Network Database Server Engineer (Headquarters, Chelmsford)

Essex & Kent Police; Chelmsford; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career development

Training opportunities

Support from networking professionals

Job summary

Essex and Kent Police are seeking a Junior Network Engineer to join the Network Services Team in Chelmsford. You will gain hands-on experience while developing technical skills in a large ICT environment that supports frontline policing and critical systems.

The role offers structured career development, training opportunities, and mentorship from senior engineers. It is a full-time enterprise position with office-based agile working and potential remote elements as required.

Qualifications

• 1-2 years in IT Operations (Service Desk, Incident Management or Field Ops) with SLA focus.
• Strong troubleshooting and analytical skills for diagnosing issues.
• Awareness of networking fundamentals and common technologies.
• Genuine interest to learn and develop technical ICT skills.

Responsibilities

• Support and maintain Essex and Kent Police network infrastructure.
• Investigate and resolve network incidents and service requests.
• Assist with network troubleshooting and problem resolution.
• Support major incident response activities.
• Configure and test network equipment and solutions.
• Participate in infrastructure improvement projects.
• Monitor network performance and identify potential issues.
• Develop technical skills through on‑the‑job learning and training.

Skills

IT Operations

Troubleshooting

Networking fundamentals

Learning mindset

Education

IT degree or related

Tools

Cisco networking

Meraki networks

Job description

Location of Role: Chelmsford

Advert Closing Date: 27/10/2026

Starting Salary: £37,020.00 (pro-rata for part-time vacancies)

Part/Full Time: Full Time

Contract Type: Permanent

Working Pattern: Mon-Fri

Weekend/Evening Working: No

Are you passionate about technology and looking to build a career in networking? Whether you're an IT graduate, have experience in technical support, or are already working in IT and looking for your next challenge, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.

At Essex and Kent Police, our network infrastructure is critical to supporting frontline policing, public safety, and essential business operations. We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic individual to join our Network Services Team and develop a rewarding career within one of the largest and most complex ICT environments in UK policing.

Why Join Us?

Our network infrastructure forms the backbone of the services used by thousands of police officers and staff across Kent and Essex. You'll be joining a team responsible for supporting and developing a large scale enterprise network that connects police headquarters, operational sites, data centres, control rooms, and critical policing systems.

This is an exciting time to join the team as we continue to invest in network modernisation, infrastructure refresh programmes, cloud adoption, security enhancements, and new technologies across both Forces.

As a Junior Network Engineer, you will work alongside experienced Senior Network Engineers and Technical Leads, gaining hands-on experience while developing your technical skills in a supportive environment.

What You'll Be Doing

You will assist in:

• Supporting and maintaining network infrastructure across Essex and Kent Police.
• Investigating and resolving network incidents and service requests.
• Assisting with network troubleshooting and problem resolution.
• Supporting major incident response activities.
• Configuring and testing network equipment and solutions.
• Participating in infrastructure improvement and technology projects.
• Monitoring network performance and identifying potential issues.
• Developing your technical skills through on-the-job learning, mentoring, and formal training.

What We're Looking For

Essential shortlisting criteria:

• 1-2 years of working in IT Operations, including Service Desk, Incident Management or Field Operations, with the ability to prioritise work and perform under pressure to meet Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical and problem-solving skills, with a logical and methodical approach to diagnosing and resolving technical issues.
• Awareness of network infrastructure and networking fundamentals, including common network technologies and basic network troubleshooting.
• A genuine interest in network technologies, with a willingness to learn and develop technical skills within a professional ICT environment.
• Line Manager Endorsement is required for internal candidates only

Desirable

While not essential, it would be helpful if you could demonstrate:

• An understanding of Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) processes for incident and problem management and how they are applied.
• Previous experience of working in an IT networking role would be advantageous but is not essential.
• Cisco qualification(s), including CCNA or Cisco Networking Academy, or practical experience with Cisco, Meraki or similar networking technologies.
• Network monitoring and troubleshooting tools.

Who This Role Would Suit

• IT graduates looking to start a career in networking.
• Service Desk or IT Support Engineers seeking to specialise in network technologies.
• Candidates with strong technical aptitude and a passion for problem solving.
• Individuals who are eager to learn, develop, and progress within a professional ICT environment.

What We Offer

• Structured career development within Network Services.
• Hands-on experience with enterprise-scale network technologies.
• Access to training and professional development opportunities.
• Support from experienced networking professionals.
• Opportunities to contribute to significant technology programmes across Kent and Essex Police.

Working Arrangements

This is a full-time role working 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday during office hours

Successful applicants for this role will be defined as an Office based Agile Worker - Office based agile working with designated team area. Works predominantly (60% or more) in one office space at Chelmsford HQ, with the remaining time spent working remotely or visiting other police sites as required.

If you are looking for an opportunity to start or grow your career in networking, work with modern technologies, and support critical services that enable frontline policing, we welcome your application.

We are committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace, where difference is embraced, supported and talent is progressed and enhanced. We encourage applications from all and will support and encourage those from protected characteristics.

For further information regarding the role, please contact [e-mail]

For the full Essex job description please click here.

For the full Kent job description please click here.

Depending on your current vetting level and security clearances, you may be required to complete additional vetting information during the recruitment process.

Kent Police and Essex Police welcomes applications regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, sex, or employment status.

Please let us know if you require extra support at any stage of the application process, or for further information regarding this position, please email us at [e-mail] stating 'Application Support and Adjustments' in the title of your email. Alternatively, you can call us on 01245 452833. Where appropriate we will make adjustments to the selection process, working arrangements and/or the working environment provided it is reasonable in all the circumstances to do so.

If you're not from the UK, you must be a resident in the UK and have lived here continuously for the last three years. You must also be free from restrictions with indefinite leave to remain. If you're from the UK you must have lived here continuously for the last three years. This doesn't apply to those serving abroad in the British Armed Forces.

Essex Police is a Disability Confident Leader, we:

• have subjected our Disability Confident self-assessment to external challenge and validation
• are taking an active leadership role in encouraging and helping other employers on their journey to becoming Disability Confident.

Diversity, Equality and Inclusion are central to the values of our organisation. At Essex Police we value and embrace the unique experiences, identities and abilities that each of us bring to our roles. We strive to empower everyone to bring their authentic self openly and safely to work.

Through the dedicated commitment of our support networks, DE& I team and wider HR departments, we are on a journey to embed our DE& I commitments, ensuring Essex Police is an employer of choice; where everyone feels included.

Essex Police and Kent Police are an equal opportunities employer. Communications may be recorded for monitoring purposes.