Development Specialist

We are seeking an exceptional team player to join us as an Application and Development Specialist. The team is involved in a range of high-profile initiatives including an ambitious cloud migration programme, the centrepiece of which is our move to Oracle Fusion, and we are also the technical lead for implementing AI and automation solutions across the council. If you have the knowledge, skills and enthusiasm to contribute to this work, we want to hear from you.

The Applications and Development section builds solutions in-house using .NET, the Microsoft Power Platform and Azure cloud technologies, customer-facing forms and processes in Granicus Gov Service, and develops automation solutions including the use of AI. We also support and maintain third‑party systems, integrating them with the core architecture to promote efficiency and service improvement. Our multi‑skilled and talented people work collaboratively and proactively to deliver high‑quality and resilient digital services to our residents, communities and colleagues.

• Take the lead on multiple projects simultaneously, managing your time and supervising junior colleagues so that customer expectations are fulfilled and deadlines met;
• be proactive in overcoming challenges, building your own skills and both drawing on and contributing to the knowledge of others within the team
• be an excellent communicator, able to get to the heart of what our customers need and to describe your work and its benefits in a manner appropriate to your audience;
• produce work which meets accessibility and security expectations, makes best use of resources, and is well‑documented, resilient and supportable.

We will allocate projects to you to take advantage of your individual knowledge, skills and experience, whilst seeking to expand these in other areas. Prior experience with financial systems would be an advantage, though we’re keen to speak to specialists in other aspects of the team’s responsibilities.

Please note that this post is temporary for a period of two years.

We encourage you to contact Mark Colman or Steven McKean, Application and Development Managers, by email  or  to arrange an informal discussion about the role.

You will have an NVQ level 5 or equivalent in a relevant subject such as ICT or Computing. You will also have a demonstrable track record of applying your knowledge and skills to deliver value in at least one of the areas that we work in. Experience of financial systems would be an advantage though not essential.

You will have an innovative, proactive and positive approach. You will be able quickly to understand a set of requirements and choose the best available tools and approaches to meet them. You will strive for excellence, efficiency and elegance in your work. You will be a good communicator, able to present complicated technical information to a non‑expert audience.

Above all, you will be enthusiastic and committed to your own development, and a team player able to establish and maintain excellent relationships with your colleagues and customers.

Please refer to the attached Person Specification for the full criteria. If successful, you will be required to apply for a Basic Disclosure.

Interviews will be held during the week beginning Monday 30th March 2026 at Meadowfield Depot, St John’s Road, Durham. Candidates will be asked to present their answer to a question notified in advance as part of the process.

We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that can show they meet all the essential criteria and have indicated they have a disability, are a looked after young person, care leaver or a veteran.

We offer a competitive rewards package that includes attractive salaries, a generous annual leave entitlement of 27 days (rising to 32 after five years’ continuous local government service), membership of the excellent contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme, and a range of flexible working arrangements including hybrid working (home and office) where applicable. Explore the full range of rewards and benefits on our website.

Rewards and benefits…