Communications Operator - 2024 intakes

Our Force Control room based in St Asaph is where our Communications Operators  answer 999 calls and non-emergency 101 calls, as well as sending police officers to incidents across North Wales. Our operators are hard at work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year keeping North Wales safe.

The role of a North Wales Police Communications Operator, is one of the most rewarding and varied roles you are ever likely to have. This rewarding career offers an opportunity to play a pivotal role in the force and join a unique profession where you can really make a difference and take a great sense of pride in doing so. No two days are the same for our Communication Operators, one minute you could be taking the details of a missing person and the next you could be sending officers to reports of a robbery in progress. 

Initial investigation - you will be trained to ask initial questions to establish the risk/severity and if there are any lines of enquiry or investigation such as evidence, or forensic opportunities. You will manage expectations of the reporting person providing crime reduction advice and reassurance. 

Partners - you will work with other emergency services and partner agencies, supporting the work they do and arranging for police involvement where this is needed. 

Advice - many of the non-emergency calls received are resolved by our communication operators. This could be through offering advice or signposting members of public to more appropriate agencies when it is not a matter dealt with by the police. With each contact you will be managing expectations advising what police can and cannot do. 

Recording intelligence - from information given by our communities you'll be identifying and recording information to share with other parts of the organisation, to inform our future policing operations. 

Service delivery - you will be part of a professional team who deliver a good service by being focused and alert to deal with whatever the next call could bring and dealing with sometimes constant calls to a professional standard. 

Working alongside a welcoming and highly-skilled team, you’ll benefit from ample support and training to ensure you excel in the role, alongside receiving benefits such as;

• Full time starting salary £24, 921 per annum (with salary increments per annum), plus 20% shift allowance and 14.14% weekend working allowance. (this was £33,429.00 gross per annum on a full shift pattern) 
• Health and Wellness services
• Access to subsidised on-site gyms and free fitness classes
• Option to become a member of UNISON, the public service union
• Discounts from multiple online and high street brands via the Blue Light Scheme
• Free onsite parking 

Shift Patterns

You will be part of a shift rota, pre-planned for 32 weeks in advance if you are full time worker and pre-planned 64 weeks in advance if you are a part time worker, providing you with ample time to pre-plan your calendar to fit in your personal life alongside your profession.

The core shift pattern is 4 on, 4 off (10,11 and 12 hour shifts, 2 days followed by 2 nights). 

Example shift pattern; 

times and shifts will vary 

For the first 6 weeks within the role, you will undertake full time training from Monday to Friday in either St Asaph or Force HQ in Colwyn Bay, to ensure you are fully confident in undertaking this unique position.

To be considered for the role you will need to evidence in your application; 

• You have an NVQ level 3 or equivalent qualification, in Communication/Business/Customer related field, or an equivalent amount of proven relevant experience.
• You can type around 25 - 30wpm.
• You have good communication skills together with the ability to work well in a team environment or on your own initiative.
• You are computer literate to an intermediate level together with windows systems and/or relevant experience.
• You have the ability to evidence problem solving skills.
• You have the ability to remain calm in stressful situations.
• You have good geographical knowledge of North Wales.

North Wales Police are a bilingual organisation and for this role, you’ll need to demonstrate a minimum of level 3 Welsh skills, which means you are able to converse partly in Welsh but turn to English in discussion and to give detailed information. You can understand and respond to general enquiries and describe people and places using simple phrases in Welsh. You can find out more by visiting our Welsh Language Resources Page.

Anyone within North Wales Police can transfer with their current level of Welsh and we’ll support you in developing these skills. You can find out more by visiting our Welsh Language Resources Page.

Positive Action - are you eligible?

We recognise that everybody’s needs are unique and different. Our Workforce Representation Team offer a variety of initiatives including providing appropriate advice, encouragement and support throughout the recruitment process. If you’re from a Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic (BAME) background, minority religion group, Male,  LGBT+, or have a disability or neurodiverse condition (e.g. dyslexia), the Workforce Representation Team may be able to offer you Positive Action support depending on the role you are applying for. Visit our Positive Action page to learn more about how this works and our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Please note the successful applicant(s) will be required to provide a 2 year commitment to this role.

The recruitment process will be as follows:

• Typing test & Welsh assessment
• Interviews will be scheduled for April in St Asaph 
• Start dates throughout 2024

We are recognised as a disability confident employer. This means we aim to recruit and retain disabled people, and people with health conditions, for their skills and talent. You can indicate on our application form whether you require any support or adjustments to enable you to do the job, or to assist you with your application.

If you join us with a disability or medical condition, we aim to support you so you can carry out your role effectively. Where possible we’ll arrange reasonable adjustments so you can do this. If you can help us to create a safer North Wales, then we welcome your application - whatever your age, beliefs, disability, ethnicity, gender, race or sexual orientation

If you require any further information about this role please do not hesitate to contact: ssfcommsops@northwales.police.uk