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About the job
Job summary
We recognise the challenges that people with protected characteristics may experience on the job market and in their career progression. We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities. We are keen to make our workforce as diverse as possible, and we hope to attract applications from underrepresented groups, including ethnic minorities, people with a disability, and people with gender diverse identities.
Do you want to use data to bring about the next generation of transport decision making?
Are you an experienced data scientist?
Then wed love for you to apply for this job!
Job description
You will play a key role in growing the use of Data Science in the Department and applying it to high stakes decisions. You will work with data engineers, digital leads, analytics and data science colleagues, and policy leads across the department. You will play an essential role in putting data and data science at the heart of decision making, increasing the impact of data science in DfT.
Our projects cover a range of policy areas and internal organisational needs. We are ambitious about developing our skills, expanding our reach and increasing our impact. We aim to create new opportunities for DfT using the latest technology and tools: looking for projects which will deliver massive amounts of value: hundreds of millions of pounds in savings or improving transport for millions of people.
We take learning and development seriously: giving you set time to learn whatever you think best.
Youll be part of a wider team which leverages the full spectrum of operational research and data science techniques: from systems thinking, optimisation and simulation modelling to AI & machine learning to solve high profile and technically challenging problems. Your new colleagues are subject matter experts, enabling rapid interdisciplinary sprints. The team is currently split site between London, Hastings and Leeds.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Engage with DfT stakeholders to identify high impact data science projects
- Plan, lead and deliver high value data science projects, acting as the main customer link
- Carry out technical work: machine learning and AI, automation, big data analysis tools and techniques, and cloud computing
- Build data science capability both within the team and across DfT
- Manage a small team to help deliver the above
For more information about the role and responsibilities please see the attached Role Profile.
Person specification
About You
You have experience in leading the delivery of Data science projects. You will be comfortable in engaging with Stakeholders to understand their needs and identify areas in which data science can improve decision making for the organisation. You will also have the ability to manage stakeholders across the wider organisation and explain complex ideas to non-technical audiences. You can demonstrate previous experience in building data science capability in an organisation.
In addition, you will also need the following experience:
- Managing a small team of technical analytical staff
- Expert Python or R, with a desire to develop in the other
- Strong SQL
- Applied maths, statistics and scientific practices. Includes a range of scientific methods through experimental design, exploratory data analysis and hypothesis testing to reach robust conclusions. Confidence using analytical approaches and interpreting data.
- Experience inferring, predicting or forecasting using a variety of machine learning techniques. Understanding of good practices in model development and deployment
- Experience identifying efficient and effective ways to use data science to tackle business and organisational challenges
- Experience promoting professional development by expanding data science knowledge and sharing best practice across departments/industry.
- Experience presenting, communicating and disseminating data science products and findings
- Knowledge of data manipulation techniques to produce or improve data products
- Use a range of data sources, analytical tools and techniques to develop and deploy robust data science solutions into the business.
- Understands the ethical considerations of potential data science approaches, and the legislation applicable in this area, i.e. GDPR, DPA etc.
Additional Information
A minimum of 40% of your working time should be spent at your principal workplace, although requirements to attend other locations for official business, or carry out detached duty in another DfT workplace, will also count towards this level of attendance.
Appointments for this position will be made in order of merit.
In the event that your application is successful, but there are no further available posts (at the current grade) then you may be contacted to discuss a potential offer for a lower graded role (with similar experience and responsibility requirements). This will be based on availability of roles.
In the event that you are unsuccessful (for this campaign), your application may be considered for a lower graded position, if your demonstrated skills and experience meet the requirements of the alternative position. This approach, if used, will be again done so based on the availability of roles and candidates will again be considered in order of merit.
DDaT Allowance
The Principal Data Scientist role is part of the DDaT profession and attracts an enhanced pay scale which is mapped to capability levels. The successful candidates starting salary will be determined by performance at interview and assessed capability level. There are two components to DDaT pay – base pay and DDaT allowance.
The role may also attract a DDaT allowance of up to £15,000. The amount, if afforded is determined by several factors one of which is assessed capability level.
The successful candidate will be required to undergo yearly capability assessments which may result in pay increases or decreases. A drop in capability in any given assessment period results in 12 months pay protection to allow candidates to retain prior capability level.
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Technical skills
We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Digital Data and Technology Profession Capability Framework Principal Data Scientist Programming and build – (Skill level: expert) – Click Here.
- Digital Data and Technology Profession Capability Framework Principal Data Scientist Data science innovation – (Skill level: expert) – Click Here.
- Digital Data and Technology Profession Capability Framework Principal Data Scientist Data Applied maths, statistics and scientific practices – (Skill level: expert) – Click
- Digital Data and Technology Profession Capability Framework Principal Data Scientist Delivering business impact – (Skill level: practitioner) – Click Here.
Benefits
Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits. We offer generous annual leave, attractive pension options, flexible working, inclusive working environments and much more to support a healthy work/life balance.
Find out more about what it’s like working at the Department for Transport.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
How to Apply
As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide a CV and Personal Statement. Please tailor your CV to suit the role. For your Personal Statement, please provide detailed evidence of the following:
- Your experience of using data science techniques to solve problems
- Your ability to ensure your analysis achieves impact
- Building technical capability in the team and organisation.
Please fully utilise the 750-word count when completing your personal statement.
The selection process will be designed specifically for the role. As a result, your assessment will include:
- A coding exercise
- An interview
- A presentation
Please note this will be a two-stage interview process. If successful at sift you will be invited to attend an assessment where you will carry out a practical coding test. If successful at assessment you will then be invited to interview, during which the presentation will take place.
The sift is due to take place week commencing 14th August 2023.
The coding exercise will likely be held 31st August & 1st September 2023.
The interview and presentation will likely be held week week commencing 18th September 2023.
We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates.
This interview could be conducted via a video interview, details of which will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.
Youre encouraged to become familiar with the role profile, as you may be assessed against any of the criteria recorded within. Please also familiarise yourself with the Data Scientist section of the Digital, Data and Technology profession Capability Framework.
The Department for Transport alongside other Government Departments recruit using Success Profiles. This means for each role we consider what you will need to demonstrate in order to be successful. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.
For further information on Success Profiles visit our Careers website.
Reasonable Adjustments
As a Disability Confident Leader employer, DfT is committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
Complete the Assistance required section in the Additional requirements page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if youre deaf, a Language Service Professional.
If you need a reasonable adjustment so that you can complete your application, you should contact Government Recruitment Service via dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Reasonable Adjustments
As a Disability Confident Leader employer, we are committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
Complete the Assistance required section in the Additional requirements page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if youre deaf, a Language Service Professional.
If you need a reasonable adjustment so that you can complete your application, you should contact Government Recruitment Service via dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Document Accessibility
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the ‘Contact point for applicants’ section.
This job advert contains links to the DfT Careers website. Our website provides useful guidance and information that can support you during the application process. If you cannot access the information on our website for any reason, please email DRGComms@dft.gov.uk for assistance.
Further Information
For more information about how we hire, and for useful tips on submitting your application for this role, visit the How We Hire page of our DfT Careers website. You can find detailed information about the recruitment process and what to expect when applying for a role.
Pre-employment Checking
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.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
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Working for the Civil Service
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).
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Greg Haigh
- Email : greg.haigh@dft.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website Here
