Software Engineering Starter Role

at  West Northamptonshire Council

About the role
We want it all - a curious, analytical and creative software engineering assistant with ambition and innovative ideas, and the energy and drive to turn ideas into reality!
We’re looking for an exceptional human to join our digital team to learn the skills and put them into practise, designing, developing and maintaining websites, mobile apps & AI. You’ll join us on our journey as we create better end-to-end services for our councils and residents.
You’ll be learning the full stack of digital technologies and processes needed to run a local authority. That means using the latest technologies, Generative AI, Machine Learning, iOS and Android mobile apps, websites, automations and integrations. You’ll be learning to code, as well as how to leverage low code tools to develop systems and applications. You’ll be helping us design, develop and maintain our digital products.
Our technology is key to our service, customer and partners, and we want to push the limits on self-service, innovation, automation, integration, and reusable functionality across multiple digital channels; while maintaining a strong focus on user need.
Is this you? If so, we’d like to hear from you.

What will you be doing?

• You’ll be learning all the time. Code, Low Code, DevOps, we do it all.
• You’ll be spending some weeks working on developing our new systems
• You’ll be spending other weeks maintaining our current systems
• You’ll be working in a team of fellow techies and non-techies to support you.
• You’ll be thinking, doing and challenging, so that we can do our best work as a team.

About you

• Natural openness, curiosity and optimism (a bit of bravery probably wouldn’t hurt either)
• Technical depth and flair (and the ability to articulate its impact to non-technical people)
• A team-driven approach to delivery
• A responsive and adaptable attitude
• A passion for making a positive impact for individuals and services

About us
At West Northants Council, it’s about our people. People who thrive with ambition, bubble with new ideas, demand better ways of working, caring about every detail, and who never shy away from a challenge. Our culture is a gateway for new experiences. A place to forge new opportunities. To empower you in your career and unite you with like-minded people.
Our vision is ‘to make West Northants a great place to live, work, visit and thrive’. We truly stand by this and work hard every day to make this a reality. Our corporate values, THRIVE, stand for: Trust, High Performance, Respect, Innovate and Empower, they underpin everything we do and how we deliver services.
Hear more from our Chief Executive, Anna Earnshaw, about what it’s like to work at West Northants Council https://youtu.be/lV0EfeUF4aU
We are committed to ensuring diversity, equality, equity, and inclusion is woven into the fabric of WNC and everything we do, to enable all colleagues to develop and maximize their full potential. We are a disability confident employer, a member of the Armed Forces Covenant, and a Care Leaver Covenant partner
The following film was created by us to communicate our intentions - watch WNC colleagues explain what DEI means to us.
If you need additional support or reasonable adjustments during the application process, including needing the job description in another format or language, please email careers@westnorthants.gov.uk for support.

WEST NORTHANTS COUNCIL, WHERE CAREERS THRIVE.

Our benefits

We offer a wide range of benefits to our employees, these include:

• Generous annual leave entitlement starting at 28 days annual leave per year, 29 days for senior managers (pro rata, depending on how many hours per week you work), plus bank holidays. An additional 5 days, linked to continuous service, and ability to purchase up to 6 weeks additional leave per year.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Local Government Pension Scheme plus immediate life cover (3 times your annual salary from day one) and ill-health protection.
• Employee discounts with local and national retailers, days out, finance, health and beauty, travel and eating out plus lots more.
• Car Lease scheme
• Payment of professional subscription / membership - If your job description requires that you are registered with or are a member of a professional body, WNC will pay for your professional subscription or membership fees.
• Employee Assistance Programme - We have an employee support programme run by Health Assured, an independent, external organisation. Health Assured is available for you and your immediate family members, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year and includes telephone counselling, legal advice, bereavement support and medical information.
• Ongoing training and development opportunities.
• A variety of flexible working options to support your work/life balance, including full or part time, term time, 9-day fortnight, etc. (subject to business needs).
• Our West Ways of Working – We want our workforce to thrive, and we equip our employees with the right technology to support hybrid and collaborative working, on or off site, depending on the role.
• Making a difference - If you want to use your skills and experience with an organisation that are genuinely invested in making a difference, are committed to improving people’s lives, and whose success has a direct impact on the wellbeing of your family, friends and people in your local area, then West Northamptonshire Council is the place for you.

• You’ll be learning all the time. Code, Low Code, DevOps, we do it all.
• You’ll be spending some weeks working on developing our new systems
• You’ll be spending other weeks maintaining our current systems
• You’ll be working in a team of fellow techies and non-techies to support you.
• You’ll be thinking, doing and challenging, so that we can do our best work as a team