Data centre operator

Cpl; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the UK is seeking a Data Centre Operator with a proven background in operations and batch processing. The role involves monitoring datacentre environments, managing jobs, and ensuring service quality in a 24/7 operational context. Ideal candidates will have experience with Control-M and a philosophy of maintaining high service standards. Flexibility to handle a 12-hour shift pattern is essential, along with strong problem-solving skills.

Qualifications

• Proven background in operations and batch processing.
• Experience with Control-M and job scheduling tools.
• Ability to analyze and resolve production problems.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and manage batch schedules and datacentre operations.
• Conduct physical patrols to ensure datacentre security.
• Prepare daily, weekly, and monthly operational reports.

Skills

Operations Management

Problem Solving

Teamwork

Root-Cause Analysis

Self-Motivation

Education

Experience in Batch Processing

Experience with Control-M

Understanding of ITIL

Tools

Control-M

JCL

Korn Shell

UNIX/Linux Commands

Oracle Database

Job description

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• Observing monitoring consoles and event driven alerts
• Coordinating with vendors when support calls are raised for assistance (e.g. BT)
• Calling the company on on-call expert staff to respond to an out of hours incident (e.g. DBA team, Network team)
• Taking first line corrective action for agreed and documented administrative systems (for example re-sending faxes which have failed delivery)
• Running & monitoring (not building, but see Additional Responsibilities below) traditional batch schedules, including using automated tools such as Control/M, Visualcron etc.
• Running (not building, but see Additional Responsibilities below) weekend release jobs/scripts to release development changes into production
• Physical management of Xerox bulk printing

Other physical duties

• Daily removal of tapes and boxing up for off-siting
• Activities in the datacentre on power down weekends in support of engineers
• Test access to systems to prove availability (e.g. logon to an application)
• Conduct physical patrols to ensure datacentre temperature etc. (in addition to watching automatic building management alert systems)
• All other ad hoc activities reasonably required or expected to ensure smooth operation of the batch processing and datacentre operations as requested by the company under the supervision of an of a company Operations Coordinator
• Ensure security and access procedures are followed, this includes maintenance of related logs and records.

Additional Responsibilities

Preference will be given to flexible candidates who can provide support for the BMC Control-M scheduling environment, the job execution environment and the production output environments:

• Regularly review the OPS procedures and instructions to ensure they are relevant, up to date and followed.
• Ensure accurate Daily, Weekly, Monthly and Adhoc reports are produced as required.
• Apply required schedule changes
• Analyse and resolve limited production problems and incidents.

Key Skills

The candidate must possess:

• A proven background in operations
• Ability to work in small groups and on own initiative
• A self-motivated attitude demonstrated by providing solutions and ideas to the company
• Management in line with their strategy to improve the efficiency of the operations environment

Additionally the applicant must:

• Demonstrate a philosophy which seeks to ensure a high quality of service for the Production systems
• Be able to work under pressure and remain focussed on providing a 24/7 service
• Work confidently and efficiently with other technicians and teams
• Be experienced in root-cause analysis and provide solutions to problems
• Be prepared to continuously develop own skills and competencies and understand changes in market trends where these are relevant to the role.

In addition the applicant would ideally possess:

• A proven background in batch processing and job scheduling. Experience of a job scheduling tool, particularly Control-M, would be an advantage as would experience of a Microfocus environment.
• Good understanding of JCL
• Good understanding of Korn shell scripting
• Knowledge of Linux and UNIX commands
• Basic knowledge of Oracle database structures
• Understand the fundamentals of ITIL

The job is based on a 12 hour shift pattern of days and nights, covering days per year

- Christmas day off. Weekly shifts to be agreed between client and contract personnel Data Centre Operator