Software Developer Coventry, England
Job description
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Information Technology
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About the job
Benefits
Things you need to know
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About the job
Job summary
We encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates
At DfE, we are proud of the commitment we make to diversity and inclusion and of the progress we have made. We have active & vibrant staff networks, special leave policies and workplace adjustments put in place for those who need them. We are continuing to build a diverse DfE, in an inclusive environment which nurtures and realises potential in all, at all levels. Equality and Diversity - Department for Education
Data Directorate provide a full range of end-to-end data services, with data products output to users across DfE, the wider educational sector, cross government and citizens. The Data Solutions Division within Data Directorate, where this role will sit, delivers key services in data management, data platforms, data modelling, operational MI and testing and quality. As a Software Developer, you will be developing web, mobile and desktop products using both front-end web development languages and back-end technologies to innovate and radically transform how public services are delivered and improved. You will deliver code in line with project goals and delivery cycles, while working openly and collaboratively in our team of Digital and Data Professionals.
We’re striving to create a place that’s great to work in. We offer forward-thinking ways of working and training opportunities, as well as providing support from specialist colleagues. On top of that, you’ll find flexible working, an inclusive culture and a place where your skills can bring tangible change.
Job description
As a Software Developer, you will be designing and building software that makes a difference to people.
You will:
- Work with the development community to ensure we build sustainable digital products
- Work to modern development standards, practices and techniques
- Build automated tests to support our continuous deployment environment
- Advocate user-centric, agile approaches which focus on rapid, effective delivery of high-quality digital services
- Help build and maintain a diverse, inclusive culture across the development community, growing awareness, inclusivity, and balance
- Transform government into a modern, agile development centre by embedding practices like Test Driven Development, continuous deployment, and DevOps
- Support sharing of methods and technologies across teams, government, and the industry by helping to organise events.
Person specification
Essential Criteria:
- Experience of software development using C# .NET
- Experience working with technical teams to deliver user-focused services in an agile environment
- Experience of good practices such as Test-Driven Development, CI/CD using Azure pipelines, and Azure DevOps as well as modern development workflows
- Experience of good software design principles such as OOD, SOLID and design patterns
- Experience of RESTful API design
- Experience of using Entity framework, SQL or any relational databases
- A good understanding of web application security
Desirable Criteria:
- A cloud-first approach and experience of IaaS and PaaS solutions as well as understanding infrastructure-as-code
- Experience of web development using front-end technologies like Angular.
- Experience of mentoring and supporting your colleagues, whether one-to-one or in groups, working in a diverse and inclusive multi-disciplinary team and a passion for building teams and communities
Desirable criteria will only be assessed in the event of a tie break situation to make an informed decision.
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Modern standard approach
- Programming and build
- A systematic approach to problem solving
Benefits
Applicants currently holding a permanent post in the Civil Service should note that, if successful, their salary on appointment would be determined by the Department’s transfer / promotion policies.
As a member of the DfE, you will be entitled to join the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme, which many experts agree is one of the most generous in the UK.
You will have 25 days leave, increasing by 1 day every year to a maximum of 30 days after five years’ service. In addition, all staff receive the King’s Birthday privilege holiday and 8 days’ bank and public holidays.
We offer flexible working arrangements, such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours. Most DfE employees will be working a hybrid pattern, spending at least 60% of their time in an office or work setting. Changes to these working arrangements are available in exceptional circumstances, but must be agreed with the line manager and in line with the requirements of the role.
Travel to your primary office location will not be paid for by DfE, but costs for travel to an office which is not your main location will be covered.
As an organisation, which exists to support education and lifelong learning, we offer our staff excellent professional development opportunities.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Application
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV and Personal statement of up to 1250 words. Your CV should cover details of education, training, professional qualifications, employment history, as well as brief description of each role you have held.
Your CV and personal statement should align with the essential criteria in the Person specification section and the job description, whilst giving relevant examples based on your past experience. Please also include any desirable criteria that you have in your application.
Sift
At sift, we will assess your CV and Personal statement with the essential criteria listed in the Person specification section.
Interview
Candidates that successfully pass the sift will be invited to interview via Microsoft Teams.
There will be Technical test which will be assessed during interview. Details about the test will be provided prior to the interview.
At interview, we will assess your Technical skills and Experience against the role description and essential criteria. Where there are a lot of applicants who meet all of the essential criteria, desirable criteria will then only be assessed in the event of a tie break situation to make an informed decision.
The application sift is anticipated to take place week commencing 24th April 2023.
Interviews are expected to take place on the week commencing 15th May 2023.
Other Information
We reserve the right to raise the minimum pass mark in the event of a high volume or strong field of candidates.
Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK from the location options provided and not from overseas.
The government is committed to supporting apprenticeships, enabling people to learn and progress in a role whilst earning. We want to monitor the number of people who have completed apprenticeships who are now applying to progress further in their career and are asking this question to all candidates, on all vacancies. You will be asked a question as part of the application process about any previous apprenticeships you have completed. Your response to this question will not affect your application and it is not a requirement of the role to have completed a previous apprenticeship.
For this role the department would not consider sponsoring a Certificate of Sponsorship/visa. Please note we are unable to offer advice on any Visa and Immigration cases.
If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check maybe 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 circumstance some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Department of Education of your intention by emailing [email protected] stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Department for Education do not cover the cost of travel to your interview/assessment unless otherwise stated.
A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made.
Candidates will be posted in merit order based upon location preference. Where more than one location is advertised you will be asked to state your preferred location.
New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.
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 offences. 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.
Terms and conditions of candidates transferring from ALBs and NDPBs
Bodies that are not accredited by the Civil Service Commission and are not able to advertise at Across Government on Civil Service jobs will be treated as external new starters and will come into DfE on modernised terms and conditions with a salary at the band minimum.
Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission but do not have civil service status will be offered modernised terms and will not have continuous service recognised for leave or sickness benefits. Salaries should be offered at band minimum, but there is some flexibility where this would cause a detriment to the individual.
Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission and do have Civil Service status will be treated as OGD transfers. Staff appointed on lateral transfer will move on to pre-modernised DfE terms (unless they were on modernised terms in their previous organisation). Staff appointed on promotion will move on to modernised DfE terms. Staff will transfer over on their existing salary (on lateral transfer) and any pay above the DfE pay band maximum will be paid as a mark time allowance. Staff moving on promotion will have their salaries calculated using the principles set out in the attached OGD transfer supplementary information.
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 Department of Education via [email protected] 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.
Any move to Department for Education (DfE) will mean you will no longer be able to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. 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).
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