Software Developer

Job summary

As a Software Developer, you'll play a key role in designing, building and improving digital services that support important public sector outcomes. Working as part of a collaborative, multidisciplinary team, you'll develop high quality software using modern development practices, contribute to innovative solutions, and help shape services that meet user and business needs.

This is an excellent opportunity for a Software Developer looking to expand their technical skills, work with a range of technologies and frameworks, and gain experience in Agile, DevOps and continuous delivery environments. You'll be encouraged to share ideas, drive improvements, and contribute to a supportive team culture focused on learning, innovation and delivering real impact.

The Planning Inspectorate has a long and proud history in ensuring a fair planning system for England. The work we do has a significant impact on people’s lives, the communities where they live and the economy.

We want our colleagues to be able to work more flexibly and more collaboratively, exploring new and innovative ways to improve the way we provide services.

For further information on the Planning Inspectorate, please visit our careers page at Civil Service Careers

Job description

As a Software Developer, you'll work as part of a multidisciplinary team to design, develop and support software products that meet user needs. You'll contribute to the delivery of high quality digital services, working collaboratively with colleagues and stakeholders to develop effective solutions, solve technical challenges and continuously improve the user experience. You'll use modern development practices and technologies, while having opportunities to learn new tools, frameworks and approaches.

You'll be responsible for developing and maintaining software that aligns with project objectives, user requirements and organisational standards. This includes applying Agile and DevOps practices throughout the software development lifecycle, providing technical input to inform decisions, and communicating technical concepts to a range of audiences. You'll build effective relationships with colleagues and stakeholders, contribute to continuous improvement, and ensure that solutions are delivered to agreed quality standards, timescales and security requirements. You'll also take ownership of your professional development, helping to foster a collaborative, inclusive and high-performing team culture.

Salary

New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. Internal rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.

This role is being advertised at HEO Grade which has a salary of £37,579.

Working hours:

Standard working week is 37 hours, part time at 30 hours or above, flexible working hours. policy available.

Office Attendance

This role is contractually based at our office in Bristol, 10-minute walk from Temple Meads train station. We recognise and value the mutual benefits of hybrid working and have a flexible approach to in person attendance, which can vary dependent on the requirements of individual business units - the details of which can be discussed with candidates if invited to attend an interview. Excitingly, we're relocating to a brand new office in December, while maintaining excellent transport links with Bristol Temple Meads station still just a 10 minute walk away.

Person specification

We will assess your application against the Essential Criteria listed:

Essential Criteria

• Experience of building scalable, secure web applications, preferably in Azure, and knowledge of server-side JavaScript programming or other modern programming languages.
• Experience of front-end web development using HTML, CSS and JavaScript.
• Experience of agile development methodologies, software design patterns, continuous integration, test-driven development and version control practices, preferably using GitHub.
• Experience of developing and working with RESTful APIs.
• Experience of researching and applying new programming tools and techniques to support development activities.
• Experience of identifying, investigating and resolving software faults, alongside effective communication and collaboration with colleagues and stakeholders.

For guidance on how to structure your application please visit: About the application process , Civil Service Careers

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Changing and Improving
• Working Together
• Developing Self and Others
• Delivering at Pace

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Experience of building scalable, secure web applications, preferably in Azure, and knowledge of server-side JavaScript programming or other modern programming languages.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £37,579, Planning Inspectorate contributes £10,886 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• Flexible working options, including flexi-time, part-time, compressed hours and home working if suitable for the role.
• A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity.
• 25 days annual leave increasing by 1 day per year up to 30 days after 5 years, plus 1 privilege day to mark the King’s birthday. In addition to the normal bank holidays.
• Generous family friendly policies.
• Fast and modern IT kit which utilises Windows 11 and Microsoft 365, enabling seamless working from home and collaboration across teams.

Things you need to know

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, Experience and Technical skills.

Application

For guidance on how to structure your application please seeAbout the application process , Civil Service Careers

Complete the online application form on Civil Service Jobs which requires the following information:

• A CV: The CV section lets you share your