At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide technical advice and design solutions for innovative technology projects.
- Company: Kent Fire and Rescue Service, committed to technology and transformation.
- Benefits: Generous annual leave, pension scheme, health services, and work-life balance policies.
- Other info: Hybrid working with at least three days in the office and excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in a dynamic environment while shaping the future of technology.
- Qualifications: Relevant IT or architecture qualification and experience in complex environments.
The predicted salary is between 69935 - 85477 £ per year.
An 18-month fixed-term post at Kent Fire and Rescue Service, sitting within the Service's technology and transformation work. The role gives technical advice and assurance on new and evolving systems, from early involvement in change programmes and technology procurement through to live operation. The focus is on commercial off-the-shelf solutions, integration and designing for support and lifecycle from the start, with hybrid working requiring at least three days a week in the office. Candidates must show they understand equality, diversity and inclusion in their everyday work.
What the job involves:
- Advise as a technical adviser and constructive challenger, balancing business needs, user needs, cost, timescales, security and sustainability.
- Engage stakeholders early to understand desired outcomes and translate requirements into technology solutions.
- Assess proposed technologies against the existing landscape, identifying integration needs, dependencies and duplication risks.
- Give proportionate assurance on security, resilience, supportability and operational readiness.
- Identify technical risks, constraints and dependencies early and recommend options where trade-offs are needed.
- Produce clear, proportionate solution designs and explain options, risks and decisions to technical and non-technical audiences.
- Work with internal teams, suppliers and project teams, particularly across infrastructure, applications, cyber security and operations.
- Ensure support arrangements, service ownership, monitoring, documentation and lifecycle management are addressed before and after implementation.
What’s required:
Qualifications:
- Relevant technical or professional qualification, or demonstrable equivalent experience, in IT, solution architecture, software engineering, infrastructure or a related discipline.
Experience:
- Designing, reviewing or assuring technology solutions within a complex organisational environment.
- Implementing and integrating commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) solutions with existing platforms and architectural standards.
- Working with project and procurement teams from requirements through to implementation and transition into service.
Skills & knowledge:
- Strong knowledge of system integration, technical dependencies and architectural risk management.
- Providing credible technical challenge and architectural assurance while balancing business objectives with operational readiness, resilience, security and cost.
- Understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion and how it fits into everyday work.
Checks & eligibility:
- Standard or enhanced DBS check and references.
What’s offered:
- Automatic membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme with 16.5% employer contribution.
- 32 days annual leave in addition to bank and public holidays.
- Annual increase of one scale point within grade up to the top of the grade.
- Blue Light Card and CSSC discount schemes.
- Employee Assistance Programme.
- Family friendly policies promoting work-life balance.
- Access to health and wellbeing services and advice.
- Free parking and gym access.
Solution Architect employer: Kent Fire and Rescue Service
Kent Fire and Rescue Service is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to contribute to the safety and efficiency of emergency services while working in a supportive and collaborative environment. With a strong focus on employee development and continuous improvement, you will have access to training and growth opportunities that enhance your skills in managing critical network services. The hybrid work model allows for flexibility, ensuring a healthy work-life balance while being part of a dedicated team committed to making a difference in the community.
Contact Details:
Kent Fire and Rescue Service Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Solution Architect
✨Get Involved in Open-Source Projects
Diving into open-source projects is a brilliant way to showcase your skills and connect with other developers in the community. Not only will you beef up your GitHub profile but you might also catch the eye of someone at Kent Fire and Rescue Service who values hands-on experience over just theory.
✨Attend Local Tech Meetups
Tech meetups are gold mines for networking and discovering job opportunities, especially in the fast-paced world of software engineering. Check out local listings for events in your area and don’t shy away from introducing yourself. This could lead directly to a temporary position at Kent Fire and Rescue Service!
✨Showcase Your Work Online
With temporary roles, it’s all about standing out in a short space of time. Create a portfolio website where you highlight your projects and skills. Talk about your code, and provide links to your GitHub repositories. This will not only demonstrate your abilities but will also make it easier for recruiters at Kent Fire and Rescue Service to see what you bring to the table.
✨Leverage Temporary Job Boards
Don’t forget to check specialised job boards for temporary software development roles. Websites like We Work Remotely or Remote OK often list short-term gigs that can be a perfect fit. Apply directly through our website as well, making sure your application is sharp—temporary roles can move fast!
We think you need these skills to ace Solution Architect
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Tech Skills:Make sure your CV highlights your tech stack and any programming languages you’re proficient in. Include specifics about any frameworks or technologies you’ve worked with; they can make you stand out in the sea of applicants. It’s all about showing that you have the chops we need at Kent Fire and Rescue Service!
Portfolio 2.0:Since you’re applying for a temporary gig, it’s super important to showcase a portfolio that highlights your best projects. Include links to GitHub or any personal projects that demonstrate what you can do in a real-world environment. This gives us a taste of your style and your problem-solving approach!
Keep It Brief and Relevant:With a temporary position, we want to see your ability to hit the ground running. Be concise in your CV and cover letter; stick to experiences that directly relate to the role. Highlight any previous temporary roles or freelance gigs that show your adaptability and quick learning!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Don’t just send a generic cover letter. Personalise it for Solution Architect at Kent Fire and Rescue Service! Mention why this temporary role excites you and how you see yourself contributing in the short run. Show us what you've got and why you're the one for this quick turn-around!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kent Fire and Rescue Service
✨Nail the Technical Skills
For a software engineering role, you'll likely face technical questions or coding tasks during your interview. Brush up on the relevant programming languages and frameworks that Kent Fire and Rescue Service uses, and don’t forget to practice some coding challenges on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank. Showing your coding prowess can really make you stand out!
✨Prepare for System Design Questions
Even for a temporary role, having a grasp of system design principles can be crucial. Be ready to discuss how you would architect a software solution, including discussing trade-offs, scalability, and performance considerations. Having examples from previous projects can really show off your analytical thinking.
✨Demonstrate Your Adaptability
Since this is a temporary role, you'll want to emphasise your ability to hit the ground running. Highlight experiences where you quickly adapted to new technologies or teams. Let’s make it clear to the interviewers at Kent Fire and Rescue Service that you can learn on the job and deliver results in a short timeframe!
✨Show Off Your Portfolio
Make sure to have a portfolio or GitHub ready showcasing your projects. Having tangible evidence of what you've done—be it personal projects, contributions to open-source, or previous work—can convey how capable you are. Tailor this for what might interest Kent Fire and Rescue Service, so it's relevant and sparks conversation during your interview.
