Lead Digital Solutions Specialist

Humberside Fire & Rescue Service

Contract Type: Permanent, Full Time – Hybrid Working

Salary: Grade 9 (£33,945 – £35,745)

Location: Humberside Fire & Rescue Service Headquarters, Summergroves Way, Hull

Closing Date: 12 noon, Friday 1st March

Role Breakdown:

Support: As a Lead Specialist, you will be responsible for providing advanced technical assistance and resolving escalated issues promptly. This entails not only maintaining and troubleshooting mission-critical systems, including communication devices and incident response software but also documenting solutions and procedures for future reference. Your expertise will ensure the uninterrupted operation of essential technology systems for the fire service.

Project Management: In addition to offering advanced technical support, you will lead technical project delivery initiatives. This involves ensuring projects are on budget, on time, and tailored to the unique needs of the fire service. Your role will encompass close collaboration with stakeholders, including fire service employees and external vendors, to communicate project milestones, provide technology training and address any concerns quickly and efficiently. Comprehensive documentation will facilitate the replication of successful project strategies and troubleshooting methods in future endeavours.

Mentoring: As a Lead Specialist, you will contribute to the overall efficiency of the team by sharing your knowledge and expertise. This includes mentoring service staff and participating in knowledge-sharing initiatives, accompanied by thorough documentation of best practices and training materials. Your guidance will help develop the skills of team members, fostering a collaborative and supportive environment within the service, reinforced by accessible documentation resources.

The Digital Services Team comprises of Innovation, Solutions and Assurance departments, this role is in the Digital Solutions Team and highlighted in green below.

Digital Solutions Lead Specialist – Core Skills

• Experience in deploying and managing cloud solutions on Microsoft Azure platform Proficiency in Azure services such as Azure VM’s, Azure Active Directory, Azure Storage and Azure Networking. A strong background in Hyper V is also beneficial.
• Strong networking knowledge encompassing TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VPN, and VLANs, with experience in configuring network devices.
• Firm understanding of cybersecurity principles and best practices. Experience in implementing security measures such as firewalls , intrusion detection/prevention systems and managing endpoint security solutions. A Familiarity with Managed Detection and Response (MDR) solutions and cybersecurity principles to enhance security posture.
• Ability to work within a professional support environment adopting iTil best practices , incident management , change control, release management ,excellent documentation skills for creating clear technical documentation including infrastructure configurations and troubleshooting procedures.

Digital Solutions Lead Specialist – Personal Characteristics

1. Customer-Centric Approach: Understand and prioritise the needs of customers and an empathetic approach to staff able to address their technical concerns effectively.
2. Effective Communication Skills: Clear and concise communication with both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Active listening to understand customer requirements.
3. Problem-Solving Skills: Analytical mindset to identify and resolve issues efficiently. Proactive in anticipating potential problems and providing proactive solutions.
4. Technical Proficiency: Strong knowledge of the infrastructure being supported. Stay updated on the latest industry trends and technologies.
5. Adaptability: Ability to adapt to changing technology and business environments. Flexibility in handling various tasks and challenges.
6. Time Management: Efficiently manage time and prioritise tasks to meet deadlines, able to manage multiple projects simultaneously without compromising quality.
7. Collaborative Team Player: Work effectively with cross-functional teams. Foster a positive and collaborative team culture. Leading by example with a willingness to mentor, educate and train staff on adoption and use technology tools.
8. Attention to Detail: Thoroughness in analysing issues and implementing solutions. Ensure accuracy in documentation and reporting.
9. Continuous Improvement: Drive a culture of continuous improvement. Seek feedback from customers and use it to enhance services and processes.
10. Proactive Monitoring: Proactively monitor infrastructure to identify potential issues before they impact the service or staff. Implement preventive measures to minimise disruptions.
11. Security Awareness: Understand and adhere to security best practices. Ensure that customer data and systems are protected.
12. Documentation Skills: Maintain clear and comprehensive documentation for troubleshooting and knowledge sharing. Create user-friendly guides for customers.

Recruitment Process (2 Phases)

If your core skills and personal characteristics match the above, we would encourage you to submit your current CV to the HR Team.

Eligible candidates will be invited to a Phase 1 Questions and Answers session for you to learn more about the Lead Specialist Role within the Fire Service. A short assessment will also be completed during Phase 1 to gauge your competency level.

If you are successful after Phase 1 you will be progressed to Phase 2 and invited back for a more traditional interview.