Associate service designer

Band 4 · Service designer · 275 job evaluation points

UK GDaD PCF level: Associate service designer

Most often performed at Civil Service grade AO or EO.

As a trainee in an entry-level position, working under supervision, you will need design aptitude, potential and an understanding of the role.

Contains public sector information from the UK Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework (https://understand-digital-data-roles-skills.service.gov.uk/), licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. © Crown copyright.

Responsibilities

Learn service design methods through training and by working alongside experienced designers.
Help map user journeys and service blueprints from research with patients and staff.
Help prepare and run co-design workshops, following consent and information governance procedures.
Document design decisions and keep design artefacts up to date.

Skills

Skill	Expected level	What this level means
Design communicationUK GDaD PCF	Awareness (1)	You can: explain the importance of clearly communicating and justifying design decisions to others describe some methods for explaining design decisions
Designing for everyoneUK GDaD PCF	Awareness (1)	You can: explain the importance of making government content and services inclusive, accessible and environmentally sustainable, and the value of standards and regulations explain different access needs that users can have, and ways to meet them describe potential barriers, biases and assumptions that may exclude or harm users
Designing strategicallyUK GDaD PCF	Awareness (1)	You can: explain the importance of aligning to the strategy of an organisation describe how your design work aligns to the wider goals and vision of your team explain the value of using patterns and components when designing content and services
Designing togetherUK GDaD PCF	Awareness (1)	You can: explain different techniques for bringing together perspectives from multiple people to inform a design explain the importance of constructive feedback in the design process
Evidence-based designUK GDaD PCF	Awareness (1)	You can: explain how quantitative and qualitative evidence inform user-centred design frame your ideas as design hypotheses to be tested identify common sources and types of data that inform user-centred design, such as web analytics and user interviews
Iterative designUK GDaD PCF	Awareness (1)	You can: describe the basics of iterative ways of working used in design, such as agile explain how iteration supports user-centred design describe ways to test design ideas at different levels of detail and realism, and when to use them
Leading designUK GDaD PCF	Awareness (1)	You can: explain the role of user-centred design in an organisation describe typical leadership responsibilities in design identify leaders in your organisation that designers need to work with
Understanding health and care servicesThis reference	Awareness (1)	You can: describe the main parts of the health and care system and the services the organisation supports explain why patient safety and confidentiality matter in your work
Equality, diversity, and inclusionThis reference	Awareness (1)	You can: treat colleagues, patients, and the public with dignity and respect follow equality and inclusion policies
Information governance and data protectionThis reference	Awareness (1)	You can: follow the organisation's rules for handling personal and health information recognise and report a data breach or near miss

Typical qualifications and experience

Working towards a qualification or apprenticeship in design or a related field, or equivalent experience.

Band 4 outline

Knowledge: Detailed knowledge of the work area, typically from a foundation degree, apprenticeship, or equivalent experience.
Autonomy: Works within guidelines; resolves most day-to-day problems; manager available for advice.
Scope: Own work and a defined service or process.
Leadership: May supervise a small team or coordinate others' work.
Accountability: Delivery of a defined service or process.

Job evaluation (illustrative)

Factor	Level	Level summary	Points
Communication and relationship skills	3	Gives routine information needing tact or persuasion, or complex or sensitive information, or straightforward training to groups.	21
Knowledge, training, and experience	4	A range of procedures, mostly non-routine, needing intermediate theory (for example a foundation degree or equivalent experience).	88
Analytical and judgemental skills	3	Judgements on a range of facts or situations needing analysis or comparison of options.	27
Planning and organisational skills	2	Plans straightforward tasks or activities, some ongoing.	15
Physical skills	3	Developed skills needing speed or accuracy, such as advanced keyboard use.	27
Responsibility for patient and client care	1	Helps patients, clients, or relatives during incidental contact.	4
Responsibility for policy and service development	2	Implements policies for own area and proposes changes to its practices.	12
Responsibility for financial and physical resources	1	Takes personal care of equipment and resources used in own work.	5
Responsibility for people	1	Shows own work routines to new or less experienced colleagues.	5
Responsibility for information resources	3	Takes formal minutes, regularly writes reports or queries, or maintains information systems as a significant duty.	16
Responsibility for research and development	2	Regularly does research, development, trials, or equipment and system testing as part of the job.	12
Freedom to act	2	Follows standard procedures and precedent; someone is usually available to ask; work may be checked.	12
Physical effort	2	Frequent sitting or standing in a restricted position, or occasional light to moderate effort.	7
Mental effort	3	Frequent concentration on unpredictable work, or occasional prolonged concentration.	12
Emotional effort	1	Rare exposure, or occasional indirect exposure, to distressing circumstances.	5
Working conditions	2	Occasional unpleasant conditions, frequent travel or outdoor work, or near-continuous screen use on most days.	7
Total (Band 4: 271 to 325)			275