BARNSLEY COLLEGE

JOB DESCRIPTION (REC 3)

Post Title:Head of Department

College/Department:IT Services

Reporting to:Vice Principal Funding and Data

Grade: Management Points 43 to 45

Summary of the Post

The post holder will lead the college IT department and ensure a high quality of service is inplace leading to an excellent user experience. Postholder will have reporting relationship to theVice Principal but will work closely with all stakeholders.

Main Duties

  • To develop and lead the IT service delivering effective and efficient IT and ILT provision for staff and students.
  • Agree a range of key performance indicators for the area and report monthly on performance against targets. Those are expected to include network downtime, IT support response/clearance time, telephone downtime, telephone support response/clearance time, project implementation and progress and software compliance.
  • Ensure the college Learning Resource Centres are effectively provisioned, operational and fit for purpose from a resource perspective.
  • Advise and support all aspects of the college’s VLE system so that it is desk top ready.
  • Responsible for the creation and introduction of a cyber security strategy.
  • Deploy staff to meet the needs of all staff and students including weekends, evenings and during holiday periods.
  • Prepare regular reports and guidance on all matters relating to learner resources, information and communications technology that support learning, initial assessment and communications capabilities.
  • Proactively drive efforts to improve the customer experience for both learners and staff.
  • To ensure that SLT and SMT are regularly updated on progress regarding IT/ILT, the achievement of its strategic plan in and on significant internal and external issues and new developments likely to impact upon the college's future strategies and policies.
  • To work with the Vice Principal Funding, Data and Complianceto develop and implement a financially sustainable IT strategy for the college that meets the current and future needs of the college.
  • To manage and develop the architecture and structure of the college IT network and the work of the college networking team to ensure a reliable and robust service to all users based against business priorities, strategy and budget.
  • To manage the central technical support service and technical team for IT facilities and appropriate users across the college to ensure these operate in an effective and efficient way.
  • To manage the college's telephony system, mobile phone and mobile device provision and ensure an effective and reliable service to all users.
  • To manage the college’s printing capacity, monitor the use of MFD and provide advice and guidance on output reductions.
  • To negotiate, manage, deliver and review Service Level Agreements ensuring the timely delivery of high quality services to all customers including, but not limited by, students, staff and employers.
  • To prepare the self-assessment report for the departments work.
  • To manage and develop effective external telecommunications/connections to supporting and partner organisations.
  • To ensure that a suitable Disaster Recovery Programme is in operation for the college network, and specialist IT facilities and learning resources including a security framework.
  • Liaise with the data controllers, owners and creators to ensure that the college Information Policy and codes of practice are up to date and fit for purpose and effectively contribute to the college’s ISO27001 Strategy.
  • To ensure legality of all software available on the college network and IT facilities and to ensure that a software register is maintained for all software used by the college.
  • To manage all devolved budgets for the department.
  • To recommend any necessary changes to the agreed staffing establishment of the teams within the Department and, where necessary, review, interview and appoint staff.

Standard Duties in all College Job Descriptions

  • Lead on cross college themes and projects as appropriate
  • Engage in the development and implementation of college systems and processes
  • Show a commitment to diversity, equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practices. The potholder is expected to comply with and promote Barnsley College’s equal opportunities policy in all aspects of their duties and responsibilities
  • Show a commitment to ensuring that children and young people learn in a safe College environment and will participate in relevant and appropriate training and development as required
  • Ensure that all information is secured, used and maintained in line with internal and external standards including ensuring that confidential information is processed in line with the Data Protection Act and College policies.
  • Any other duties commensurate with the grade as appropriate
  • These duties may be amended from time to time by the line manager in consultation with the postholder.

Line Management

If your job includes line management you may be asked to line manage members of staff who spend most of their time working on the course or courses that you lead. This will usually be either Instructors, Associate Teachers or support staff who are central to the course or courses you are leading. If you are asked to line manage staff, your manager or Head of Department will discuss this with you and ensure you are supported and receive

Method of Working

Barnsley College expects all staff to work effectively as part of a team, or teams, delivering high quality education and support to staff and students. As a minimum this requires dealing with people politely and tactfully, communicating with colleagues and students both formally and informally, offering guidance and information in accordance with college guidelines, policies and procedures when requested and contributing to the maintenance of the Barnsley College environment. In order to do this staff are expected to make themselves aware of the relevant policies and procedures. All staff are required to maintain confidentiality as required.

Public Relations

Considerable importance is attached to the public relations aspect of all work undertaken by Barnsley College staff. It is a prime objective therefore that staff will, at all times, project to the public the image of the college as keen to assist wherever possible, and positively promote the work that is carried out across its various services.

Recruitment\HR\09-05

PERSON SPECIFICATION REC 4 – Head of IT Services

Specification / Essential / Desirable / Examples Measured by
Education and Training
Formal qualifications and relevant training. /
  1. BSC or equivalent in Computer Science.
  2. GCSE A-C Maths and English or equivalent Level 2 qualifications
/
  1. Management qualification.
  2. Microsoft Technical Certificate.
  3. Vender network qualification.
  4. PRINCE
/ Application Form/CV.
Documentary Evidence
References.
Work Experience
Ability to undertake duties of the post. /
  1. Minimum of 2 years’ experience in a senior position responsible for operating and managing a large computer network system (preferably in Further Education).
  2. Minimum of 3 years post qualification experience.
  3. Experience of supporting a VLE.
  4. Infrastructureplanning including detailed network topology.
  5. Experience of managing SQL databases.
  6. Strong customer service focus.
/
  1. Experience of leading an IT Team in FE.
  2. Experience of ISO 27001.
  3. Experience in supporting social media.
  4. Moodle Experience.
  5. Experience around Cyber security.
/ Application Form/CV.
Interview.
Performance of task/test at interview.
Skills and Knowledge
Includes abilities and intellect. /
  1. Excellent technical knowledge.
  2. Implementing change and continuous improvements to process and services.
/ 1)Knowledge of VM ware.
2)Supporting a Wi-Fi
Infrastructure.
3)Familiarity with web filtering. / Application Form/CV.
Interview.
Performance of task/test at interview.
Personal Qualities
Includes any specific physical requirements of the post – (subject to the provisions of the Equality Act). /
  1. Ability to work to required deadline.
  2. Ability to take ownership.
  3. Problem solving.
  4. Attention to detail and compliance.
/ Interview.
Performance of task/test at interview.
Suitability to work with children, young people and vulnerable adults
Issues relating to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults / Motivation to work with children, young people and vulnerable adults
Ability to form and maintain appropriate relationships and personal boundaries with children, young people and vulnerable adults
Emotional resilience with challenging behaviours / Interview
References
DBS Certificate

Recruitment\HR\09-05