Software Developer

The main purpose of the role

The IT & Digital department is responsible for the forces adoption and use of information and digital technology.

The department consists of three core functions as follows:

• Architecture Management (responsible for identifying and selecting the right technologies for the force)

• Delivery Management (responsible for delivering and implementing the right technologies for the force)

• Service Management (responsible for managing and maintaining all live operational technology for the force)

The Delivery Management function is responsible for the implementation/delivery of all new and enhanced Information Technology or Digital Technology solutions in line with Force requirements ensuring that for all Force Programmes and Projects WMP delivers:

• Fit-for-purpose technology

• At an appropriate cost

• Within agreed timescales

• With an acceptable level of risk

This will involve the control and management of both internal and external resources as new technology can be built and delivered either internally or by a third party supplier. This function interfaces directly with Business Transformation to ensure the successful delivery of the technical aspects of all force projects and programmes. This function governs and manages development and test environments.

The Development team manages and has responsibility for the following key areas:

• Meeting the Force requirements for new / enhanced IT capabilities.

• Developing software and hardware solutions across a variety of platforms including web applications and mobile apps.

• Ensuring that technology developed internally and externally meets force requirements.

• Ensuring that new solutions have appropriate and effective low-level designs that adhere to the forces architectural and design principles.

• Ensuring IT developments are secure by design by working closely with other teams within the IT and Digital department.

• Having the ability to use a number of development process techniques such as; Agile and Waterfall.

• Providing effective management of development and test environments.

Reporting to the Development Manager the role of the Software Developer is to develop software solutions. The post-holder is responsible for the low-level design and development of software solutions and providing specialist software development expertise. The post-holder will be expected to participate in meetings engage with knowledge-sharing sessions and other activities as required to fully participate in the development teams activities.

Key responsibilities

• Assist with the production of low-level software designs for IT solutions in line with force requirements.

• Assist with the software development for new IT solutions in line with low-level designs and force requirements.

• Provide specialist software development expertise.

• Provide technical guidance and advice to technical delivery projects on all software matters from design to delivery.

• Provide specialist information and/or advice to assist and influence senior colleagues/customers to make software choices.

• Provide and disseminate specialist software advice on issues relating to the use of dev and test environments.

• Advise projects on matters relating to the maintenance and development of policy systems and procedures together with the efficient and effective use of physical resources.

• Provide specialist software skills and knowledge to ensure the security and integrity of the Forces software used in the dev and test environments are maintained to the required standards.

• Work closely with teams within Service Management to transition new services into the live environment ensuring that they are provided with end-to-end support documentation for all software facets.

• Assist with the monitoring and management of the performance of third-party suppliers.

• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of software development languages tools and techniques.

• Manage incidents and service requests to meet the needs of the force and make best use of the resources available.

• Resolve complex problems and issues within the team liaising with different departments or third-party suppliers where necessary.

• Assess and recommend software products.

• Provide reports and comprehensive working papers including making recommendations for improvements or amendments to systems.

Staff management responsibilities

• None

Budgetary responsibilities

• None

Experience

Must demonstrate proven experience and ability to:

• Develop maintain and integrate a variety of software solutions.

• Translate business requirements into software designs.

• Support the development of the knowledge and skills of team members.

• Create and maintain technical documentation to high standards.

• Research new and emerging software development tools and techniques.

• Directly communicate with senior managers from a customer service perspective using written and oral methods.

• Participate in meetings.

• Maintain standards for security of information.

Knowledge

• A good knowledge of software development.

• A good knowledge of the software development methodology.

• Knowledge of national standards and legislation regarding infrastructure technology.

• A good understanding of ITIL in particular Change and Release Management.

• Knowledge of Health and Safety issues relevant to the post.

Skills

• Good skills in the development of software.

• Good interpersonal skills with the ability to confidently interact and empathise with all levels of staff.

• Good presentation skills.

• Flexibility to use a variety of supporting technologies and to be innovative.

• The ability to work under pressure and be capable of balancing competing demands and priorities.

• The ability to learn and adapt.

• Proven track record in understanding the need of customers/users.

• Good communication skills to work effectively throughout the organisation and with external contractors and suppliers.

• An understanding of the ITIL processes as they apply to the team and to the department.

• Ability to produce management reports policy documents and comprehensive working papers including recommendations and implementation documents.

Technologies

• Essential

  • Internet or intranet-facing C# .NET Core web sites with MVC or Razor Pages

  • HTML CSS Bootstrap

  • JavaScript and TypeScript

  • REST API development using C# .NET

  • SQL Server

  • Visual Studio

• Highly Desirable

  • Vue

  • Progressive Web Apps

  • Azure DevOps Server (TFS) including git

  • Deployment to load balanced and mirrored cloud infrastructure

  • Automated build deployment performance and test processes

  • Angular Ionic and Cordova

Attitude

• Positive and optimistic outlook.

• Motivated to see the Force succeed.

• Open and honest.

• Problem solver.

• Able to delegate where appropriate and target that delegation to develop other team members.

• A strong team player with a can do attitude.

• Self-motivated with the ability to multitask and work well under pressure.

Special Circumstances

• The post holder must be able to work from alternate locations in line with business need.

• Flexibility is required where rota management is required and/or extended hours are proposed. It is suggested that this role requires a flexibility of approach to working hours.

• The post holder may be required to provide out of hours availability for which the appropriate allowance will be paid.

• The post holder may be expected to work outside normal working hours.

Benefit Statement

By choosing to join West Midlands Police you will receive an enhanced benefits package including:

• Fair remuneration with progression opportunities and access to a very competitive pension scheme.

• Enhanced annual leave in addition to public holiday entitlements.

• Discounts across travel parking daily costs of living and leisure activities.

• A comprehensive wellbeing package including 24/7 support free eye tests and flu jabs.

Probation Policy:

Under the Probation Policy if you are currently in your probation period during your probationary period you will not be permitted to apply for alternative police staff roles within the Force unless there are exceptional such cases you would require the support of your line manager prior to applying for alternative roles and if successful your probationary period will start over.-Policies - Probation Period (Police Staff) ()

Prospective officers and staff must be held to a higher standard of behaviour and accountability than members of the public and that therefore their right to privacy can be fettered in certain circumstances. This is to ensure that members of the police are fully aware and accountable for the unique powers entrusted to them and the standards of professional behaviour they swear to uphold.

Closing Date: 24/08/2025

Interviews/Assessment: Will take place on w/c 25 August 2025

For Further information please contact: John Gillam on

Vetting

Successful applicants will be required to pass Management Vetting and CTCscrutiny prior to commencing their role this will include a full background & financial disclosure as part of the vetting process.

Medical

Appointment to this role will be dependent upon successfully medical checks which may include a drugs test.

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 notethat 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 these circumstances the employer could select the candidates whobestmeet 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