Job info	Job info details
Job title	Apprentice Developer
Strategic team/Directorate	Corporate Services
Service	IT
Business unit	IT Applications
Responsible to (day to day issues)	Project Leader
Accountable to (line manager)	Project Leader
Salary grade	Level 4 £26,403
JE ref	APPCORP1

1. Key purpose of job

• To support the analysis, design, development, and maintenance of business applications and interfaces, with a focus on Microsoft technologies, to meet the needs of the organisation. 
• To develop technical and professional skills through structured training and practical experience, enhancing the department’s capacity and capabilities. 
• To study and complete a Level 4 Software Developer apprenticeship, with work-based learning.

2. Anticipated outcomes of post

• Business departments and clients benefit from effective, value-for-money IT applications and systems. 
• Positive contribution to the development and improvement of the Software Development unit, including succession planning. 
• Apprentice gains a Level 4 Software Developer apprenticeship and practical experience in software development. 

3. List key duties and accountabilities of the post

• As an Employee of Torbay Council all roles are expected to work in a way that ensures vulnerable children and adults are safeguarded and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with established policies and procedures. The Designated Senior Lead for Safeguarding is the Chief Executive and Director of Children’s Services.
• Information Management & Data Security: Assist in ensuring the accessibility, retrievability, and protection of information. Learn and apply data security principles and support the transformation of information between formats as required. 
• Programming/software development: Support the design, coding, testing, and documentation of applications and modifications using Microsoft technologies (e.g., C#, .NET, SQL Server, Azure). Work with IT colleagues and service users to clarify requirements and approaches. 
• System Testing: Assist in creating and executing test cases and scripts for small projects. Support the interpretation of test results and help ensure quality deliverables. 
• Systems installation/decommissioning: Support the installation and removal of software using supplied instructions and tools. Assist users professionally and escalate issues as needed. 
• Release & Change Management: Learn to assess, document, and implement changes based on requests. Support the build and release process, ensuring procedures are followed. 
• Research: Undertake research tasks as directed by senior IT colleagues to build knowledge of relevant IT fields and report findings. 
• Requirements Definition & Systems design: Assist in gathering and documenting business requirements for small-scale changes. Support the design and visualisation of proposed applications. 
• Information & data Analysis: Support data analysis and modelling activities, helping to create management reports and integrate data from various systems. 
• Database Design & Administration: Learn about database concepts and support the configuration and maintenance of databases under supervision. 

4. Budgetary/Financial Responsibilities of the post

• None. 

5. Supervision/Line Management Responsibilities of the post

• None. 

6. Working environment and conditions of the post

• Normal working office conditions and where appropriate work from home. It is important to note that maintaining the quality of the learning experience and ensuring an appropriate level of coaching and supervision will be a key consideration when determining working arrangements.
• Day release (1 day a week) at college. 

7. Physical demands of the post

• Normal physical effort. 

8. Specific resources used by the post

• The ability to travel to South Devon College to study an apprenticeship. 

9. Key contacts and relationships

• External: 
  • Suppliers (for issue resolution and software updates).  
  • Partner organisations (e.g., SWISCo, NHS Trust).  
  • Peers at other local authorities. 
  • Microsoft developer communities. 
• Internal: 
  • All levels of staff across departments, IT colleagues. 

10. Other duties

• To undertake additional duties as required, commensurate with the level of the job. 

Other Information

• All staff must commit to the Workplace Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Practice and Policy.
• Torbay Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and applicants must be willing to undergo the checks appropriate to the post applied for.
• The post holder is expected to work in a way that ensures vulnerable children and adults are safeguarded and report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with established policies and procedures. And are aware that the Chief Executive and the Director for Children’s Services are the Safeguarding Leads for the Council.
• The post is eligible for both hybrid and permanent home working.
• You will be asked to complete a Criminal Records Self Declaration Form. Criminal convictions will only be taken into account when they are relevant to the post. You will only be asked to disclose ‘unspent’ convictions.
• The Council operates a Smoke-Free Policy and the post-holder is prohibited from smoking in any of the Council's buildings (including Council owned and Council leased buildings, but excluding designated areas in residential schemes), enclosed spaces within the curtilage of buildings, and Council vehicles. The Council does not permit smoking breaks within work time, however, in services where the flexi-scheme is in operation, employees may take reasonable break times outside of core hours, in accordance with flexi-time arrangements. Employees should follow the flexi-scheme procedure for agreeing time away from their duties in the normal manner with their immediate colleagues and line manager, with break start and finish times being recorded, as with any other break-time arrangement. 
• The post-holder is expected to familiarise themselves with and adhere to all relevant Council Policies and Procedures.
• The post-holder must comply with the Council’s Health and Safety requirements as outlined in the H&S policy appropriate to the role.
• The post-holder must be committed to the Council’s Core Values for employees – “Torbay Council employees are committed to being forward thinking, people orientated and adaptable - always with integrity”. Evidence will be sought during the probation and appraisal processes.
• If this post is customer facing, it will require the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence and fluency in English.
• If you are required to access a government system such as HMRC, DWP or The Public services network (PSN) as part of your role with the Council you will be required to complete a basic disclose with your line manager before you can access these systems. Your manager will be required to complete a verification form that confirms your identity, nationality and immigration status, employment history and unspent convictions (third party).
• If you are required to use your own vehicle on Council business or drive a council vehicle you will be asked to provide information on any driving endorsements by accessing gov.uk/view-driving-licence and providing a code to your Line Manager in order to share your driving licence information with the Council.

Person Specification

Note for Candidate

All Candidates

The supporting statement on your application form will be used to assess ability to meet the essential requirements of the role, so you should explain how you meet each of the numbered essential requirements within your supporting statement. In a competitive situation, the desirable criteria may be taken into consideration, so you are encouraged to show how you also meet each of the desirable criteria.

Candidates who consider that they have a disability

Reasonable adjustments will be made to the job, job requirements or recruitment process for candidates with a disability.

If you consider yourself to have a disability you should indicate this on your application form, providing any information you would like us to take into account with regard to your disability in order to offer a fair selection interview.

Where ever possible and reasonable we will make adjustments and offer alternatives to help you through the application and selection process.

If you have indicated that you have a disability on your application form you will be guaranteed an interview if you clearly demonstrate in your supporting evidence how you broadly meet the essential requirements of the role.

Job info	Job info details
Job Title	Apprentice Developer
Strategic team/Directorate	Corporate Services
Service	IT
Business unit	IT Applications

Skills and effectiveness

Essential skills and effectiveness

• Eagerness to learn – shows initiative and curiosity.
• Good communication – asks questions, shares progress, listens well.
• Team player – collaborates respectfully and reliably.
• Attention to detail – checks work and follows instructions.
• Time management – meets deadlines and balances learning with tasks.

Desirable skills and effectiveness

• Presentation skills – able to explain ideas or demo work.
• Customer/user awareness – considers how software will be used.
• Resilience – handles setbacks and keeps trying. 

Knowledge

Essential knowledge

• Basic programming concepts – variables, loops, conditionals, functions.
• Introductory C# knowledge – syntax, data types, simple classes.
• Basic HTML & CSS – understanding structure and styling of web pages.
• Familiarity with JavaScript – simple scripts and DOM manipulation.
• Understanding of what a database is – basic SQL queries (SELECT, WHERE).
• Use of Visual Studio or Visual Studio Code – navigating and editing code.
• Basic understanding of version control – using Git for commits and pushes.

Desirable knowledge

• Exposure to .NET Core or ASP.NET – understanding how web apps are built.
• Basic understanding of Azure – awareness of cloud services and hosting.
• Intro to Power Platform – familiarity with Power Apps or Power Automate.
• Understanding of REST APIs – what they are and how they’re used.
• Basic debugging skills – using breakpoints and console output.
• Knowledge of Agile principles – understanding sprints, stand-ups, and backlogs. 

Experience and achievements

Essential experience and achievements

• Demonstrable interest in software development (e.g., personal projects, coursework).
• Experience working as part of a team (e.g., school, college, voluntary work). 

Desirable experience and achievements

• Experience developing or supporting an IT application or system (e.g., as part of studies or work experience).
• Experience with Microsoft development tools (e.g., Visual Studio, Azure DevOps).
• Experience of dealing with service users or customers. 

Qualifications/professional memberships

Essential qualifications/professional memberships

• Educated to GCSE Level (or equivalent) in Maths and English.
• Level 3 qualification in IT or related subject, or equivalent experience.
• Willingness to study a Level 4 Software Developer Apprenticeship. 

Desirable qualifications/professional memberships

• Microsoft certifications. 

Other requirements

Other requirements of the job role

• Demonstrates a commitment to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and young people. 
• Ability to accommodate occasional/permanent home-working.