JOB DESCRIPTION. 4. ORGANISATION CHART: Head of School of Computer Science, Mathematics and Business Computing. Informatics Centre Manager

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1 JOB DESCRIPTION 1. JOB TITLE: Informatics Centre Software Developer 2. ROLE CODE: SDCSIS (HRMS/11037) 3. DEPARTMENT: The Informatics Centre is part of the Department of Computer Science and Information Systems and Mathematics. It supports a software development team delivering products and services regionally and providing client-focused practical experience for students. This environment enhances the curriculum and facilitates applied research. 4. ORGANISATION CHART: Head of School of Computer Science, Mathematics and Business Computing Informatics Centre Manager Developers/Lead Developers: Informatics Centre Solutions Team x JOB PURPOSE: To engage in practical software development tasks across the full range of the software development lifecycle and thereby contribute to the design, implementation and testing of software solutions built for external clients. These tasks will be completed in a team environment and will conform to standard QA procedures. 6. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The Informatics Centre received Knowledge Transfer funding in October 2008 to establish a small team to build software solutions for internal and external clients. Since then the team has been expanded and over 15 projects are scheduled to have been completed by October New projects are currently being commissioned and the team must continue to expand to meet current demand and to plan for the loss of current team members when they complete their studies at the end of the academic year. 7. WORK PERFORMED AND/OR KEY RESULT AREAS: 7.1 Communicating Effectively The post holder must communicate effectively with team members, project leaders and directly with clients in some circumstances. This will involve daily verbal and written interaction and will entail an understanding of complex technical tools, practices and procedures. The post holder will be required to produce written technical reports and to give oral presentations to team members and possibly to external audiences, addressing technical issues arising from work undertaken.

2 7.2 Leadership and Working Collaboratively The post holder must work closely with project team members and project managers to achieve project deliverables by agreed deadlines. The work is likely to be varied and challenging and the post holder must be well organised and well motivated to ensure that team goals are met. 7.3 Liaison and Networking The post holder will liaise frequently with project managers and project team members. There may also be direct liaison with clients at various stages of the development process. The post holder will network with the staff and student body to update skills and to keep abreast of emerging trends. This may be represented by student membership of the BCS, to share and update knowledge on current professional practise. 7.4 Delivering a High Quality Standard of Service The post holder provides software development expertise to the Informatics Centre, which provides knowledge transfer services to a range of regional enterprises. The post-holder will be required to deliver software and associated documentation to meet clients specifications. There will also be a requirement to provide user training on completed projects. The post-holder will contribute to evolving standards and practices in scoping projects and monitoring the quality of service provision. 7.5 Effective Decision Making The post holder will collaborate with the Centre Manager in deciding how to approach specific projects. The post-holder will take decisions independently about the particular interpretation, design and implementation of a specific solution in the light of technical experience and expertise. 7.6 Planning and Organising Self and Others The post-holder will have significant responsibility for personal organisation and time management to ensure that a range of technical tasks are completed to high standards and within prescribed time constraints. This planning will be based largely on individual projects with responsibility for co-ordinating work with other team members. The post-holder will not be responsible for finance or resources. 7.7 Innovation and Improvement (Effective Problem Solving) Each new project will need to be planned carefully and this requires advanced problem solving skills. There will also be occasions where the post-holder will need to develop novel solutions using new or unfamiliar software tools and technologies. This requires initiative and an ability to handle complexity. 7.8 Analysis and Research The post-holder will engage in business and systems analysis tasks in identifying client requirements and in implementing solutions. The post holder will draw upon expertise derived from the Informatics Centre s portfolio of completed projects.

3 7.9 Sensory and Physical Demands No particular sensory or physical demands are implicit in the role beyond normal office working conditions Work Environment There are no anticipated safety considerations other than the normal strictures regarding safe and sensible use of a computer in an ergonomically sound environment Pastoral Care and Welfare No particular pastoral care and welfare responsibilities are attached to the post Team Development The post holder will provide feedback to the team on specific technical issues arising from work on specific projects. Individual and team progress will be appraised through client feedback and evaluation of post-project technical reports Teaching and Learning Support The post-holder will undertake some post-implementation training of users in new systems. The role may also entail contributions to CPD courses designed to train learners in the use of particular tools and technologies Knowledge and Experience The post holder is required to have a broad understanding of software development practices and / or graphic design experience. In addition to specific programming and / or database and / or Photoshop / Illustrator / Fireworks skills, the post-holder must have a good understanding and practical experience of a range of software development tasks from systems analysis, design and implementation through to QA and documentation standards General To undertake any other duties commensurate with your grade, and/or hours of work, as may reasonably be required of you To take responsibility for upholding and complying with the University s Equality and Diversity policies and for behaving in ways that are consistent with fair and equal treatment for all To comply with all University Health and Safety policies.

4 PERSON SPECIFICATION PERSON SPECIFICATION Job Title & Department: Informatics Centre Software Developer, Dept. of CSIS&M Criteria Qualifications: Undergraduate or postgraduate student in relevant subject area e.g. Computer Science, Information Systems, Graphic Design, Arts and Media with evidence of achievement in specialist subject areas e.g. programming, web development, Photoshop, Fireworks. OR Proven Experience: Previous employment experience general or IT related Knowledge, skills and abilities: Sound knowledge and experience of the complete software development lifecycle Method of identification (i.e. application form, interview, test) Selection Panel use this section to match your skills and abilities to the criteria outlined Form Experience of using one or more of the following: asp.net C#, Flash, XHTML / CSS, JQuery, PHP, Photoshop, Illustrator, Fireworks Form / Interview Good team-working, time management and communication skills Excellent problem solving skills Form / Interview Interview / Test Other Attributes: Proactive, enthusiastic and committed; able to maintain strict confidentiality Membership of professional body such as BCS Form Requirements are those, without which, a candidate would not be able to do the job. Applicants who have not clearly demonstrated in their application that they possess the essential requirements will normally be rejected at the shortlisting stage. Requirements are those that would be useful for the post holder to possess and will be considered when more than one applicant meets the essential requirements.

5 UNIVERSITY OF CHESTER TERMS & CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS (2 POSTS) FIXED TERM CONTRACT UNTIL 27 TH JULY 2012 SALARY SCALE University Scale OS 4, points 11-14, per hour (inclusive of annual leave accrual) payable monthly in arrears. HOURS OF WORK Hours of work to be as and when required up to a maximum of 36.5 hours per week. MEDICAL EXAMINATION Successful candidates will be required to complete an Occupational Health questionnaire, and may be required to undergo a medical examination. ESSENTIAL CERTIFICATES Short-listed candidates will be asked to bring to interview, proof of qualifications as outlined on the Job Description and Person Specification provided. Upon appointment, copies of essential certificates will be required by HRM Services. PENSION SCHEME The University is an admitted body to the Cheshire local government pension scheme. All support staff are eligible for membership of the scheme, and upon appointment, will be asked to indicate whether or not they wish to join the scheme. EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES The University has a policy of equal opportunity aimed at treating all applicants for employment fairly. SMOKING POLICY The University operates a No-Smoking policy. PROBATIONARY PERIOD A nine months' probationary period applies to all University posts. CLOSING DATE Completed application forms should be returned to HRM Services, University of Chester, Parkgate Road, Chester, CH1 4BJ, no later than Friday 25 th November 2011 at 12 noon quoting reference number HRMS/11037.