Geolocation and Cell Site Technical Manager

Northumbria Police; Newcastle upon Tyne; Hybrid; GBP 42,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A major police force in England is looking for a Geolocation and Cell Site Technical Manager to ensure compliance with ISO standards and the Forensic Science Regulator codes. You will quality manage surveys, develop policies for accreditation, and work collaboratively to support forensic investigations. Ideal candidates will have RFPS accreditation and a strong background in cell site analysis. This permanent role offers a competitive salary of £42,861-£49,716, alongside various benefits including flexible working and a significant employer contribution to pensions.

Benefits

26 days' leave plus bank holidays

NHS Fleet Solutions Car Lease Scheme

Enhanced maternity and parental leave

Flexible working hours

Access to private healthcare

Discounts on shopping

Access to gyms in some stations

Qualifications

• Accredited RFPS cell site expert with knowledge of geolocation's value in investigations.
• Experience with the Forensic Science Regulator Code of Practice.
• Demonstrable experience in reporting technical matters to non-technical audiences.

Responsibilities

• Quality manage RF surveys and reports.
• Develop and maintain geolocation and cell site policy for accreditation.
• Plan for UKAS inspections and ensure delivery of accreditation.

Skills

RFPS cell site expertise

Knowledge of geolocation analysis

Understanding ISO Quality standards

Planning and risk mitigation

Integrity and accountability

Effective communication

Education

Accredited RFPS qualification

Job description

Geolocation and Cell Site Technical Manager

Salary: Band 9, £42,861- £49,716

Location: Agile, North Shields (This role is expected to move to Cobalt Spring 2027)

Hours/Contract: 37, Permanent

Working for #TeamNP

The role

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. Northumbria Police is offering an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated and technically skilled individual to join us as our Geolocation and Cell Site Technical Manager. This pivotal role will place you at the forefront of supporting Northumbria Police in meeting ISO 17025 and Forensic Science Regulator (FSR) accreditation for all Cell Site, Geolocation, and Radio Frequency Propagation Survey (RFPS) work across the force.

As a key figure in a newly regulated forensic discipline, you’ll be instrumental in ensuring our practices meet the highest standards of technical compliance under the FSR codes of practice. You’ll work collaboratively with the force's wider forensic network including analysts and quality managers to develop SOPs and work towards ISO accreditation. At the conclusion of accreditation you will be expected to demonstrate a portfolio of ongoing maintenance and management.

What you’ll do

• Quality manage RF surveys and reports where needed.
• Develop and maintain the geolocation and cell site policy and procedures for accreditation and compliance, that will fulfil the robust scrutiny by UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) and the Forensic Science Regulator (FSR).
• As part of the accreditation process, you will plan and prepare for UKAS inspection and ensure delivery of accreditation.
• You will work closely with RFPS technicians and analysts to ensure that accredited processes are evidentially sound, and will stand up to intense levels of scrutiny, and are deliverable, workable and not unduly burdensome.
• Ensure that all methods falling under ISO 17025 have been validated and verified as fit for purpose.
• Ensure that work undertaken consistently meets the standards required for both quality and timeliness. Ensure regular quality checks are carried out on work produced to further provide assurance of professional integrity and credibility.
• Support the Quality Manager to ensure audits are carried out when required.

What you’ll bring

• Accredited and practising RFPS cell site expert with a knowledge and understanding of cell site analysis and geolocation and its value to investigations.
• Understanding and experience of the Forensic Science Regulator Code of Practice and ISO Quality standards.
• A wider understanding of criminal investigation, digital forensics, communications data and analysis is recommended for this role.
• Able to plan effectively; to allocate tasks and work appropriately to identify and mitigate risks to delivery and to meet customer requirements.
• Applicants must be able to demonstrate the highest levels of integrity and accountability, as well as a willingness to work flexibly and travel throughout the country as appropriate and attend regular Continuous Professional Development (CPD) to maintain their accreditation.
• The ability to work effectively within a small team and with and stakeholders in line with force values and professional standards of behaviour.
• Demonstrable experience in writing detailed reports to describe technical matters to a non-technical audience.
• You must possess a full, current driving license or have access to a means of mobility support.

What we offer

• 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
• Flexi time - allowing you to fit your working hours around your individual needs
• Flexible working (we are happy to discuss options such as compressed hours)
• Agile working – option to work from home, your team zone, and spaces across the force
• 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

We welcome applications from suitably qualified people from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. Appointments are based on merit alone.

We are proud members of the Business Disability Forum, with whom we collaborate 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.

Use of AI in Applications: At Northumbria Police, we embrace innovative technologies to enhance our recruitment process. We understand that candidates may use AI tools to assist with their applications. While AI can be a valuable resource, we encourage applicants to ensure their submissions accurately reflect their personal qualifications, experiences, and skills. Our selection process includes thorough evaluations to verify the authenticity and suitability of all applications. We value genuine and thoughtful responses that showcase your unique strengths and perspectives.

If your application is successful, we’ll ask you to complete a Management Vetting (MV)/ Security Clearance (SC) form, therefore you must be a resident of the UK for a minimum period of 5 years to ensure vetting checks can be successfully performed. A job offer will be dependent upon vetting clearance, medical information, and references.

Terms of appointment

This is a permanent subject to a six‑month probationary period. There will be an expectation that the successful candidate remains in post for a minimum of 2 years. If you are successful in your application, you will have a six‑month probation period with us where you will be unable to apply for any other post advertised internally or externally.

Matthew Murray 7779 [e-mail]