Digital Developer
Job introduction
They don't come up very often but, because of a recent upwards move within the Digital Development team, we have a great role available.
You could be part of a busy, committed, and award-winning team of talented professionals, exploiting platforms and tools that are Gartner Magic Quadrant leaders supporting the development of a large and sophisticated public sector website to deliver important services to residents and businesses in the city of Brighton and Hove.
If you have Drupal development experience, plus experience of providing high-quality digital services, supporting large information rich websites, and enjoy the technical challenges that come with delivering continuous improvements to an organisation’s digital offering, then this role could be yours. In particular, we welcome applications if you have demonstrable experience of achieving and maintaining WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) 2.1 AA Accessibility guideline compliance and would act as our subject matter expert, evangelising best practice across the team.
The role is integral to the delivery of the Council’s web presence and an ambitious programme of Digital Transformation initiatives. These support our strategy of providing an improved ‘One Council’ customer experience, more efficient internal processes, and a single view of the customer that allows council teams to deliver services more effectively.
Interview date: 6th and 8th December
For an informal discussion, please contact Phil Newberry (phil.newberry@brighton-hove.gov.uk)
About the role
We provide in-house development services across a range of industry-leading platforms including Mendix low-code application development, Boomi integration platform development and, of course, the Drupal CMS.
This role sits within the Digital and Data teams at Brighton and Hove City Council and would be intrinsic to the technical delivery of our website and its numerous planned improvements. We are currently in the second phase of these, requiring significant experience of development on a Drupal CMS platform (front and back-end), Drupal forms, knowledge of web standards, a strong understanding of building to achieve Accessibility compliance, a great problem-solving mindset, and experience of working collaboratively across Agile development and Content Design teams.
In this role you will be contributing to a multi-year programme of organisational modernisation and business change. As part of Orbis, a shared services partnership between Brighton and Hove City Council, East Sussex County Council, and Surrey County Council, you will have exposure and opportunities beyond the immediate Council, should you wish.
Orbis IT & Digital plays a key role in the modernisation of public services and supports the delivery of continuous improvements to quality and efficiency. We are ambitious and forward looking with skills in a range of enterprise technologies and digital delivery practices.
With a focus on the Council’s main website and occasional work on smaller, council-hosted websites, you will provide services and support, delivering front-end development, data-driven solutions, and platform code maintenance that meet the requirements defined by and for the council’s Digital teams.
You will bring to bear your knowledge of industry recognised standards and practices, including Government Digital Service (GDS) design principles, Accessibility standards, security best practice, Agile development and our own design and policies around information architecture and privacy.
Taking technical leadership from the Website Development Lead, you will work with the Website Project Manager, Product Strategy Manager, DevOps, the Drupal development team, and the Content Design Team to implement digital solutions in line with our digital strategy, architectural principles, and industry standards around security, Accessibility, and privacy.
About you
You will have:
- Strong, practical knowledge of Drupal 7 and 9, PHP, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS
- Knowledge of standard development methodologies, e.g., Agile/Scrum
- A good understanding of web standards, protocols, Accessibility, development workflow (SDLC) and tools
- Some knowledge of interoperability standards, e.g., JSON, XML, XPath, RESTful and SOAP
- Commercial experience developing, releasing, monitoring, and supporting large information-based Drupal websites. This includes using Composer and being confident using Drush
- Experience of Drupal form building using the Webform module, including forms with branching conditions and calculations using computed twigs to achieve desired outcomes
- Experience of version control systems, e.g., submitting and reviewing GitHub pull requests and using Git on the command line
- A methodical, rigorous, and professional approach throughout the delivery of your work
You will have experience of working collaboratively and supportively with technical and non-technical teams, delivering advice and guidance with confidence, taking direction and task assignment from line and project managers, and managing and reporting against your workload effectively.
The job description and person specification linked below provides further details.
About the working options
We completely endorse a flexible workplace, with our staff working full time, part-time, and compressed hours, to fit around care commitments and work life balance needs. The teams are currently working remotely. Applicants may work flexibly but may need attend the office where service demands require it. Should working from home not be possible, safe office accommodation is available.
IT and Digital teams are a diverse and truly international group. You will find us a very open and welcoming group of colleagues who encourage a respectful, supportive, and collaborative work ethic. We have found ways to keep connected and keep up some social contact with work colleagues through remote daily morning meetings and informal lunchtime virtual gatherings.
You will join a team that really cares about what we do. We value our staff and are committed to building and maintaining an inclusive and supportive culture. In return you will be offered:
- Flexible working options, including the possibility of compressed hours, hybrid or remote working and ‘term time’ working options to help ensure a positive work life balance.
- 25 days paid annual leave (+ bank holidays)
- Excellent pension options
- A strong commitment to continued professional development
- Workplace adjustments for candidates needing additional support
- A wide range of welfare and wellbeing resources
If this role interests you, we want to hear from you.
Please read our Apply for a job at the council (brighton-hove.gov.uk) pages carefully. They give you all the guidance you need to complete your application as well as information on what will happen after you’ve submitted your application and at interview.
As part of your application, you will need to upload your CV and answers to some shortlisting questions. Your answers to the shortlisting questions are the most important part of your application as they will be used in the shortlisting process to assess whether you meet the essential requirements for the role that are set out in the person specification and to decide whether you should be offered an interview. Before you start your application, please read our guidance here (CV guidance (brighton-hove.gov.uk) and Shortlisting questions guidance (brighton-hove.gov.uk) as this gives important advice which will increase your chance of success in the shortlisting process.
Additional information
Your starting salary will be pro rata if the above position is less than 37 hours or term-time only.
Work Permits: We may be able to obtain a Work Permit for this post but this is subject to meeting the requirements of the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) Points-based Immigration System. Please see Gov.uk for more information on the Skilled Worker Visa.
There is the option for the suitable candidate to choose to work mostly from home. Attendance at the office with reasonable notice would be required on occasion. This notice would be subject to local team and service working arrangements. Your contractual location will be the designated council office for your team and travel to and from your contractual location would be at your own expense.
For more information about our values and the benefits of working at the council, visit Why work for us (brighton-hove.gov.uk)
Company information
Please note that this post is subject to a Basic Disclosure Criminal Records Check.
Encouraging a diverse workforce
Our city is known and loved for its diversity. Not only is the mixture of people, culture and skills vital to the economic and social development of the city, it's what makes Brighton & Hove such a great place to live, work and visit. We are committed to developing and retaining a workforce that is representative of the diverse communities we serve so we welcome applications from individuals from all backgrounds. In order to achieve our aims of proportionate representation, we particularly encourage applicants from a BME or White Other background as well as those who identify as disabled, male or trans.
Find out more about our commitment to being a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone can achieve their potential by reading about our fair and inclusive actions, our anti-racism strategy and the work we are doing to encourage a diverse workforce (brighton-hove.gov.uk).