Associate IT Engineer

We are looking for an Associate IT Engineer to join our team of engineers based at our Porton site with travel required to other UKHSA sites across the country. The team is part of the wider End User Workspace, Hosting and Service Management team which itself is part of the Technology Group at the UKHSA.

The team at Porton support colleagues both on-site and remotely, using after a range of technologies from end user devices – laptops and mobile phones - to InTune and Azure.

Our ideal candidate thrives in a challenging environment, is motivated by delivering results, and is comfortable with working under pressure. The role requires a team player who has the motivation to maintain a solid service whilst constantly striving to improve both the technical and non-technical aspects of delivery.

Working for your organisation

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.

UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.

Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers

Working as part of a wider team of geographically dispersed second-line engineers you will provide both technical and non-technical expertise in the development and operation of IT support to end users within the UKHSA systems environment.

The role holder will be part of the IT Equipment Supply team within the End User Devices team and will be a key contact for new starter specific incidents and requests. They will set up equipment for delivery to staff, ensure compliance with asset management and quality assurance systems, ensure equipment that is returned is fit for purpose before returning to stock, and provide UKHSA staff with the support, guidance, and advice to allow them to work on the UKHSA network without disruption. They will also support the Lead Engineer in any system implementations or incidents as directed.

Due to the breadth of technical services required by UKHSA colleagues you may be asked to assist the wider Technology team with projects, new services and major incidents and you will also need to work with your team to ensure that ITSM functions are carried out responsibly. You will be involved in contributing to service improvements and updates.

The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by the directorate.

The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organisation.

Main Duties

• Assist the Lead Engineer in delivering high-quality IT support and customer service, ensuring UKHSA staff can access IT services through reliable, correctly configured devices
• Provide consistent support to users across all locations and directorates within agreed service levels
• Deliver technical support and troubleshooting, including: User account administration
• Permissions management
• File share support
• Windows operating systems
• Microsoft communication and collaboration tool
• Image, configure, and prepare end-user devices for deployment, ensuring: Asset records are updated
• Quality assurance checks are completed
• Authenticate new and existing staff and issue credentials as required.
• Provide technical support and troubleshooting for new starters and existing staff during equipment setup and use.
• Perform quality assurance checks on returned equipment to ensure devices are: Undamaged
• Sanitised
• Fit for purpose
• Accurately recorded in asset management systems
• Follow established procedures to repair or retire faulty or damaged equipment.
• Ensure compliance with UKHSA IT security policies and standards.
• Work collaboratively with a geographically dispersed second-line support team to provide service continuity and cover for colleagues across locations
• Undertake additional duties as directed by line management in line with departmental policies and standards

Please note this list is not exhaustive.

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Experience, Behaviours, and Technical skills

Stage 1: Application & Sift

Success Profiles - GOV.UK

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 6 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

• Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
• 750 word supporting statement

This should outline how you consider your skills, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV).

Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than 750 words. Please do not exceed 750 words.

Longlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:

• Meets all essential criteria
• Meets some essential criteria
• Meets no essential criteria

If used, the pile ‘Meets all essential criteria’ will proceed to shortlisting.

Shortlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications we will conduct an initial sift, on the lead criteria of:

• Evidence of excellent customer service skills and a commitment to improving services and performance for end users

Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications/large amount of successful candidates

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

Success Profiles - GOV.UK

You will be invited to a single on-site interview at our site in Porton. Behaviours and Technical skills will be tested at interview. The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Delivering at Pace
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and influencing (lead behaviour)

Technical skills will be assessed by Technical based questions.

Interviews dates to be confirmed.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Additional Information

Location

This role is being offered as office based at our Scientific Campus in Porton. Based at our scientific campus, you will be required to have a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a basic disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter-Terrorist Check.

Eligibility Criteria

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including internal applicants).

Salary Information

If you are successful at interview and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.

Qualifications and Registrations

For roles where specific qualifications or registrations are required, successful applicants will be asked to provide appropriate evidence. Employment cannot commence until satisfactory documentation has been received and verified.

Future Location

UKHSA is investing in a new state-of-the-art National Biosecurity Centre in Harlow, Essex, which will eventually bring together teams currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale and Porton Down. For more details, please see: Huge biosecurity centre investment to boost pandemic protection - GOV.UK. The new facilities will start becoming operational in the mid-2030s, with full completion by 2038. Staff will move in phases as facilities become available. If you're appointed to a role currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale or Porton Down, please note that we'll continue investing in these sites for the next decade. As we get closer to the transition, we'll provide full information about relocation support available to staff.

Internal Fraud Check

If successful for this role as one aspect of pre-employment screening, applicant’s personal details – name, national insurance number and date of birth - will be checked against the Cabinet Office Internal Fraud Hub, and anyone included on the database will be refused employment unless they can show exceptional circumstances. Currently this is only for external candidates to the Civil Service.

Reasonable Adjustments

The Civil Service is committed to making sure that our selection methods are fair to everyone. To help you during the recruitment process, we will consider any reasonable adjustments that could help you. An adjustment is a change to the recruitment process or an adjustment at work. This is separate to the Disability Confident Scheme. If you need an adjustment to be made at any point during the recruitment process you should contact the recruitment team in confidence as soon as possible to discuss your needs. You can find out more information about reasonable adjustments across the Civil Service here: https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/reasonable-adjustments/

International Police check

If you have spent more than 6 months abroad over the last 3 years you may need an International Police Check. This would not necessarily have to be in a single block, and it could be time accrued over that period.

Careers website

Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers

Incident Response Activity

From time to time, the role holder may be required to support UKHSA’s incident response activity by contributing their appropriate expertise within an Incident Cell; during such periods, supported by the line manager, this work will take priority over normal day-to-day responsibilities, commensurate with their grade, skills and experience.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.