Computers play a major role in storing and retrieving information in all local authority departments. Information technology helps councils control the mass of data they need for the efficient delivery of services. It may be information about traffic schemes, waste disposal sites, new council tax rates, pollution risks, accounts benefits or planning applications, for example.

Data preparation supervisors work as part of the Information Technology production team in corporate services. The primary aim of their job is to produce data input: to key and verify information to go into the mainframe.

Work Environment

It is an office-based job with movement between the various council services for meetings about ongoing and new projects. There may be noise and carrying, but the job certainly involves long periods of sitting at a computer screen. The hours are standard at 37 and a half per week, but there is some evening and weekend work required when deadlines have to be met. Flexitime is sometimes possible.

Daily Activities

Supervising the preparation of data entails working to the data management officer and with colleagues in the department such as web technicians, database administrators, systems programmers and others in IT jobs, some of which will be part of the supervisor’s team. The main task is to key and verify data correctly, transfer it to mainframe and take responsibility for desk management. The team leader may spend a lot of time inputting a rota system for jobs, for example.

In addition to working contact with various service managers, the data preparation supervisor will meet members of web editorial teams or officers of other departments who deal with design and data and web development. The provision of information for the electronic service the council provides for the public is the supervisor’s responsibility. People who want to find out more about street lighting schemes, benefits or current job vacancies - like this one, for example, - can go into a booth and tap in the appropriate key to have the data presented to them. Data is also needed for the Intranet, the council’s internal communications system.

Skills & Interests

To be to be good at the job you need to have:

• practical ability
• attention to detail qualities
• project management ability
• a head for figures
• the ability to get on with people of different backgrounds
• first class keyboard skills.

And above all these it is essential that you show a capacity for managing people and running an effective team.

Entry Requirements

Relevant experience may be considered more important than academic qualifications though you would be expected to have a minimum of four GCSEs/S grades at C/3 including maths and English. It is essential that you have keyboard skills on entry

Previous management experience – of an intranet site for example – can be very helpful.

With on the job training you can progress from being a trainee to a supervisor post with further vocational qualifications and experience. There may be opportunities to work towards S/NVQs.

Apprenticeships may be available.

Estimated salary range

Around £14,000 - £20,000

Please note that salary information is a guide only and there may be local agreements in place. For further information about salaries for particular positions, please contact your local council directly.

Future prospects & opportunities

This is narrow field of work and the chances of promotion small because much data preparation is increasingly online. The best opportunities lie with other departments or other aspects of IT work where experience in data preparation is relevant.

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