About the job

Job summary

Do you have experience of back-end development and enjoy sharing your digital expertise with others?

Are you passionate about continuously developing technologies?

If so, we have an exciting opportunity where you will be given support and freedom to develop your skills further and we would love to hear from you!

Job description

We are seeking an individual with strong web development and data management skills to join the Stats Automation Innovation & Dissemination (StatsAID)​ team where you will contribute to the development of digital data services.

Developing “data as a product” services and “real-time data processing” you will work to the Head of Digital and Data Statistics and with the wider analytical teams in the division, where you will build relationships and provide digital expertise to others.

The job holder will provide technical support on a variety of digital and data projects, ensure adherence with government best practice and standards through collaboration with DfT digital service teams. You will be an advocate for digital adoption and the wider use of cloud based technologies.

The job holder will collaborate on solution designs and manage data pipelines to receive, store and publish data via external data APIs. And support the service delivery of the Transport Statistics API web application (Python, PHP, Google cloud Platform), which makes accessing statistical data over the web open, simple and fast. You will provide technical support to ensure the service meets the GDS API technical and standards guidance.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• You will contribute to creating high-quality, maintainable digital solutions that conform to industry best practices, Government Digital Service (GDS) standards, and internal development guidelines.
• Develop solution designs and implement data pipelines to receive, store and publish data via external data APIs. And support the service delivery of the Transport Statistics API web application, which makes accessing statistical data over the web open, simple and fast.
• Support the ongoing development and implementation of the Road Traffic web application to make accessing road traffic data simple and fast – https://roadtraffic.dft.gov.uk.
• Design, write and iterate code from prototype to production-ready, using standards and tools to document and write moderate to complex programs.
• Support the live operation of services we run in cloud-based environments.

For more information, please see the attached Role Profile.

Person specification

About you

To thrive in this role, you will have a solid understanding in back-end development, with detailed knowledge of Python and data management techniques, languages and frameworks like Django, Flask, Laravel.

You will be highly motivated and able to use your initiative problem solve and find solutions. You will be organised and be able to get to grips with new systems/skills with ease.

You will be passionate about the progression and development of technologies. You will have the opportunity to self develop and upskill to help you progress your career through a range of qualifications and courses that are available to you.

Additional Information 

A minimum 60% of your working time should be spent at your principal workplace, although requirements to attend other locations for official business, or carry out detached duty in another DfT workplace, will also count towards this level of attendance.  

Benefits

Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits. We offer generous annual leave, attractive pension options, flexible working, inclusive working environments and much more to support a healthy work/life balance.

Find out more about what it's like working at the Department for Transport

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

How to apply

As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide a CV and Personal Statement (1000 words). Please tailor your CV to suit the role. For your Personal Statement, please provide detailed evidence of the following:

• Experienced in back-end development, with detailed knowledge Python and data management techniques, languages and frameworks like Django, Flask and Laravel.
• You will be a highly motivated self-starter able to use your initiative to overcome barriers and find solutions to problems but have a clear understanding when to seek guidance from your manager before taking a decision.
• You will be highly organised and capable of delivering multiple work strands at a rapid pace, whilst keeping others and you manager updated on progress at key intervals.

The sift is due to take place 16th & 17th January 2024.

Interviews are likely to be held week commencing 29th January 2024.

We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates. 

The selection process will be designed specifically for the role. As a result, your assessment will include: 

• an interview

This interview could be conducted online via Teams or face to face at one of our offices. Further details will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.  

You’re encouraged to become familiar with the role profile, as you may be assessed against any of the criteria recorded within. 

The Department for Transport alongside other Government Departments recruit using Success Profiles. This means for each role we consider what you will need to demonstrate in order to be successful. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity. 

For further information on Success Profiles visit our Careers website. 

Reasonable Adjustments

As a Disability Confident Leader employer, we are committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

If you need a reasonable adjustment so that you can complete your application, you should contact Government Recruitment Service via dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Document 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.

This job advert contains links to the DfT Careers website. Our website provides useful guidance and information that can support you during the application process. If you cannot access the information on our website for any reason, please email DRGComms@dft.gov.uk for assistance.

Further Information

For more information about how we hire, and for useful tips on submitting your application for this role, visit the How We Hire page of our DfT Careers website. You can find detailed information about the recruitment process and what to expect when applying for a role.

Pre-employment Checking

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. 

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.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

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). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.