Geolocation and Cell Site Technical Manager

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

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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%…