Introduction
If you believe in the power of computers, revel in bringing order
out of chaos and can carry people with you to make sure it is
maintained, then this is the place to look. This is a post
that provides essential support to all areas of the environmental
sector and to all the other services in all types of council - even
in county councils which do not have a specific responsibility for
the environment. The work is primarily concerned with the
management of information technology systems and staff but covers a
whole gamut of administrative functions.
Work Environment
Members of this unit work just over 36 hours per week with no
shift work or anti social hours required. All the work takes place
in the office and at reception, with a small amount of local travel
to meetings.
Daily Activities
The job entails the management of a team that provides
administrative support to officers of the public protection
department. It includes helping with compilation of reports,
financial information, recruitment and staffing issues for
personnel as well as oversight of the computer database. The second
main aspect of the team leader's brief is supervision of the unit
office and reception staff as well as all those employed in the
maintenance of the fabric of the building like cleaners, and
caretakers. The objective is to make sure all these human and
technological resources work. Systems must be able to deliver
useful and timely information for anybody who needs it, including
outside bodies like the Financial Services Authority. This means a
regular liaison with professional, technical and administrative
staff, the general public, local authority members, contractors and
business people. Most of the time officers will have to work
to timetables driven by other people's needs, although there is an
opportunity to use individual initiative and exercise negotiating
skills. The work is both reactive and proactive with occasional
opportunities to work on special projects, like configuring the
computer database for a new application. At the core of this
job there is, of course, the computer.
Skills & Interests
To be good at this job you would need to have:
- good grasp of detail;
- head for figures;
- excellent computer skills;
- an ability to get on with people of different
backgrounds;
- confidence;
- project management skills.
Because managers regularly require information, working in the
support unit means you need to be able to react quickly, recognise
priorities, delegate and be amenable to change within the overall
responsibility for leading a small team. Understanding people's
strengths and weaknesses and being able to exercise patience, both
with irate customers and internal demands, are also very
important.
Entry Requirements
There are no formal entry requirements but you are encouraged to
aim for qualifications like HNC in Public Administration and a
Diploma in Management Studies during your employment.
Previous experience in computer related work is essential,
however.
Future Prospects & Opportunities
This is a growth area. As the importance of efficiency and best
practice develops - as people demand more and more from their
council and resources are limited - the efficiency of computer
systems is crucial. Websites which help the public to access
information about the council and get a response, and mechanisms
for good communication within the council, are part and parcel of
any authority's ability to deliver its service to the community -
whether it is about the way complaints are handled or how late
council offices should stay open.
There is a considerable motivation for people in this post to
seek professional qualifications and move to other administrative
posts.
Further Information & Services
Specialist IT journals
Society of IT Management www.socitm.gov.uk
E-skills www.e-skills.com
Institute for the Management of Information Systems www.imis.org.uk
Computing.co.uk www.computing.co.uk
You may find further information about this area of work through
Careers Wales (www.careerswales.com/) or
in your local library, careers office or school careers
library.