Systems Engineer in Aberystwyth

The Role

Information Technology Services (ITS) is a customer-focused department servicing the IT needs of Aberystwyth University. The successful candidate will work within the IT Infrastructure Group, where they will be involved in the continual development and support of the University’s mixed server infrastructure with both Linux and Windows deployed within a largely virtualised environment. The appointed candidate will join this small, dedicated team of experts, making a difference to all students and staff of the University. This mixed server infrastructure provides many services to the University, including file, print, authentication services, MySQL and MSSQL database services, virtualisation services, Microsoft 365, and administration of other cloud-based services. An understanding of such an approach is essential.

The successful candidate will have first-hand experience of contributing to a sector leading IT department and helping to keep it at the forefront of current technology. As it is a small team, you will learn from, and teach your colleagues, providing resilience and improving the group's shared knowledge. This post will be predominantly on site in Aberystwyth, with some flexibility to work from home on occasion.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

• Working within the Infrastructure Team to develop, support, and maintain the University’s central IT infrastructure, based on a mix of Microsoft Windows, Apple macOS, and Linux.
• Work on the design, development and testing of solutions based on existing or new technologies both independently and collaboratively.
• Make decisions independently and collaboratively that will impact service delivery and new developments affecting all users of IT services.
• Support the team manager to develop interdisciplinary team working within the IT infrastructure network group and other ITS teams.
• Work in a project team, contributing to project deliverables.
• Respond in a timely manner to second level support queries from 1st and 2nd line support, identifying, investigating, and documenting solutions to service incidents.
• Troubleshooting problems that users experience with accessing or using IT services and resolving or referring them as appropriate, including issues affecting the entire University (e.g., email access).
• Testing new/updated procedures or services.
• Most work will be carried out from a desk computer, with some activity at University data centres including work on specialist servers, storage, network, and backup devices.
• Undertake other duties as assigned by the line manager, commensurate with the role's grade.
• Engage in university-level projects and initiatives as directed, and undertake additional duties commensurate with the role, as assigned by the line manager.
• Demonstrate flexibility by supporting colleagues during periods of high demand, including attendance at key university events which may include weekend work.
• Promote equality of opportunity, and uphold the University’s commitment to diversity and inclusion in all aspects of work.
• Support the university strategy and related plans, engage in continuous personal and professional development, including undertaking relevant training to develop yourself and others.
• Fulfil health and safety responsibilities appropriate to the role, while actively promoting health, safety and wellbeing of staff and students, and support environmental sustainability through responsible practices.

The above does not represent an exhaustive list of duties associated with this role.

Essential – Qualifications, Experience, Knowledge and Skills

• A degree or equivalent experience in an IT related discipline.
• Experience of Linux or Windows systems administration.
• Experience in writing scripts for maintenance, reporting, and process activities.
• Experience of networking and mixed infrastructure environments.
• Experience of dealing with people, enquiries and problems in a service environment.
• Previous experience in providing high quality technical support.
• Knowledge of current computer hardware and software including the support and management of Linux or Windows server infrastructure, including virtualization technologies.
• Verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate clearly on a wide range of technical issues.
• Demonstrable initiative and problem-solving skills.
• The ability to empathise with users and handle potentially difficult or stressful situations diplomatically and efficiently.
• Highly motivated with the ability to work effectively as a member of a team or individually and work to set objectives and agreed timescales.
• A customer oriented and innovative approach to IT service design and delivery.
• Ability to cope with rapid change, and ability to learn new skills quickly along with an orderly approach to problem solving.
• Be able to communicate highly technical information to people with less technical experience.
• Ability to investigate computer problems that are new to you, produce a diagnosis and a resolution.
• Can notice when you are unsure how to proceed with a task and ask colleagues for guidance.
• Be able to take constructive criticism and be willing to discuss alternatives to your approach.
• An ability to understand the bilingual nature of the University and an awareness of the procedures in place to support working bilingually.
• Previous experience with one or more of the following: Perl, Python, Powershell.
• Basic knowledge of industry standard technologies such as: M365, Vmware, PaperCut, Samba, Debian or RedHat Linux and Apache.
• Basic knowledge of the SQL database language.

Desirable

• Experience of working with M365.
• Experience of Azure, Active Directory administration and Group Policy implementation.
• Good knowledge of cyber security fundamentals, including event log analysis, packet capture, endpoint security, firewall configuration, email security and malware prevention.
• Previous experience of working in Higher Education.
• Previous experience of the ITIL framework.
• Oral (spoken) and Written Welsh Level A2.

How to apply

To promote a flexible workforce, the University will consider applications for full time, part time, job share, or term time only working arrangements. Applications for this role must be made through jobs.aber.ac.uk. You may apply in Welsh or English and all applications will be treated equally.

Benefits

• Flexible working policy
• Hybrid Working
• 36.5-hour week for full-time roles
• Generous leave entitlements – 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays and university closed days
• Commitment to Professional Development
• Enhanced contribution to workplace pension schemes
• Staff recognition and reward schemes
• Opportunity to learn the Welsh language for free
• Staff relocation bursary
• Maternity, Paternity, Parental and Adoption Leave
• Staff discount for gym facilities, hospitality, and retail on campus

Aberystwyth University is a bilingual institution and is committed to Equal Opportunities. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and communities, including those underrepresented in our workforce.

Employment Visa: Under the UK Government’s points-based system, this role does not meet the criteria to be sponsored for a Skilled Worker Route application.