data engineer Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Job description
Details
Reference number
Salary
Job grade
Contract type
Apprenticeship
Loan
Length of employment
Business area
Type of role
Architecture and Data
Digital
Working pattern
Number of jobs available
Contents
Location
About the job
Benefits
Things you need to know
Apply and further information
Location
About the job
Job summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen in the Environmental Land Management (ELM) Evidence and Analysis team to join a friendly, supportive and flexible team who play a lead role in ensuring that Defra is able to put evidence at the heart of our policy making and delivery.
This role is in the Data Science and Engineering Team. You will work with other Data Engineers and Data Scientists to help make sure that data and information is available and useful for the design and monitoring of Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes. You will work with other teams to get experience in a range of data science projects.
You will be working towards a BSc in Data Science through the apprenticeship. The apprenticeship is fully funded, so you won’t have to pay for it. There may be some residential courses included in your training, so you might need to travel and stay away from home.
As an apprentice, at least 20% of your working hours (or one day per week) will be spent on training. The training might take place:
- at your place of work
- somewhere else like at a college or training provider
- online
Through the apprenticeship and in the role, you will improve your coding skills and work on a range of data science projects. You will gain knowledge and experience of a range of data science skills, including computer programming, machine learning, data visualisation and cloud computing.
Job description
As part of this role you’ll undertake a Data Science Apprenticeship at Level 6. This is the academic equivalent of an undergraduate degree (BSc) and it will typically take 36 months to complete.
On successful completion of the apprenticeship, you will have the skills, knowledge and behaviours to:
- Design and build dashboards for displaying useful statistics and the outputs of modelling
- Carry out data analysis, where you select appropriate data and methods
- Research existing datasets that are suitable for analysis and upload data into the cloud
- Identify, understand and address ELM data requirements
- Create and maintain reproducible analytical pipelines
- Maintain datasets and effectively communicate the limitations of the data
- Use git for version control of code
- Contribute to a diverse and inclusive team by valuing and promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion
Person specification
Experience
You need experience of using a programming language - preferably R, but other languages will be considered. This can have been gained through study, work, or self-directed learning.
Eligibility
To start an apprenticeship, you’ll need to be:
- 16 or over (there is no upper age limit)
- Not in full-time education, or in receipt of funding for other learning programmes (including another apprenticeship)
- Have the right to work in the UK and have been resident in the UK/EU/EA for 3 consecutive years before starting the apprenticeship
- Not hold a similar level or higher-level qualification to the apprenticeship requested, unless that qualification is in an unrelated field
An apprenticeship is designed to provide you with new skills and learning and must be substantially different to any other training you have undertaken, or other qualification you may hold. If you hold a similar qualification already, you won’t be eligible.
We will help you to apply to the apprenticeship provider once you accept the job offer. For the apprenticeship application, you will be able to reuse parts of your Defra application and you will need to submit evidence of your qualifications making you eligible for the apprenticeship.
If you are part-time, we will need to agree a suitable working pattern so that you can undertake sufficient regular training and on-the-job activity that is needed as part of the apprenticeship. The length of the apprenticeship will also be extended for a part-time individual. This means that there may be a minimum number of hours a week required for this role.
Qualifications
- GCSEs at Grade 4-9 or A-C in English and 5-9 or A-C in Maths or equivalent.
- 3 A-Levels at least BBB-BBC grades. At least a C in Maths is required. Level 4 Data Analyst Apprenticeship at Distinction or Merit is considered as an equivalent to the A-Level requirements.
- Where these qualifications are not held, equivalent experience will be considered.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Developing Self and Others
- Managing a Quality Service
- Communicating and Influencing
Benefits
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
Blended Working
Defra operates a blended working policy subject to business need, giving people the flexibility to choose when and where they work and collaborate with others.
Individuals are expected to work from one of the office locations stated in the advert to connect with their colleagues, as required by their role and business team needs. There is flexibility to split the working week, spending minimum of 40-60% in the workplace, unless exceptional circumstances apply and/or you are a contractual home worker.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Application Process
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV and a Personal Statement (500 word max).
- Why you are interested in this role and what you hope to gain from undertaking an apprenticeship (250-words)
- Please provide an example of any data analysis or manipulation you have done, ideally using a programming language. This could be from your studies, hobbies, or work experience (250-words)
Sift
If a large number of applications are received, an initial sift may be conducted by checking that the qualifications submitted as part of your CV meet the minimum criteria in the qualifications section. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift (which will assess your personal statement) or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Sift and interview dates are to be confirmed.
Interview
If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on the behaviours: Developing self and others, Managing a quality service and Communicating and influencing.
The Civil Service application process has a standardised method for assessing candidates, we strongly recommend that you read the descriptions of the civil service behaviours. Strong applications will present these in the Situation, Task, Action, Result (STAR) method. For these examples it is best to make clear where you did the work / activity which means in general using "I" instead of "we" if it is appropriate.
Interviews will be held via Video Link.
Location
Please be aware that this role(s) will be contractually based in a Defra group workplace/office. The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location, and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.
If you are successful in your application and your base working location is London, please be aware that Defra’s Nobel House Office at 17 Smith Square, London will be closing in December 2023.
This means that Defra new joiners will be located alongside existing colleagues in offices a short distance away from Nobel House in our other office at 2 Marsham St, London.
To work from 2 Marsham Street, you will require the higher level of CTC clearance. Therefore, confirmation of appointment to the advertised post will be dependent upon successful CTC clearance being confirmed as part of pre-employment checks.
Candidates applying for these roles will be based at one of the Defra hubs as advertised.
For information, our core Defra hub locations are:
- York – the Kings Pool;
- Newcastle – Lancaster House;
- Bristol – Horizon House ;
- London – Nobel House and 2 Marsham Street.
Internal (core Defra) employees can apply for this role and choose to remain in their current location or to be based in one of the advertised locations.
All other applicants will be based in one of the advertised locations.
Defra continues to support a blended working model and candidates are currently expected to attend their office base for 40-60% of the week.
Travel and subsistence will not be paid for travel to a base office location.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Merit Lists
Where more than one location is advertised, candidates will be posted in merit order by location. You will be asked to state your location preference on your application.
Salary
New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.
Visa Sponsorship Statement
Please take note that Defra does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.
Reasonable Adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
- Contact Government Recruitment Service via [email protected] as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
- Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Accessibility
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Loan and Fixed Term Appointments
Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.
This is a Fixed-term Appointment as a Data Engineer Apprentice (Level 6) on the Data Science and Engineering Team.
The post is not permanent. It is time limited due to a fixed funding period or as part of a specific project. The fixed term will end when the funding or the project expires.
Your responsibilities will include dashboarding, conducting analysis and developing datasets for use in the Farming and Countryside Programme.
This post will therefore begin from the candidate's start date and end after 3 years and 6 months if the post has not been approved as permanent.
Criminal Record Check
If successful and transferring from another Government Department, a criminal record check may be carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing [email protected] stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Internal Fraud Database Check
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offenses. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
Higher Security Clearance
Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charter
All of these posts require the successful candidate to hold basic security clearance. Candidates posted to London may be subject to a higher level of clearance because of the security requirements for that location. Job offers to these posts are made on the basis of merit. Security vetting will only take place after the receipt of a job offer.
Childcare Vouchers
Any move to Defra from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
- certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Further information
Government Recruitment Services via email: [email protected]
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Click here to visit Civil Service Commission
About Defra
CEO: Tamara Finkelstein
Revenue: Unknown / Non-Applicable
Size: 1001 to 5000 Employees
Type: Government
Website: https://www.gov.uk/defra
Year Founded: 2001
