Computer Officer Grading Criteria
These guidelines were previously specified by the IT Syndicate to define the tasks and levels of responsibility to be expected of holders of the various grades of Computer Officer, and were in use between 1989 and 2006.
General Notes
- Throughout this document the term computing encompasses hardware, software, communications and information technology generally.
- See Ordinances - Chapter XI, for the composition of Appointments Committees for Computer Officers.
Computer Officer Grade IV
Entry requirements
Newly qualified professionals with little or no experience, or with less than professional qualifications but some relevant experience.
Specification:
Training or transition grade for technicians taking on additional responsibilities; duties involve one or more of computing installation and maintenance; assisting academic users; minor system administration.
Criteria for further upgrading
Satisfactory performance, if necessary together with adequate experience and/or gain of further qualifications.
Computer Officer Grade III
Entry requirements
Professional with relevant qualifications and experience.
Specification
Entry grade; duties involve one or more of computing installation and maintenance; advising academic users; system administration.
Criteria for further upgrading
Satisfactory performance at Grade III is necessary but not sufficient; there must be evidence of (1) consistent good performance, (2) ability to be largely self-managing, (3) an assumption of a significant measure of responsibility, and (4) a significant measure of self-advancement involving keeping up with new developments in the relevant field so as to contribute to planning.
Computer Officer Grade II
Entry requirements
Professional with above average qualifications and/or experience; established track-record in computing support with abilities for self-management; able to undertake significant responsibilities and to keep up with new developments in the relevant field.
Specification
Duties involve one or more of computing installation, development and maintenance; advising academic users; system administration; assuming a significant measure of responsibility, under guidance of more senior staff, either for managing other staff or for looking after a particular area of computing support; contributing to some planning decisions.
Criteria for further upgrading
Satisfactory performance at Grade II is necessary but not sufficient; there must be continued advancement on all factors specified for criteria for Grade III to Grade II upgrading, together with the assumption of a specific managerial role and/or of substantial responsibility (e.g. the overall management of a complete computer installation or planning and development in a particular area of computing support or management of a sizeable team of staff); ability to contribute to policy formulation.
Computer Officer Grade I
Entry requirements
Professional with excellent qualifications and experience; established track-record in computing support with abilities for self-management; proven ability to undertake substantial responsibilities, and be able to keep up with new developments in the relevant field.
Specification
Career grade; duties involve management and/or leadership in one or more of computing development and maintenance, advising academic computer users, system administration; undertaking a specific managerial role within the organisation and/or a substantial responsibility (e.g. the overall management of a complete computer installation; all planning and development in a particular area of computing support or for a sizeable team of staff); contributing to policy formulation.
Criteria for further upgrading
Further upgrading ordinarily subject to availability of a vacancy at a higher grade.
Senior Computer Officer
Entry requirements
Professional with excellent qualifications and experience; established track-record in computing support with abilities for both self-management and team management; having undertaken significant responsibilities, kept up with new developments in the relevant field and contributed to policy formulation and strategic planning.
Specification
Management grade; duties involve management of all aspects of a complete and substantial IT support facility or area of computing expertise.
Criteria for further upgrading
Further upgrading is subject to the availability of a vacancy at a higher grade.
Principal Computer Officer
Entry requirements
Professional with excellent qualifications and substantial experience; established track-record in computing support with abilities for self-management and a proven ability to undertake substantial managerial responsibilities and/or to be able to keep up with new developments in the relevant field and to set out policies and strategies to carry them forward.
Specification
Senior management grade; duties involve management of all aspects of a major IT support facility with a significant number of staff and/or a high level strategic responsibility for developing both policy and strategy in a particular area of computing expertise.
Criteria for further upgrading
Further upgrading is subject to the availability of a vacancy at a higher grade.
Last updated: 20 March 2007