Senior Software Engineer - Req24814

Job title:            Senior Software Engineer
Salary:               PO2 £37,335.96 - £40,221.00
Hours:               37
Contract:           Permanent
Location:           Home based

Internal vacancy. Applications will only be considered from existing Leeds City Council employees.

As a Senior Software Engineer,you’ll thrive on technical challenges and delivering automation and efficiencies.

​Leeds City Council is one of the largest employers in the region with over 14,000 employees. We seek to recruit and develop talented individuals who embody our council values and ambitions.

​About you

As a Senior Software Engineer you will bring to the role:

• Experience of programming and frameworks using C# and .Net as knowledge of programming concepts such as OOP, inheritance, classes, repos, etc.
• CI/CD pipelines within ADO experience.
• Familiarity with Azure cloud concepts and tools for example resource groups, application insights, application gateway, AAD.
• You will form effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources and support.
• A Focus on continuous learning and development for self, others and the organisation as a whole.

​About the role

As our next Senior Software Engineer you’ll work on a range of technical cloud based projects delivering services to the citizens of Leeds. You will also play a part in the adoption of our AWS cloud platform. You will ensure all our developments are efficient, secure and align to GDS principles.

​The role is integral to our DevOps team where you will work alongside others with a range of skills to deliver on agile projects. ​

​What we offer you

We take pride in offering the best employee experience, with benefits including:

• a competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
• a clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
• a range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

​How to apply

Please upload your CV and complete a personal statement of no more than 500 words.

​Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.

​If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact Kanwardip Sign Aulakh, DevOps Team lead via email kanwardipsingh.aulakh@leeds.gov.uk

​A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be carried out on preferred candidates. Read our recruitment of ex-offenders policy.

​We promote diversity and want a workforce that reflects the population of Leeds. Leeds City Council is ranked 70 on the Stonewall Equality Index 2023. We are also an age-friendly employer, a Mindful Employer and a Disability Confident Leader.

​All new Leeds City Council appointments are made subject to the satisfactory completion of a six-month probationary period.
​
This role is based in the UK. Employment is conditional on confirmation of the right to work in the UK - either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa. If you do not have the right to work in the UK and the role does not meet eligibility for sponsorship, please consider carefully whether you meet the eligibility to apply.

​

Job Description

​Job purpose 

Being responsible for delivering a central platform of re-usable services that can be used to build features in a consistent and straightforward manner. Tasked with delivering one or more multiple capabilities with a Minimal Viable Product (MVP) approach to validate initial thinking then iterate and evolve the capability for in house solutions. Works closely with the colleagues in the DevOps team as well as Project Managers and business representatives to ensure quality and is fit for purpose. The team is comprised of Software Engineers and software testers and is expected to self-govern in terms of productivity, escalating to management as the need arises.

​Responsibilities for Grade:

• Bug fixing
• Implementing low level features
• Producing code for new and amended software components from supplied specifications
• Mentoring junior staff / peer reviews, etc
• Follow project design
• Works with a high degree of independence
• Produce supporting documentation
• Lead and take responsibility on small scale developments
• Provide approximate estimates for development work based on known information and experience
• The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

Qualifications

• Desirable: Degree or equivalent.

Essential requirements It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post. Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.

​Skills Required

These are defined as ‘Skill’ - ‘Description’ - ‘What is required for the post’.

• ​C#  -  The programming language predominantly used at LCC  - ​Able to produce efficient working code. Ability to interpret code written by others.
• ​.Net Framework  -  Software framework developed by Microsoft that runs primarily on Microsoft Windows  -  Be familiar with the framework and capable of using it effectively.
• ​.Net Core ​-  Software framework for Windows, Linux, and macOS operating systems  -  Be proficient with the framework and capable of using it effectively to host systems. Can train others in its use.
• ​HTML ​-  Hyper Text Mark-up Language  -  Be familiar with associated tools and be able to produce and decipher code using them.
• ​Security ​-  This covers multiple areas ranging from high level aspects (GDPR, FOI) to general knowledge (hacking types, social engineering, data, and tools) and specific techniques and standards to secure code  -  Has an appreciation of information security, designing solutions and services with security controls embedded, specifically Engineered as mitigation against security threats as core part of the solutions and services.
• ​Modern standards approach ​-  Fundamental knowledge of modern coding and delivery standards.  For example, Agile, Pipeline Delivery, Automation, AI, RPA, Continuous Integration  -  Uses a modern standards approach competently and guides others in so doing.
• ​Azure cloud concepts ​-  Familiar with Azure cloud concepts and tools for example resource groups, application insights, application gateway, AAD.  -  Proficient with associated tools and concepts and can work with them effectively.
• ​Databases ​-  Fundamentals relating to databases, for example SQL/RDBMS/Integration/Warehousing/data lakes/Tabular models  -  Proficient with associated tools and can use them effectively to create and exploit data structures.
• ​Selenium/Specflow ​-  Framework for testing web applications  -  Understands the tools and associated concepts completely. Able to guide and assist others in their use. Produces clear, effective, and complex test scripts. Reports results to technical and non-technical staff in a clear manner.

​Knowledge Required

These are defined as ‘Knowledge’ ​–  ‘Description’  -  ‘What is required for the post’

• ​Programming Concepts ​-  Fundamental knowledge of concepts such as OOP, inheritance, classes, libraries, Git Repos and applying them effectively  - Understands the fundamental concepts and applies them effectively.
• UX & UI Design ​-  The design and interaction specialism required to ensure high levels of usability, accessibility and optimal user journeys in the development of user-facing features  -  Comfortable with the fundamentals behind UX & UI design to the point of being able to critique existing and/or apply to new products.
• ​System Design ​-  Creates the specification and design of systems to meet defined business needs. Has the ability to work with business and technology stakeholders to translate business problems into technical designs. Able to visualise the ideal user service, come up with design ideas and possible design approaches. Explores different approaches to solving problems.   -  Translates logical designs into physical designs. Produces detailed designs and documents all work using required standards, methods and tools, including prototyping tools where appropriate.
• ​Service Support  -  Maintains and supports services  -  Able to help fix faults following agreed procedures. Carries out agreed maintenance tasks.
• ​Prototyping ​-  Able to apply technical knowledge and experience to create or design workable prototypes, both programs and physical outputs. Understands parameters, restrictions, and synergies  -  Knows when to use a specific prototyping technique or method (for example, sketch, code, Loc2). Able to show the value of prototyping to the team.
• ​Testing concepts ​-  Fundamentals including black & white box, retrospective, performance, load, penetration, accessibility as well as automation and manual styles  -  Understands different levels of software testing and can implement manual and automated tests.

Essential Behavioural and other Characteristics

• Planning and Organising – Ensures effective management of own time management and that of others
• Communicating and Influencing – Ensures effective management of own time management and that of others
• Working with Others – Forms effective partnerships and relationships with people both internally and externally, from a range of diverse backgrounds, sharing information, resources and support.
• Managing a Quality Service for the Customer/Citizen – Deliver service objectives with professional excellence, expertise and efficiency, tackling problems and taking effective steps to address them
• Process Improvement and Change – Seeks out opportunities to create effective change and suggest innovative ideas for process improvement.  Review ways of working, including seeking and providing feedback
• Making Effective Decisions – Use evidence and knowledge to support accurate, expert decisions and advice.  Carefully consider alternative options, implications and risks of decisions.
• Developing Self and Others – Focus on continuous learning and development for self, others and the organisation as a whole
• Leadership – Show pride and passion for public service.  Create and engage others in delivering a shared vision
• Strategic View – Understands how own role fits with and supports organisational objectives
• Delivering at Pace – Takes responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive
• Understand and embrace Leeds City Council Values and Behaviours and codes of conduct.
• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas and work towards delivering the Best City Ambition of Health & Wellbeing, Inclusive Growth and Zero Carbon
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council equality and diversity policies.
• Carry out all duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health and Safety Policies.
• Willingness to actively participate in training and development activities.
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required commensurate to grade.
• Participate in appraisal, training, and development activities.
• Be aware of and comply with Leeds City Council policies and procedures.
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all working in an anti-discriminatory manner, upholding, equality & diversity policies of Leeds City Council.
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse, reporting any concerns to the appropriate person.
• The Council has adopted a flexibility protocol and the role will be expected to work within these parameters.

Desirable requirements It is desirable that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post.  Candidates are not required to meet all the desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between candidates.

​Skills

These are defined as ‘Skill’ - ‘Description’ - ‘What is required for the post’.

• ​Availability and capacity management - Able to define, analyse, plan, forecast, measure, maintain and improve all aspects of the availability of services, including power. Controls and manages service availability to meet the needs of the business in a cost-effective manner, including managing the capability, functionality and sustainability of service components (including hardware, software, network resources and software/infrastructure as a service). - Ensures the correct implementation of standards and procedures, identifying capacity issues, stipulating the required changes and instigating these. Instigates remedial action.

​Knowledge Required

These are defined as ‘Knowledge’ ​–  ‘Description’  -  ‘What is required for the post’.

• ​Project Management Concepts  -  Covering concepts such as risk management, Gantt charts, PIDs  -
• Familiar and experienced with supporting Project Management Concepts.
• ​Wire-framing ​-  Covering concepts such as space allocation, content prioritisation, functionality and user behaviour  -  Applies these concepts as part of project design.

​Experience

These are defined as ‘Experience’ ​–  ‘Description’  -  ‘What is required for the post’.

• ​Other languages ​-  Languages such as Python, Java, C/C++  -  Awareness of other programming languages.