Computer Operations Console Operator
European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts
Reading, United Kingdom
Date of Issue: 28 June 2013
GRADE: B4, according to the scales of the Co-ordinated Organisations.
REFERENCE NO: VN13-14
LOCATION: ECMWF Headquarters at Shinfield Park, near Reading, Berkshire, United Kingdom
ENVIRONMENT:
The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) is an international organisation supported by 34 States.*
ECMWF’s principal objectives are the development of numerical methods for medium-range, monthly and seasonal weather forecasting; the preparation, on a regular basis, of these weather forecasts for distribution to the meteorological services of the Member States; scientific and technical research directed to the improvement of these forecasts; and the collection and storage of appropriate meteorological data. Satellite and in situ observations provide the information for up-to-date global analyses and reanalyses of the atmosphere, ocean and surface. For details see:
ECMWF’s main computing facility includes supercomputers, archiving and data handling systems. ECMWF is connected to the meteorological telecommunication system and to its Member States via efficient networks linking 44 countries. A detailed description is available at:
MAIN DUTIES:
This post is in the Operations Section of ECMWF’s Computing Department. The successful candidate will be part of a team of 12, working a 12-hour shift system covering 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Every shift consists of a minimum of two staff members – a duty manager in charge of the shift and another team member (either a shift leader or a console operator). The shift team monitor the performance of ECMWF’s computing systems and infrastructure and are responsible for running operational tasks.
The duties include responding to hardware, software and application alerts, first-level problem diagnosis, problem logging and appropriate escalation. During this process, the shift team must ensure clear and consistent communication with all parties from alert through analysis to resolution.
The shift team are responsible for dealing with fire alarms and the successful candidate will be trained to investigate and to manage fire alarms and to become a fire warden.
A significant part of the shift team’s work is procedure driven. The successful candidate will work with other team members to continuously improve procedures, monitoring systems and operational efficiency by identifying tasks suitable for automation, and will assist with their automation.
QUALIFICATIONS:
This post is in the Operations Section of ECMWF’s Computing Department. The successful candidate will be part of a team of 12, working a 12-hour shift system covering 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Every shift consists of a minimum of two staff members – a duty manager in charge of the shift and another team member (either a shift leader or a console operator). The shift team monitor the performance of ECMWF’s computing systems and infrastructure and are responsible for running operational tasks.
The duties include responding to hardware, software and application alerts, first-level problem diagnosis, problem logging and appropriate escalation. During this process, the shift team must ensure clear and consistent communication with all parties from alert through analysis to resolution.
The shift team are responsible for dealing with fire alarms and the successful candidate will be trained to investigate and to manage fire alarms and to become a fire warden.
A significant part of the shift team’s work is procedure driven. The successful candidate will work with other team members to continuously improve procedures, monitoring systems and operational efficiency by identifying tasks suitable for automation, and will assist with their automation.
QUALIFICATIONS:
The post calls for a high standard of secondary education.
Further qualifications in information technology would be beneficial.
Candidates must have extensive operating experience in a large-scale computing environment and be able to demonstrate a good working knowledge of a UNIX or Linux-based operating system. Experience of shift work, as well as experience of system and network monitoring tools, would be seen as significant advantages.
Understanding and experience of resource management within a complex distributed environment is desirable (for example, batch job scheduling).
Candidates will be expected to have:
Further qualifications in information technology would be beneficial.
Candidates must have extensive operating experience in a large-scale computing environment and be able to demonstrate a good working knowledge of a UNIX or Linux-based operating system. Experience of shift work, as well as experience of system and network monitoring tools, would be seen as significant advantages.
Understanding and experience of resource management within a complex distributed environment is desirable (for example, batch job scheduling).
Candidates will be expected to have:
- an understanding of the operational use of supercomputers, servers, storage, operating systems, networks and monitoring tools;
- previous experience of support duties in an operational environment;
- the ability to work effectively as part of a small team;
- good communication skills (written and oral), including the ability to write accurate and well-structured documentation and apply it appropriately;
- the ability to analyse and report problems, using system information and logs;
- the ability to prioritise and work effectively under pressure;
- a commitment to personal and team development, with a willingness to learn new skills.
The working languages of ECMWF are English, French and German. Candidates must be able to work effectively in English and a good knowledge of one of the other working languages would be desirable. Interviews will be conducted in English.
ECWF has an Equal Opportunities Policy Statement and applications from all suitably qualified candidates are welcome.
Staff are normally recruited from among nationals of the Member States and Co-operating States.
Staff are normally recruited from among nationals of the Member States and Co-operating States.
REMUNERATION: The successful candidate will be recruited at the B4 grade and the annual basic salary will be £37,628 net of tax, plus a monthly shift allowance of 37.33% of basic salary. This position refers to the employment category STF-C as defined in the Staff Regulations.
Full details of salary scales and allowances are available on the ECMWF website at:www.ecmwf.int/newsevents/employment/en/conditions_en.html.
STARTING DATE: As soon as possible.
LENGTH OF CONTRACT: Maximum of four years for initial contract, with the possibility of renewal.
APPLICATIONS: Application forms can be downloaded from ECMWF’s website:
(www.ecmwf.int/newsevents/employment/en/).
CLOSING DATE: Completed applications for this post must reach the Personnel Section of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts not later than 9 August 2013.
* The ECMWF Member States are: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.
The ECMWF Co-operating States are: Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Hungary, Israel, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, Morocco, Romania, Serbia and Slovakia.
Full details of salary scales and allowances are available on the ECMWF website at:www.ecmwf.int/newsevents/employment/en/conditions_en.html.
STARTING DATE: As soon as possible.
LENGTH OF CONTRACT: Maximum of four years for initial contract, with the possibility of renewal.
APPLICATIONS: Application forms can be downloaded from ECMWF’s website:
(www.ecmwf.int/newsevents/employment/en/).
CLOSING DATE: Completed applications for this post must reach the Personnel Section of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts not later than 9 August 2013.
* The ECMWF Member States are: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.
The ECMWF Co-operating States are: Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Hungary, Israel, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, Morocco, Romania, Serbia and Slovakia.
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