At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop innovative analytical solutions to support the Council’s Transformation programme.
- Company: Join Durham’s Data & Insight service, a forward-thinking team.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, and flexible working arrangements.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by solving business problems with data-driven insights.
- Qualifications: Degree in relevant field or substantial experience in data roles required.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
We are looking to appoint two enthusiastic, hardworking, and motivated Data Science and Innovation Officers to join Durham’s Data & Insight service. One post is permanent and the other is fixed for a period of 3 years. These are exciting posts within the service, playing a key role in providing analytical support into the Council’s Transformation programme. The successful applicants will work closely with partners and stakeholders and be responsible for the ongoing development of analytical solutions to real world business problems, to allow collection, analysis and presentation of data relating to the Transformation programme. We are looking for forward thinking individuals who can think outside the box, bringing strong analytical skills and insight capabilities to enhance our service here in Durham.
WHAT IS INVOLVED?
You will work as part of a team leading the development of innovative and sustainable analytical solutions to support a wide and diverse Transformation programme across the Authority. This includes identification and implementation of new ways of extracting, matching and analysing data using tools such as Microsoft Azure, FABRIC, SQL, Excel, R, Python, and Power BI, to deliver key insight in a way which provides intelligence to support management decisions, performance frameworks and evaluations and ensure robust decision making and planning.
WHAT WILL I NEED?
- A Degree or equivalent in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Data Science or related field or substantial relevant experience
- Previous experience as a data engineer, software developer or data analyst.
- Experience of translating complex technical concepts into practical guidelines for the organisation.
Please refer to the attached Person Specification for the full criteria.
INTERVIEWS
Interviews will be held on either Thursday 30 April or Friday 1 May 2026. We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that can show they meet all the essential criteria and have indicated they have a disability, are a looked after young person, care leaver or a veteran.
OUR OFFER TO YOU
We offer a competitive rewards package that includes attractive salaries, a generous annual leave entitlement of 27 days (rising to 32 after five years’ continuous local government service), membership of the excellent contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme, and a range of flexible working arrangements including hybrid working (home and office) where applicable. Explore the full range of rewards and benefits on our website. Rewards and benefits are subject to individual terms and conditions.
EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION
We are a proud equal opportunities employer and believe a diverse workforce brings fresh ideas and drives service improvement. We welcome applications from everyone and make employment decisions based on skills and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we actively encourage applications from disabled and neurodivergent people and offer support throughout the recruitment process.
HOW TO APPLY
Please note, we do not accept CVs. All applications must be submitted online via the Northeast Jobs portal. Use the ‘Person Specification’ section of the form to clearly demonstrate how you meet the essential (and where possible, desirable) criteria. Applications that do not evidence the essential requirements will not be shortlisted. Please visit our website to understand our position on using AI to support your application and for guidance on completing your application. If you require assistance when applying for this role, please contact our Recruitment Helpdesk on 03000 26 27 27, or via email RecruitmentCES@durham.gov.uk. All correspondence relating to your application will be sent from donotreply@northeastjobs.org.uk. Kindly check your spam/junk folder regularly to ensure you don’t miss any updates.
Data Science and Innovation Officer in Spennymoor employer: Durham County Council
Contact Detail:
Durham County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Data Science and Innovation Officer in Spennymoor
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company and its values! Before your interview, do a bit of research on Durham’s Data & Insight service. Understanding their mission and how they operate will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Prepare for common interview questions related to data science and analytical skills. Think about how you can showcase your experience with tools like SQL, Python, or Power BI. We want you to feel confident and ready to impress!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to ask questions! At the end of your interview, have a few thoughtful questions ready for the panel. This shows your enthusiasm and helps you gauge if the role is the right fit for you. Plus, it’s a great way to demonstrate your analytical thinking!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! Make sure you submit your application via the Northeast Jobs portal as instructed. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we’re here to support you throughout the process!
We think you need these skills to ace Data Science and Innovation Officer in Spennymoor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Skills: Make sure to highlight your analytical skills and any relevant experience in your application. Use specific examples to demonstrate how you've tackled real-world problems using data, especially with tools like SQL, Python, or Power BI.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor your responses to match the job description. Focus on how your background aligns with the key responsibilities and requirements mentioned, especially around the Transformation programme.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Avoid jargon unless it’s relevant, and make sure your writing is easy to understand. This shows you can translate complex concepts into practical guidelines, which is a key part of the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Remember, we only accept applications through the Northeast Jobs portal, so make sure you submit yours there. Check out our website for tips on using AI to enhance your application and ensure you meet all the essential criteria!
How to prepare for a job interview at Durham County Council
✨Know Your Tools
Familiarise yourself with the tools mentioned in the job description, like Microsoft Azure, SQL, and Python. Be ready to discuss how you've used these tools in past projects or how you would apply them to real-world problems.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your analytical skills. Think of specific instances where you translated complex data into actionable insights. This will demonstrate your ability to contribute to the Council’s Transformation programme effectively.
✨Understand the Role's Impact
Research the Council’s Transformation programme and think about how your role as a Data Science and Innovation Officer can influence it. Being able to articulate this during the interview shows that you're forward-thinking and genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Engage with Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions to ask at the end of your interview. This could be about the team dynamics, ongoing projects, or how success is measured in the role. It shows your enthusiasm and helps you gauge if the position is the right fit for you.