At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead IT initiatives, manage data analysis, and present insights to enhance service delivery.
- Company: Midlothian Council, committed to transforming local services.
- Benefits: Fixed-term contract with a clear salary scale and support for professional development.
- Other info: Opportunity for guaranteed interviews for eligible candidates, fostering inclusivity.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the community while developing your IT and analytical skills.
- Qualifications: Proficiency in Microsoft Office and experience with data handling and project management tools.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Proficiency in the use of all Microsoft Office packages is essential and experience of other project management tools would be desirable.
Proven experience of working with a wide range of statistical and other data sources, involving data collection, collation, analysis and interpretation.
Ability to demonstrate expertise, familiarity and confidence in information handling, analysis and interpretation.
Ability to demonstrate familiarity and confidence in use and development of spreadsheet applications and relational databases.
Ability to think creatively and to discern trends and potential relationships between data sources, and to initiate research activity using a range of data sources.
Ability to prepare and present reports on data, both of a technical and non-technical nature, tailored, as appropriate, to the audience.
This post is considered Regulated Work with Children under the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) Act, 2007. Therefore, it is an offence to apply if you are barred from working with children.
Successful candidates will require PVG Scheme membership for Regulated Work with Children. You will be required to join the Scheme or undergo a PVG Scheme Update check prior to commencing employment with Midlothian Council, the cost of which will be met by you.
If you have difficulty applying for this post or accessing attached documents, or if you have a disability and reasonable adjustment is required, please email recruitment@midlothian.
Midlothian Council is currently undergoing a period of transformation, changing and improving the way it delivers services in Midlothian. As a consequence, there are a number of existing employees for whom we are committed to seeking suitable alternative employment within the Council in accordance with our legal obligations.
If you are a trainee of a Midlothian Council Training Programme, have a disability or you are a care experienced young person who has previously been a looked after child you are eligible for a guaranteed interview if you meet the essential criteria for the post.
Locations
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of IT (fixed term) in Dalkeith, Midlothian
✨Tap into Online Data Science Communities
Join online communities focused on data science like Kaggle, LinkedIn groups, or Reddit threads. These are goldmines for temporary gigs, as you can network with professionals and potentially hear about opportunities at companies like Midlothian Council before they're even advertised!
✨Show Off Your Skills With Projects
Got some cool data science projects? Showcase them on platforms like GitHub or create a personal portfolio website. This visibility is crucial for landing temporary roles—let recruiters see your actual skills in action, which can set you apart from the crowd.
✨Check Out Specialist Job Boards
For temp roles, hit up job boards dedicated to tech and data science, like Stack Overflow Jobs or DataJobs. These platforms often feature openings that you won’t find on general job sites, including contracts with companies like Midlothian Council.
✨Leverage University Resources
If you're currently at uni or recently graduated, tap into your school's career services. They often have connections with companies looking for temporary data science interns or contract workers, and they might even host job fairs with employers like Midlothian Council.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of IT (fixed term) in Dalkeith, Midlothian
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Data Projects:When applying for a temporary data science role at Midlothian Council, make sure to showcase any relevant projects you've worked on. Whether it's a personal project, an academic undertaking, or contributions to an open-source initiative, detailing these experiences can really set you apart and demonstrate your practical skills.
Emphasise Your Analytical Skills:In your CV and cover letter, focus on the specific analytical skills that are key to data science. Mention any experience with statistical tools, programming languages like Python or R, and data visualisation software. Don't forget to include any certifications that may bolster your expertise!
Show Your Flexibility:Since this is a temporary role, it's important to convey your adaptability and willingness to learn. In your cover letter to Midlothian Council, emphasise how quickly you can get up to speed with new tools or projects. Highlight any previous experiences where you've had to adjust to new environments or challenges.
Craft a Unique Data-Driven Cover Letter:Instead of the usual generic cover letter, spice it up with some data! Maybe you’ve improved a process by 20% in a past role or cleaned a dataset with over a million entries. Use these stats to your advantage to grab Midlothian Council’s attention and show the tangible impact of your work.
How to prepare for a job interview at Midlothian Council
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
For a data science gig, it's crucial to demonstrate your analytical abilities. Be ready to discuss previous projects and the methodologies you used. Think about how you can quantify your impact—did your analysis improve efficiency or save costs? These are the stories that will stick with interviewers at Midlothian Council.
✨Brush Up on Technical Skills
You might face technical questions on tools relevant to data science, like Python, R, or SQL. Prepare to solve a problem live—perhaps they'll ask you to write a simple query or code snippet. It’s cool to talk about them, but we need to show we can do it in practice, especially in a temporary role where quick results matter.
✨Highlight Your Adaptability
Since this is a temporary position, emphasise your ability to learn quickly and adapt to new tools or workflows. Share examples of how you've thrived in fast-paced environments before, and how you can hit the ground running at Midlothian Council.
✨Prepare a Portfolio of Your Work
Bring your portfolio to the table—showcase projects where you've leveraged data science techniques to solve problems. Whether it’s a GitHub repository or a set of case studies, having tangible examples of your work will help you stand out and show what you bring to the team at Midlothian Council.
