INTERNAL ONLY VACANCY. This post is open to existing Leeds City Council employees only. Applications will not be considered from external candidates.
Job title: Senior Software Engineer
Salary: PO2 £39,862 - £42,839
Hours: 37
Contract: Permanent
Location: Home and office based, chiefly Merrion House but attendance maybe occasionally required at other Leeds based locations
We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Senior Software Engineer to work on our Microsoft Power Platform alongside Dynamics F&O. The ideal candidate will have 2 years of experience working on no/low code platforms and a proven track record of building and delivering solutions on them. You will also have in experience of working with Power Platform within a financial environment along with the necessary governance and guardrails that are essential for its use in a local authority.
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 the Senior Software Engineer you will:
- Analyses business requirements by collaborating with business and technical stakeholders, studying systems flow, data usage, and work processes and creates prototype solutions
- Develops low code Power App applications - creates professional Canvas and model Power Apps with attractive user interfaces, associated views, forms, business rules, relationships and process flows
- Incorporates user authentication, data validation, visualisation and file upload abilities
- Creates complex workflows using Power Automate, utilising relevant connectors to configure flows
- Creates technical specification documents and defines data models
- Integrates flows with other Microsoft 365 services such as Dynamics, SharePoint, Forms and other 3rd party services
- Reports on progress via a variety of methods e.g. daily stand-ups
- Performs software design using software development fundamentals and processes, debug, test, and deploy software solutions.
- Design, develop and maintain key components of the software suite using Office 365 APIs.
- Documents and demonstrates solutions by developing documentation, flowcharts, layouts, diagrams, etc.
- Provides approximate estimates for development work based on known information and experience
About the role
This role will focus on the ongoing development and improvements of our Power Platform applications. It has a heavy emphasis on working with custom applications developed to supplement our implementation of Microsoft Dynamics F&O. A solid understanding of financial processes and procedures is highly desirable.
You will not work alone but rather form part of a team of existing developers, managers and technical experts who will help you on this journey.
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 complete online application form.
Read our guidance for further advice. Please check your information carefully and ensure you complete all sections before submitting your application.
We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.
This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, 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, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visa route before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you'll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.
Job Description
Job Purpose:
This role will focus on Power Apps and Power Automate development. You will use the Power Apps service for building and using custom business apps that connect to data and work across the web and mobile - without the time and expense of custom software development. You will also use Power Automate to help the business area tackle everyday activities more efficiently and provide employees with a tremendous user experience. Power virtual Agents are used to quickly create sophisticated, AI-enabled Chatbots.
You will be involved in gathering requirements from key business stakeholders, creating proof of concept designs, through to the development, testing and implementation of solutions and handover to business as usual.
Responsibilities for Grade:
- Analyses business requirements by collaborating with business and technical stakeholders, studying systems flow, data usage, and work processes and creates prototype solutions
- Develops low code Power App applications - creates professional Canvas and model Power Apps with attractive user interfaces, associated views, forms, business rules, relationships and process flows
- Incorporates user authentication, data validation, visualisation and file upload abilities
- Creates complex workflows using Power Automate, utilising relevant connectors to configure flows
- Creates technical specification documents and defines data models
- Integrates flows with other Microsoft 365 services such as SharePoint, Forms and other 3rd party services
- Reports on progress via a variety of methods e.g. daily stand-ups
- Performs software design using software development fundamentals and processes, debug, test, and deploy software solutions.
- Design, develop and maintain key components of the software suite using Office 365 APIs.
- Documents and demonstrates solutions by developing documentation, flowcharts, layouts, diagrams, etc.
- Provides approximate estimates for development work based on known information and experience
Qualifications:
Desirable: Degree or equivalent
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS: It is essential that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates will only be shortlisted for interview if they can demonstrate on the application form that they meet all the essential requirements.
Method of Assessment will be through one or more of the following Application Form, Test, Interview or Certificate.
Skills Required
These are defined as ‘Skill’ - ‘Description’ - ‘What is required for the post’
- System Design – Ability to create the specification and design of systems to meet defined business needs. 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. Ability to translate logical designs into physical designs. Produces detailed designs and documents all work using required standards, methods and tools, including prototyping tools where appropriate.
- Prototyping – Ability 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.
- Service Support - Maintains and supports services. Ability to help fix faults following agreed procedures. Ability to carry out agreed maintenance tasks.
- Azure cloud concepts - Proficient with associated tools and concepts and can work with them effectively.
Knowledge Required
- Web Languages – Fundamental knowledge of HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, jQuery and Web Services
- 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. Knowledge 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.
- Source Control – Visual Studio and TFS or other source control management tools. Understands the importance of and proficient in the use of source control tooling.
- Testing Concepts – Knowledge of different levels of software testing and ability to implement manual and automated tests.
- UX & UI Design – Understanding of the fundamentals behind UX & UI design to the point of being able to critique existing and/or apply to new products.
Experience Required
- Business Knowledge – Citizen Developer - Experienced in business process knowledge and how technology can support business delivery e.g. via application support or application development experience
- Pro Developer - Experienced in designing advanced interfaces using Power Apps to meet complex business requirements.
Behavioural & Other Characteristics required
- Planning and organising – Ensures effective management of own time management and that of others.
- Communication and influencing – Communicates purpose and direction with clarity, integrity and enthusiasm. Respects the needs, responses and opinions 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 opinions, implications and risk of decisions.
- Developing Self and Others – Focus on continuous learning and developer 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 organisation objectives.
- Delivering at Pace - Takes responsibility for delivering timely and quality results with focus and drive.
DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS: It is desirable that the Candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria for the post within the context of the specific role duties and responsibilities: Candidates are not required to meet all the Desirable requirements however these may be used to distinguish between acceptable candidates.
Skills
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
- 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.
- Microsoft 365 Ecosystems - Understanding of other areas within the Microsoft 365 ecosystem that form part of the Power Platform, such as Power Virtual Agents and QnA makers. Understands how and where these tools can support process automation.
