AI Summary
The UKHSA Development and Operations team leads the digital transformation of UKHSA to make it a more data-driven, customer-focused, digital organisation. We are seeking 3 Senior DevOps Engineers who will have experience of designing and architecting highly available services on a cloud platform such as AWS, and of implementing continuous integration technologies such as Jenkins, and orchestration tools such as Ansible or Terraform.
Key Highlights
Design and architect highly available services on cloud platforms
Implement continuous integration and deployment pipelines
Collaborate with developers and stakeholders to deliver software
Technical Skills Required
Benefits & Perks
£41,983 salary
Hybrid working
Flexible working options
Learning and development tailored to role
Environment with flexible working options
Culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
Civil Service pension with employer contribution
Job Description
Hybrid working; Core HQ’s - Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, London/Canary Wharf
Job Summary
The UKHSA Development and Operations team leads the digital transformation of UKHSA to make it a more data driven, customer focused, digital organisation.
DevOps Engineers at UKHSA work collaboratively with developers and stakeholders such as Data Scientists and Public Health officials to deliver software which helps to drive forward the mission of the agency. We employ modern best practices to deliver projects quickly, safely, and cost-effectively.
We are seeking 3 (three) Senior DevOps Engineers who will have experience of designing and architecting highly available services on a cloud platform such as AWS, and of implementing continuous integration technologies such as Jenkins, and orchestration tools such as Ansible or Terraform.
They will have skills building out cloud enabled systems and creating specifications and designs to meet our cloud hosting requirements. This will involve working with other stakeholders to translate requirements into visual technical designs and explore different approaches to solving problems.
Job Description
They will be capable of reviewing system designs to ensure selection of appropriate technology, design standards, methods and tools and efficient use of resources and integration of multiple systems and technology. They will be a systems integrator and able to define and co-ordinate integration build activities across systems and understand how to undertake and support integration testing.
They will also understand users and be able to identify them and their needs based on evidence and translate user stories and propose design approaches or services to meet these needs and engage in meaningful interactions and relationships with users. They must put users first, manage competing priorities excel at collaborating with users and user researchers, and be able to make recommendations on the best tools and methods to use.
They will work to optimise the development processes and identify process optimisation opportunities and contribute to the implementation of proposed solutions. They will initially work mostly with AWS and Azure, developing and supporting systems and infrastructure through to production using modern continuous integration/deployment (CI/CD) techniques and supporting analysis, identification, prioritisation and implementation of incremental improvements to the services currently running.
They will be a good technical communicator, able to improve developer experience through tools and technologies in collaboration with the development teams throughout the development lifecycle to live service and decommissioning. They will maintain the security, confidentiality and integrity of our cloud services by implementing relevant information security standards and ensure compliance with relevant legislations and regulations.
Further Responsibilities
- Develop and rollout continuous integration and deployment pipelines across UKHSA’s Digital’s estate of apps and services using containerisation techniques where appropriate and working collaboratively with other staff.
- Work with technical colleagues to implement DevOps methodology using practices recommended in the GDS Digital by Default Service Standard.
- Write infrastructure as code using Terraform or similar. Use cross-platform APIs and automation/deployment technologies such as Ansible or similar to orchestrate cloud platform deployment.
- Support and fix bugs in existing application deployment pipelines using standard debugging tools to track down and identify root causes. Work independently to find solutions/identify problems and work with the Lead/Senior Developers to solve more challenging issues.
- Review existing applications, advising and supporting colleagues on configuring and converting them for deployment to the cloud or migrate from other cloud providers. Support setting up continuous integration/deployment, developing automation scripts and advising developers on adapting them to run in the cloud
- Work in sprints in a multidisciplinary scrum team, collaborate and liaise with delivery managers, product owners and other stakeholders to identify business requirements and implement user stories
- Seek to continuously improve their knowledge of work areas, bringing learning back into the team, and embrace the agile framework of software delivery. Support colleagues to reach full agility using DevOps best practices including continuous integrations, delivery, and release.
- Work to continuously meet project deadlines and manage time effectively to deliver projects on budget.
The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of this role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required. The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organisation.
They will be capable of reviewing system designs to ensure selection of appropriate technology, design standards, methods and tools and efficient use of resources and integration of multiple systems and technology. They will be a systems integrator and able to define and co-ordinate integration build activities across systems and understand how to undertake and support integration testing.
They will also understand users and be able to identify them and their needs based on evidence and translate user stories and propose design approaches or services to meet these needs and engage in meaningful interactions and relationships with users. They must put users first, manage competing priorities excel at collaborating with users and user researchers, and be able to make recommendations on the best tools and methods to use.
They will work to optimise the development processes and identify process optimisation opportunities and contribute to the implementation of proposed solutions. They will initially work mostly with AWS and Azure, developing and supporting systems and infrastructure through to production using modern continuous integration/deployment (CI/CD) techniques and supporting analysis, identification, prioritisation and implementation of incremental improvements to the services currently running.
They will be a good technical communicator, able to improve developer experience through tools and technologies in collaboration with the development teams throughout the development lifecycle to live service and decommissioning. They will maintain the security, confidentiality and integrity of our cloud services by implementing relevant information security standards and ensure compliance with relevant legislations and regulations.
Further Responsibilities
- Develop and rollout continuous integration and deployment pipelines across UKHSA’s Digital’s estate of apps and services using containerisation techniques where appropriate and working collaboratively with other staff.
- Work with technical colleagues to implement DevOps methodology using practices recommended in the GDS Digital by Default Service Standard.
- Write infrastructure as code using Terraform or similar. Use cross-platform APIs and automation/deployment technologies such as Ansible or similar to orchestrate cloud platform deployment.
- Support and fix bugs in existing application deployment pipelines using standard debugging tools to track down and identify root causes. Work independently to find solutions/identify problems and work with the Lead/Senior Developers to solve more challenging issues.
- Review existing applications, advising and supporting colleagues on configuring and converting them for deployment to the cloud or migrate from other cloud providers. Support setting up continuous integration/deployment, developing automation scripts and advising developers on adapting them to run in the cloud
- Work in sprints in a multidisciplinary scrum team, collaborate and liaise with delivery managers, product owners and other stakeholders to identify business requirements and implement user stories
- Seek to continuously improve their knowledge of work areas, bringing learning back into the team, and embrace the agile framework of software delivery. Support colleagues to reach full agility using DevOps best practices including continuous integrations, delivery, and release.
- Work to continuously meet project deadlines and manage time effectively to deliver projects on budget.
The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of this role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required. The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organisation.
Person specification
Essential Criteria
- Educated to degree level in relevant subject such as Computer Science with a software development core or equivalent level of qualification or experience of working at a similar level within Digital Technology.
- Proficiency/experience with DevOps approaches to application testing and deployment.
- Experience of automated deployment of applications and services to AWS (Amazon Web Services) or Azure.
- Experience in design, development and support of CI/CD (Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment) pipelines in a microservice architecture.
- Experience of implementing a continuous integration platform (such as Gitlab CI, Github Actions or Jenkins) using repeatable deployment patterns.
- Knowledge/experience of appropriate standards, methods and tools to design systems using DevOps principles.
- Knowledge/experience of cloud automation technologies such as Ansible or Terraform.
- Genuine passion and interest in DevOps and cloud automation technologies and version control software (Git).
- Able to handle multiple tasks and workloads.
- Able to identify opportunities to optimise application development/deployment and lifecycle processes and contribute to their implementation using DevOps and Agile approaches.
- Able to define the continuous integration build, co-ordinate build activities across systems and understand how to undertake and support integration testing activities.
- Able to work with business and technology stakeholders to translate business problems into technical designs, specifying and designing systems using appropriate standards and tools.
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in terms of day-to-day working practices, and in relation to management systems.
- Experience of containerisation or microservices technologies and techniques, such as Docker or Kubernetes.
- Good understanding of RESTful Web Services.
- Good understanding of user needs and the difference between user needs and desires.
- Experience of Agile principles, practices and tools such as Jira.
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Working Together
- Delivering at Pace
- Managing a Quality Service
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.
Please visit our careers site for more information: UKHSA Hub , Civil Service Careers
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours.
Application & Sift
This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will evaluate your Behaviours, Experience and Technical Skills.
Success profiles Success Profiles - GOV.UK
At sift stage you will be assessed against the Essential Criteria listed in this job advert.
You Will Be Required To Complete An:
- Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
- 1000 word Statement of Suitability
Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500, but your statement of suitability must be no more than 1000 words. We will not consider any statements over 1000 words.
You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. The application form is the kind of information you would put into your CV – please be advised you will not be able to directly send or upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible.
Longlisting
In the event of a large number of applications, we may longlist into 3 piles of:
- Meets all Essential Criteria
- Meets some Essential Criteria
- Meets no Essential Criteria
Shortlisting
If we receive a large number of applications, we will shortlist against the Essential Criteria as follows:
- Proficiency/experience with DevOps approaches to application testing and deployment
Please note feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Interview
You will be invited to a remote interview.
Interview dates to be confirmed.
During the interview we will assess your Behaviours, Skills and Experience, and Technical Skills and Ability based on Success Profiles.
The Behaviours Evaluated During The Interview Will Be:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Working Together
- Delivering at Pace
- Managing a Quality Service
- A coding exercise on Terraform and GitHub usage
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Eligibility Criteria
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).
Salary
Salary Breakdown (SEO):
- SEO Inner: £46,310 - £52,113
- SEO Outer: £44,148 - £50,121
- SEO National: £41,983 - £48,128
If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.
Location
This role is being offered as hybrid working based at any of our Core HQ’s - Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, London/Canary Wharf.
We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, (averaged over a month) working at one of UKHSA's core HQ’s - Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, and London/Canary Wharf.
Our core HQ offices are modern and newly refurbished with excellent city centre transport link and benefit from benefit from co-location with other government departments such as the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).
Security Clearance Level Requirement
All successful candidates must meet the basic security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is:
- Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS)
- Basic DBS
UKHSA is investing in a new state-of-the-art National Biosecurity Centre in Harlow, Essex, which will eventually bring together teams currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale and Porton Down. For more details, please see: Huge biosecurity centre investment to boost pandemic protection - GOV.UK. The new facilities will start becoming operational in the mid-2030s, with full completion by 2038. Staff will move in phases as facilities become available. If you're appointed to a role currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale or Porton Down, please note that we'll continue investing in these sites for the next decade. As we get closer to the transition, we'll provide full information about relocation support available to staff.
Reasonable Adjustments
The Civil Service is committed to making sure that our selection methods are fair to everyone. To help you during the recruitment process, we will consider any reasonable adjustments that could help you. An adjustment is a change to the recruitment process or an adjustment at work. This is separate to the Disability Confident Scheme. If you need an adjustment to be made at any point during the recruitment process you should contact the recruitment team in confidence as soon as possible to discuss your needs.
You can find out more information about reasonable adjustments across the Civil Service here: https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/reasonable-adjustments/
International Police check
If you have spent more than 6 months abroad over the last 3 years you may need an International Police Check. This would not necessarily have to be in a single block, and it could be time accrued over that period.
Internal Fraud Check
If successful for this role as one aspect of pre-employment screening, applicant’s personal details – name, national insurance number and date of birth - will be checked against the Cabinet Office Internal Fraud Hub and anyone included on the database will be refused employment unless they can show exceptional circumstances. Currently this is only for External candidates to the Civil Service.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours.
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.
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
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 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.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job Contact :
- Name : Sarah Handy
- Email : sarah.handy@ukhsa.gov.uk
- Email : recruitment@ukhsa.gov.uk
The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles.
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact UKHSA Public Accountability Unit via email: Complaints@ukhsa.gov.uk
http://www.healthjobsuk.com/job/v7647145