Job Description
Job Title: / Software DeveloperFaculty/Department: / Research and Enterprise
Reporting to: / Senior SEED Developer
Duration: / Continuing
Job Family: / Specialist (IT)
Pay Band: / 6
Benchmark Profile: / Specialist (IT) Band 6
DBS Disclosure requirement: / N/A
Vacancy Reference: / AE0037
Details Specific to the Post
Background and Context
SEED was established in 2005 with the help of Microsoft and European Social Fund, as a centre within the department of Computer Science. Since then, it has developed into a highly-regarded business that has also helped many students and graduates on their way to successful careers.
SEED provides student with opportunities to gain experience of the software industry via internships and the MEngineering options on the degree programmes offered within Computer Science.
Software Engineers will contribute to developing software solutions for both commercial and voluntary sector organisations. In particular, the engineers will work on the continuing development of BRIGID command and control and communications gateway which is used by several Fire Services across the UK.
Engineers will work at the cutting edge of software development using the latest technologies: C#, .NET framework 4.5+, WPF, WCF, Sharepoint and mobile platforms.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities of the post
· Development of software, according to an accepted methodology, that is delivered on time and fit for purpose.
· Installation, commissioning, maintenance and support of products/services both at the University and at customer sites.
· Mentoring of Interns and MEng students.
· Assisting Seed Management with other product related activities.
· Project management using an agreed scheme.
· Supervision and mentoring of software engineers, Interns and MEng students.
· Liaises with customers to elicit requirements.
Seed operates on a commercial basis and so to provide customers with 24/7 support the role holder must be willing to provide ‘out of hours’ cover on a rota basis. This will require being on call for a full week at a time. Cover will be delivered in line with agreed University policy and procedures. On call allowances will be paid at the agreed rate together with payment for any consequent ‘call out’ activity whilst on call.
Overall scope of the Role
· The role holder will undertake professional software development in-line with the ACM Software Engineering Code of Ethics and Professional Practice.
· The role holder will have specific responsibility for a clearly defined section of work and will use initiative within the boundaries of the role in line with University policies and procedures.
· The role holder will have discretion to deal with non-routine queries and/or issues but more complex situations will be referred to senior colleagues.
· The role holder will plan and prioritise own work and may be required to delegate work to others within agreed objectives.
· The role holder may lead a team within the department and/or in project activity and plan, prioritise and monitor to ensure effective use of resources.
· The role holder will influence decisions or events by working collaboratively internally and externally to the University.
· The role holder will evaluate and analyse information and use initiative and creativity to solve non-standard problems.
GENERIC JOB DESCRIPTION
The job duties and responsibilities listed below are intended to describe the general nature of the role. The duties and responsibilities and the balance between the elements in the role may change or vary over time depending on the specific needs at a specific point in time or due to changing needs in the department. Candidates should note that there may not be an immediate requirement to carry out all the activities listed below.
Overall Purpose of the Role
· The role holder:
o Will provide IT support to staff, students and more senior colleagues.
o Will have practical working knowledge of the systems, processes and procedures across a section or area of work and may have detailed knowledge of specialist systems and/or a broad understanding of a wide range of activities. This knowledge is gained by extensive practical experience and/or through formal instruction.
o Is required to use initiative and judgement on how to address and resolve problems with minimal guidance and instructions from senior colleagues.
o Will plan and prioritise own work and may be required to supervise the work of others and monitor progress within agreed objectives ensuring the effective use of resources.
o Will be expected to contribute to longer term developments within the department, such as implementing improvements to working methods, policies and procedures.
Main Work Activities
Communication
· Explain IT procedures, technical processes, equipment and software operation to students, staff and visitors.
· Give advice and guidance to staff and students on various IT related topics.
· Present information to staff and colleagues through Powerpoint presentations and/or practical demonstration.
· Create technical instructions and user guides.
Teamwork
· Mentors students and Interns providing advice and guidance
· Participates in structured code reviews with other team members
· Provide advice and guidance to other members of the team.
· May be required to supervise the work of others.
Liaising and Networking
· Work in collaboration with staff and colleagues to maintain and implement existing services.
· Work in collaboration with staff and colleagues in relation to new services/initiatives, procedures and processes to ensure requirements are met.
· Liaise with staff to coordinate project development and completion.
Service Delivery
· Install, configure, maintain and support applications and systems software and associated peripheral equipment at both University and customer sites
· Develops software that is delivered on time and fit for purpose
· Provide advice to Line Manager on potential service improvement and implementation methods and identifies emerging technologies for new services and products.
· Adapts existing services and products to meet customer requirements
Planning and Organisation
· Plan and prioritises own work in order to meet deadlines.
· Participate in strategic planning to advise on technical developments.
· May be required to manage the operation of laboratory and workshop sessions.
Analysis/Reporting
· Fault diagnosis, test and maintain software and hardware
· Technical analysis and research with the following problem domains:
a) .Net software development
b) Mobile communications
c) Server and database administration
· Evaluate software packages.
· Keep up to date with latest developments/software/equipment and opportunities they present
Additionally the post holder will be required to:
· Fulfil the employees’ duties described in the University’s health and safety policies andco-operate with the health and safety arrangements in place within the department. May be required to undertake specific health and safety roles on request e.g. Display screen equipment assessor, departmental safety officer, fire warden
· Show a commitment to diversity, equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practices This includes undertaking mandatory equality and diversity training
· Comply with University regulations, policies and procedures
COMPETENCY SPECIFICATION
To fulfil your role, you will need certain knowledge, skills and competencies. The following competency specification provides a framework within which your performance will be assessed. The interview assessment may include, for example, testing on IT skills.
The Competencies set out below are essential and are core requirements needed to perform the role and any candidate who fails the requirement will not be taken forward for further assessment or to interview.
Guidance for managers: You may wish to amend or change the knowledge and experience required for a specific role. For example you may wish the post holder to have experience of customer service, if so please insert below. (Please delete this guidance when section is completed)
Competency Identified by
Knowledge and Experience
Evidence of software development experience including testing strategies and version control and a broad range of IT skillsObject oriented software development expertise
C# and .NET framework development experience / Application/Interview
Has relevant degree in computer science, electronics or related field or equivalent qualification and/or experience. / Application/Interview
Has an active approach in continuing professional development/undertaking training as appropriate for personal and professional development. / Application/Interview
Communication (Oral and Written)
Can demonstrate the ability to provide information in a suitable format so that the others’ needs are met and adjusts the level of content to help others understand. / Application/Interview
Teamwork and Motivation
Can demonstrate the ability to delegate work to others and/or help to build co-operation to deliver team results. / Application/Interview
Liaison and Networking
Can demonstrate the ability to make contact with others to ensure that information is exchanged and circulated appropriately to the right person at the right time. / Application/Interview
Service Delivery
Has knowledge of understanding services available to users of this and related areas of work and ensures that experience of each customer is positive and satisfactory. / Application/Interview
Planning and Organisation
Can demonstrate the ability to create realistic plans to achieve own deadlines and objectives. Monitors progress of self and/or others and can prioritise tasks/activities effectively. Suggests ways of improving working practices and use of resources. / Application/Interview
Initiative and Problem Solving
Can demonstrate the ability to investigate problems to identify their cause, takes action to prevent recurrence of problems and considers possible solutions to identify those which offer wider benefits. / Application/Interview
Analysis/Reporting
Can demonstrate the ability to identify and use a range of data, with the ability to combine various data types to produce reports and perform basic analysis. / Application/Interview
Specialist (IT) Band 6 (Generic)
4 June 2011
Version 5