*As we have a high volume of applications for our vacancies. If you have applied for this role in the last 3 months and not been successful, our practice is usually not to consider another application for 3 months

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. 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. Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer.

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 role supports the IS manager of the Database Administration (DBA)team withthe management, maintenance and optimisation of effective DBA services to the University and, is part of the wider Information Services (IS) collection of teams, which underpins the delivery of customer focused information systems and services.

This role offers excellent opportunities to gain hands-on experience with data technologies, while enabling the post holder to develop advanced DBA skills. Specifically, the post holder will undertake activities relating to, and work with increasing independence to:

Assist in daily database maintenance and monitoring activities.
Perform regular database backups and validate recovery procedures
Support database upgrades and patch installations.
Monitor database performance and troubleshoot issues under senior DBA guidance.
Support data security measures, including user access control and encryption.
Help maintain database documentation, schemas, and procedures.
Run queries and generate reports as requested by internal teams.
Participate in database migration and upgrade projects.
Ensure compliance with data protection regulations and company policies.
Undertake incident ownership and management

The Computing and Information Services (CIS) has an annual operational budget in excess of £27m, including multi-million pound programmes of change within year, and approximately 172 staff. The Senior Leadership Team report directly to the Chief Information Officer (CIO) with the following portfolios: Strategy and Change; Technical Services; Information Services, 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 Digital Strategy - Durham University
• CIS is a friendly, but demanding department, where much is expected and can be achieved by competent, self-motivated individuals who are demonstrable in their team work ability. The department works in a hybrid capacity, depending on the job role.
• Information Services (IS) is responsible for the provision of a wide range of end-user and customer facing technology services, ranging from: student record management; curriculum & learning, IWMS, integration services; AI; identity and access management, and; other immersive technology experiences.
• The post holder will be sponsored, and required, to undertake further study that will lead to the award of a digital related qualification.

The decision as to what level of study will be undertaken, and the topic to be studied, will be determined by the post holder's previous study and work attainment experiences, and acceptance by the training provider to offer a training place.

It is a requirement for this role that the University is satisfied that you meet the apprentice eligibility criteria for the qualification you would be undertaking as part of the role. Including right to work, residency eligibility, visa duration, previous qualifications conditions and completion viability. This will be applicable for any apprenticeship funding eligibility. More information can be found on: Apprenticeship funding rules and assessment plan guidance, 2025 to 2026 - GOV.UK.

Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.

The base location for this role is Boldon House, our exciting new professional services hub. Boldon House is situated on the outskirts of Durham near the Arnison Centre in Pity Me. Boldon House brings a number of professional services teams together in a vibrant office environment which supports collaborative working and is designed to embrace hybrid working. To find out more, visit the project webpage: Boldon House - Durham University.

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 27 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 39 days. The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have 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 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.
• Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
• 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.
• We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference to the local community.
• 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).
• If you are keen on advancing in your role or career, we have a genuine passion for developing our colleagues from qualifications to IT skills, courses and apprenticeships.
• We offer generous pension schemes with varying contribution amounts to help you plan for your future.

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. Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.

Your application should cover the following criteria:

Essential Criteria

Qualifications/Experience

1. Five GCSEs at least Grade C or level four (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics or a Post-16 qualification or equivalent experience.

2. Degree level qualification and demonstrable experience of software coding skills learned within: a formal IT role, or; within an education setting, or; via a hobby.

3. Experience of working within a team to ensure the delivery of high-quality services.

4. Experience of providing advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues.

5. Experience of managing time to meet deadlines.

6. Residency eligibility - The apprentice must have the legal right to work in England. The apprentice must meet the residency requirements detailed in Annex A of the Funding Rules for Apprenticeships. This includes (but is not limited to): being ordinarily resident in the UK (or specified territories) for at least three years immediately before the apprenticeship begins, unless a specific exemption applies. Exemptions may apply to individuals with; refugee status or humanitarian protection, permission under the Ukraine or Afghan schemes, stateless status, certain family member rights, pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. More information can be found on: Apprenticeship funding rules and assessment plan guidance, 2025 to 2026 - GOV.UK

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge

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

8. Strong digital competence with demonstrable skills in using core digital tools including internet, email, digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications, digital booking system, project planning.

9. Industry or professional knowledge/recognition relevant to the role supported by relevant courses or certification.

10. Committed to continuing professional development.

11. Ability to solve problems yourself and as part of a team and plan appropriate solutions.

12. Knowledge of health and safety issues.

13. Ability to participate in networks to share and discuss good practice and exchange information.

14. Experience in at least 2 mainstream scripting languages, including JavaScript*

Desirable Criteria

15. Basic understanding of SQL and relational database concepts, including database security principles*

16. Familiarity with database platforms such as MySQL, Oracle, or Microsoft SQL Server*

17. Basic understanding of SQL, PL/SQL, T-SQL

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. Where there are desirable criteria we would also urge you to provide any relevant evidence. Please don't forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above).

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 during the process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails

What you are required to submit:

A current CV
A covering letter
An evidence document which clearly shows how you meet all of the Essential criteria. When providing evidence, you must ensure each essential criteria is clearly identified by providing the criteria heading first, and then the evidence; failure to do this may result in your application failing shortlisting.

Contact details

If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role, David Crooks, DBA team manager, would be happy to speak to you. D.J.Crooks@durham.ac.uk

Typical Role Requirements

Service Delivery
• Contribute to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University's values.
• When carrying out your role, apply relevant industry and professional standards to ensure that our facilities are safe, secure and appropriate for public access and use.
• Respond to queries and provide information/advice, while raising more specialist or complex queries with more experienced team members.
• Use your experience and problem-solving skills to investigate and resolve issues relevant to your role and make recommendations based on your findings.
• Use your technical knowledge and specialist skills to build, adapt, construct and repair fabric, fittings, buildings, services and equipment using the resources available to you.
• Ensure that information used to analyse the service being delivered is accurate and provide reports and analysis of patterns and trends to senior colleagues.
• Monitor and analyse the use of equipment and resources to ensure efficiency and report your findings to senior colleagues.
• Manage and monitor the use of components, resources and equipment.
• Deliver infrastructure support services relating to the estate and buildings to support the University's activities.
• Support the use of assistive technologies, social media and applications to meet security and safety requirements.
• Continually review what is required from staff, students and others who you work with to make sure the best possible service is provided.
• Prepare safety documents and risk assessments relating to activities across the estate.

Planning and Organising
• Plan and organise your workload to deliver the role.
• Organise and schedule assigned resources, activities and events.
• Monitor processes and activities to ensure team priorities are met.
• Help to plan and evaluate the services provided by your area to ensure that requirements from your service are being met.

Teamwork
• Provide specialist support and advice to team members on areas of expertise.
• Make changes to the services provided by your team in discussion with other team members.
• Identify opportunities and contribute to decisions on how to improve services being delivered by the team.
• Seek feedback from students, staff and anyone else that you come across as part of your role on their requirements from your service and recommend improvements to senior colleagues.

Communications/Liaison
• Use your knowledge and expertise to provide advice and guidance to resolve problems and respond to a wide range of queries.
• Provide instruction and demonstration to others within area of working beyond immediate team.
• Explain and demonstrate tasks to others to ensure that components, equipment and processes are used correctly.
• Create good working relationships with other team members and anyone else that you come across as part of your role to work together on joint activities.
• Create good working relationships with internal and external partners and suppliers to work together on joint activities.
• Build relationships with contacts and contribute to internal and external networks to share good practice and exchange information.
• Liaise with outside agencies, local authorities, suppliers and visitors to ensure that services are safe and secure.
• 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.

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