Senior Network Specialist

British Transport Police (BTP) are recruiting for a Senior Network Specialist on a permanent Contract. The role is paying up to £61,546.00 per annum and will be based in BTP Force Headquarters London, or any one of our other main hubs Birmingham, Leeds, Cardiff, Glasgow or Manchester.

BTP are the Guardians of the Railway with a bold and ambitious vision to be a world-leading police force that delivers a safe and reliable rail network for all. We are a national police force covering the rail network throughout Great Britain, including the London Underground, ensuring the safety and security of nearly 3 billion passenger journeys and over 100 million tons of freight every year.

Purpose of the Post
The role is responsible for the management of technical support of the Force Network and associated Network Equipment (routers/switches/firewalls) deployed across 152 sites. The Force deploys both an MPLS and an IP network across its WAN, LAN and Data centre environment, and this role holds the responsibility install, maintain and upgrade the associated network in accordance with our managed service providers and be part of the deployment of the future networks project as the Force transitions to SDWAN based technology.

As a Senior Network Engineer, you will be required to:

Network Security Management
Security is a top priority, the engineer will be required to manage and implement network security tools such as next-gen firewalls, VPNs, and policy enforcement systems. They will also be responsible for conducting regular security audits and best practice assessments.

Performance Monitoring and Troubleshooting
Ongoing monitoring of the network performance to ensure that all systems operate at optimal levels is essential. This includes utilising network tools to track performance issues, diagnose network bottlenecks and resolve complex networking problems to minimise downtime and maintain a high level of service.

Project Management and Implementation
A senior network engineer will often lead projects for network expansion, upgrades and deployment of new technology. This includes overseeing the project lifecycle from conception through to deployment. Managing timelines, coordinating with vendors and aligning network projects with the wider organisation and IT stakeholders.

The successful applicant will be required to evidence the following:

Advanced Technical Proficiency: Applicants will need to have deep knowledge of network infrastructure, including routing, switching and firewall configurations and experience with wireless technology. Proficiency in network protocols such as TCP/IP, DNS and DHCP is essential, as well as dynamic routing protocol knowledge (BGP/OSPF). Experience with network diagnostics tools such as SolarWinds and Wireshark is preferred.

Problem Solving and Analytical Skills: The ability to quickly diagnose and resolve network issues, often under pressure is crucial. This requires strong analytical skills to assess a complex network environment and identify the root cause of problems. A senior network engineer must be adept at developing creative solutions to network challenges while optimising network performance.

Communication and Leadership: Effective communication is key in a senior role. This includes the ability to clearly explain technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders, as well as contributing to detailed documentation. Senior engineers often lead projects, manage cross-department collaboration and mentor junior staff.

Fluency in Welsh language, written and verbal is desirable (if based in Cardiff)

If you are interested in applying to the role, then please do not delay as interviews will be held as soon as possible.

Please refer to the role profile for further information.

In return for your experience, we can offer you:

Up to £61,546.00 to include £48,254.40 base salary plus non contractual/non pensionable Skills for the Information Age Supplement up to £5,288.95 (value awarded 0%,50% or 100% dependant on self- assessment ) 10% On call Allowance and London Allowance (if based in London) of £3177.65 per annum

Yearly base salary increments (subject to satisfactory performance in previous PDR year)

Working from home allowance available to purchase suitable equipment for blended & home working

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

Excellent Pension scheme

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.

For more information on Positive Action please click here or email the team on PART-Recruitment@btp.police.uk

If you have any questions about the application process, or would like to receive this job pack in Welsh please email our friendly and helpful team where we will be happy to help you: RecruitmentTeam@btp.police.uk. If your question is in relation to equality or diversity then you can also contact our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion team directly at: PART-Recruitment@btp.police.uk To reassure you, anything you ask us will be in the strictest confidence and will not form part of your application.

In order to apply, you must have the permanent right to live and work in the UK and have been resident in the UK for the previous 5 years. You will be asked these and other questions to determine your eligibility to work for British Transport Police when you start your application and you must answer honestly.

BTP GPP Police Staff Pension Scheme is administered by Royal London and this is a group personal pension plan which is available to all police staff. It’s a defined contribution scheme, offering employees the flexibility to vary their pension contributions from 4.4% to 12% of their salary. For more information, visit the Royal London dedicated pension page or email us at Pension-Queries@btp.police.uk .Please note if you are an existing member of Police Staff in the RPS your pension will not be affected.