Job description

Full time - 37 hours - 40 Months Fixed Term Apprenticeship

The Data Intelligence and Policy Team sits at the heart of the organisation and is responsible for our corporate policy and performance functions, data analysis and business intelligence, geospatial information and mapping and our relationships with the Voluntary and Community sectors. We also lead on cross cutting priorities including tackling inequality.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

We are open to flexible working patterns and can provide a hybrid working environment which utilises the best of both worlds with a mix of office working in central Reading and homeworking according to the needs of the Service.

About the role:

You’ll help collect and make sense of different types of data to support smart decision-making across the Council. This means creating easy-to-understand reports and dashboards that show what’s going on and where improvements can be made. You’ll also work with data behind the scenes—pulling it from different systems, cleaning it, and making sure it’s accurate and useful. This helps the Council stay on track with its goals and follow the right processes.

You’ll work with people from all over the Council—like finance staff, technical teams and service users—to better understand how things are working and what people need. Your work will help shape better services for the community in Reading.

You will also work towards and complete a Level 6 Data Scientist (integrated degree) apprenticeship with BPP (https://www.bpp.com/data-and-analytics/apprenticeships/data-scientist). This is an excellent opportunity to study for a BSc (Hons) degree while gaining working experience in the field. You will be given allocated time during the working week to attend lectures, complete coursework and assessments, and proactively undertake all other required components of the qualification. Throughout the apprenticeship you will also be supported by the other members of the team, some of whom have been through apprenticeships themselves.

About you:

You will meet the following programme entry requirements:

104 UCAS points and GCSE English & Maths (Grade C/4 or above), or a recognised equivalent qualification (relevant experience and prior examinations will be considered), or completion of a Level 3 apprenticeship or professional qualification in a relevant discipline.
Be aged 16 or over at the start of the apprenticeship
Have the right to work in England
Meet the residency eligibility criteria (available here, see Appendix A) – generally, having lived in the UK for the previous 3 years prior to the start date
Not be in full-time education at the time of starting the apprenticeship

Please note that you will not be eligible for this apprenticeship if you are undertaking another apprenticeship course or have a level 6 qualification in a similar subject.

You will also have an interest in data and analysis and be looking to develop your technical skills in a local government setting. You may have some experience with some of the analytical tools we use – PowerBI, Power Automate, Excel, SQL, Python and R – but this is not a requirement as training will be provided for you throughout your apprenticeship.

As a natural problem solver, with a logical and creative approach to work, you will work with accuracy and attention to detail. You will develop the ability to process and model data, and build reports and visualisations to make data accessible and provide data insight to service managers.

As your technical skills improve, you will have the ability to work independently on projects and to take responsibility for their delivery. You will be proactive and take the initiative, demonstrate perseverance, and aim to see things through.

You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.

Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:

Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do

Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential

Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way

Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed

Our offer

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
A wide range of flexible working opportunities
Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
Season Ticket Loan - to help with the cost of your rail/ bus journey, to & from work
Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax

How to Apply

All applications must be submitted via the Reading Borough Council job website. We will not consider applications sent via email.

In your personal statement please cover the following points:

How you meet the programme entry requirements
Why are you interested in working for Reading Borough Council and supporting the town’s residents?
What data analysis experience do you have? This might be through things like your studies, personal projects, an internship or employment.

For more information on this position please contact Heather Porter, Data and GIS Manager – heather.porter@reading.gov.uk.

Closing Date: 25th June 2025

Interview Date: w/c 7th July 2025 in the Civic Offices, Bridge Street, Reading.

Employment Start Date: late July/early August

Course Start Date: September

Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Reading Borough Council

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