Contents Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information Location Coventry, West Midlands (England), CV1 2WT : Darlington, North East England, DL1 5QE : Manchester, North West England, M1 2WD : Sheffield, Yorkshire and the Humber, S1 2FJ About the job Job summary The Strategic Intelligence and Automation has been set up to utilise artificial intelligence, data exploitation and data science to drive efficiencies and add further data intelligence into the departments decision making. It has 3 teams: A virtual assistance team which builds intelligent tools that assist customers with answers to questions through integrating chatbot technologies. It uses AI to drive efficiencies by conducting repetitive tasks quickly and consistently, reduce errors, identify anomalies. It implements Natural Language Processing (NLP) algorithms and technologies to enable virtual assistants to understand and respond to human language effectively An automation team which builds intelligent tools to assist customers and drive efficiencies within the department. It will develop and deploy automated solutions that perform routine tasks, data entry, and data extraction alongside simple and easy to use interfaces. An analysis team conducting in-depth analysis of complex and large datasets to extract valuable insights, patterns, and trends to further grow our understanding. It will develop and implement predictive models to forecast future trends and outcomes, identifying recurring patterns and anomalies within data for improved decision-making. Job description The role will be based in one of those teams, to be decided alongside the successful candidate. GenAI Products & Solutions As a HEO Data Scientist, you will be part of a dedicated team that utilises Large Language Model (LLM) technology to build intelligent end-to-end solutions. You will work closely with stakeholders, including policymakers, researchers, and data analysts, utilising artificial intelligence to enhance departmental deliveries and drive efficiencies. Job Responsibilities: Data Collection and Pre-processing: Assist in acquiring, cleaning, and pre-processing data from primary and secondary sources, ensuring data is fit for purpose whilst adhering to ethical AI guidelines. Exploratory Data Analysis: Prototype and evaluate innovative methods for leveraging LLMs in real-world scenarios, ensuring alignment with user needs and organisational goals. Apply data science techniques to understand patterns, trends, and relationships within the data that aid and enhance the value of LLMs. Solution Development: Develop, fine-tune, and deploy LLMs to create end-to-end solutions for a variety of use cases, including automated decision-making, natural language processing (NLP), and data analytics. Model Implementation and Deployment: Support in the implementation of data pipelines for LLM-powered applications, ensuring scalability, efficiency, and security. Work closely with data engineers, data analysts, other data scientists, and stakeholders to develop end-to-end data science products, monitor products in live deployment and fix issues. Quality Assurance: Assist in implementing the quality assurance process to ensure the robustness, accuracy, and ethics of the data science solution. Continuous Improvement: Continuously improve live products based on customer feedback, model performance and the latest advancement in data science technology. Collaboration and Communication: Present findings and technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audience in a clear and concise manner and maintain technical documentation to ensure effective knowledge management. Project management: Use Azure DevOps for project development and collaboration. Visualisation & Intelligent Automation As a HEO Data Scientist, you will be part of a dedicated development team that utilises advanced intelligent automation technology to create innovative solutions, primarily using Microsoft Power Platform. These solutions address business challenges to drive efficiencies while enhancing data insights across the department. Your typical day will involve working collaboratively within a team of skilled and creative developers to deliver cutting edge automation solutions that streamline manual processes and improve data management to enable strategic decision making. The role also involves maintaining and enhancing the teams existing portfolio of solutions. You will work with a wide range of business stakeholders including policymakers, researchers, and data analysts, to provide automation and artificial intelligence solutions that drive positive change. Youll develop products using Agile delivery methodology and will have the opportunity to gain experience in all the different roles found in a development team including business analyst, solution designer, developer and tester. Job Responsibilities: Business Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with colleagues across the department including policymakers, researchers, and data analysts to understand business needs and translate them into technical solutions. Data Collection and Pre-processing: Assist in acquiring, cleaning, and pre-processing data and ensure that data is fit for purpose. Data Modelling: Assist in designing and developing efficient data models. Agile Development: Contribute to the Agile development process, including planning, development, testing, and deployment. Implementation and Deployment: Collaborate with data engineers, data analysts, other data scientists, and stakeholders to develop end-to-end intelligent automation and data science products, monitor products in live deployment, and fix issues. Collaboration and Communication: Present findings and technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences in a clear and concise manner and maintain technical documentation to ensure effective knowledge management. Quality Assurance: Assist in implementing the quality assurance process to ensure the robustness, accuracy, usability and ethics of the data science solution. Solution Maintenance: Maintain and enhance existing automation solutions to ensure optimal performance and reliability. Person specification Essential Criteria: Proficiency in data analysis and interpretation, showcasing a strong analytical mindset. Extensive experience in Data Science programming using Python or R, or automation tools using Power Platform or similar; with the ability to handle a variety of tasks (e.g., problem solving, analyse data, or build applications) with confidence. Competence in handling datasets, including data cleansing and validation. Knowledge of querying and extracting information for various data sources. Ability to create reports and visualisations using tools like Excel, Tableau and Power BI. Eagerness to learn and adapt to new tools and technologies in the role. Ability to communicate complex ideas effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Ability to identify opportunities to improve an existing data science solution. Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to translate business needs into technical solutions. Commitment to continuous learning and staying up to date with the latest trends in AI, automation and data science. Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Working Together Changing and Improving Delivering at Pace Benefits Alongside your salary of £33,834, Department for Education contributes £9,801 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. Applicants currently holding a permanent post in the Civil Service should note that, if successful, their salary on appointment would be determined by the Departments transfer / promotion policies. As a member of the DfE, you will be entitled to join the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme, which many experts agree is one of the most generous in the UK. You will have 25 days leave, increasing by 1 day every year to a maximum of 30 days after five years service. In addition, all staff receive the Kings Birthday privilege holiday and 8 days bank and public holidays. We offer flexible working arrangements, such as job sharing, term-time working, flexi-time and compressed hours. Most DfE employees will be working a hybrid pattern, spending at least 60% of their time in an office or work setting. Changes to these working arrangements are available in exceptional circumstances but must be agreed with the line manager and in line with the requirements of the role. Travel to your primary office location will not be paid for by DfE, but costs for travel to an office which is not your main location will be covered. As an organisation, which exists to support education and lifelong learning, we offer our staff excellent professional development opportunities. Things you need to know Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience. Application To apply for this role, you will be asked to provide a CV, detailing your employment history and qualifications. You will also be asked to provide a Personal Statement (max word count 1000 words) detailing how your experience demonstrates the essential criteria, listed in the person specification section above. We will assess you on your experience and suitability for the role against the essential criteria. Interview If you are successful at sift you will be invited to attend an interview. You will be asked to prepare a 10-minute presentation, this will be assessed on the essential criteria. The topic will be provided to candidates who pass the sift stage. At interview you will be asked questions around the behaviours Working Together, Changing and Improving and Delivering at Pace. Other Information In your application, please dont include personal information that identifies you. This means we can recruit based on your knowledge and skills, and not background, gender or ethnicity - it's called name blind recruitment (opens in a new window). Please ensure that you remove from your application, all references to your: name/title educational institutions age gender email address postal address phone number nationality/immigration status We understand that you might use AI and other resources for your application; however, please ensure all information you provide is factually accurate, truthful, and original and doesnt include ideas or work that isnt your own. This is so that your application is authentically and credibly your own. We reserve the right to raise the minimum pass mark in the event of a high volume or strong field of candidates. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK from the location options provided and not from overseas. The government is committed to supporting apprenticeships, enabling people to learn and progress in a role whilst earning. We want to monitor the number of people who have completed apprenticeships who are now applying to progress further in their career and are asking this question to all candidates, on all vacancies. You will be asked a question as part of the application process about any previous apprenticeships you have completed. Your response to this question will not affect your application and it is not a requirement of the role to have completed a previous apprenticeship. If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check maybe carried out. In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstance some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Department of Education of your intention by emailing Pre-Employment.Checks.DFEeducation.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading. Department for Education do not cover the cost of travel to your interview/assessment unless otherwise stated. A reserve list may be held for a period of 6 months from which further appointments can be made. Candidates will be posted in merit order based upon location preference. Where more than one location is advertised you will be asked to state your preferred location. New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band. Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicants details held on the IFD will be refused employment. Terms and conditions of candidates transferring from ALBs and NDPBs Bodies that are not accredited by the Civil Service Commission and are not able to advertise at Across Government on Civil Service jobs will be treated as external new starters and will come into DfE on modernised terms and conditions with a salary at the band minimum. Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission but do not have civil service status will be offered modernised terms and will not have continuous service recognised for leave or sickness benefits. Salaries should be offered at band minimum, but there is some flexibility where this would cause a detriment to the individual. Bodies that are accredited by the Civil Service Commission and do have Civil Service status will be treated as OGD transfers. Staff appointed on lateral transfer will move on to pre-modernised DfE terms (unless they were on modernised terms in their previous organisation). Staff appointed on promotion will move on to modernised DfE terms. Staff will transfer over on their existing salary (on lateral transfer) and any pay above the DfE pay band maximum will be paid as a mark time allowance. Staff moving on promotion will have their salaries calculated using the principles set out in the attached OGD transfer supplementary information. Reasonable adjustment If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: Contact Department of Education via centralrecruitment.operationseducation.gov.uk soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs. Complete the Assistance required section in the Additional requirements page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if youre deaf, a Language Service Professional. Please refer to the attached Reasonable Adjustments Guide 2024 accessible version at the bottom of the advert, for further information. Childcare Vouchers Any move to Department for Education (DfE) will mean you will no longer be able to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/ Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. Security Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Nationality requirements This job is broadly open to the following groups: UK nationals nationals of the Republic of Ireland nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020 Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy. Diversity and Inclusion The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window). Apply and further information This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Contact point for applicants Job contact : Name : Richard Hindmarch Email : Richard.Hindmarcheducation.gov.uk Recruitment team Email : Centralrecruitment.operationseducation.gov.uk Further information The Department for Educations recruitment processes are underpinned by the Civil Service Commissioners Recruitment Principles, which outlines that selection for appointment is made on merit based on fair and open competition. You have the right to complain if you feel a department has breached the requirement of the Recruitment Principles. In the first instance, you should raise the matter directly with the department concerned via CentralRecruitment.Operationseducation.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages Attachments DFE Terms & Conditions - accessible version Opens in new window (pdf, 215kB) OGD Transfer Supplementary information - accessible version Opens in new window (pdf, 327kB) Reasonable Adjustments guide 2024 - accessible version Opens in new window (pdf, 723kB) Share this page Print Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn GMail