East Lothian Council\’s Home Working and Worksmart Policies which can be found here . Home or Hybrid working options can be discussed with candidates invited for interview.

Please Note

All home/hybrid workers must live in the UK. Where an application for home-working is supported, it will be subject to a satisfactory trial period. Employees will be expected to attend Council offices for the duration of induction, and be on site in East Lothian workplaces, as required. Employees with a hybrid working arrangement in place will be office based and able to work from home, with permission, on an ad hoc basis.

Job Details

To work as a senior member of the IT Service Desk & Desktop Services team with a primary focus on leading the day to day development of the Council\’s desktop and mobile device facilities to enable Council wide digital transformation.

The Key Areas Of Responsibility Are

  • Providing specialist high level IT advice and guidance to Council management, services and colleagues on all aspects of digital transformation.
  • Designing and developing the Council\’s desktop, mobile and personal computing hardware, software and support infrastructure.
  • Supervising and organising the day to day development work of the team.
  • Working with Service Departments to bring about transformational change.
  • Creating specifications of requirements and running procurement exercises.
  • Providing Level 3 IT support.
  • Plan and organise development sprints for the team.
  • Ensure appropriate policies and procedures are developed and applied.

Please download the Job Outline/Person Specification (available under \’Job Attachments\’) for the full range of tasks and duties associated with this job. You will need to refer to these in order to complete the application form. You must ensure you meet every \’essential\’ criteria stated on the Person Specification to be considered for interview.

The \’ East Lothian Way\’ – values and behaviours we expect our employees to demonstrate in their everyday work. Should you be invited to interview, you may be asked questions based on these behaviours. Please refer to the document via the link to familiarise yourself with them.

Job Requirements

Relevant Qualifications

Relevant degree and/or able to demonstrate equivalent extensive knowledge, skills and competencies gained through relevant experience.

Driving Licence

As the duties of this role require you to effectively travel to successfully undertake the full remit of the role, you must hold a current driving licence and have access to a vehicle.*

(*Where a disability precludes you from obtaining a driving licence, ELC will take into account its responsibility to make reasonable adjustments to allow for your disability.)

Level 1 Disclosure Clearance

This role requires Level 1 Disclosure Clearance to allow access to the Public Sector Network. ELC will submit a Police Act Disclosure application on behalf of the preferred candidate and receipt of the subsequent certificate will be required prior to commencement.

Please Note

If you have spent more than 3 months working or living outwith the UK in the last 5 years then you will also be required to present a copy of an overseas criminal record check. Details of how to apply and contact details can be found on the GOV.UK website.

Additional Information

For additional East Lothian Council employment information please click on the following link:

www.eastlothian.gov.uk/nonteachinginfo

If you have any difficulties creating an account on MyJobScotland or applying for this post please contact the MyJobScotland support team via this link

If you require further information about this vacancy, please call , or email us on

Please note: We do not accept CV\’s (either electronically or by mail). All our vacancies must be applied for by fully completing the on-line application form. Although there is an \’import data from my CV\’ function on MyJobScotland, this only imports very limited data and should not be relied upon to complete the application form. If, for example, due to a disability, you are unable to complete the on-line application form you can contact us for a paper application via the telephone number or email address above.

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IT Specialist employer: East Lothian Council

East Lothian Council is an exceptional employer that prioritises a flexible and inclusive work culture, allowing IT Specialists to thrive in a collaborative environment. With opportunities for professional growth and a commitment to digital transformation, employees can engage in meaningful projects that impact the community while enjoying the benefits of hybrid working arrangements. Located in one of Scotland's fastest-growing regions, this role offers a chance to contribute to innovative solutions in both corporate and educational settings.
East Lothian Council

Contact Detail:

East Lothian Council Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land IT Specialist

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the specific technologies mentioned in the job description, such as Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace. Being able to discuss your hands-on experience with these platforms during an interview will demonstrate your suitability for the role.

✨Tip Number 2

Highlight any previous experience you have in educational IT environments. Since the role involves supporting classroom technologies, sharing relevant examples can set you apart from other candidates.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss your approach to cyber security and resilience measures. Given the emphasis on these areas in the job description, showcasing your knowledge and proactive mindset will be crucial.

✨Tip Number 4

If you have project management training or certification, be ready to talk about how you've applied these skills in past roles. This could give you an edge, especially since the position involves leading complex procurement and upgrade projects.

We think you need these skills to ace IT Specialist

Technical Expertise in IT Environments
Microsoft 365 Proficiency
Endpoint Management Skills
Knowledge of Cyber Security Best Practices
Data Protection and Information Security Awareness
Excellent Communication Skills
Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement
Project Management Skills (e.g. PRINCE2, Agile)
Experience with Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)
Familiarity with Google Workspace
Ability to Provide Level 3 IT Support
Proactive Mindset for Continuous Learning
Experience in Educational IT Environments
Hardware and Software Development Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Role: Thoroughly read the job description for the IT Specialist position at East Lothian Council. Make sure you understand the key responsibilities and required skills, as this will help you tailor your application.

Highlight Relevant Experience: In your application, emphasise your experience with Microsoft 365, endpoint management, and any relevant project management training. Use specific examples to demonstrate how your background aligns with the role's requirements.

Address Essential Criteria: Refer to the Person Specification and ensure you address each 'essential' criterion in your application. Clearly outline how your qualifications and experiences meet these criteria to increase your chances of being shortlisted.

Craft a Strong Personal Statement: Write a compelling personal statement that reflects your passion for IT and customer service. Discuss your proactive mindset and commitment to continuous learning, as well as your ability to collaborate effectively with teams.

How to prepare for a job interview at East Lothian Council

✨Know Your Tech Inside Out

Make sure you have a solid understanding of the technologies mentioned in the job description, especially Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and endpoint management. Be prepared to discuss your experience with these platforms and how you've used them to solve problems in previous roles.

✨Showcase Your Customer Service Skills

As an IT Specialist, delivering excellent customer service is key. Think of examples where you've gone above and beyond to help users or resolve issues. Highlight your communication skills and how you can explain technical concepts to non-technical staff.

✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions

Familiarise yourself with the 'East Lothian Way' values and behaviours. Prepare to answer behavioural questions that demonstrate how you embody these values in your work. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.

✨Discuss Your Project Management Experience

If you have any project management training or experience, be ready to discuss it. Talk about how you've led projects, managed timelines, and collaborated with teams. This will show your ability to handle complex procurement and upgrade projects effectively.

IT Specialist
East Lothian Council
Location: Haddington
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