Junior software developer

Band 5 · Software developer · 335 job evaluation points

UK GDaD PCF level: Junior developer

Most often performed at Civil Service grade EO or HEO.

A junior developer learns on the job by delivering software components.
At this role level, you will:
develop skills while working under supervision to deliver stories in a multidisciplinary team
understand and be proficient in different types of testing
be aware of but not responsible for security
coach and mentor more junior colleagues

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

Build and test features for the team's products, working from user stories with guidance.
Write automated tests and fix defects, including in services that support patient care.
Contribute evidence to clinical safety cases, such as test results and change records.
Handle health data securely, following information governance rules.
Support live services, under guidance, as part of the team's support arrangements.

Skills

Skill	Expected level	What this level means
Availability and capacity managementUK GDaD PCF	Awareness (1)	You can: explain availability and capacity management processes
Information securityUK GDaD PCF	Working (2)	You can: use information security practices and available security controls to contribute to protecting solutions and services
Modern development standardsUK GDaD PCF	Working (2)	You can: explain the most important principles of modern development standards and how they apply to your work apply modern development standards principles under guidance
Programming and build (software engineering)UK GDaD PCF	Working (2)	You can: design, code, test, correct and document simple programs or scripts under the direction of others
PrototypingUK GDaD PCF	Working (2)	You can: understand when to use a specific prototyping technique or method show the value of prototyping to your team
Service supportUK GDaD PCF	Working (2)	You can: help fix service faults following agreed procedures carry out maintenance tasks on service support infrastructure
Systems designUK GDaD PCF	Awareness (1)	You can: assist as part of a team in the design of components of larger systems
Systems integrationUK GDaD PCF	Awareness (1)	You can: explain the process and principles of integrating systems. describe challenges of designing, building and testing interfaces between systems
User focusUK GDaD PCF	Awareness (1)	You can: show an awareness or understanding of user experience analysis and its principles explain the purpose of user stories and the focus on user needs
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
Clinical risk managementThis reference	Awareness (1)	You can: explain how health IT systems can harm patients, for example through wrong, missing, or delayed information report a possible clinical safety issue through the right route
Information governance and data protectionThis reference	Working (2)	You can: apply data protection principles to your work contribute to data protection impact assessments handle information requests and records correctly
Health data interoperabilityThis reference	Awareness (1)	You can: explain why interoperability matters for joined-up care name the main health data exchange standards, such as HL7 FHIR

Typical qualifications and experience

A degree in computing or a related subject, a completed apprenticeship, or equivalent experience.

Band 5 outline

Knowledge: Professional or technical knowledge, typically from a degree or equivalent experience.
Autonomy: Works to broad objectives within professional standards; plans own work.
Scope: Own professional work within a team or product.
Leadership: May guide and check the work of support staff and apprentices.
Accountability: Quality of own professional work.

Job evaluation (illustrative)

Factor	Level	Level summary	Points
Communication and relationship skills	4	Gives complex, sensitive, or contentious information needing persuasion, negotiation, or training skills, or highly complex information.	32
Knowledge, training, and experience	5	Expertise in a specialism, underpinned by theory or practical experience (degree level or equivalent).	120
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	4	Adapts or designs information systems to others' specifications, or runs information systems for a department as the main duty.	24
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	3	Follows defined policies and procedures; work is managed rather than supervised.	21
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 5: 326 to 395)			335