NPAS XP356A Base Manager Bournemouth (Police Staff) **External**

West Yorkshire Police; England; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Training opportunities to obtain extra

Cross-force collaboration and national

Job summary

West Yorkshire Police's NPAS Bournemouth base seeks a highly capable Base Manager to lead a 6 TFO and 3 Pilots team, delivering frontline air operations across England and Wales.

You will shape performance, mentor staff, and liaise with police partners while remaining ready to deploy as a Tactical Flight Officer. The role offers training, cross-force collaboration, and a chance to influence national air support strategy.

Qualifications

• Leadership and staff development abilities
• Operational leadership and team coordination
• Strong communication and situational awareness

Responsibilities

• Lead, develop and inspire a 9-person team (6 TFOs and 3 Pilots) to deliver police air operations
• Shape and promote NPAS values; liaise with local and national partners
• Oversee safety, training and deployment of staff and aircraft

Job description

THIS VACANCY HAS BEEN ADVERTISED EXTERNALLY

Base Manager

National Police Air Service

NPAS Bournemouth

One permanent full-time position, 37 hours per week

CLOSING DATE: 3rd January 2027

We are looking to recruit a Base manager at our base at NPAS Bournemouth. This is a fantastic opportunity for a motivated leader to manage and develop a team of specialists consisting of 6 Tactical Flight Officers (TFO) and 3 Pilots as they (and you) use their bespoke skills and equipment to provide effective police air operations across England & Wales.

As a Base Manager you will:

• Manage, support, develop and inspire your team to achieve the best operational performance whilst promoting NPAS' core values.
• As one of only 15 Base Managers in England & Wales, you will have the unique opportunity to actively shape the future of air support both locally and on the national stage as an ambassador for NPAS.
• Liaise directly with police service representatives at various levels balancing understanding of local and national priorities whilst supporting local differing needs and expectation.
• Operate in the aircraft as a qualified Tactical Flight Officer. Full training and support for this will be provided after successful selection.
• The role may require you to travel to other parts of the region or country for meetings whilst also on occasion deputising for your line manager / representing NPAS on a regional or national basis.

The Base Manager will:

• Have an enthusiastic attitude towards supporting and developing staff, alongside the ability to manage performance effectively.
• Have an awareness and understanding of the principles of police air operations service provision, alongside an initial appreciation and ongoing understanding of the inter-operability between Police operations and the Civil Aviation Authority requirements / NPAS Operations Manual.
• Have the ability to use their demonstrable excellent communication, cooperation, leadership and situational awareness skills from both a management perspective and within the aircraft environment with a view to the continual development of self and others.

In return for fulfilling the role of Base Manager we can offer:

• A set pattern of working comprising of mostly weekday office hours, with occasional weekend cover and an element of self-controlled flexibility.
• After training, perform the duties of a Tactical Flight Officer in NPAS Aircraft when required.
• Training opportunities to obtain additional qualifications and courses, both aviation and non-aviation related.
• Opportunity to work in a state of the art aircraft, dealing with front line policing from a completely unique perspective.
• Experience working in a borderless national policing operation alongside colleagues from all forces across England and Wales as well as British Transport Police.
• Offer exposure to other police forces in your region and the country when dealing with spontaneous and pre-planned events.

The role offers a fantastic opportunity to lead and support a cross functional team, liaise with numerous other parts of the police family. You will have a large degree of autonomy to make effective decisions to promote performance whilst nurturing and support your staff.

Finally, this is an opportunity to gain knowledge and experience working in an aviation environment and to learn, adopt and foster the safety and reflective teachings that such an environment promotes. The lessons and additional skills learnt from this are transferable and can be applied into shaping the future modern police service.

Selection process:

The selection process for this role does not require any previous aviation knowledge or flight experience. There are several assessments to pass to reach the required standard, which is the same for all TFO and Base Manager candidates. This is to ensure our safety critical role is maintained and that suitable candidates are able to develop their skills through effective training balanced with operational policing exposure.

The stages of recruitment are as follows:

1. Application form received by NPAS.
2. Aircrew aptitude testing - RAF Cranwell date TBC.
3. Interview & group assessments (8th to 10th Sep 26 in Wakefield).
4. TFO Training course.

**IMPORTANT INFORMATION**

Medical Information for NPAS Operational Staff:

It is important to note that due to the forces and physiological stresses that the aviation environment exerts on the human body, some medical conditions and/or medications, may not be compatible with the role of aircrew.

The following non-exhaustive list contains examples of chronic and ongoing medical conditions, as well as long-term medications that may require further Occupational Health interaction prior to commencing flying, to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all students and crew members.

Example Medical Conditions:

• Epilepsy / Photosensitive Epilepsy
• Vertigo or Dizziness
• Inner ear or Tympanic Membrane issues
• Musculoskeletal Conditions that could be exacerbated by sitting confined in a seat and harness for a protracted period
• Pregnancy
• Protracted recovery following surgery/operation
• Any other medical condition that may be triggered or exacerbated by flying

Example Medications:

• Long-term Antibiotics
• Sleeping Tablets (over-counter or prescription)
• Anti-depressants / Sedatives / Tranquilisers
• Centrally Acting Medications
• Stimulant Medication
• Anti-histamines
• Anti-hypertension medication
• Analgesic medication
• Combination medications
• Blood thinners / Anticoagulants
• Any other medication that may be contraindicated for flying

Further information regarding the role can be provided by contacting the Regional Operations Manager, Russ Woolford on [e-mail]

The 2024 version of the Competency Values Framework applies to this process. Please disregard the old link to the 2016 version which is contained in the role profile and use the link in the advert.

The post is suitable for job share.

West Yorkshire Police is committed to improving the diversity of its workforce to better reflect the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from all minority groups and individuals who identify with one or more of the protected characteristics as defined by the Equality Act 2010.

Applicants should be aware that it is not always possible to carry out adequate vetting checks on persons who have not been resident within the UK for the last five years. Therefore, where this applies, applicants may be refused because it was not possible to vet them to the appropriate standard.