Systems Development Officer (Business)

Devon County Council; Exeter; Remote; GBP 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days annual leave

LGPS membership

Employee Assistance Programme

Flexible working including homeworking

Devon Discounts scheme

Job summary

Devon County Council is seeking a Systems Development Officer to strengthen the Business Systems Team. You will support diverse users across the County and schools, enhancing system use and delivering reporting improvements.

The role requires backend skills with SQL, strong problem-solving, and collaboration with software suppliers to resolve product issues. It offers flexible working, with opportunities to contribute to governance and information management initiatives.

Qualifications

• Experience developing, configuring or working with Education or other Management Information Systems.
• Understands Information Governance principles.
• Highly analytical with ability to use SQL to interrogate databases and develop improvements.
• Able to explain technical concepts to non-technical users and communicate across levels.
• Experience managing competing priorities and supporting change control.
• Strong collaborative working relationships and team contribution.
• Holds a relevant degree or equivalent experience; familiarity with reporting tools.

Responsibilities

• Investigate issues and apply solutions individually or with colleagues/ software suppliers.
• Support users, handle queries, fix issues and advise on system usage.
• Manage User Account access and ensure system security.
• Specify and test system changes including outputs, workflows, test plans and scripts.
• Maintain logs of changes and support change control processes.
• Identify, record and help resolve system faults with suppliers and internal teams.
• Support integration between modules and with other systems.
• Contribute to user documentation and Service Desk support.
• Participate in local and national system user groups.

Skills

SQL

Education MIS

Analytical thinking

Communication

Education

Relevant degree

Professional qualification

Tools

TOAD

SSRS

Crystal Reports

Job description

This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated and technically skilled individual to join the Business Systems Team as a Systems Development Officer.

This role is also part of a wider team managing Childrens, Public Health and Adult Management Information Systems across the County Council. This is an ever changing environment with opportunities to make a significant contribution to finding new innovative ways of working.

You will support a wide range of users across the County Council, schools and members of the public, to enhance their experience of the system and maximise their use.

The role includes a good degree of back end system skills and strong technical skills in SQL alongside personal skill's in problem solving, investigating anomalies, finding solutions and working with software suppliers and Devon County Council technical colleagues to find a resolution where it is an underlying product issue.

You will contribute to the configuration of the system, helping to specify and deliver reporting requirements and working with teams to better understand their challenges and needs

The role is varied and highly technical — offering an excellent opportunity to directly influence information management and service outcomes across Education Services.

Key Responsibilities

In this role, you will:

• Investigate issues and find and apply solutions either individually or working with technical colleagues and software suppliers
• Support users, managing incoming queries, fixing issues and advising users on system usage
• Manage User Account access ensuring appropriate access is provided and system security is observed
• Help to specify and test system changes, including outputs, workflows, test plans and scripts, ensuring safe and robust implementation.
• Maintain logs of system changes and support configuration management and change control processes.
• Identify, record and help resolve system faults, liaising with suppliers and internal technical colleagues.
• Support integration between the modules and with other systems
• Contribute to user documentation, manuals and Service Desk support where required.
• Participate in local and national system user groups.

About You

We are looking for someone who:

• Has experience developing, configuring or working extensively with Education or other Management Information Systems
• Understands Information Governance principles.
• Is highly analytical, able to use SQL to interrogate databases, interpret data, and develop innovative system improvements.
• Can communicate clearly with colleagues at all levels and explain technical concepts to non‑technical users.
• Has experience in managing competing priorities, documenting processes and supporting change control.
• Builds strong, influential working relationships and contributes positively to a collaborative team culture.
• Holds a relevant degree, professional qualification, or equivalent experience Database administration, Software Testing, Report Writing tools such as TOAD (or equivalent SQL or Oracle analytic tools), SSRS and Crystal Reports.
• Is willing to work flexibly, including occasional work outside standard hours when required.

Our offer to you

Working for Devon County Council (DCC) has all the benefits that you can expect from a large employer.

In return for the vital contribution that you make, we offer:

• 26 days annual leave per year (rising with length of service) plus Bank Holidays effective from 1 April 2024.
• Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme - more information can be found on the
• Access to our confidential Employee Assistance Programme – available 24/7 to support you with personal and work life.
• Flexible working opportunities, including home-working (subject to the needs of the role).
• Discounts from local and high street retailers through the Devon Discounts scheme.