The Open University, UK
Knowledge Media Institute

Web Developer - Podcast/Webcasting

(Temporary appointment, up to 2 years - Vacancy ID: 4942)

Further Particulars

• Summary
• Job Description
• Person Specification
• Benefits and Facilities
• How to Apply
• Deadlines and Interview Dates
• Contacts

Summary

The Open University's Knowledge Media Institute has an opening for an experienced person to take on the role of Web Developer. You will be working in a small team under the supervision of the iTunes U Project Manager, ultimately reporting to the Director of KMi. The post involves the development of key communications in the podcasting and webcasting arena, particularly the work of the University in i-tunes u and will be task driven. For details of the projects you will be working on see:

• http://www.open.ac.uk/itunes/

The role entails project-based work with a mix of understanding and improving current functionalities within the technologies and building/testing a range of new features and functions.

The appointments will be made on the Salary Scales for Academic Related and Support Staff (Secretarial and Clerical; Technical and Craft Staff), Grade 7 ranging from £28,290.00 - £33,780.00 pa depending on qualifications and experience.

The Knowledge Media Institute is a highly successful, 91-strong interdisciplinary laboratory founded at The Open University in 1995, and located in attractive new offices at The Open University's main campus in Milton Keynes, UK. KMi undertakes high-profile advanced research and development in Knowledge Media: a convergence of knowledge, communication and computing technologies. We offer a stimulating environment, widely acknowledged to be at the leading edge of European research and development, particularly in semantic web technologies, multimedia information systems, knowledge modelling and management, new media systems, and human-computer interaction. The style, impact and content of our work are described in detail in our Web pages at http://kmi.org/.

Job Description

A brief description of the likely projects/duties is as follows:

• Development of both end-user interfaces and backend infrastructure for a bespoke content management project and associated projects;
• Development of dynamic web interfaces to media technologies;
• Work with digital audio/visual files and formats in the context of podcasting and webcasting;
• Reporting daily to the Project Officer.

Other Duties

• As required.

Person Specification

Essential Skills

• Qualified at relevant degree level or equivalent career experience;
• Have experience in PHP and MySQL programming;
• Have experience of working in at least one AJAX framework;
• Knowledge of digital audio/visual technologies;
• Experience of working in a programming environment on a project basis;
• Be a team player, working with a mix of colleagues;
• Enthusiasm and willingness to develop new skills and use new technologies.

Desirable Skills

• Experience of working with Web Services (SOAP, REST);
• Knowledge of AJAX and CSS;
• Presentation skills.

Personal Skills

• Excellent interpersonal, visual, oral and written communication skills;
• Team-working skills;
• Initiative and ability to work independently;
• Time management skills;
• Ability to work accurately, methodically and speedily.

Working at The Open University

The Open University transforms lives through education. It has become by far the largest university in the UK, now teaching well over 200,000 people every year. We have expanded our activities throughout Europe and our highly rated teaching materials are used by other institutions in many parts of the world. We are consistently achieving high rankings both in research and teaching quality assessments.

Teaching is through the provision of specially designed, high quality, materials encompassing traditional print texts, television, video, CD-ROM, internet and electronic conferencing together with first class personalised tuition, learning feedback and support.

The success of the Open University is due to our outstanding staff. There are around 13,000 staff (including 7,500 Associate Lecturers). Staff and potential staff are treated solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential, regardless of gender, colour, ethnic or national origin, age, socio-economic background, disability, religious or political beliefs, family circumstances, sexual orientation or other irrelevant distinction.

We are also committed to the development of our staff to their full potential through lifelong learning, offering a range of formal and informal training and development activities to ensure that staff are able to perform their jobs to the best of their abilities and to help meet individual and University objectives. Our objective is that all staff undertake a minimum of 5 days development activity in each year.

About Milton Keynes

Milton Keynes is home to some major employers with Abbey National, Argos and The Open University having headquarters in the city. With businesses continuing to locate here, unemployment levels are among the lowest in the country. It is one of the fastest growing cities in the country with fantastic shopping facilities, and Xscape Snow slope, new skydiving centre and much more. Milton Keynes has excellent transport links with the M1 motorway and A5 running alongside the city. Milton Keynes is also on the London Euston rail line (an hour north of London, and an hour from Oxford and Cambridge). Milton Keynes has just launched what it claims is the first commercial Wimax service in the UK.

Benefits and Facilities

The following information provides a summary of staff benefits and facilities. Full details will be available when you join us.

Staff Development

We have a strong commitment to providing training and development in and beyond your current role. This includes thorough induction into the organisation and regular reviews of your training and development needs. The objective is that all staff should undertake at least five days development activity in each year this may include attendance at formal courses or other learning e.g. use of self-study material. We invest substantial time and money in our staff development provisions and we waive fees for staff wishing to study our own courses.

Annual Leave

The annual leave entitlement is 30 days (33 days for academic, academic related or research staff) in addition to all bank and other public holidays and an additional 3 days at Christmas when the University is closed.

Study Leave

Permanent Central Academic staff (those on contracts of 2 years or more) are entitled to study leave on full salary for research or other approved academic purposes for two months in each leave year. For Regional Academic staff the entitlement is to study leave on full salary for two months within each period of two years completed service.

Pension Schemes

Staff have the option of contributing to a Final Salary pension scheme and the University contributes around 14% of salary. Full details will be sent with any offer of employment but any preliminary enquiries should be addressed to the Pensions Section, Human Resources (01908) 652431 or 652957.

Relocation Expenses

Staff are normally expected to live within a reasonable travelling distance of their place of work. The University will make a grant for expenses necessarily incurred for removals and disturbance, within certain rules and subject to a maximum payment. Full details will be sent with any offer of employment. The removal grant does not apply on appointments of less than two years duration.

Family Friendly Policies

• Staff are entitled to 52 weeks maternity/adoption leave. Statutory maternity/adoption pay will be paid for a maximum period of the first 39 weeks, made up to full pay for the first 18 weeks, subject to minimum service conditions. Staff have the right to return to work at any time within 52 weeks of the maternity leave start date, again subject to certain conditions.


• Staff are entitled to a maximum of 10 days paid paternity leave in connection with their wife's/partner's confinement in any one leave year in addition to normal leave entitlement, again subject to certain conditions.


• Pre-School Childcare Subsidy; we have a means-tested childcare subsidy scheme. Those eligible are provided with a Childcare Voucher that can be used as part payment for the care of children under 5 years of age. For further information about the scheme contact Human Resources on (01908) 655050.


• Childcare Vouchers; we have introduced a salary sacrifice scheme to enable staff to take advantage of tax and NI exemption on up to £243 of childcare vouchers per month. The scheme is managed by Busy Bees. Further information will be provided on appointment.

Milton Keynes Based Staff

• Nurseries: The Mulberry Bear Day Nursery & Pre-School is a purpose-built nursery on the Walton Hall campus. It is an independent charity supported by The Open University and managed by parents. OU staff applications are given priority but there may be a waiting list in some age groups. For further information, please telephone Milton Keynes (01908) 653867, email mulberrybear-enquiries@open.ac.uk or see their website at http://www.mulberrybear.org.uk


• There are a number of other private nurseries in the Milton Keynes area.

Facilities

• Catering facilities providing meals, snacks and drinks


• Open University Club (offering a number of club and society events, sports and social outlets).


• Occupational Health Department (located on site at Walton Hall) provides professional advice to individuals and managers on all work related health issues.


• NatWest; Bank sub branch on site at Walton Hall


• Shop selling general provision on site at Walton Hall

Local Education

Information on local schools can be obtained from the Learning and Development Directorate, Milton Keynes Borough Council on (01908) 253489 or visit their website at: http://www.mkschools.net.

Smoking Policy

Please note that smoking is not permitted in University buildings, bars and catering areas. Smoking is only permitted in designated outdoor areas.

How to apply

The following guidelines are designed to help you submit a job application in line with our requirements.

Covering Letter or Support Statement

Your covering letter or statement should clearly identify how you meet the person specification. Please ensure you provide relevant examples as evidence to support your statements.

You will need to read carefully any specific instructions concerning what should be included in your application (this will be in the additional information you have concerning the job). Please ensure you comply with these instructions, as if you do not the panel will not shortlist you.

The selection panel will consider how well the information you provide demonstrates that you meet the capabilities identified in the person specification.

Completing the Application Form

It is in your interest to show how your experience and personal qualities address the person specification for the role.

Please ensure you complete all the sections of the form in full giving as much detail as possible, you are welcome to enclose your up-to-date curriculum vitae, but CVs will not be accepted on their own.

Once completed, you must sign and date the application form to confirm that the information and any attachments are correct.

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

If using the short (two-sided) version of our application form, please enclose an up-to-date CV with your application for employment. This should include details about the following, where applicable;

• Secondary and higer education (dates, educational establishment, examinations, results/grade and thesis titles if applicable).


• Other technical, professional or occupational training/courses attended (dates, provider, type of training, subjects studies and qualifications attained).


• Membership of professional institutes or societies.


• Employment history (dates, details of your present and past employers, positions held with brief details of duties, final salary and reason for leaving). Please start with your present or most recent appointment. Remember to include unpaid or voluntary work as well as paid employment.


• Details of relevant publications (for academic posts)

Please remove any information from your CV that might give an indication of your race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation as these details are irrelevant to your application.

Disabled Applicants

The Open University welcomes applications from disabled people.

If you require any adjustments to enable you to attend the interview please ensure that you have either provided this information on your application form or contacted the Recruitment Coordinator to discuss your requirements.

If you are called for interview, please discuss any adjustments you may require to carry out the duties of the role with the interview panel so that the appropriate arrangements and any adjustments can be made if necessary.

(Under the Disability Discrimination Act, a disability is defined as a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on a person's ability to carry out normal day to day activities

Please let us know if you need your copy of the further particulars in large print, on computer disc or on audio cassette tape. Access details for disabled applicants are available from KMi Recruitment Co-ordinator.

Proof of Eligibility to Work in the UK

Candidates will be required to provide proof of their eligibility to work in the UK by producing verifiable documents. Details of the required documents will be sent to the successful candidate at the written offer of employment stage. If you require a work permit this will be applied for should your application for appointment be successful. To find out what visas and permits you may require in order to work in the UK please see http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk or telephone 0845 010 5555, the general enquiries line is open from 09.30 to 13.30, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays.

Retirement Age

The Open University operates a normal retirement age of 65. Applications can only be accepted from people up to the age of 64 years and 6 months at the date of their application. This is in line with the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006.

Internal Applicants Only - Information About References

When completing the 'References' section of the application form, please ensure you specify your Head of Unit as your 'current employer', as he/she is responsible for providing this reference or nominating an appropriate alternative referee.

Please be advised that the employing Unit is responsible for requesting references from your referees.

Completed Applications Should be Returned to:

Download the application form [or if required the short version]

KMi Recruitment Coordinator
The Open University
Walton Hall
Milton Keynes
MK7 6AL

If you wish to send your application electronically please use the e-mail form.

Application Deadline

Closing Date for applications: 26th September 2008.
Applications received after this date will not be accepted.

Interview Panel and Date of Interview

The Interview Panel will be chaired by Dr. Peter Scott. Other members of the selection panel will include Ben Hawkridge (Project Officer), plus other team members of KMi. Interviews will take place during the week commencing 6th October 2008.

The selection process for this post will be by review of applications by the head and selected members of the interview panel. There may be a telephone interview before a formal interview. We will let you know as soon as possible after the closing date whether you have been shortlisted for interview together with details of the interview format.

Recruitment Process

If you have any comments or concerns about any stage of the recruitment process please write to the HR Adviser - KMi, who will look into the matter.

Contact Information

Informal enquiries may be made to:

Ben Hawkridge
Project Officer

Tel. +44 (0)1908 653931.

and / or

Alan Fletcher
Business Manager

Tel. +44 (0)1908 654511.

THIS POST IS OPEN TO INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL APPLICANTS

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Please let us know if you need your copy of the further particulars in large print, on computer disk or on audio cassette tape. Hearing impaired persons may make enquiries on Milton Keynes +44 (0)1908 654901 (Minicom answerphone).

We promote diversity in employment and welcome applicants from all sections of the community.