Technical Specialist (AV Installations)

The University  
  
At Durham University we are proud of our people.  A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.    

Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally.

We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University.  Further information about the University can be found here.

Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Information Page.

 
The Role and the Department

The Computing and Information Services (CIS) has an annual operational budget in excess of £12m, multi-million pound programmes of change within year, and approximately 185 staff. The Senior Leadership Team report directly to the Chief Information Officer (CIO) with the following portfolios: Strategy and Change; Operations; Information Systems, and Cyber Security. CIS work with departments across the university to provide academic, teaching and administrative services that underpin the day-to-day activities of the whole organisation. Details of the Digital Strategy and ongoing work can be found at https://www.dur.ac.uk/cis/digitalstrategy/

CIS is a friendly, but demanding department, where much is expected and can be achieved by competent, self-motivated individuals who work well in teams. The department works in a hybrid capacity depending on the job role and individual personal requirements.

This role will support the delivery of audiovisual (AV) installations across the university working collaboratively with CIS teams, internal university teams and with external partners. Many schemes are initiated through Estates and Facilities projects and programmes, the annual Teaching & Learning Space refresh or ad-hock department/user requests.

The successful candidate will be the named AV lead for specific allocated projects, upgrades & maintenance where you will be expected to coordinate the requirements gathering, design, planning, installation, configuration, commissioning and handover of AV infrastructure and associated services. A focus on attention to detail to produce high quality documentation to support clear project briefs, commissioning, handover and transition into service, is essential. Input into the AV Team documentation, policies, procedures and close working with the AV Team, who deliver the AV Service, is also essential.

The post holder will be competent in AV systems and services with experience and knowledge of a variety of hardware and software, coupled with skills in project management, vendor engagement and stakeholder relations.

The base location for this role is the AV offices on the Lower Mountjoy site with opportunities for working from home through a hybrid working patten.

Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.  
  
Working at Durham   
  
A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University:

•   You’ll receive 30 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year. The University closes between Christmas and New Year.

•    We offer a generous pension scheme, and as a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).

•    No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered.  We have ample parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. You can also take advantage of our cost-effective and environmentally friendly Tusker Car Benefit Scheme, allowing you to lease a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle with savings on tax and National Insurance.

•    We have a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally.  There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University.  All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.

•    We provide wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.

•    Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16.

•    Our family-friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).

•    We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community.

•    You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions.

•  Various salary sacrifice schemes are also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.

• If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs, and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools.  If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest-free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.

Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion 
 
Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work.  As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do.  We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct.  At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. 
  
We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.  If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application.  If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.  

What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification  
  
When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role.  Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description. 
  
Your application should cover the following criteria:  

Essential Criteria

Qualifications/Experience

1.     Educated to degree level or equivalent experience.

2.     Professional practitioner with knowledge and expertise in audiovisual Installations, including: requirements gathering, design, planning, configuration, installation, commissioning and handover of AV infrastructure.

3.     Expertise with a range of equipment and devices used to support teaching and meeting environments, both in-person and hybrid.

4.     Experience of participating in internal or external networks to share and discuss good practice and develop strong and productive working relationships.

5.     Experience of delivering and developing specialist audiovisual systems and/or services.

6.     Experience of understanding end user requirements (needs analysis), translating into technical solutions and communicating outcomes.

7.     Experience of providing specialist advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues, including more senior colleagues.

8.     Experience of implementing policies and procedures and supporting service improvements. 

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge

9.     Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.

10.  Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications, AV related software.

11.  Committed to continuing professional development to maintain professional recognition.

12.  Professional knowledge and experience of compliance and regulations.

13.  Ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions.

14.  Ability to play a key role in the delivery of infrastructure projects.   

15.  Knowledge and experience of health and safety issues such as risk assessments.

 
Desirable Criteria  

16.  Knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines.

17.  Achievement of recognised industry and professional standards supported by relevant courses or certifications e.g. AVIXA CTS, Dante, MS Teams.

18.  Experience working within corporate enterprise network environments

19.  Full UK Driving Licence

How to Apply
     
To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria. 
  
While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.     
    
Submitting your application   
  
We prefer to receive applications online.   We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.  
    
What you need to submit 
  
•    A CV: and     
•    A supporting statement or covering letter which outlines how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification. 

 

Contact details     
    
For a chat about the role or any further information please contact: Chris Pearson, Senior Manager (AV & IT Installations), 07793 906 963, chris.pearson@durham.ac.uk
  
 

Typical Role Requirements  

Service Delivery/Development

·       Contribute to equality, diversity and inclusion, and the University’s values.

·       Provide specialist advice and guidance relating to your professional area of expertise in line with the University’s policies, regulations and values.

·       Operate as a point of expertise for colleagues and other stakeholders, helping to interpret and resolve complex audiovisual technical problems.

·       Manage the delivery of audiovisual installations across the University to a high standard.

·       Provide the best possible service by continually reviewing what is required from staff and students as well as products and trends in the AV industry and contribute to ideas and service improvements.

·       Look for ways to improve our AV systems and AV service across all areas of your work.

·       Identify any learning needs that should be met by the AV Team and design activities and arrange any training.

·       Ensure safe working practices by monitoring and updating risk assessments and safety procedures.

Planning and Organisation

·       Plan, manage and deliver assigned projects and activities using appropriate techniques, tools and protocols to deliver agreed objectives and solve any problems which you encounter.

·       Schedule and monitor projects, maintenance and installation works across the University.

·       Seek feedback from staff, students and other key stakeholders so that AV Service is being planned and adapted to meet customer expectations and future needs.

·       Meet the development needs of your stakeholders by providing training when required.

·       Manage budgets and expenditure including buying (and returning) goods and services.

Communication/Liaison

·       Use your operational expertise to lead and participate in business meetings, working groups and sub-committees.

·       Provide regular status reports on projects and ongoing work to the AV Team, IT Field Teams, project boards, services users and managers], highlighting any risks and contingency plans.

·       Interact and collaborate with other specialists across the University to ensure the integrity and delivery of consistent services.

·       Promote and encourage a collaborative approach to problem solving and project delivery in order to motivate, mentor and coach less experienced project staff.

·       Create positive working relationships, including internal and external networks, using your networks to increase your knowledge and skills and swap information with peers.

·       Liaise with internal and external suppliers, where required.

·       Any other reasonable duties.

    
Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Privacy Notices - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.     

 

When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.