Systems Network Officer

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Systems and Network Officer to join the Information Technology Services team at Forth Valley College. Reporting to the Head of IT, you will be the operational lead for server operating systems, network infrastructure and cloud‑based directory services, playing a critical role in ensuring the resilience, security and performance of the College’s IT environment.

This role combines hands‑on technical leadership with responsibility for setting standards, improving service quality and ensuring the College’s infrastructure is robust, well‑governed and fit for future demand. Your work will directly support thousands of staff, students and delegates, helping to shape the digital foundations that enable learning, upskilling and success.

The Role

As Systems and Network Officer, you will play a pivotal role in both the operation and evolution of the College’s digital infrastructure. You will be responsible for the day‑to‑day operation, development and continuous improvement of the College’s networks, servers and cloud services, ensuring they are secure, resilient and aligned to the evolving needs of staff, students and delegates.

Alongside day‑to‑day operational leadership, you will contribute to the development and delivery of the College’s network and cloud strategy, ensuring that future plans are grounded in operational reality and support the transition to more cloud‑enabled, data‑driven and AI‑ready services. You will lead on operational matters relating to on‑premise and cloud‑based infrastructure, developing and maintaining policies, procedures and technical standards, while ensuring compliance with cyber security, confidentiality and legislative requirements.

A key part of the role is acting as a technical lead and mentor, sharing expertise and upskilling colleagues across core network, server and cloud platforms, helping to build a confident, capable and future‑ready IT team. As part of a dynamic and forward‑looking digital services team, you will also contribute to initiatives that advance the College’s use of automation, analytics and emerging AI‑enabled technologies, ensuring the underlying infrastructure is robust, secure and fit for innovation.

Key Responsibilities

• Operational leadership of server operating systems, network infrastructure and cloud‑based services
• Helping define, document and embed clear standards and benchmarks for infrastructure support, availability, resilience and service performance
• Contributing to the design, development and implementation of network and cloud strategy and roadmaps
• Administration and support of Microsoft Azure services, including Azure Active Directory and hybrid identity environments
• Management and configuration of security firewalls, wireless infrastructure and identity services
• Oversight of IP‑based telephony systems
• Maintenance of configuration management records, disaster recovery documentation, incident response arrangements and change control processes
• Horizon scanning of the cyber security and infrastructure landscape, maintaining a cyber risk register and recommending improvements
• Installation, configuration and deployment of systems, including Azure‑based and cloud‑native solutions
• Providing technical leadership, coaching and knowledge‑sharing to upskill colleagues across network, server and cloud services
• Working closely with IT colleagues, external contractors and suppliers to deliver secure, resilient and scalable services

The Person

You will be a highly skilled, motivated and forward‑thinking IT professional who thrives in complex environments and is passionate about building secure, resilient and future‑ready digital services. You enjoy solving challenging problems, sharing knowledge with others and contributing to the continuous improvement and evolution of enterprise infrastructure.

You are comfortable operating at both a hands‑on technical level and as a trusted technical advisor, helping to shape how services develop over time. You will have:

• An HND or equivalent qualification in a relevant subject (degree desirable)
• Significant experience (minimum 5 years) in systems, network and cloud infrastructure roles
• Strong expertise in Windows Server operating systems and Azure‑based environments
• Experience working with enterprise network devices, security appliances and monitoring tools
• Hands‑on experience administering Azure Active Directory, hybrid identity and cloud governance
• Working knowledge of Linux operating systems and network monitoring technologies (e.g. SNMP)
• Strong troubleshooting, scripting and performance optimisation skills
• The ability to prioritise effectively, work under pressure and deliver solutions to tight timescales

You will be a flexible, enthusiastic and collaborative team player, with excellent communication skills and the confidence to coach, mentor and upskill colleagues. You bring a customer‑focused mindset, curiosity for emerging technologies, and a strong commitment to innovation, resilience and continuous improvement.

We value constructive challenge, curiosity and evidence‑based improvement, and actively encourage colleagues to question existing approaches where better outcomes can be achieved.

Why Join Forth Valley College?

Forth Valley College offers the opportunity to combine challenging, meaningful technical work with the security, benefits and purpose of the public sector. As a Systems and Network Officer, you won’t just be supporting infrastructure, you’ll be helping to shape the digital environment that underpins learning, teaching and innovation for thousands of learners and staff across the region.

What we offer:

• Competitive salary of £37,896 – £41,770 (Grade 7), with annual increments
• Local Government Pension Scheme – with Benefits accrued on a Career Average Revalued Earnings (CARE) basis college contribution of up to 24%
• 48 days annual leave entitlement (including bank holidays and college closure days)
• Hybrid and flexible working arrangements (where feasible)
• A 35‑hour working week
• Free onsite parking and gym membership (including classes)
• Onsite canteen and Starbucks coffee shop
• UNiDAYS employee discount schemes
• Cycle to work scheme
• Strong investment in learning, professional development and wellbeing

Most importantly, you’ll be part of a forward‑looking digital and IT team, working on modern network, cloud and security platforms and contributing to initiatives that support automation, data and AI‑enabled services — all while making a real difference to learners, communities and the future workforce.

Join Us:

If you’re passionate about driving international educational success and have a vision for FVC’s global development, we’d love to hear from you. We are committed to ensuring an inclusive and accessible recruitment process for all candidates. We understand that individuals may have different needs and we are dedicated to providing reasonable adjustments to support candidates throughout the recruitment process. If any adjustments are required to be made, please contact us. The college will work with each individual to identify and implement appropriate solutions to ensure you have a fair and equitable opportunity to demonstrate your skills and qualifications.

Closing date: 11 June