Junior Software Developer - DfE - HEO

Manchester Digital; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency in the United Kingdom is seeking a Junior Developer to join their Online Collection team. This role involves developing software features for government services, learning modern development practices, and collaborating within a multi-disciplinary team environment. Ideal candidates will have basic coding skills and a degree in a STEM-related subject. This is a great opportunity to gain experience in a fast-paced, innovative setting.

Qualifications

• Basic understanding of Software Development lifecycle.
• Some experience communicating to non-technical audience.
• Awareness of workflow and source control tools.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the development of features of Government services.
• Gain experience with modern software development practices.
• Work in an agile environment.

Skills

Basic coding skills in C# .NET

Basic understanding of SQL

Ability to research new programming tools

Understanding of Agile and Kanban methodologies

Education

Degree in a STEM-related subject

Tools

GitHub

Azure DevOps

Job description

Bristol BS2 0EL, Coventry CV1 2WT, Darlington DL1 5QE, Manchester M1 2WD, Sheffield S1 2FJ, Nottingham NG2 1AW. Please note – Bristol and Nottingham currently have site controls in place. Therefore, this location option is only available to existing DfE employees already assigned to this office location.

About the job

Job summary

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. We model data for a range of users, including internal analysts, providers, ministers, and the wider education sector across further education, apprenticeships, skills, and schools.

The team oversees the running and development of the Achieve and .NET form builder environments. EDFO is a fast-paced data service providing department wide services and to the Department for Education. This role will give you the opportunity to develop knowledge wider and allow you to provide practical application of your skills. To enable you to get the most from this role we will offer you a range of roles in the team to give you exposure to a wide variety of exciting projects.

It is an exciting time to join the team, as we are modernising our software development function, using new and exciting technologies. As a software developer, you will play a key role in shaping the service offering, ensuring that we continue to meet the needs of our diverse user base.

You will collaborate with user researchers, product managers, designers, business analysts, delivery managers, and content specialists as part of a multi-disciplinary team to directly deliver better outcomes for users. You will innovate to radically transform how public services are delivered and improved.

As a Junior Developer you will be learning the latest technologies and trends, whilst delivering working software early and often. Working as part of a multi-disciplinary team, you’ll develop your skills to build a career as a software developer.

You will:

• 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 as well as modern development workflows using GitHub and Azure DevOps.
• Learn to work in an agile environment.
• With the support of senior developers and the wider community, 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.

Person specification

• Basic coding skills in C# .NET.
• Basic understanding of SQL and relational databases.
• Basic understanding of the Software Development lifecycle.
• Some experience of communicating technical information to a non-technical audience, including senior leaders.
• Ability to research and learn new programming tools and techniques.
• An awareness of workflow and source control tools, for example Azure DevOps, and delivering in Agile and Kanban methodologies.
• A degree in a STEM-related subject (preferably Mathematics or Computing related), or relevant certification.

Desirable criteria will only be assessed at interview, 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: