Firearms Licensing Administrative & Enquiry Officer

Mynewsdesk; Bedlington; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional police department in Bedlington seeks a Firearms Licensing Administrative & Enquiry Officer. In this role, you will assess firearms applications, conduct interviews with applicants at home, and provide expert advice on firearms legislation. This position requires outstanding communication skills and a full UK driving licence. The ideal candidate will also have strong organisational and decision-making abilities, and commitment to continuous personal development. A challenging yet rewarding career awaits in a vital public safety role.

Benefits

26 days' leave plus bank holidays

Enhanced maternity and parental leave

Public sector pension scheme

Flexible working options

Access to private healthcare

Discounts on shopping and dining

Paid sick leave and mental health support

Access to gyms

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Knowledge of a variety of computer systems including Microsoft Office applications.
• Outstanding written, communication and organisational skills are essential.
• Ability to manage and prioritise workload in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven decision-making skills and the ability to apply legislation.
• Ability to identify areas of concern with proven investigative ability.
• Commitment to remain in post for a minimum of two years required.

Responsibilities

• Assess and scrutinise Firearms Licensing applications.
• Visit home addresses of applicants to interview them.
• Evaluate information to inform decision-making processes.
• Attend accredited training courses for personal development.
• Provide specialist advice related to firearms legislation.

Skills

Outstanding written communication skills

Organisational skills

Investigative ability

Ability to risk assess

Self-motivation

Education

Full UK driving licence

Tools

Microsoft Office applications

Job description

Here at Northumbria Police, we think our region is amazing! It takes a great deal of people from different backgrounds, with diverse skills and experience to serve our force area effectively; think you have what it takes to help us make a difference? This could be the perfect time for you to join us in our Force Coordination and Operations Department as a Firearms Licensing Administrative & Enquiry Officer. As a Firearms Licensing Administrative & Enquiry Officer you will be part of a small and unique team who undertake all firearms and explosives licensing services, enhancing public safety, managing risk, and ensuring firearms are issued and used responsibly and within the law. You will be responsible for the assessing and scrutiny of Firearms Licensing applications; this will include the interrogation of relevant police computer systems and social media sites, identifying risk and offences of non-disclosure and/or certificate breaches. You will continually evaluate and assess new incidents, intelligence and notifications of change linked to certificate holders, identifying any risk to public safety and the peace and take appropriate and timely action where required. You will be responsible for conducting regular reviews with certificate holders and complete rationale reports to inform the decision-making process. You will be required to attend court as appropriate. You will visit applicants and certificate holders at their home addresses to interview them to assess their suitability/continued suitability to possess firearms and inspect the storage and security facilities, making recommendations and advising on security improvements where required. You will provide and enforce advice to internal and external customers, stakeholders and outside agencies in relation to firearms legislation, relevant acts, the application process, firearms definitions, classifications and safe shooting.

What you'll do

• Be responsible for the assessment and scrutiny of Firearms Licensing applications.
• Visiting applicants and certificate holders at their home addresses to interview them and inspect security arrangements in line with legislative guidelines.
• Evaluate and assess information to inform the decision‑making process.
• You will be required to attend a nationally recognised accredited training courses and engage in continuous personal development.
• Provide specialist advice to internal and external customers in relation to firearms legislation., We are proud members of the Business Disability Forum, with whom we collaborate with to improve the lives of disabled employees. We are also a Disability Confident Employer, therefore if you demonstrate that you meet the minimum criteria for this role as stated in the advert, we will progress your application and offer you an interview.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of a variety of computer systems including Microsoft Office applications.
• You must possess outstanding written, communication and organisational skills.
• Ability to manage and prioritise your own workload, be self‑motivated and able to work individually but also as part of a team in a fast‑paced and busy environment.
• Ability to risk assess and identify areas of concern, with a proven investigative ability.
• You will have proven decision‑making skills and an ability to apply legislation.
• You will need to possess a full UK driving licence., If you are successful in your application, you will have a 6‑month probation period during which you will be unable to apply for any other post advertised internally or externally.
• We also ask that the successful candidate commits to remaining in post for a minimum of two years to support continuity and stability within the team.

If you tell us that you have a disability, we can make adjustments to support you through the recruitment process (for example we can arrange extra time for tests or provide a sign language interpreter). You can get in touch with us via [e-mail] for any support regarding the application process. If your application is successful, we’ll ask you to complete a Recruitment Vetting (RV) form, therefore you must be a resident of the UK for a minimum period of 3 years upon vetting clearance, medical information, and references.

Our purpose at Team NP is simple: to keep people safe and to fight crime. But it takes more than officers alone to do the job - and that’s where our 2,000‑strong team of police staff and 200 volunteers come in.

Benefits

• 26 days' leave (increasing to 30 days for 5 years+ service) plus 8 bank holidays
• NHS Fleet Solutions Car Lease Scheme
• Enhanced maternity, shared parental and adoption leave
• Flexible working (we are happy to discuss options such as compressed hours)
• Fantastic market‑leading public sector pension scheme with up to 16% employer contribution
• Corporate travel schemes – local rail, bus services and metro discounts
• Access to private healthcare and eye test vouchers
• Discounts on shopping and eating out thanks to the Blue Light Card and Blue Light Tickets
• We’ve invested in extensive paid sick leave, trained mental health first aiders on‑site, an employee advice service for the times you need that additional support
• Access to gyms in some stations
• Sports & Social Club – join our thriving sports scene at Team NP and enjoy further exclusive discounts on days out and travel
• Cycle to work scheme
• Opportunity to volunteer in local community

As one of the largest police forces in England we have a huge variety of departments and specialisms offering you endless opportunities. From mentoring and coaching schemes and online soft skills courses to leadership development programmes; we’ll give you the support, training and time to carve out the career you always wanted. As one of the top 50 UK inclusive employers and a disability confident employer, we promote a culture of respect in the workplace so everyone can feel seen, heard and valued. Whether you’re a member of staff or a volunteer, you can also expect first‑rate support to manage your health and well‑being. With year‑round events, a 24/7 welfare support hotline and a leading approach to neurodiversity, our initiatives enable you to be at your best. Above all else, here at Team NP, we can offer you a career that is so much more than just a job, it’s a chance to be part of something that really matters.