Infrastructure Specialist

Job description

Job responsibilities

The post holder will be required to physically configure and install infrastructure components, this will include cabling and patching.

The post holder will be responsible for maintaining the Groups Server / Client management platform and base image.

The post holder will be responsible for maintaining & developing the Groups Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI).

The post holder will be responsible for managing Avaya / Extreme networks and Cisco technologies, include on-premises, remote and cloud services.

The post holder will be responsible for ensuring that daily backups are completed and ensure the validity of those backups in accordance with policy and procedure.

The post holder will be responsible for ensuring that the Groups data centres (on-site and remote) are run at optimum performance level to deliver the Groups requirements and maintained to a high level so that the environment remains secure, robust, and effective.

The post holder will contribute to technical discussions for architectural configuration, security, and infrastructure to ensure best practice solutions for the Group are in place, fit for purpose for the Group.

The post holder will contribute to technically complex ICT projects utilising Agile methodologies and working with the project team to collectively delivery the departments agreed projects. The post holder will take responsibility for the technical aspects of all major infrastructure initiatives and programmes.

The post holder will be work closely with the Infrastructure Manager to ensure that support and maintenance, security controls, documentation for all infrastructure elements, are in place and ensuring that they are monitored and kept up to date.

Participate in a rota for your team to ensure that the Service Desk has the 3rd line team available during the agreed hours, and that there is a 3rd line on-call service available to the Group.

Resolve 3rd Line infrastructure problems and queries which have been escalated by the Service Desk or other Digital Departmental Teams through analysis and use of their specialist knowledge, expertise, and experience. This will include, but is not limited to, technical systems problems, server security, network security issues, complex application issues, and the interpretation of user requirements to effectively implement solutions.

Ensure that calls are prioritised in accordance with SLAs and departmental OLAs for Incidents, Service Requests and RFCs. Act as an escalation point for 3rd line Infrastructure team related calls.

Responsible for logging of faults/warranty claims with system and hardware support vendors.

The post holder will work closely with the Infrastructure Manager to ensure that all risks and issues relating to ICT infrastructure are fully documented, risk assessments undertaken and recorded on the Groups risk management systems as well as the departmental risk register.

Management and Leadership

Proactively and positively contribute to the ICT leadership team by taking part in appropriate planning & development and providing digital services & solutions leadership.

Work closely with the Clinical Systems team and Digital Transformation and Innovation team on upgrades and policies/procedures.

Contribute to the development and implementation of the Group Digital Strategy, in line with Group, National priorities and initiatives, and leading digital techniques.

Support individuals and teams that are highly skilled, effective, engaged and highly motivated.

Ensure best practice in managing staff is adopted and maintained, including regular performance appraisal, effective two-way communication, and implementation of processes to ensure personnel work in a responsible, safe manner and have due regard for health & safety regulations.

Contribute to the financial performance of Infrastructure Team, including achievement of financial targets, balancing potentially conflicting demands of budgetary requirements and service requirements.

Deputise for the Infrastructure Manager as necessary and where appropriate.

Technical Service Delivery

The post holder will have a broad understanding of ICT and specialist knowledge in several key technologies such as servers, storage, networks, security and cloud.

The post holder will be responsible for expensive ICT equipment and contributing to the configuration, testing, software, repair, and maintenance.

Contribution to the delivery of ICT Infrastructure technical and infrastructure services to the Group.

Ensure that progressive solutions, which consider models of best practice, are incorporated into service plans.

Manage own team and their budgets and relevant project / capital budgets ensuring excellent financial control and forward planning.

Review service needs with users and other stakeholders. Evaluate and continuously improve performance and ensure all service KPIs are met or exceeded. Resolve complex service issues and conflicting priorities. Work within available resource to achieve optimum performance.

Ensure that routine maintenance and remedial work is appropriately scheduled and undertaken so that it does not adversely impact the availability of business-critical systems.

Ensure that all digital systems & services that are managed by the ICT Infrastructure team have an appropriate degree of robustness, and disaster recovery plans in line with agreed priorities based upon likelihood and impact.

The post holder will be responsible for ensuring that all infrastructure changes are processed through the change management process.

Ensuring that standard changes are documented and have annually updated communication plans attached and that change schedules are pre-approved at CAB as appropriate annually.

Ensure that all emergency changes relating to ICT infrastructure are presented at either an emergency convening of CAB where appropriate or as a retrospective change request at a scheduled CAB meeting.

Report back on successful, deferred, or failed changes to CAB.

Ensuring that ICT infrastructure Configuration Management Data Base (CMDB) is kept accurate and up to date throughout the asset life cycle and ensure that all capital assets are recorded on the Capital Asset Register.

Ensure that the ICT Service Catalogue and other ICT infrastructure configuration documentation, procedures and processes are kept up to date with regular reviews.

Contribute to ensure that the Infrastructure team has in place appropriate and up to date policies, guidelines, standard operating procedures, and standards covering the use and management of all ICT services, resources, and assets (physical and data). Ensure that policies are kept up to date, are in line with National policy, standards, and guidance, and comply with all relevant legislative requirements.

Ensure that a full and current inventory of all IT assets is maintained and utilised appropriately.

Work closely with the Infrastructure Manager to ensure the security of ICT assets (physical and data). Identify and evaluate risks, formulate plans / contingencies to mitigate risks, and agree plans with stakeholders.

Ensure that appropriate disaster recovery and business continuity procedures are in place for critical systems within the responsibility of the Infrastructure team and that disaster recovery testing is performed in line with scheduled plans.

Person Specification

Skills

Essential

• Effective verbal and written communication and presentation skills suitable for a range of audiences
• Able to clearly manage priorities for self and contribute to those of team in order to meet targets
• Ability to perform well under pressure and manage unpredictable workload with conflicting priorities
• Quality focused with an innovative approach and ability to solve complex problems

Knowledge & Experience

Essential

• Evidence of continuing professional development
• Knowledge of Cloud and on-premises security standards
• Technical Specialist knowledge in data centre infrastructure
• Knowledge of wired and wireless network installation, configuration, and management.
• Experience of delivering ICT Infrastructure, preferably in the public sector
• Experience in building and managing ICT service delivery functions at a senior level (preferably in an NHS environment)
• Significant professional experience providing technical support for ICT infrastructure.
• Experience of digital/ICT operational change/project management while also developing and maintaining high standards of quality
• Experience in contributing to the success of a multi-disciplinary team as effective team member
• Ability to contribute to the effective performance and budgetary management and control in the Infrastructure Team.
• Sufficient knowledge of NHS/Government policies, strategies, and organisational relationships in relation to ICT infrastructure and be able to be able to advise stakeholders and develop proposals for the ICT infrastructure.
• Knowledge & experience of a variety of technology platforms (e.g. server virtualisation, datacentres, desktop virtualisation, client-server architecture, data networking, TCP/IP & internet, cloud services & solutions, messaging, Storage Area Networks, security and mobility)
• Experience of managing enterprise class platforms such as Azure, Active Directory, DNS, DHCP, WSUS, System Centre, Citrix, VMware and Veeam.
• Experience of contributing to the development of policies and procedures
• Experience of working within multi-disciplinary teams

Desirable

• Experience of working within the agile methodology

Education, Training & Qualifications

Essential

• Educated to Post Graduate Degree level education or equivalent level or equivalent experience delivering Digital services

Desirable

• Azure Cloud Certified Administrator or equivalent experience
• MCSE: Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert or equivalent experience
• VMWare Certified Professional or equivalent experience
• Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) or equivalent experience
• Sufficient knowledge of the provision of health services

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

Northampton General Hospital

Address

Northampton General Hospital NHS Trust

Cliftonville

Northampton

NN1 5BD

Employer's website

https://www.northamptongeneral.nhs.uk/Home.aspx (Opens in a new tab)