DCOs: about the role
As a DCO, your responsibilities will be determined by your department, but are likely to include:
- Purchase, installation and maintenance of IT equipment
- Providing training and advice
- Keeping LAN database entries updated
- Procurement of department-specific software
- Representation and liaison
- Keeping up to date with new developments in IT
Tools and guides for DCOs
You will be given access to a range of tools and systems to help you in your role.
A summary is given at the bottom of this page, and links to the tools, along with guidance for their use can be found at:
Purchase, installation and maintenance of IT equipment
DCOs provide advice, support and technical assistance on all aspects of IT equipment in their department.
You'll install or arrange for the installation of new computers, including their network configuration and software installation. You're also responsible for reconfiguring machines after relocation or change of ownership, and arranging end of life disposal.
If users in your department need to install software on managed machines that isn't available via the network, you'll need to either do this for them, or arrange for them to be granted additional installation privileges.
You're responsible for procuring any specialist equipment required by your department, including investigating potential for collaboration with other departments.
Training and advice
DCOs provide IT training and advice for members of their department.
For example, you are expected to help educate staff and students in your department to help them stay safe online, and to be wary of potential phishing attacks. IT Services provide guidance and warnings about specific targeted attacks by email and Twitter, and you should disseminate this information as quickly as possible.
Some DCOs may provide specialist training in software specific to their department/area. For example, Finance DCOs provide training in Agresso for their own users and those in other departments.
Keeping LAN database entries updated
You'll be offered training on using Men and Mice to add and update machines in order for them to connect to the network.
You're expected to keep this information up to date, including updating the location of a machine if it has been moved.
Software
DCOs are responsible for procuring software for department specific use, including investigating potential for collaboration with other departments. You'll also liaise with IT Services to arrange for it to be installed on the network, where appropriate.
Representation and liaison
As a DCO, you're a representative for your department.
You're expected to:
- keep your department informed about downtimes, new services, and any other changes or issues announced by IT Services
- let us know of any relevant issues, comments or concerns within your department
- attend relevant meetings, and follow email/chat conversations related to your role
Communication takes place in a number of ways, including via:
DCOs should normally contact IT Services via IT Support.
Training for DCOs
DCOs are expected to keep up to date with developments in IT. This may occur in a number of ways, such as:
- training on University-specific systems provided by IT Services (eg Men and Mice)
- discussions at DCO Forum and on the mailing list
- reading relevant journals or articles - please feel free to share anything of particular interest with your fellow DCOs via the mailing list
- formal training from external providers
DCO tools and facilities
Your job will involve using a number of technical tools and procedures, and you'll be given additional system privileges to help you carry out your role.
System privileges:
- Access to systems event logs, device manager and registry editor
- Application installation privileges
Tools:
- Men and Mice (machine registration)
- Footprints (incident logging)
- Administration of shared filestore, eg storage.its.york.ac.uk
- York e-Purchase
Guides/procedures:
- Guidance on using these tools and methods
- How to build a PC
- Replacing and decommissioning managed devices
- Maintaining York Print Plus devices
Information about these tools and procedures can be found on the Tools and guides page.