Pegasus

http://www.caerphilly.gov.uk/trans/vacancies/showjob.aspx?JID=014995 ICT Technician Information Technology - Ystrad Fawr £14,364 - £17,469 (Scale 3/4) Full Time / Permanent Closing Date : 23/12/2005 Post Ref : EDBF204 We are seeking to recruit a customer focused, self motivated, enthusiastic, IT Technician to form part of a busy team in supporting the software and hardware within our Schools and Educational establishments. Knowledge of the functions of local government and to the successful provision of in-house services would be desirable. The successful candidate will possess detailed knowledge and experience of a wide variety of hardware equipment and relevant operating systems paying particular emphasis to the Microsoft Windows XP SP2 operating system and Microsoft Office application suite. Knowledge of Microsoft’s other applications e.g. Project, Outlook etc is also desirable. Due to the diversity of operating systems and applications installed within the Educational establishments experience of working within an IT support environment is essential. Excellent communication and problem solving skills will be essential, together with a flexible approach to work. The ability to drive is essential. This job involves the manual handling of PC equipment and this needs to be considered when applying. This is a challenging opportunity within a busy environment and individuals capable of meeting the above are invited to apply. For an informal discussion, please contact Wayne Turner – Network Development Officer on: 01443 864101. Job Description and Person Specification (pdf 11kb) Application forms and further particulars can be obtained from: Corporate Recruitment Team Corporate Personnel Services Caerphilly County Borough Council Council Offices Nelson Road Tredomen Hengoed. CF82 7WF Tel: 01443 864422 Minicom: 01443 864303

Forgot to say the issue of redundancy and sick leave did not come into the interview process .. If I am to be offered the position (PLEEEEASE!) I will be pushing for my redundancy settlement.. Well it's foggy and frosty in Cardiff this Sunday morning .. Cooked breakfast me thinks ! See you soon.

My interview on Tuesday went well. Advised that 30 minutes would be allocated but I was there for 90 minutes or there abouts (not including a 45 minute wait when I arrived). My tummy was rumbling rather loudly by the end! The interview was designed around 10 practical questions which gave me a clear insight as a Leading IT Technician. I felt more and more confident as ticks and notes were noted on their response sheets while I nattered on. A few examples of their questions were: What if a pupil reported they was no sound when attempting to play a music CD? My initial response was "are they allowed to listen to CD's at school?" which went down rather well, then I went onto the technical solutions. Other questions were how would I project manage a large software upgrade? I spoke of my project management role during a site-wide XPAD, MS Office and Outlook 2003 upgrades (not all at the same time!). Another was if I was on site with a user and took 2 calls from a Head Teacher unable to access email and a group of pupils unable to access the intranet, how would I manage all 3 problems and with what priority? First thing I said was I'd call base for backup (theme tune to Mission Impossible starts playing in my mind.. ) I'd get as much information regarding the other 2 cases and pass these details on. Also asked if there is a hierachy of support similar to where I work i.e: Executives (pah!) have priority, then depending on the whether the issues effect manufacturing and production which are considered highest priority calls. I was asked to explain what the following were and where they can be found such as PCI, SCSI, USB, BIOS etc .. other questions were how I would manage and monitor network usage and security, account management, SQL database structures .. I felt very relaxed and made them laugh a few times (as is my way). Almost choked on my water at one point, answering a question before I swallowed, which also raised a chuckle .. In all I came away feeling confident and sure I had answered their questions well. I did forget to hand over my Certificates and embarassed to say I forgot to say I would be away for a week in April since I was getting married .. They said they were interviewing again on the Thursday and I should expect to hear by the Friday but as yet I have received no response. It's a waiting game and I plan to call HR on Tuesday if I do not hear anything by then. Here endeth my story .. Thanks again for your responses.

Cheers for the replies .. I think I will go with the brief response that due to the restructuring there has been alot of uncertainty, I have continued to be employed for the duraration of 18th months while "at risk" and have employment through to the end of Feb 2006, but I want to move forward, take control now into the wonderful academic community .. It is wonderful right ?

Hi Newbie here. Your site is a blessing !! You see I have an interview tomorrow for 2 jobs with my local council for their Schools IT Support Services as Leading IT Technician Grade Sc 4/5/6 and School's IT Technician Grade Sc 2/4 both 37 hrs per week 1 year renewable contracts. It's been 5 years since my last interview and I am growing confident that I will be well prepared for tomorrows selection interview with the Technical Team Leader and the Head of Schools IT Services. There are no tests involved so won't be taking my tool kit!, just a face to faces interview. HOWEVER.. I am afraid I will get defensive when answering the question of why I am leaving my current job. To keep a long story long, in April 2004 a huuge american corporation acquired us resulting in all IT Support outsourced overseas .. basically my job was gone. I have remained as an employee but on the "at risk of redundancy" while I have been going cap in hand to key people putting my case forward to take me off the at risk position based on my 5 years skills/experience and feedback from the 500+ users. Over the last 18 months I had demonstrated the benefits to keep me as the local IT support person within the new IT structure aiming to win "suitable alternative employment", but the overseas remote support model remains the winner. Then came the promises of transferring under TUPE to another large american corporation that were bringing in their own contractors (3) to provide the local IT Support which I was rather excited about since I would transfer under the same terms and conditions. But no contracts have been signed and HR have changed my last day of service 6 times (always a couple of days before I am due to leave on grounds of redundancy I might add!) since they dont know who the contract will be with now, the contracts are still under negotiations, they are investigating a new contractor, not sure what my role will be ... it goes on and on ... Now, let me tell you, I am like a dog with a bone .. won't give up but inevitably I have been showing signs of (dare I say it?) STRESS! .. so much so that I have lost weight, unable to sleep and depression. My GP has signed me off sick with stress and I have remained at home decorating for the last 7 weeks. I have the Union on my side pushing for my redundancy package since this has gone on long enough and am likely to get it at the end of Dec (then again I was promised this 4 times before) Can you see why I am nervous about the question of why did you leave your last job? I read that I should keep it simple by saying that due to the restructuring my job was made redundant but what if they probe me further? Thanks in advance