Apprentice Technical Officer Level 3

Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council

Bootle (L20 3NJ)

Closes in 10 days (Thursday 20 August 2026)

Posted on 5 August 2026

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Summary

Planning Services, Technical Support Team are looking to recruit an Apprentice Technical Officer who is committed and motivated to complete the 18-month programme, where you will also complete a Level 3 Data Technician qualification.

• Wage:

  £24,572 a year

  Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  Age 16-17 £15,468 (£8.24 per hour) -Age 18-20 £20,987 (£11.18 per hour) -Age 21+ £24,572 (£13.09 per hour)

• Training course: Data technician (level 3)
• Hours: Monday - Friday, 9.00am - 5.00pm (7.20 hours per day on a flexitime basis)

  36 hours a week

• Start date:

  Thursday 1 October 2026

• Duration:

  1 year 6 months

• Positions available:

  1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

Main Duties:

• To assist in the development, maintenance, analysis and interpretation computer-based information/data and monitoring systems, including Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to ensure effective service delivery and quality, accessible information for the Service to aid quality decision making
• Undertake surveys and research, collect planning data, and design and prepare reports and other documents to inform planning policy development, monitoring and the wider planning services
• Prepare material, maps, illustrations and other technical information to support the Local Plan and wider planning service
• Support policy development and monitoring, including contributing to the Local Plan and Development Management processes
• Assist with the preparation and implementation of policies and programmes to guide the development of the Local Plan as part of the Council’s regeneration strategies, including supporting the preparation of supplementary planning guidance, development briefs, practice notes, etc.
• To work flexibly as a resource for Planning Services responding to changing demands on the Service to ensure service delivery and timeliness and quality decision making
• To work effectively within and beyond the service demonstrating the highest standards of customer care. Liaising with statutory bodies and other customers including Council Members, other Local Authorities and LCR authorities, HM Land Registry etc.
• To undertake all other duties as required and commensurate to the post

Where you'll work

Magdalen House
30 Trinity Road
Bootle
L20 3NJ

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

QA LIMITED

Training course

Data technician (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

• Select and migrate data from already identified sources.
• Format and save datasets.
• Summarise, analyse and explain gathered data.
• Combine data sets from multiple sources and present in format appropriate to the task.
• Use tools and/or apply basic statistical methods to identify trends and patterns in data.
• Identify faults and cleanse data to improve data quality, for example identifying gaps, duplicate entries, outliers and unusual variances, including cross-checking across data elements or between data sources.
• Audit data results for maintenance of data quality, reviewing a data set once all sources are combined, to ensure accuracy, completeness, consistency and traceability from original data.
• Demonstrate the different ways of communicating meaning from data in line with audience requirements.
• Produce clear and consistent documentation of the data provided to others and of actions completed. Where appropriate or mandated by the working context, this documentation should use standard organisational templates.
• Store, manage and distribute data in compliance with organisational, national, sector specific standards and or legislation.
• Considers sustainability and ways to reduce impact. For example, using cloud storage, sharing links to files, avoid storing multiple versions of files, and reducing the use of physical handouts of documentation.
• Parse data against standard formats, and test and assess confidence in the data and its integrity.
• Operate collaboratively in a working context that accounts for, and takes advantage of, the roles, skills and activities of others, especially those interacting with the same data sets or working towards a common goal.
• Prioritise own activities within the context of the duties to be performed, taking account of any known or expected impact on others.
• Follows equity, diversity and inclusion policies in the organisation for a common goal.
• Demonstrate the ability to use different tools and methods to formulate and utilise effective prompts to research, apply, and evaluate data transformation techniques.
• Select and migrate data from already identified sources.
• Format and save datasets.
• Summarise, analyse and explain gathered data.
• Combine data sets from multiple sources and present in format appropriate to the task.
• Use tools and/or apply basic statistical methods to identify trends and patterns in data.
• Identify faults and cleanse data to improve data quality, for example identifying gaps, duplicate entries, outliers and unusual variances, including cross-checking across data elements or between data sources.
• Audit data results for maintenance of data quality, reviewing a data set once all sources are combined, to ensure accuracy, completeness, consistency and traceability from original data.
• Demonstrate the different ways of communicating meaning from data in line with audience requirements.
• Produce clear and consistent documentation of the data provided to others and of actions completed. Where appropriate or mandated by the working context, this documentation should use standard organisational templates.
• Store, manage and distribute data in compliance with organisational, national, sector specific standards and or legislation.
• Considers sustainability and ways to reduce impact. For example, using cloud storage, sharing links to files, avoid storing multiple versions of files, and reducing the use of physical handouts of documentation.
• Parse data against standard formats, and test and assess confidence in the data and its integrity.
• Operate collaboratively in a working context that accounts for, and takes advantage of, the roles, skills and activities of others, especially those interacting with the same data sets or working towards a common goal.
• Prioritise own activities within the context of the duties to be performed, taking account of any known or expected impact on others.
• Follows equity, diversity and inclusion policies in the organisation for a common goal.
• Demonstrate the ability to use different tools and methods to formulate and utilise effective prompts to research, apply, and evaluate data transformation techniques.

Training schedule

• Level 3 Data Technician Apprenticeship Standard
• The training will be delivered at the workplace

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade Grade C - above or equivalent)
• Mathematics (grade Grade C - above or equivalent)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

• Communication skills
• IT skills
• Attention to detail
• Organisation skills
• Customer care skills
• Problem solving skills
• Presentation skills
• Administrative skills
• Number skills
• Analytical skills
• Team working
• Initiative
• Patience

About this employer

Sefton Council is a local authority within the Liverpool City Region. Sefton is a diverse and exciting borough and is a great place to live and work. As an employer we can offer a diverse range of job roles across a variety of settings. We offer attractive conditions of service which allow for a good work life balance and invest in our staff through our learning and development programme.

https://www.sefton.gov.uk/jobs-volunteering-and-training/ (opens in new tab)

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

• Apprentice will receive on-programme support from an Apprenticeship Officer and Careers, information, advice and guidance support during the last 2-months of their apprenticeship contract
• Job-seeking support is also included

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council

The Corporate Apprenticeship Team

Apprenticeships@sefton.gov.uk

+441519342448

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000045830.

Apply now

Closes in 10 days (Thursday 20 August 2026)

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.