Lead Developer
Department for Transport
About the job
Job summary
Are you interested in leading how we develop digital solutions?
Do you want to work on a variety of projects developed in a cloud-first environment?
If so, then we'd love to hear from you!
In recent years DfT’s Digital, Information and Security team has implemented a range of innovative services, using the latest technology and methods. We are proud of what we have achieved and as we continue to develop and grow, you can too.
We are looking for a Lead Developer, with the drive and passion to join a talented, experienced delivery team in shaping the future of our delivery our digital and data services.
We’ll help you to reach your full potential, offering rewarding and challenging opportunities, alongside access to the latest training and technologies.
Job description
In the Lead Developer role, you will:
- Guide the ways in which the team works.
- Be proficient in a wide range of technical systems.
- Be involved in identifying appropriate technology and approaches, deciding when software should be written.
- Contribute to the developer community.
- Provide technical leadership, coaching and mentoring.
- Promote knowledge sharing and adoption of good practice.
In return, we can offer you:
- Access to new and emerging technologies.
- Varied projects developed in a cloud-first environment.
- Support and investment to further your training and development.
- Flexible and hybrid working supporting a healthy work-life balance.
- Industry-leading pension and employee benefits package.
Person specification
As a Lead Developer you will play a key role in the design, build, support, implementation and improvement of digital services, products and platforms across DfT.
You will have:
- Proficient skill set in a wide range of technical systems.
- Experience/involvement in identifying appropriate technology and approaches, deciding when software should be written.
- Experience of identifying and implementing process optimisation opportunities/solutions.
- Good communication and leadership skills and be confident in managing and developing a small team.
DfT: Digital Service
Find out more about what it's like working at DfT:Digital Service
Additional Information
This role can be based in Hastings, Birmingham, Leeds or London and your presence at one of these locations will form part of the working arrangements agreed with you. We operate a hybrid working model giving you greater flexibility about where and when you work.
We recognise the challenges that people with (multiple) protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including ethnic minorities, people with a disability, and people with gender diverse identities.
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
DDaT Allowance
The Lead Developer role is part of the DDaT profession and attracts an enhanced pay scale which is mapped to capability levels. The successful candidate’s starting salary will be determined by performance at interview and assessed capability level. There are two components to DDaT pay - base pay and DDaT allowance.
The role may also attract a DDaT allowance of up to £15,000. The amount, if afforded is determined by several factors one of which is assessed capability level.
The successful candidate will be required to undergo yearly capability assessments which may result in pay increases or decreases. A drop in capability in any given assessment period results in 12 month pay protection to allow candidates to retain prior capability level.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.How to Apply
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV and Personal Statement.
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Please consider how your experience relates to the role, and within your CV and Personal Statement (750 words) please provide detailed evidence of the following:
- Proficient skills set in a wide range of technical systems.
- Experience/involvement in identifying appropriate technology and approaches, deciding when software should be written.
- Experience of identifying and implementing process optimisation opportunities/solutions.
The sift is due to take place w/c 29th January 2024.
Interviews are due to take place w/c 12th February 2024.
This interview could be conducted via a video interview, details of which will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.
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
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.
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 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
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.