At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our team to build and improve digital services for the city.
- Company: Bristol City Council, a vibrant local government focused on digital transformation.
- Benefits: Flexible working, generous leave, and a supportive environment.
- Other info: Hybrid working options available with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on your community while developing your tech skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in software development and a passion for AI and automation.
The predicted salary is between 42839 - 46142 £ per year.
We are looking for a Software Engineer (Foundation) to expand our in-house delivery team and be involved in exciting digital transformation work across the organisation. This is an excellent opportunity to join and help shape the growing in-house Digital Operations Service within our vibrant city’s local government.
Do you have a keen interest in software development, AI, automation, Microsoft Copilot and digital services? Would you like to join an organisation whose work affects the lives of an entire city’s population? Would you like to grow your skills and experience with us? We are looking for enthusiastic Software Engineers to join our team and help us deliver modern, user-focused digital services.
Responsibilities include:
- Building, improving and supporting digital services.
- Working as part of an agile team with business users, architects, operations staff and other colleagues to design and build software systems that meet operational needs.
- Working with Practitioner Level Software Engineers and external developer resources to continuously build experience and effectiveness.
- Contributing to the development of reliable, effective and sustainable digital solutions that support services across the organisation.
Skills required:
- The ability to demonstrate creativity and innovation in developing solutions for the benefit of customers.
- A keen, self-starting approach to learning new programming skills and technologies.
- Enthusiasm for working in collaborative, cross-functional teams.
- A willingness to learn from others, share ideas and contribute to team outcomes.
- Experience with generative AI technologies, including advanced prompting, meta-prompting, Microsoft Copilot Studio, including new and classic versions, and Azure AI Foundry.
- Experience with AI-assisted software development using GitHub Copilot.
- An interest in exploring how AI and automation can improve services, support colleagues and deliver better outcomes for residents.
Why Bristol City Council?
At Bristol City Council, we go that extra mile for our people; we offer a work environment which is fast moving and supportive, giving you the chance to use your skills and develop new ones within a high-profile organisation. For the majority of our roles hybrid working arrangements are available, giving teams the opportunity to work in a way that suits them, balancing service need and individual choice - mixing both home and office working.
Join us and you’ll receive an excellent rewards package including flexible working and flexitime, membership of the Local Government Pension scheme, and a generous annual leave allowance. In addition, you’ll be working in a supportive environment where you’ll have the chance to make Bristol a better place and contribute to its future.
To be shortlisted for interview you’ll need to demonstrate how you meet each of the essential criteria in the Person Specification within the Further Information section of your application. On occasion we will receive high numbers of applications, we may then shortlist against the desirable criteria along with the essential criteria, so if you can, please demonstrate how you meet this in your application.
For permanent Bristol City Council employees, this post will be a secondment. For employees who are currently on a fixed term contract with Bristol City Council, the secondment must not extend beyond the end of the fixed term period to ensure there is a substantive post to return to. If you are currently a casual worker or a member of an employment agency (currently working with Bristol City Council) this post will be a fixed term contract.
We're a Disability Confident employer which means we value recruiting and retaining disabled people. Any job applicants who consider themselves to be disabled and meet the essential criteria in the Person Specification are guaranteed an interview. We'll make reasonable adjustments throughout the process.
If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact jonathan.ramsey@bristol.gov.uk.
Software Engineer Foundation employer: Bristol City Council
Bristol City Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. As a Trauma-Informed Recovery Navigator, you will benefit from flexible working hours and generous leave allowances, allowing you to balance your personal and professional life while making a meaningful impact in the community. Join us in a role that not only fosters collaboration with various services but also empowers you to contribute to the recovery journey of individuals facing complex challenges.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Software Engineer Foundation
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at Bristol City Council or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to Bristol City Council.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
Don’t underestimate the power of online developer communities like GitHub, Stack Overflow, and even Reddit. Participate in discussions, share your projects, and build your visibility. We can often find opportunities through these channels that can lead to a full-time gig at companies like Bristol City Council.
✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards that focus on tech roles. Sites like TechCareers or Stack Overflow Jobs can often have listings for companies like Bristol City Council that might not show up on broader job sites. Make it a habit to check these regularly, and don’t hesitate to apply directly through our website!
We think you need these skills to ace Software Engineer Foundation
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at Bristol City Council.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Bristol City Council and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at Bristol City Council
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If Bristol City Council uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
