trainee jobs in West Midlands Region

What we Offer:

• 27.5 days paid annual leave (increasing with service to 32.5 days)
• The option to buy, sell, or carry over annual leave is reviewed each year and offered when possible
• Voluntary Health Cash Plan provided by BHSF
• Civil Service pension
• Civil Service maternity leave package
• PAM employee assistance programme
• Access to Civil Service Sports Council (CSSC) membership
• Cycle to work scheme
• Opportunity to enjoy the latest home and electronics in a more affordable way provided by Vivup
• Car Leasing Scheme
• Staff Networks focussed on each of the protected characteristics - run for staff, by staff: Enable Network, Age Network, Welsh Network, Pride and LGBTQ+ Network, Sex and Family Network, Race, Religion and Belief Network
• Learning and development tailored to your role.
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity

Additional Information:

Any move to the Independent Office for Police Conduct from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may, however, be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

Emotional Consideration:

In performing this role, you will have regular exposure to distressing material which will likely be impactful, traumatic and challenging. Given the nature of the work, it is also possible that you will have contact with individuals who are experiencing extreme distress. The IOPC recognises this and offers all staff a range of wellbeing provisions, including TRiM (Trauma Risk Management), peer-to-peer support, a dedicated Wellbeing Advisor, and access to free confidential counselling. All staff are strongly encouraged to proactively access and engage with the support available. If you would like to speak about this element of the role with somebody already doing similar work at the IOPC please contact recruitment@policeconduct.gov.uk and this can be arranged.

Rydym yn croesawu ymgeiswyr i ymgeisio am rolau trwy gyfrwng y Gymraeg fel eu dewis iaith.

Job Introduction:

As a Trainee Investigator, you will be welcomed into a dynamic and inclusive Investigations team working locally and nationally on a wide range of IOPC investigations. The IOPC is on a journey to develop its culture, perspectives and ethos to support the organisation’s core outcomes, and this is your opportunity to enter into the varied world of IOPC Investigations, allowing you to develop your mindset and approaches to contribute to improving the police complaints system in England and Wales.

You will engage in a Professionalising Investigations Programme Level 1 (PIP1) programme that is designed to develop your skills and knowledge as an investigator whilst working to achieve a qualification. The PIP1 development programme includes formal and, on the job, learning as well as the support to build a portfolio of evidence which will provide you with the skills and knowledge to become a PIP1 investigator. The PIP1 programme is a mandatory part of your role and promotion to investigator requires the PIP1 programme to be completed in full.

You will be responsible for contributing to the delivery of high quality, robust and independent investigations, demonstrating our core values in all aspects of your role.

After completion of the PIP1 programme, you will be expected to engage in the revalidation programme. Revalidation ensures that your skills and knowledge are enhanced and maintained in line with the PIP requirements. Full engagement with the revalidation process is mandatory.

We'll assess you against these Executive Officer (EO) Level behaviours during the selection process:

• Developing Self and Others
• Delivering at Pace

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, to find out more, please click here.

Throughout the recruitment process we will also assess your Experience, Strengths and Values.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete 3 Sift Questions based on the essential criteria.

Assessments for Trainee Investigator will take place throughout January and February.

If you are successful at application stage, you will be invited to take part in a first stage interview. If successful at interview you will be invited to a final 2-part assessment centre which comprises of a written exercise, followed by a Roleplay the following day.

During your employment within this role you will complete the Trainee Investigator training programme which includes formal and on the job training. This will provide you with the skills and knowledge to achieve PIP1. On the job training will be carried out within an operational investigations team and will consist of assisting with and, in due course, conducting, a broad range of investigative tasks including but not limited to:

• Investigative actions on independent investigations into criminal and misconduct allegations in accordance with agreed IOPC guidelines.
• Witness and subject investigative interviews.
• Evidence collection, analysis and presentation.
• Visit incident scenes where required and assist in action taken to preserve and recover evidence.
• Attend post-mortems.
• Take part in criminal, misconduct and inquest proceedings.
• Shadow an investigator in the 24 hour on call facility and be prepared to work unsociable and extended hours.

Due to the nature of the IOPC’s work, there is a requirement for Investigators to provide a 24/7 on-call response when critical incidents occur involving the police. These may include road traffic, firearms and terrorist incidents and deaths or serious injury during or after police contact.

This will not be part of the expectations of your role while you are a Trainee Investigator (although you may participate in some shadowing of on-call responses). Once you progress from Trainee Investigator to Investigator, however, you will be expected to participate in the on-call rota, though requests for reasonable adjustments will be considered.

Please see the attached document for more information around current on-call arrangements. Please note that this is currently under review and may be subject to change.

Please refer to the Job Description for full role responsibilities.

The Ideal Candidate:

Technical

Desirable

Driving licence valid in England & Wales. If not already held, employment will be conditional on passing the driving test within 12 months of starting employment. Once you are a qualified investigator, you will be expected to have the confidence to drive alone, in a fleet car, in all conditions including at night and on all road types such as motorways and country lanes. Reasonable adjustment requests around driving will be considered.

Experience

Essential

• Analysing complex information and developing evidence-based conclusions, decisions or recommendations.
• Working with or assisting people from diverse backgrounds through active participation in community, voluntary or public-facing work.
• Working effectively in a team environment.
• Effective oral and written communication skills, including highly developed report writing skills.
• Evidence of excellent analytical and report writing skills; ability to reach and document clear, rational, evidence-based and independent decisions based on analysis of existing and emerging information.
• Experience of engaging effectively with a diverse range of people and stakeholders, and evidence of a commitment to equality and diversity within the workplace.
• Delivering a high standard of work within demanding timescales.
• Working effectively in a changing environment.

Skills and Abilities

Essential

• Ability to show initiative and adapt in a changing environment.
• Ability to recognise your development needs and be proactive in addressing them.
• Ability to prioritise and manage tasks effectively to deliver quality outcomes within demanding timescales.
• Ability to work effectively in a team with diverse ideas and people.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing and adapt communication styles as appropriate.
• Ability to analyse information and identify the key issues.
• Demonstrates the confidence and ability to cope with challenging situations.
• Ability to respond appropriately to the diverse needs of individuals and stakeholder groups.

We believe that diverse perspectives contribute to a more innovative and dynamic workplace. We actively encourage applications from individuals who are typically under-represented or disadvantaged in society. This includes women, people from ethnically diverse backgrounds, parents and carers, and disabled candidates, including neurodiverse candidates.

We are committed to providing equal opportunities for all applicants and creating an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives are valued and supported.

The role requires a standard DBS check

National security vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Reasonable Adjustments:

The IOPC is a diverse and inclusive workplace, and we want to help you demonstrate your full potential whatever type of assessment is used.

Please refer to our Reasonable Adjustment guidance document linked to this job advert on how to access Reasonable Adjustments with us.

Be yourself:

The IOPC is committed to promoting equality and valuing diversity in everything we do. Our vision is to be, and to be seen as, a leader in inclusive employment and services, demonstrating this ethos in everything that we do.

• Being a Disability Confident employer, the IOPC is dedicating to removing the barriers for disabled people to thrive in the workplace. Please refer to our Reasonable Adjustment guidance document linked to this job advert on how to access Reasonable Adjustments with us.
• Our Staff Networks are constantly working to make the IOPC the leaders of inclusive employment, from our Allyship Programme to Welsh Language Standards and our Know the Line Policy, we are constantly seeking new ways to create an environment for all to develop and thrive.

The IOPC is a Disability Confident Employer. As part of our commitment we operate a Disability Confident Interview Scheme. This means that 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 are occasions where it is not practical or appropriate to interview all disabled people who meet the essential criteria for the job. For example: in high volume campaigns such as our Trainee Investigator programme.

In these circumstances interviews will be offered to disabled and non-disabled candidates who best meet the essential criteria for the job.

Working Conditions

The IOPC operates a hybrid working policy which requires all staff to work an average of 40% of their contractual hours at their office base (or another office for business reasons). Office attendance time includes in-person training, meetings with stakeholders and families, and attending events.

Mandatory training for this role will be hybrid, via in-person sessions and e-learning. The in-person training may take place in locations that are not your usual office base and may require overnight stays of up to 4 consecutive nights. Further information regarding dates / locations will be provided later in the process.