Leading Engineer - Specialist Search Technical Services

Job Title: Leading Engineer - Specialist Search Technical Services

Salary: £48,355 to £52,730 plus a Location Allowance of £2,841. Your starting salary will be £48,355. Progression to the band maximum of £52,730 via annual incremental progression.

Location: Southwark

Support frontline Counter Terrorism operations

To protect London, we need all kinds of people, with all sorts of skills. As a Leading Engineer in our Specialist Search Technical Services (SSTS) team, you’ll use your talents to support crucial Counter Terrorism operations. Play your part in keeping the capital’s communities safe. Join our expert team.

You’ll be part of the Threat Mitigation Technologies department, within the Specialist Search Technical Services team, enabling all kinds of activities for Counter Terrorism Policing. As part of this vital function, you’ll supervise a small team fellow engineers, working closely you’re your police officer colleagues to provide a range of technical capabilities. They could support everything from weapons detection technologies and Explosives Trace Detection (ETD), to Technical Surveillance Counter Measures (TSCM), X-ray systems, and other search and detection techniques. It’s a varied and interesting role where you’ll be operating out in the field, as well procuring, modifying, testing and operating a range of systems, as well as providing line management supervision of your engineering team.

We’re looking for proven engineering or scientific experience and a relevant qualification in a STEM subject. You should also have working knowledge of the electromagnetic spectrum, radio frequency communication systems, or either chemical or radiological detection principles. Whatever your background, you’ll be comfortable working both independently and as part of a team, having the confidence and communication skills to deal with all types of people. You’ll also have proven experience of line management / supervision of staff in an engineering, scientific or technical environment.

Job Description:

Reporting to a Technical Services Manager (Band M) within the Specialist Search Technical Services (SSTS) team, you will work operationally with other engineers and police officers to provide a range of technical capabilities to support counter terrorism policing in London. As a Leading Engineer your role will supervising a team of engineers carrying out this work. You will require a background in electronics, electromechanical engineering or a scientific discipline in order to support capabilities such as, but not limited to, weapons detection technologies, Explosives Trace Detection (ETD), Technical Surveillance Counter Measures (TSCM: counter-eavesdropping), X-ray systems, and other search and detection techniques.

Key Responsibilities:

• The individual’s behaviours and values should meet the standards expected and described within the Metropolitan Police Service’s Competency and Values Framework (CVF) at Level 2
• The individual will provide line management and professional development focus to a small team of engineers including distributing tasks, monitoring workload, assessing performance and staff welfare.
• The individual is responsible for producing accurate technical information through investigation and analysis.
• The individual should be able to demonstrate good negotiating skills with equipment suppliers and manufacturers when engaged in procurement activities in order to achieve best value for money.
• The individual may be required to manage and be accountable for a budget.
• The individual will be required to attend, pass and maintain role specific training. (e.g. Licensed Search Officer, Radiation Protection Supervisor, and Technical Surveillance Counter Measures specific training).
• The individual will be required to work operationally in the field, occasionally under their own supervision.
• The individual will be required to supervise operationally in the field.
• The individual will endeavour to improve the current portfolio capability by identifying better equipment and / or procedures. This may involve the development, procurement and evaluation of related technologies.
• The individual will be required to work unsocial and extended hours to support planned counter-terrorism policing operations.
• The individual will be required to work as part of an ‘on-call’ rota.
• The individual will sometimes be required to work in difficult and challenging environments.
• On occasion, the individual will be requested to work Outside of the Metropolitan Police District (OMPD) to support national counter-terrorism operations
• The individual will need to be able to work physically carrying loads, deploying equipment and loading and un-loading vehicles.
• The individual will be issued a uniform and / or health and safety protective equipment, when they are required to use it; it must be kept smart, tidy, clean and in good condition.
• The individual will require a minimum security clearance level of MV/SC but in some cases the role may require a higher level of clearance MV/DV.
• The individual will be required to drive Metropolitan Police vehicles up to 7.5 Tonnes.

Our Employee Commitments

Counter Terrorism Policing aims to create an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere and culture and an environment where all our people feel a strong sense of belonging and are able to reach their full potential. Where any group or individual can be and feel respected, supported and valued to fully participate and contribute to our mission of “Working to keep people safe from Terrorism”.

Inclusion, diversity and equality is at the front and centre of our approach to make the composition of Counter Terrorism Policing more representative of the communities we serve. As Counter Terrorism is rooted in Local Policing, to tackle today’s complex policing challenges, applications from across all communities are therefore essential and encouraged. Counter Terrorism Policing as a network is committed to ensuring that disabled people and those with long-term health conditions have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations’.

Counter Terrorism Policing is committed to creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome and encourage applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working arrangements, and including part time working or job share. In addition, this role has been reviewed following learning from work during the Covid pandemic and may be done in an agile manner. In the first instance, please contact the vacancy holder to discuss how such arrangements could be accommodated (where applicable).

Counter terrorism Policing recruitment is open to all, but we are keen to positively support those who are younger in service to join into our specialist environment.

Please click on the below link to view an online candidate information pack that will you give you an insight into the Metropolitan Police Service, the competency framework we use which shapes our daily work behaviours, the application process and a host of other information, that will help inform and support your application:

https://sscl-innovation.com/MPScandidatepack/

Click the apply now button below and start your career within the Metropolitan Police Service. Applications will be via a detailed CV, Personal Statement and online application form. (NB. Please do not attach 2 copies of your CV).

Personal Statement

Previous Experience and Technical Expertise

Please note: The use of the templates attached is not compulsory, however please ensure your Personal Statement contains the details outlined below.

Considering the role description of the post you are applying for, please describe how your current skills, experience and knowledge make you suitable for the role. Please refer to the Metropolitan Police Service’s Values and Competency Framework and describe how your approach to your previous employment / experiences addresses the standards set out for our organisation.

Your personal statement should include examples of your personal approach, actions and outcomes and should be no more than 1500 words.

Completed applications must be submitted by 13th March 2024.

Essential Criteria

• Driving licence with category B (Vehicles up to 3500 kg)
• UK OfQual defined Level 6 qualifications (preferably accredited by the IET or similar) in a relevant engineering or scientific discipline plus at least 1 years relevant experience.

Or

• UK OfQual defined Level 5 qualifications in a relevant engineering or scientific discipline plus at least 4 years relevant experience.

Or

• Significant and proven experience and training in a relevant engineering or scientific field.

Desirable Criteria

• Membership of a STEM professional body
• Driving licence with categories B & C1 (Vehicles up to 7500 kg)