Communications Officer - Force Control Room Birmingham

As a Communications Officer, you will be working in a safety-critical role and be responsible for:

• Handling calls, dispatching radio messages, and managing police responses to incidents.


• Accurately recording information and assessing it to determine the appropriate level of responses.


• Demonstrating the ability to work as part of a team and meet tight deadlines.


• Working on a 24/7, 365 days a year schedule that includes early, late and night shifts.


• Effectively managing emergency telephone calls, evaluating the urgency of the incident, and prioritising police responses when necessary.


• Obtaining and evaluating information to determine response criteria and deployment levels using THRIVE and NSIR, prioritising public and officer safety at all times.


• Monitoring incidents and providing advice, deployment and direction of appropriate resources via radio to ensure a suitable and effective responses.


The working hours for this role can be unsocial as it involves a 24/7/365 shift pattern that include early starts, late finish times and night shifts (please see attached an example rota). Nevertheless, working as a Communication Officer for BTP offers a career that is incredibly stimulating, exiting and fulfilling.


• Effective communication skills


• Excellent customer service skills and the ability to make decision based on threat, risk and harm


• Manage situations in a calm and assertive manner


• Utilising different communication methods (e.g. telephone, radio, email)


• Proficiency in IT and the ability to use multiple integrated systems and with excellent keyboard skills. You must be able to capture information in a timely and accurate manner during the contact.


• Working as part of a team in a control room/contact centre environment.
  
  BTP is the national police force for the rail network throughout Great Britain, including London Underground, and is responsible for ensuring the safety and security of nearly 3 billion passenger journeys and over 100 million tons of freight every year. The nature of our work is fast-paced, operationally and commercially demanding, and constantly evolving., BTP is an employer who cares about the impact we have on the environment and the wider challenges of climate change, and as such we are committed to reducing our carbon footprint and achieving Net Zero Carbon (NZC) through offsetting by 2035.


At BTP we are proud guardians of the railway and it is crucial that we represent the diverse communities we serve and protect. As 'One BTP' across the UK, we know that diversity, inclusion and belonging help us improve our decision making, foster creativity and drive innovation so all our people can thrive.

Our vacancies are open to everyone and all appointments are made based on merit. So that we can become more diverse we encourage applications from candidates from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds, women, people who have a disability, those who are neurodiverse and persons who identify as LGBTQI+. We use positive action to encourage potential candidates from underrepresented groups through targeted workshops or advice sessions. If you have the skills, experience and values that here in BTP we pride ourselves on then we would welcome you to apply.

Communications Officers are required for permanent contracts with British Transport Police (BTP) based in our Force Control Room at Baskerville House. Salary for this role is up to £37,395 per annum (this includes 20% Shift Allowance and £1,500 Market Supplement).,
• Up to £37,395 (inclusive of 20% Shift Allowance and £1,500 Market Supplement). Please note that the basic starting salary for this role is £29,912.50.


• Yearly base salary increments


• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays


• Family friendly policies including up to 26 weeks paid maternity and adoption leave


• Bespoke benefits platform and access to Blue Light Card


• Development opportunities including fully funded apprenticeships


• Employee assistance programme and dedicated wellbeing hub


• Pension scheme