Leading Engineer - Specialist Search Technical Services

Job Title: Leading Engineer - Specialist Search Technical Services

Salary: £43,292 to £47,380 plus a Location Allowance of £1,639.

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 either chemical or radiological detection principles, the electromagnetic spectrum, or radio frequency communication systems. 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 Purpose:         

Reporting to a Technical Manager (HCEO - 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 person will meet the requirements outlined in the Role Profile and the "MPS Competency Values Framework – Level 2"
• The person is responsible for producing accurate technical information through investigation and analysis.
• The person 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 person may be required to manage and be accountable for a budget.
• The person 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 person will be required to work operationally in the field, occasionally under their own supervision.
• The person will be required to supervise operationally in the field.
• The person 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 person will be required to work unsocial and extended hours on occasion.
• The person will be required to work as part of an ‘on-call’ rota.
• The person will sometimes be required to work in difficult and challenging environments.
• On occasion, the person will be requested to work Outside of the Metropolitan Police District (OMPD) to support national counter-terrorism operations
• The person will need to be able to work physically carrying loads, deploying equipment and loading and un-loading vehicles.
• The person 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 person will require a minimum security clearance level of SC but in some cases the role may require a higher level of clearance.
• The person will be required to drive Metropolitan Police vehicles.

Specialisms 

• Specialist areas can include, but are not limited to, explosives trace detection, portable X-ray systems, monitoring and analysing the RF spectrum, as well as and other search technology.
• Involvement in the procurement, modification, testing and operation of systems required by the unit.
• Knowledge of counter terrorist search and detection technologies, including the underlying engineering principles.
• Knowledge of Technical Surveillance Counter Measures methods and technologies.
• A proven record of being able to acquire, analyse and report information accurately.
• Experience of working on technical projects for security related applications.

Context

• The person will supervise a small team working within the Specialist Search Technical Services (SSTS) team reporting directly to a Technical Services Manager

• The role operates in the Threat Mitigation Technologies section supporting both covert and overt policing operations.
• The person will be expected to work on their own initiative, whilst also working collaboratively as part of a team, being an effective team member and actively integrating into the group.
• The person will be expected to plan and manage their own workload.

• The person will be expected to plan and manage the workload of others.
• The role requires working with security sensitive and protectively marked information.
• The person will be required to take responsibility for asset management. Managing the deployment, servicing and storage of a high number of expensive MPS assets.
• The person is likely to be required to be Acting Band M (Technical Services Manager) to cover leave periods.
• The person is likely to be required to plan and manage tasks, operations or projects, as a supervisor for that specific piece of work, including the allocation of work to others assigned to that task, operation or project.
• The role requires awareness and experience of health and safety requirements within a technical, scientific or engineering workplace

Organisational Relationships 

• The person will be the operational interface between the police customers and Threat Mitigation Technologies staff.
• The person will work closely with other operational engineers and police officers at various levels.
• The person will deal with equipment suppliers and manufacturers.
• The person will create working relationships with other government agencies and be expected to represent the MPS when carrying out collaborative work.
• The person may be expected to deal with members of the public.
• The person will be responsible for operational risk assessments in order to eliminate/minimise the risk to ensure safe completion of the operation.
• The person will act as a Radiation Protection Supervisor (RPS) taking the responsibility of deploying mobile and portable x-ray systems in a safe manner in line with Ionising Radiation Regulations 2017 (IRR17)
• At times the person will be required to wear issued uniform in a public forum, maintaining the standards expected by the public as a member of the Metropolitan Police Service 

Dimensions

• The person will meet the requirements outlined in the Role Profile and the "MPS Competency Values Framework – Level 2"
•  The person is responsible for producing accurate technical information through investigation and analysis.
• The person 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 person may be required to manage and be accountable for a budget.
• The person 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 person will be required to work operationally in the field, occasionally under their own supervision.
• The person will be required to supervise operationally in the field.
• The person 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 person will be required to work unsocial and extended hours on occasion.
• The person will be required to work as part of an ‘on-call’ rota.
• The person will sometimes be required to work in difficult and challenging environments.
• On occasion, the person will be requested to work Outside of the Metropolitan Police District (OMPD) to support national counter-terrorism operations
• The person will need to be able to work physically carrying loads, deploying equipment and loading and un-loading vehicles.
• The person will be issued a uniform and / or health & safety protective equipment, when they are required to use it; it must be kept smart, tidy, clean and in good condition.
• The person will require a minimum-security clearance level of SC but in some cases the role may require a higher level of clearance.
• The person will be required to drive Metropolitan Police vehicles.

Please click on the below link to view an online candidate information pack that will you give you an insight into the Met, 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/

To apply, please visit our website. Applications will be via a detailed CV, Personal Statement and online application form.  Your CV & Personal Statement following the template provided. (NB. Please do not attach 2 copies of your CV).

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 approximately 1750 words in length.

Completed applications must be submitted by 21st September 2021.

We view diversity as fundamental to our success. To tackle today’s complex policing challenges, we need a workforce made up from all of London’s communities. Applications from across the community are therefore essential.

As a Disability Confident Committed Employer the Met have committed to ensuring that disabled people and those with long-term health conditions have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations.

www.metpolicecareers.co.uk