Your skills, qualification & experience

Essential

• Knowledge of GIS and geographical concepts.
• Knowledge of at least one common GIS software package.
• An ability to mentor and train GIS Users, developing their capabilities through support, guidance, and exposure to opportunities.

Desirable

• A degree or equivalent in Geography/GIS/Social Sciences or appropriate work experience.
• Relevant experience of working within the emergency services or public sector is desirable but not essential.
• Experience of working with other datasets e.g., census, geo-demographics.
• Project Management Skills.

Your Personal Qualities

Communication

• Natural communicator at all levels of the organisation
• Open and transparent but also maintains trust and confidentiality.
• Ability to present ideas both verbally, visually and in writing.
• Engages effectively and is helpful and supportive towards others.
• Commitment and Results Delivery
• Ability to work to and deliver to tight deadlines.
• Embraces diversity and displays respect and loyalty to colleagues, the organisation, and partners.
• Highly collaborative, taking the time to engage with team members.
• Reliable and committed to success of the team.

Motivation and Self Drive

• Self-motivated and enthusiastic and demonstrates enjoyment in their work.
• Professional, polite, and approachable manner.
• Positive attitude and optimistic.
• Resilient and calm approach to their work.

Further information

• This role will require you to undertake a vigorous vetting procedure. 
• The post holder will be responsible to the geo-spatial intelligence manager but will be expected to work without direct supervision using their own initiative and experience.
• The post is primarily office based although you may need to visit NPUs or other organisations mainly within the West Midlands or on occasion within the UK. 
• The post holder required to work 18 hours 30 minutes a week.
• Ideally, we are looking for someone who can work Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, although this is open to negotiation.

Testimonials

Three members of the Intelligence Department describe their experience of the Geo-spatial Analyst role while covering the post during a period of Maternity Leave.

 “I worked on the Geo Spatial team as an analyst and found it a massively enjoyable experience. The team itself are engaging, want to listen to fresh ideas and will help you develop as an individual in whichever way they can. For example, when I came to the team an experienced Intelligence Analyst, I found there were lots of aspects of Geo Spatial world I wasn’t aware of. The team quickly supported me to get up to speed, as well as always listened to my ideas on how things could be further improved. In addition, I found the everyday work immensely enjoyable and satisfying. The work contributes hugely to West Midlands Police achieving its objectives and supports a number of departments across the force. I would absolute recommend to anyone to come and work for the team, as the post will provide an opportunity to work in innovative, dynamic and supportive environment. It is an opportunity to do of one of best jobs in the force, working with a super team. I speak from experience having worked for the force for fifteen years in a number of roles.”

“I really enjoyed my time in geo-spatial, I learnt so much about MapInfo during my time with the team and appreciated that the system did more than just mapping and used these techniques in role after I left the geo-spatial team, my time on the team also gave me the opportunity to write and deliver hotspot training which I delivered to a group of new analysts which for me was very beneficial and exciting  as I wanted to work in a training environment and the team gave me that opportunity, all of the team are amazing they both very knowledgeable and also extremely helpful and friendly which made my experience even better.”

“It’s just maps isn’t it? That is what the majority of people said to me when I told them I was doing a 6 month secondment within the Geo-Spatial Intelligence Team. And to be honest, yes it is maps but it is so much more! If you enjoy a busy environment and completing a variety of different tasks then this is the role for you. In just 6 months, I got to work alongside people from many different departments (internal departments/personnel such as neighbourhood teams, mapping officer and SLT and external departments/individuals such as academic scholars and Public Health England). One of the main differences you will find with the Geo-Spatial world, is that you can create processes in order to tackle a problem and that is something most jobs do not give you the opportunity to complete. I thought I knew most things about the Geo-Spatial software ‘MapInfo’ before my secondment but in reality, I was only really scratching the surface of the full capability it has to offer. When I left, I could use SQL and ask questions of large datasets in minutes (instead of relying on Excel) and I could interrogate geo-demographic data instead of relying on purely Police data, which gave a layered insight into the products I produced. The team are great and so knowledgeable, it was an absolute pleasure to be part of that, even if it was only for a short while. I take all the knowledge I learnt from my secondment into every task and I feel so lucky to have built up that skill set and I would recommend it to anybody (and I usually do).”

Working for West Midlands Police

WMP is a large and diverse organisation where you can develop your skills, knowledge and career in an encouraging and flexible environment. We're able to offer you a comprehensive range of rewards and benefits including:

• 28 days annual leave (plus bank holidays); increasing to 33 days after five years’ service
• access to a Corporate Health Cash Plan and Wellbeing website
• an modern working environment in central Birmingham
• the opportunity to save on travel costs through a Corporate Travel Scheme
• the option to join a generous Local Government pension scheme

If you require further information please contact Andrew Brumwell, Geo-spatial Team Manager (a.brumwell@west-midlands.pnn.police.uk ).

To apply for this position please complete our online application form.

The interview will include a 15 minute presentation on a topic provided prior to the interview.

Appointment to this role will be dependent upon successfully passing vetting and medical checks, which may include a drugs test and if required a fitness test.

West Midlands Police are currently undertaking a long term review of staff pay and conditions.  The grade, pay and other terms of employment are therefore subject to review and may change in the future. 

West Midlands Police is a Disability Confident Leader - the highest level an organisation can achieve under the scheme run by the Department of Work and Pensions.  As part of our commitment we operate a ‘Disability Confident Interview Scheme’ - all candidates who declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role will be offered an interview.  

It is important to note that there may be occasions where it is not practicable or appropriate to interview all disabled people who meet the essential criteria for the job. For example: in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. In these circumstances, the employer could select the candidates who best meet the essential criteria for the job, as they would do for non-disabled applicants.

"Diversity and Inclusion Vision:  Maximise the potential of people from all backgrounds through a culture of fairness and inclusion to deliver the best service for our communities"