About the job

Job summary

We’re looking for an exceptional Developer - Observations R&D to help us make a difference to our planet.

As our Developer - Observations R&D you will work a hybrid pattern and will be on site at Exeter HQ on average one day per week. You can choose to work more frequently in our state-of-the-art office if you'd prefer.  Our people are at the heart of what we do and we'll do our best to agree a working pattern that works for everyone.

Who we are:

We provide critical weather services and world-leading climate science to deliver extraordinary impact and benefit across the globe. Our work helps people make better decisions to stay safe and thrive.

Together:

• We’re a force for good - focusing on our environmental and social impact
• We’re experts by nature - always learning and developing to do things better
• We live and breathe it - putting our purpose at the heart of decision-making
• We’re better together - understanding partnerships and inclusivity make us greater
• We keep evolving - pushing boundaries to make tomorrow better for our customers

Find out more about our values - https://bit.ly/3fokaRD

As part of the Observations Research & Development Technology Team, you will be a key a part of developing global and national networks of sensors and instruments, processing high volumes of data that are critical to the Met Office’s supercomputer forecasting models and research.

You will join a passionate and dedicated DevOps team that develop and maintain data ingestion, processing and distribution systems for the observing networks.

Job description

As our Developer - Observations R&D you will build and run our tools and systems.

You will use TypeScript, JavaScript, Angular and Node to develop our critical tools for Operational Metrologists and Engineers that enables them to view and collect observations and check the health of our remote networks.

You will work with your team to understand, design, and implement modern, full stack, cloud-based solutions. You will also work collaboratively with your peers in the Observations community, building relationships and sharing your knowledge.

The key duties include:

• Collaborate
  Work with a team to understand what needs to be built to enable product delivery.
• Expert
  Understand the system and business domain. Take responsibility for technical debt and future feature development. 
• Ownership 
  Operate the production services you build, improving system robustness, resilience, and stability. 

This role is aligned to the Government Digital and Data Profession Developer role level. For further information please refer to the Developer on the GOV.UK website.

Person specification

Essential Qualifications, Skills & Abilities:

1. Programming and build (software engineering) You understand software engineering principles and can apply these to create high-quality, maintainable, and secure code. You can use testing, debugging, and deployment tools to ensure the reliability and performance of your applications.
2. Systems design You have a good understanding of programming languages, frameworks, and tools, such as TypeScript, HTML, CSS, Angular, Node.js, npm, and Angular CLI.
   You can develop, test, and deploy scalable web applications using these technologies.
3. User Focus You can review requirements and use them to create software that meets the user requirements, using the right tools and methods.
4. Support You have experience of supporting time-critical services and can respond quickly to problems. Working with others you can identify, locate, and fix faults. You can communicate clearly and appropriately according to the audience.

Desirable Qualifications, Skills & Abilities:

We encourage you to apply if you believe you meet our essential criteria, but your application will be even stronger if you have:

• Experience of working with AWS (Amazon Web Services) cloud-based services

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £32,100, Met Office contributes £8,667 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

How to apply:

If you share our values, we’d love to hear from you. Apply below using your CV and a Cover Letter/Supporting Statement which evidences how you meet each of the essential criteria - we recommend candidates use the CARL (Context, Action, Result and Learning) method for presenting evidence of skills.

Closing date 20/03/2024 at 23:59 with interviews commencing from 08/04/2024. You will hear from us once the closing date has passed.

If successful, please note we are unable to offer expenses for travel to your normal place of work. This post is contractually aligned to Exeter HQ, please ask at interview if you would like extra clarity on how often this requirement is likely to be.

How we can help:

If you are considering applying and need support to do so, please contact us via askHR@metoffice.gov.uk. You can request adjustments either within your application or by contacting us. Should you be offered an interview, please be aware there may be a selection exercise which could include a presentation, written test or a scenario-based activity. You can select in your application to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme. To be invited to interview/assessment under this scheme, your application must meet the essential criteria for the role.

We understand that great minds don’t always think alike and as an equal opportunities employer we welcome applications from those with all protected characteristics. We recruit on merit, fairness, and open competition in line with the Civil Service Code.

We can only accept applications from those eligible to live and work in the UK - please refer to GOV.UK for information. We require Security clearance, for which you need to have resided in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years to be eligible. You will need to achieve full security clearance within your first 6 months with us.

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). 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.