Information Systems Specialist Applications Housing

Join the Team Supporting Sheffield's Essential Neighbourhood ServicesICT & Digital Innovation – Digital ApplicationsBe part of the technology that helps deliver vital services across SheffieldSheffield is a great city, and the Sheffield City Council Plan 2024-28 focuses on what makes Sheffield a unique, ambitious and inspiring city with a clear vision for the future.A significant part of that delivery plan involves the embedding and support of technology and our approach to digital across the organisation and city.At Sheffield City Council, we're delivering an ambitious digital transformation agenda that is modernising how services are designed, delivered and supported. The Digital Applications Team plays a critical role in that journey, ensuring the systems that underpin Housing and Neighbourhood Services remain reliable, effective and ready for the future.Our Digital Strategy is being delivered through a programme of projects that will modernise our IT infrastructure and look to the future using AI, Automation and emerging technologies. We are bringing together professionals and teams that support ICT & Digital Innovation from across the organisation to further develop skills in line with the SIAM model of delivery.We're looking for a talented, motivated and forward-thinking Information Systems Specialist to join our Digital Applications Team. This is an exciting opportunity to combine technical expertise and problem-solving skills to support systems that are essential to the delivery of front-line critical services across the city.Whether it's improving business processes, delivering valuable management information, supporting key operational applications, or helping implement modern digital solutions, you'll be at the heart of work that makes a genuine difference to residents, communities and council staff.Why Join Us?Make an Impact Every DayThis isn't technology for technology's sake.Our Digital Applications Team supports the critical business systems used by the Neighbourhoods Services Directorate, helping colleagues deliver services to residents across Sheffield. Your work will help ensure technology enables business change, service improvement, informed decision-making and better outcomes for customers.Work on Business-Critical ApplicationsThe service supports the Neighbourhoods Services Directorate by maintaining its line-of-business applications and providing a support service to ensure the applications are enablers to business change and service improvement.The team currently supports:NEC HousingInfo@Work (NEC DM Housing)APP (Flare) Housing / Civica CXConfirmTotal MobileIdox / UniformThese applications support housing management, repairs, property services, customer engagement, mobile working, regulatory functions and critical operational processes relied upon daily by services across the Directorate.Be Part of Digital TransformationAs part of ICT & Digital Innovation, you will contribute to ongoing programmes that improve how services are delivered through smarter use of technology, automation, data and digital solutions. You'll have opportunities to develop your skills, contribute to service improvements and help shape the future of digital service delivery across the Council.What You'll Be Part OfThe Digital Applications Team provides technical expertise, application support and service improvement across the Neighbourhoods Services Directorate.We work closely with operational services, suppliers and colleagues across ICT & Digital Innovation to ensure applications remain secure, effective and aligned with business needs.The team provides:Application Support and AdministrationSystems Analysis and Problem ResolutionData Analysis and ReportingDigital Service ImprovementSupplier and Stakeholder EngagementManagement Information and Dashboard DevelopmentApplication Development and Configuration SupportAbout the RoleWe are seeking to appoint an outstanding Information Systems Specialist for the Digital Applications Team.We are looking for an individual who possesses strong operational leadership, technical expertise and analytical skills to support Information Systems Officers and wider team members in delivering an innovative problem-solving service that supports front-line critical services.Working closely with service users, suppliers and stakeholders, you will help maintain, develop and improve key business systems while ensuring data is used effectively to support operational performance and strategic decision-making.In this role you will:Extract and explore data confidently and accurately using SQL and other tools as requiredAnalyse the root cause of system problems and work to resolve themSupport first-line help desk colleagues by investigating queries and delivering recommendations supported by analysisDesign, build and maintain interactive dashboards and reporting solutionsCommunicate with colleagues to gather requirements and understand business challenges or service-specific issuesSupport service improvement initiatives and system enhancement projectsContribute to the ongoing development and optimisation of business-critical applicationsProvide specialist technical support and administration for NEC Housing and NEC Document Management, including system configuration, security, business processes and application supportProvide advanced SQL expertise, developing, reviewing and troubleshooting complex queries to support data analysis, reporting, incident investigation and controlled data correctionMaintain detailed technical knowledge of relational database structures and the relationships between key Housing, tenancy, property, repairs and document management data within NEC Housing and NEC Document ManagementReview, test and implement supplier-provided fixes, database scripts, upgrades and product releases in accordance with testing and change management processesAct as the technical lead for complex application, database and integration issues, working with suppliers, service representatives and ICT colleagues to identify and implement sustainable solutionsWhat You'll BringWe're looking for someone who combines strong technical capability with excellent analytical and communication skills.You will have:Experience in data analysis, including working with large volumes of customer, operational and financial dataExperience using data visualisation tools and developing interactive dashboards that allow users to self-serve informationStrong analytical, investigative and problem-solving skillsExperience engaging with stakeholders to understand requirements and deliver practical solutionsExperience with advanced reporting skills. In particular, SQL would be highly beneficial and will support effective delivery in this positionHousing and NEC ExperienceThis role will have a strong emphasis on Housing services and the NEC implementation.Candidates with knowledge and practical experience of Housing processes will be at a distinct advantage. Familiarity with NEC Housing, relational databases and SQL will support effective delivery in this position.What We OfferYou'll be joining a dynamic, forward-thinking service at an exciting time of change and will be supported by both the Applications Service Manager and a skilled operational management team.Key benefits include:Annual leave of 26 days plus public holidays, rising to 31 days after 5 years' serviceOpportunity to purchase an additional 5 days' leave per yearUp to 6 days paid carers leave for those with caring responsibilitiesHybrid and flexible working arrangementsEmployee Assistance Programme providing support on personal finances, counselling, legal matters and wellbeingGenerous Local Government Pension SchemeDiscounts through Vodafone, Westfield Health and public transport schemesSalary sacrifice employee car lease scheme and city car clubCycle to Work scheme and free eyesight testsAffordable housing and the Peak District on your doorstepFurther InformationFor further information please contact:Carl Matthews – Information Systems Team Leadercarl.matthews@sheffield.gov.ukorKyle Hammond – Service Manager – Digital Applicationskyle.hammond@sheffield.gov.ukWe are investing in our workforce and are promoting opportunities to our under-represented groups. We value equality, diversity and inclusion and are focused on increasing the diversity of our workforce, particularly the number of Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic, Disabled and LGBTQ+ people, so that our teams reflect the communities in the city we serve. We are also supporting staff with unpaid caring responsibilities to work flexibly.It is a great time to join us and we welcome your application.Under the Guaranteed Interview scheme, applicants who are disabled, care leavers, or armed forces veterans will be guaranteed an interview if they meet the essential criteria and indicate their eligibility on the application form. Sometimes, if lots of people apply, we might not be able to interview everyone who qualifies for the Guarantee. In these cases, we’ll interview the candidates who best meet the essential criteria for the job.Full-time employees work 37 hours for 52 weeks of the year and we offer a generous holiday entitlement. We are open to discussions about a wide range of flexible working opportunities which benefit you and the Council, including reduced hour contracts, working part time or as a job share.If you are appointed to this role, your starting salary will be at the bottom of the grade. If you provide payslip evidence that your basic pay is greater than the bottom of the grade, we will consider starting you at the point of minimum advantage within the grade. Equality of pay is extremely important to us. All roles at Sheffield City Council are going through an evaluation process which may result in changes to some pay arrangements from 2026. Read about the new job evaluation process to be introduced at Sheffield City Council.We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all individuals, ensuring a safe and supportive environment for everyone and where appropriate to the role the successful applicant will be required to undertake relevant safeguarding checks.Basis: Full TimePackage: 2x Permanent