Applications and Database Engineer
Posted 1 day 5 hours ago by The National Archives, UK
Permanent
Not Specified
Public Sector Jobs
London, United Kingdom
Job Description
Applications and Database Engineer page is loaded Applications and Database Engineer Apply locations Kew time type Full time posted on Posted Yesterday job requisition id JR200640 As the living, growing home of our national story, The National Archives is already a special place to work. We're an institution nearly 200 years old with a collection spanning 1,000 years of history. But it's where we go next that makes things really interesting .
In our strategic vision: Archives for Everyone, we set ourselves the challenge of becoming the 21st Century national archive - a different kind of cultural and heritage institution: Inclusive, Entrepreneurial, Disruptive. We won't become this overnight. It will take time, focus, effort and daring.
That's where you come in. Because we can't do this without you.
Job Overview
Salary: £32,721 per annum
Contract type: Permanent
Band: E / Higher Executive Officer
Closing date: Wednesday 13th August 2025
Join Our Team at The National Archives!
Are you passionate about data and making a difference in the public sector? The National Archives is looking for a talented database engineer to operate and extend our database services.
About us:
Archives are the homes for our collective memories, past and future. The National Archives preserves and provides access to the UK government's most significant records, ensuring they remain accessible for future generations. Our database systems are the foundation of the services which describe, manage and store these priceless items.
About the Role:
In this role, you will build, monitor, and maintain The National Archives' database infrastructure, both cloud-based and on premise, delivering effective operation of IT services both through direct support, and by collaborating with third parties and with colleagues. You will also work closely with business teams to ensure that business services are up to-date and always available.
Why Join Us?
Within the beautiful surroundings of Kew, a 10-minute walk from the Underground and Overground stations, The National Archives boasts a collegial working environment and an excellent Civil Service benefits package. This includes flexible working, an on-site gym, and an opportunity to join the Civil Service Alpha Pension Scheme. Putting you at the forefront of our organisation, we are committed to supporting professional development and training for all of our colleagues.
This is a full time post. However, requests for part-time working, flexible working and job share will be considered, taking into account at all times the operational needs of the Department.
A combination of onsite and home working is available and applicants should be able to regularly travel to our Kew site for a minimum of 60% of their work time.
Selection Process:
• Interview: Interviews will be held on-site in August 2025 and will include a technical test.
• Personal Statement: We ask all applicants to submit work history details and a personal statement, not exceeding 1200 words.
Selection for interview will be based on the 3 'essential' requirements below, so please ensure that your statement demonstrates in detail how you meet these requirements.
Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please visit the Civil Service Careers website where you can find further information on the use of AI in the application guidance section.
SC clearance/willingness to obtain SC clearance will be required for this role. This requires candidates to have been resident in the UK for at least the past three years. Please do not apply if you have been resident in the UK for less than three years as your application will be rejected.
Essential criteria for application:
1. A period of relevant experience of the following in an operational context:
a) Database administration, particularly SQL server clustering and replication.
b) Microsoft SQL Server (2016 or later) and SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS).
c) Experience of working with MS SQL Server tools to develop, query, and manipulate large complex datasets using relational database and other technology concepts and structures. Demonstrable skillset including Transact-SQL (T-SQL), scripting, stored procedures, triggers, and execution plans.
2. Strong logical thinking and problem-solving skills and the ability to troubleshoot and solve diverse or non-routine problems independently and effectively, often under time or business pressures in the short term.
3. Experience in working with external suppliers of support and services, effectively communicating, and negotiating incident resolution, influencing the delivery of project work, by building and maintaining strong working relationships.
During the interview, candidates will be assessed on all of the essential criteria shown in the job description below.
We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role. Job Description
Job Purpose The purposes of this role are to build, monitor, and maintain The National Archives' database infrastructure, both cloud-based and on premise, delivering effective operation of IT services both through direct support, and by collaborating with third parties and with colleagues. You will also work closely with business teams to ensure that business services are up to-date and always available.
You will work collaboratively to ensure the incident, request, problem, change and release processes are managed and adhered to, dealing with and working with colleagues to resolve incidents and requests, escalating to the appropriate support teams and third-party suppliers, as necessary.
You will project manage and co-ordinate new technology solutions & upgrades and implement best practice ITIL service management and agile procedures, embedding them within our operational services .
Role and Responsibilities Supporting IT Services
Managing a Quality Service
In our strategic vision: Archives for Everyone, we set ourselves the challenge of becoming the 21st Century national archive - a different kind of cultural and heritage institution: Inclusive, Entrepreneurial, Disruptive. We won't become this overnight. It will take time, focus, effort and daring.
That's where you come in. Because we can't do this without you.
Job Overview
Salary: £32,721 per annum
Contract type: Permanent
Band: E / Higher Executive Officer
Closing date: Wednesday 13th August 2025
Join Our Team at The National Archives!
Are you passionate about data and making a difference in the public sector? The National Archives is looking for a talented database engineer to operate and extend our database services.
About us:
Archives are the homes for our collective memories, past and future. The National Archives preserves and provides access to the UK government's most significant records, ensuring they remain accessible for future generations. Our database systems are the foundation of the services which describe, manage and store these priceless items.
About the Role:
In this role, you will build, monitor, and maintain The National Archives' database infrastructure, both cloud-based and on premise, delivering effective operation of IT services both through direct support, and by collaborating with third parties and with colleagues. You will also work closely with business teams to ensure that business services are up to-date and always available.
Why Join Us?
Within the beautiful surroundings of Kew, a 10-minute walk from the Underground and Overground stations, The National Archives boasts a collegial working environment and an excellent Civil Service benefits package. This includes flexible working, an on-site gym, and an opportunity to join the Civil Service Alpha Pension Scheme. Putting you at the forefront of our organisation, we are committed to supporting professional development and training for all of our colleagues.
This is a full time post. However, requests for part-time working, flexible working and job share will be considered, taking into account at all times the operational needs of the Department.
A combination of onsite and home working is available and applicants should be able to regularly travel to our Kew site for a minimum of 60% of their work time.
Selection Process:
• Interview: Interviews will be held on-site in August 2025 and will include a technical test.
• Personal Statement: We ask all applicants to submit work history details and a personal statement, not exceeding 1200 words.
Selection for interview will be based on the 3 'essential' requirements below, so please ensure that your statement demonstrates in detail how you meet these requirements.
Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please visit the Civil Service Careers website where you can find further information on the use of AI in the application guidance section.
SC clearance/willingness to obtain SC clearance will be required for this role. This requires candidates to have been resident in the UK for at least the past three years. Please do not apply if you have been resident in the UK for less than three years as your application will be rejected.
Essential criteria for application:
1. A period of relevant experience of the following in an operational context:
a) Database administration, particularly SQL server clustering and replication.
b) Microsoft SQL Server (2016 or later) and SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS).
c) Experience of working with MS SQL Server tools to develop, query, and manipulate large complex datasets using relational database and other technology concepts and structures. Demonstrable skillset including Transact-SQL (T-SQL), scripting, stored procedures, triggers, and execution plans.
2. Strong logical thinking and problem-solving skills and the ability to troubleshoot and solve diverse or non-routine problems independently and effectively, often under time or business pressures in the short term.
3. Experience in working with external suppliers of support and services, effectively communicating, and negotiating incident resolution, influencing the delivery of project work, by building and maintaining strong working relationships.
During the interview, candidates will be assessed on all of the essential criteria shown in the job description below.
We are unable to offer sponsorship for this role. Job Description
Job Purpose The purposes of this role are to build, monitor, and maintain The National Archives' database infrastructure, both cloud-based and on premise, delivering effective operation of IT services both through direct support, and by collaborating with third parties and with colleagues. You will also work closely with business teams to ensure that business services are up to-date and always available.
You will work collaboratively to ensure the incident, request, problem, change and release processes are managed and adhered to, dealing with and working with colleagues to resolve incidents and requests, escalating to the appropriate support teams and third-party suppliers, as necessary.
You will project manage and co-ordinate new technology solutions & upgrades and implement best practice ITIL service management and agile procedures, embedding them within our operational services .
Role and Responsibilities Supporting IT Services
- Act as support and administration of database services, work to ensure services are always available to the public and internal customers.
- Coordinate the response to incidents, ensuring relevant prioritisation and detail to allow effective investigation. Work with third parties and colleagues to investigate, analyse, and resolve issues and service interruptions and to resume normal service as soon as possible following the approved incident management process.
- Lead on changes to current systems and databases ensuring they are made with the agreement of the appropriate authorities and system owners, and that they follow an approved change control process.
- Identifying and removing the root cause(s) of incidents over the longer term through testing and gathering evidence leading to effective action. Trouble shooting new or novel technologies may be required.
- Work with colleagues and suppliers to ensure that appropriate security is in place across all the systems and services.
- Create and maintain documentation and ensure technical and procedural documentation is in place and up to date.
- Identify and take forward improvement opportunities and contribute to an overall service improvement plan.
- Undertake any other duties consistent with the role as required and in agreement with the Business Systems Support Manager
- Participate in capacity planning and forecast database resource needs on an annual basis.
- Maintain a good working knowledge of the current application infrastructure and future trends and their implications for the organisation.
- Work with suppliers and colleagues to project manage and co-ordinate technical transformation projects and standard upgrades.
- Provide regular updates on progress, risk, and issues, escalating issues where appropriate to facilitate on time project delivery, within budget and to customer requirements.
- Plan to be available for scheduled releases at specific times as required.
- Act as a source of support and expertise for database services related issues.
- Contribute to the creation, development and promotion of fit-for-purpose business systems.
- Normal office environment
- Display Screen Equipment user
Managing a Quality Service
- A period of relevant experience of the following in an operational context:
- Database administration, particularly SQL server clustering and replication.
- Microsoft SQL Server (2016 or later) and SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS).
- Experience of working with MS SQL Server tools to develop, query, and manipulate large complex datasets using relational database and other technology concepts and structures. Demonstrable skillset including Transact-SQL (T-SQL), scripting, stored procedures, triggers, and execution plans.
- Programming and scripting experience with the following: PowerShell, Python, C#
- Understanding of common application architectures, administration of databases and some practical knowledge of scripting for automation
- Able to act decisively to restore and support TNA's IT services, making decisions about the best method to resolve issues
- Be the lead expert, ensuring service delivery . click apply for full job details