Junior Software Developer

Department for Education; Nottingham; Hybrid; GBP 36,000; Full time

Job summary

A government department in the UK is seeking a developer to join the Online Collection team. The role involves developing features for government services, gaining experience in software development practices, and working in an agile environment. Candidates should have basic coding skills in C# .NET and an understanding of SQL. This position offers a competitive starting salary, generous pension scheme, and flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

Competitive starting salary

Contribution to a Civil Service pension scheme

25 days leave

Flexible working arrangements

Hybrid working model

Qualifications

• Basic coding skills in C# .NET are essential.
• Understanding of SQL and relational databases is required.
• Basic understanding of the Software Development lifecycle is expected.
• Experience in communicating technical information to non-technical audiences is beneficial.
• Ability to learn and adapt to new programming tools is necessary.
• Familiarity with Agile and Kanban methodologies is relevant.

Responsibilities

• Develop features for government services.
• Gain experience with modern software development practices.
• Learn to work in an agile environment.
• Build user-centred, open-source web systems.
• Share knowledge with team members.
• Help maintain an inclusive culture.

Skills

Basic coding skills in C# .NET

Basic understanding of SQL

Understanding of Software Development lifecycle

Experience communicating technical information to non-technical audience

Ability to research and learn new programming tools

Awareness of workflow and source-control tools

Education

Degree in a STEM-related subject

Tools

Azure DevOps

Job description

This post is based in the Online Collection team within the Enterprise Data for Funding and Oversight division. We provide an online collection service to the department and model data for a range of users, including internal analysts, providers, ministers, and the wider education sector across further education, apprenticeships, skills, and schools.

Responsibilities

• Be responsible for the development of features of government services.
• Gain experience with modern software development practices such as Test‑Driven Development, CI/CD, and DevOps, and with modern workflows using GitHub and Azure DevOps.
• Learn to work in an agile environment.
• Learn to build user‑centred, open‑source, RESTful web systems to serve a variety of citizen and government needs.
• Share knowledge of tools and techniques with the wider team and community, both developers and non‑developers.
• Help build and maintain a diverse, inclusive culture across the development community, growing awareness, inclusivity, and balance.

Qualifications

• Basic coding skills in C# .NET.
• Basic understanding of SQL and relational databases.
• Basic understanding of the Software Development lifecycle.
• Some experience communicating technical information to a non‑technical audience, including senior leaders.
• Ability to research and learn new programming tools and techniques.
• Awareness of workflow and source‑control tools, for example Azure DevOps, and experience delivering in Agile and Kanban methodologies.

Desirable Criteria

• Degree in a STEM‑related subject (preferably Mathematics or Computing). Note: Desirable criteria will only be considered at interview.

How to Apply

Please do not include personal information that identifies you (e.g. name, email, address, phone, age, gender, nationality). The application will be assessed on your skills and knowledge only.

Benefits

• Competitive starting salary of £36,000 per annum.
• Contribution to a highly generous Civil Service defined benefit pension scheme.
• 25 days leave, increasing by 1 day each year up to a maximum of 30 days after five years of service.
• Flexible working arrangements, including job sharing, part‑time, flexi‑time and compressed hours.
• Hybrid working model – spend at least 60% of your time in an office or work setting.

Equal Opportunity

This role is open to UK nationals, nationals of the Republic of Ireland, and all individuals who have the right to work in the UK, including EU, Commonwealth, and other eligible nationalities. The Department for Education commits to an inclusive recruitment process and provides reasonable adjustments for disabled applicants.