This job description was forked (copied) from the U.K. Government Digital Service (GDS) job descriptions template on December 8, 2016. Please use this only for reference.
- Original GDS generic Web Ops job description OpenDocument and MS Word
The applicant must have demonstrable experience configuring web and application servers and possess a fundamental understanding of Linux. An ideal candidate will have previous experience supporting a large production platform. Participation in an out of hours on-call rota is a requirement of this role.
- Operational management of Linux servers, delivering a complex web application stack
- Building and configuring new server platforms and the automated tooling to do so
- Testing, debugging and troubleshooting of platform level problems
- Supporting development teams with configuring applications for deployment
- Sharing on-call duties
Essential
- Anticipate technological developments to keep activity relevant and targeted
Essential
- Understand and identify the role of technology in public service delivery and policy implementation
- Spot warning signs of things going wrong and provide a decisive response to delivery challenges
Essential
- Make difficult decisions by pragmatically weighing the complexities involved against the need to act
- Draw together and present reasonable conclusions from a wide range of incomplete and complex evidence and data - able to act or decide even when details are not clear
- Identify the main issues in complex problems, clarify understanding of stakeholder expectations, to seek best option
Essential
- Seek constructive outcomes in discussions, challenge assumptions but remain willing to compromise when it is beneficial to progress.
Essential
- Question and challenge the value being delivered through commercial arrangements with delivery partners
Essential
- Ensure the service offer thoroughly considers customers' needs and a broad range of available methods to meet this, including new technology where relevant.
Essential
- Maintain effective performance in difficult and challenging circumstances, encouraging others to do the same.
- Review, challenge and adjust performance levels to ensure quality outcomes are delivered on time
Essential
- Understanding of common web application architectures
- Experience configuring and managing Linux servers for serving a dynamic website
- Experience debugging a complex multi-server service
- Scripting or basic programming skills
- Familiarity with network protocols - TCP/IP, HTTP, SSL, etc.
Desirable
- Installation and management of open source monitoring tools
- Configuration management tools like Puppet, Chef
- Deploying and configuring machines in a Cloud environment
- Understanding of application deployment strategies and continuous integration
- Working within a product-centric environment