Contents Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information Location Croydon, London About the job Job summary The Home Office works to build a safe, fair and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, fire, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports. Home Office Digital, Data and Technology designs, builds and develops services for the rest of the department and for government. Every year our systems support up to 3 million visa applications, checks on 100 million border crossings, up to 8 million passport applications and deliver 140 million police checks on people, vehicles and property. The Home Office leads on immigration and passports, refugee protection, counter-terrorism, policing, fire services, and crime and drugs policy. This is an exciting time to be at the Home Office. Youll have a chance to shape the future and support our mission to deliver exceptional public services that work for everyone. Our work is guided by these principles: We put user needs first We value delivery and outcomes over process We work in the open Our flexible working policy ensures a healthy work-life balance. We also nurture talent and offer a broad range of learning and development opportunities that will help you flourish in your role. Job description As a Test Engineer, you will adopt an engineering approach to achieving quality. You will be involved in assuring, measuring, and building quality into every phase of the software development life cycle. In doing so, you will seek to implement product level Test Engineering approaches which are in line with the portfolio Test engineering approach and QAT Test Engineering principles. You will be involved in solving engineering challenges of QAT approaches adopted in projects that you work with. This involves developing and running scalable tests and processes that are faster, frequent, and continuous. You will be expected to build relationships with Software engineering, DevOps, Product and Project delivery partners to help make sure QAT is embedded by default into the development approach. You will seek guidance and support from other members of the Test Engineering community to help develop your own technical and delivery management skills. To help the QAT practice thrive, you will also learn about emerging tools and approaches and work out how these could help the organisation to deliver better success. You will be an active member of the QAT Test Engineering community as well as share, collaborate and promote the value of QAT within the larger Home Office Government Digital and Data Profession community. Key Responsibilities: writing automated tests using existing test automation frameworks. You will develop tests that are predictable, repeatable and implement automated verification of acceptance criteria to the greatest possible extent. You may also need to make minor enhancements to existing test frameworks when required. configuring, monitoring, and triggering tests to run on demand, and using service virtualisation, data mocking, contract testing or other approaches to integration testing. adopting automated approaches to test data management, test results aggregation and release management. Providing precise, real-time reports of automation test runs to stakeholders. running distributed, parallel tests that are designed to run efficiently and quickly. interpreting data from code scan, code quality and observability tools to provide actionable feedback in aiding quality improvement. participating in the QAT Test Engineering community to help grow it. Other day to day activities may depend on the delivery approach, business area or requirements of the product team. Person specification Essential criteria: Youll have a demonstrable passion for Test Engineering, with the following skills or some experience in: programming using Java, .NET, Python or Node.js to write secure, reusable, and maintainable automated tests and test utilities. using tools like Selenium or similar for front-end automation, Rest Assured or similar for API testing, Serenity BDD, build tools like Maven or Gradle and using Git to manage branches and merge requests through distributed version control. working with unit test frameworks like JUnit or similar, assertion libraries and data serialisation tools and leveraging tools like Wiremock or similar to aid automated testing. working with POM test design pattern and SOLID code design principle and using BDD tools like Cucumber or similar for developing automated tests. using CI/CD tools like Jenkins or similar while having a good understanding of release pipelines and jobs. using code quality tools like SonarQube or similar. The essential skills listed above are reflective of the Home Office Government Digital and Data Profession Career Framework (based on the industry standard SFIA framework use the levels of responsibility to understand what would be expected for each technical skill listed). Please see below for the relevant skills for your role: Strategy & Architecture: Information Strategy o Strategic Planning (ITSP) Level 2 Technical Strategy and Planning: o Domain Experience Level 2 Development and Implementation: Systems Development: o Test, Analysis, Design and Execution Level 3 o Automation and Tooling Level 3 o Performance Testing Level 2 Installation and Integration: o Integration and Assurance Level 2 Desirable criteria: Ideally you will also have the following skills or some experience in: scripting automated, code driven accessibility tests. being able to peer review test automation code and familiarity with coding standards. familiarity with containerization and container orchestration systems. You may also hold the following desirable qualifications or have equivalent experience: Computer Science related degree Associate level technical certification for programming languages or technologies like Cloud ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level BCS Agile Practitioner ISQi Certified Agile Tester Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Changing and Improving Communicating and Influencing Working Together Technical skills We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process: Technical Skills (SFIA Framework) and experience Benefits In addition to your salary, a career with the Home Office offers a range of benefits, including: This post is eligible for a DDaT RRA. Successful candidates with exceptional skills and experience may apply for a RRA between £2,500 - £4,000. This allowance is subject to an initial review within six months of taking up the post and thereafter an annual review in-line with departmental priorities and could be reduced or withdrawn at any time. A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%. In-year reward scheme for one-off or sustained exceptional personal or team achievements. 25 days annual leave on appointment, rising with service to 30 days. Eight days of public holidays, plus one additional privilege day. Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office. Things you need to know Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity. We will endeavour to conduct the selection process in line with the dates indicated below, but cannot guarantee that these will not, where necessary, be revised. 1. Application by 15th December 2024. As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete: Personal Statement (maximum 1250 words). The Personal Statement should be aligned to and demonstrate how you meet the skills and experience set out in the essential criteria, detailed in the job description. For guidance and information on how to construct your application (CV, Personal Statement and Behaviours), you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers website. 2. Sift from 16th December 2024 The sift will be held on the Personal Statement. Please read the Essential skills for this position carefully. We will only consider those who meet the listed requirements. Interview - from 20th January 2025 - Subject to the Panels operational requirements/priorities). If you are successful at sift stage, you will be invited to an interview that will be: Behaviours and experience using technical skills based questions. The interview will assess your Technical Skills (SFIA Framework) and experience using technical and experience-based questions. For guidance and information on what to expect and how to prepare for an interview, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers. Interviews will be carried out via video. Candidates will be required to have access to: A laptop (personal or work) with a working webcam Good internet connection Microsoft Teams Problems during the application process If you experience problems accessing this advert, or you think youve made a mistake on an initial application, please contact hocandidates.grscabinetoffice.gov.uk, including the vacancy reference, at least two working days before the vacancy closes. Further information can be found on our website. Location Preferences You will only be able to select a single location preference so please ensure this is a location that you are prepared to travel to. If you are offered a role at your preferred location and you decline, your application will be withdrawn. Reserve List A reserve list may be held for a period of up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made. There is no guarantee that being held on a reserve list will lead to a job offer. Standards All Civil Servants are expected to comply with the Civil Service Code, and its core values of integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality. Additional Security Checks As well as successfully obtaining UK Security Vetting clearance, candidates will be subject to a range of additional checks. The range of checks carried out will depend on whether you are a current Home Office employee, existing civil servant or an external new entrant as well as the role requirements. Further details are included in the Notes to Candidates. Further information 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 circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grscabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading. If you are invited to an interview, you will be required to bring documentation for the purposes of establishing your identity. You will need to meet the nationality requirements for this role and obtain the necessary security clearance to take it up. For meaningful security checks to be carried out, individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. Learn more on our website. Security Checks - Home Office Careers For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting Visa sponsorship We do not sponsor individuals via Skilled Worker Sponsorship / Tier 2 (General) work visas. Reasonable Adjustments If a person with disabilities is 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 Government Recruitment Service via HOrecruitment.grscabinetoffice.gov.uk as 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 you're deaf, a language service professional If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the Contact point for applicants section. Feedback Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. Security Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window). See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). 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 : Home Office Resourcing Centre - DDaT Resourcing Email : HORCCampaignTeamDDAThomeoffice.gov.uk Recruitment team Email : HOrecruitment.grscabinetoffice.gov.uk Further information If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the recruitment principles, and wish to make a complaint, then you should contact in the first instance HORecruitment.GRScabinetoffice.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission. Attachments candidate_information_v11_August_2024 Opens in new window (pdf, 363kB) Pre-employment Checking - Document Requirements (V14) 12-08-2024 Opens in new window (pdf, 464kB) Framework Version 8 SFIA Opens in new window (pdf, 1483kB) Share this page Print Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn GMail