Senior Airwave Technician

Sussex Police; Lewes; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

A unique opportunity exists for a Senior Airwave Technician at Sussex Police to join the Communications Team in Lewes. The successful candidate will support operational needs related to digital radio technologies, making a real difference in public safety by ensuring effective communication systems. This permanent role offers flexibility and career progression within a collaborative police force dedicated to community service.

Benefits

Career progression

Contributory pension scheme (LGPS)

Generous annual leave allowance

Discounts for everyday spend

On-site gyms and a range of sports clubs

Generous parental leave

Financial and mental wellbeing support

Discounted contributory healthcare scheme

Qualifications

• Previous experience in Airwave support and administration is essential.
• Proficient in installation, testing, and commissioning supplier-specific equipment.
• Understanding of aerial site administration and handling of cryptographic material.

Responsibilities

• Installation, testing, and commissioning of Airwave equipment.
• Providing expertise for day-to-day troubleshooting and incident resolution.
• Close collaboration with suppliers for equipment setup and integration.

Skills

Digital Radio Technologies

Airwave System Support

Troubleshooting

Job description

This role is within a unit where Surrey Police and Sussex Police work in collaboration, whilst remaining two separate legal entities/employers with different terms and conditions.

Both Surrey Police staff and Sussex Police staff are employed in this unit on their own force terms and conditions.

Successful candidates may be appointed on the terms and conditions of employment of either Surrey Police or Sussex Police, depending on organisational requirements. A discussion will be held with the successful candidate to confirm the details of location, salary, allowances and hours.

Division / Department - Digital Data & Technology
Grade - Surrey Police Grade H / Sussex Police Grade 11
Status - Full Time or Happy to Talk Flexible Working
Contract Type - Permanent
Salary Grade Range - Surrey Police £38,064 - £45,058 / Sussex Police £39,813 - £43,920
Working Hours - 37.0 Hours per Week
Shift Allowance - No
Politically Restricted - No
Location - Lewes

The starting salary for this role will usually be at the bottom of the salary range and will be pro-rata if the working hours are less than full time.

Chief Constables' Message

We really welcome your interest in joining our Police Force. It is a privilege to lead the teams in Surrey Police and Sussex Police who continuously work selflessly and tirelessly in order to keep people in our counties safe.

We are looking for talented and inspirational people who put the needs of the public at the heart of everything that they do and who want to make a difference. If you feel you are that person then we want to hear from you.

We wish you all the very best with your application.

The Role & Key Responsibilities

From your first day with us you will be part of a policing family making a real difference.

It is our mission to identify and protect vulnerable people, prevent and respond to harm and keep people safe.

A rare opportunity has arisen to join Surrey & Sussex Police Communications Team as a Senior Airwave Technician on a permanent basis, joining an existing team to support operational and project Airwave needs.

You should be proficient in all aspects of digital radio technologies including principles, coverage, carriers, frequencies, interference, testing, national standards and configuration. Radio devices, handsets and in-car. Support of covert facilities. Understanding of aerial site administration. Correct handling of cryptographic material in line with national standards and policy. Desktop hardware, software and systems that integrate with radio technologies including the configuration and management of these systems. Examples: Airwave & NEC SWS DS3000 ICCS.

Key Responsibilities

• Installation, test and commission of supplier-specific equipment and software in all legitimate operational environments.
• Provide knowledge and expertise of Airwave, & NEC SWS DS3000 ICCS setup, support and integrations.
• Day-to-day troubleshooting and incident/problem resolution.
• Close working with the key suppliers of Airwave radio terminal equipment and associated systems and the integration into ICCS.

Skills & Experience

Previous experience in Airwave support and administration is essential.

Airwave:Proficient in all aspects of digital radio technologies including principles, coverage, carriers, frequencies, interference, testing, national standards and configuration. Radio devices, handsets and in-car. Support of covert facilities. Understanding of aerial site administration. Correct handling of cryptographic material in line with national standards and policy. Desktop hardware, software and systems that integrate with radio technologies including the configuration and management of these systems. Examples: Airwave, NEC SWS DS3000 ICCS. Knowledge of ESN/ESMCP would also be an advantage.

National/International Standards: Familiar with Standards associated with IT practice nationally and internationally. Examples: IEEE 802.3 (Ethernet), ITU(T) H (Audio-visual and multimedia systems), BSI BS 25777 (ICT continuity), ISO 9001 (Quality management systems), ISO20000 (Service Management), ISO 27000 (Information Security Management Systems).

Corporate, Industry and Professional Standards:Proficient in Specific standards associated with the IT practitioner's current role. Examples: health and safety standards, departmental programming and accessibility standards, organisational network performance standards, service desk procedures, corporate quality and change management processes, ITIL.

Equipment Installation:Proficient in Installation, testing and commissioning of supplier specific equipment and software in all legitimate operational environments.

Why Work With Us?

Policing is an exciting 24/7 business and we all have commitments outside work. We’re invested in supporting people to balance their life with work and we encourage flexible working. We are open to conversations about job shares and part time working. We encourage agile working, giving you the opportunity to manage your own diary and work wherever you give the best service to the public. This may include flexi-time and home working.

We take pride in looking after our people and offer a variety of benefits;

• career progression
• contributory pension scheme (LGPS)
• generous annual leave allowance
• discounts for everyday spend
• on-site gyms and a range of sports clubs
• generous and supportive parental leave
• financial and mental wellbeing guidance and support
• discounted contributory healthcare scheme

We are happy to discuss any part of your interest and application, so please feel free to contact Steve Wheaton via [e-mail] for more information and a friendly chat!

We recognise that our people are balancing demanding careers with commitments and interests outside of work. We welcome applications and discussion with candidates who want to work full-time or part-time/flexible hours.

Diversity Statement

We are only as good as our people. It's important that our officers and staff can be themselves in the workplace and we know that as an organisation we'll grow from the variety of thinking, approach, and the skills that diversity brings; all of which help us to deliver a better policing service. We strive to ensure how we deliver our services, provide information and how we recruit is open and accessible to all.

We have multiple staff support groups who help to improve our understanding of minority issues and ensure they are reflected in our work. We are proud members of Disability Confident, hold Race Equality Matters Trailblazer status, are a signatory of the Race at Work Charter and are aligned with the Armed Forces Covenant and the HeForShe movement.

We are committed to being an anti-racist police service. We promise to challenge injustice, ensure fairness and to uphold anti-racist principles in both our organisation and our communities. For more information, you can read ourfull anti-racism statement here .

We value the differences that people bring from all backgrounds and communities. Regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, disability, social status, or religious belief, we would love to hear from you.

Following submission of your application you will receive a confirmation email with a copy of your application attached. Occasionally emails from this address can fall into spam/junk folders so please ensure this is checked regularly. You may wish to consider [e-mail] your address/contact list to ensure you receive all communications.

This post is being advertised in parallel with Force redeployment processes. Any redeployees who are identified will be given preference. This may result in the post being withdrawn at any point during the recruitment process.

Please note that not all jobs are available for internal candidates across both Forces, the current agreed recruitment principles are;

• vacancies in collaborated units are available to all officers and staff across both Forces
• vacancies in non-collaborated units are only available to officers and staff within the Force with the vacancy unless it is advertised externally
• if the vacancy is advertised externally and an officer or member of staff from the other Force is successful it will result in a transfer of employment

Surrey Police and Sussex Police Special Constables, Volunteers and Agency Staff (excluding self employed workers) covered under the Agency Worker Regulations (AWR) are eligible to apply for internal advertised posts.