ICT Student Placements - Police Service of Northern Ireland

ICT Student Placements
Picture: PSNI Operational Mobile and Tablet for remote access to core systems
Police Service of Northern Ireland
2014-2015
The Police Service of Northern
Ireland is looking for the next
generation of ICT professionals for
one-year’s* placement.
It will be difficult to find another ICT placement
with such a wide spectrum of technology at its
disposal. The Police Service of Northern Ireland
(PSNI) is a world class service, hosting some of
the most advanced police technologies.
As part of a wider Northern Ireland Executive
ICT Placement recruitment scheme, PSNI seeks
applications from undergraduates with an
interest in software, hardware, networks or
similar to support and maintain a dynamic
environment. Posts offer £16,300 per annum
and >25 days leave.
*51 Weeks
Picture: One of over 17,500 police radios managed by ICS
PSNI is part of a wider NI Executive recruitment
scheme, incoluding NICS and NI Assembly.
Applicants fill out the online form and list their
preferred placement. So, if policing ICT interests you,
put “Police Service of Northern Ireland” as your first
choice!
Who are we looking for?
We are seeking undergraduates currently studying either a Higher National Diploma or Degree in computing or
other discipline relevant to Information Communication Technology (i.e. courses with a computing content of
50% or more) and have the opportunity to undertake a one year ICT placement for the 2014/2015 academic
year.
We offer:
• 51 week work experience at ICT1 (AA) grade;
• Salary £16,300;
• 25 days annual leave and 12 public holidays;
• an experience that will set you apart from the crowd!
Picture: Snapshot of PSNI server room processing live user requests from desktop computers
and mobile devices operating across Northern Ireland
Placement Students will work for the IT
branch of PSNI, Information and
Communications Services (ICS).
Operational officers and staff rely on a range of technology to
deliver everyday services. PSNI’s ICT portfolio is one of the
broadest you’re ever likely to see under one roof! We have to
support delivery of personal, professional and protective
services, whilst responding to a dynamic environment.
Picture: ICT Technician speaking with an operational user to diagnose an ICT fault
Areas of ICS you could be working in:
• Hardware – PSNI supports over 10,000 desktop terminals and laptops, high-availability data centres, virtualised environments,
petabytes of storage, advanced CCTV technology, thousands of mobile devices and much more. So, we need ICT engineers who have
an interest in hardware engineering from the smallest mobile device to the largest data centre.
• Software – ICS manages over 100 specialist line-of-business applications supporting front line policing and support services.
Software engineers enhance existing Oracle and Microsoft-based systems, define requirements for external suppliers and develop inhouse applications/software development. Got SQL, ASP.NET or C# skills or what to develop in these areas? Then get applying.
• Networks – ICS provides one of the most advanced communication infrastructures for any police service in the world, including
dedicated fibre optic and microwave technologies encrypted up to the highest classifications. Placements may be working on fibre,
microwave, IP, VOIP, encryption and network security.
• Wireless – Did you know PSNI provide and support radios to all the emergency services in Northern Ireland? From working on
WiFi, 3G/4G and GPS projects, to visiting our windy hilltop radio masts for inspection and repair, our ICT placement students directly
support front line emergency response!
• Social Media – Social media represents a new and exciting venture for policing. ICS are at the centre of defining and delivering
apps and working with the business to develop a world-class social network strategy
Read comments from our current Placement Students (2013/14):
Working in PSNI has been an exciting challenge
from the start. I have been given the opportunity
to work using my own initiative whilst also been
given the support of my team and line manager
to complete tasks, giving me an overall
interesting work experience. I have already
gained many useful skills and attributes …[and]…
feel satisfied when my work is completed,
knowing it has a real impact everyday. No other
student work placement offers the variety of
work and latest technology that PSNI offers,
making it a unique experience which I am
grateful for.
I have found myself
learning about a number
of different technologies
…really quite vast …whilst
fixing hilltop sites and
seeing Northern Ireland
from some very unique
vantage points!
TOM, RADIO HANDSETS &
INFRASTRUCTURE
CONOR, BUSINESS ANALYSIS & APP DEVELOPMENT
LAURA, CRIME DATABASE
…The vast range of IT technologies and
development within the department was a
surprise that has lead to a rewarding and
interesting work environment. Every day brings
new opportunities to learn and achieve more
through the work of the PSNI’s IT department. I
have been able to learn new programming
languages, develop applications, perform system
maintenance, and work with industry
professionals. The training has been fantastic
and help is always available when needed. I feel
lucky that I am able to work on projects which
contribute to policing across all of Northern
Ireland.
ANDY, RAPID APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT
My experience with the PSNI so far has been
everything I had hoped for and more. The
opportunities available here are endless and
have paved the way for me to develop skills
that will ultimately set me apart from others.
The PSNI is undoubtedly an engaging place to
be and has given me the placement I had
hoped for since I became interested in a career
in computing. For me, one of the best things
about working here is the calibre of staff. They
are always willing to provide support and
guidance to myself and the other placement
students.
…I have developed many
skills that I would not have
been able to achieve
through university alone. I
have been exposed to a
variety of different
technologies and had a
hands on approach to
testing them. I have gained
confidence in working
both in a team and on my
own.
REBECCA, SOCIAL MEDIA
PROJECT
I've always considered working in the PSNI’s IT
department and when I first saw it posted on
my University placement website, I applied
immediately. I was not disappointed and I
have quickly improved my programming and
communication skills. The people I work with
are excellent, knowledgeable in their roles and
provide support when it is needed…. I feel the
work that I have contributed has helped users
within the PSNI and eased workload for
others. The programs that [my] team has
developed are relatable to my course and will
provide the skills I need for my final year of
University and my future in the IT sector.
PHIL, RAPID APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT
How do I
apply?
PSNI is recruiting in partnership with the Northern Ireland Executive.
For more detailed information and to apply, please go to:
www.nicsrecruitment.gov.uk
Competition opens Monday 3rd March 2014
What is the
deadline?
Completed application forms must be returned to arrive not later than 12:00
noon (UK time) on Friday 21st March 2014.
What happens
after I apply?
Applications are processed by HR Connect, on behalf of NI Executive. HR
Connect then call successful applicants for interview. The highest scoring candidates,
who put PSNI as their preference, are passed over to PSNI for pre-employment
checks. Please note these checks require a number of weeks to complete.
First, have a careful read of the Candidate information Booklet. NI Executive has
worked closely with all partners to ensure it is jam-packed with all the information you
need to know.
What if I want
to know more?
For all other Placement questions that are PSNI-related, please e-mail:
[email protected]
PLEASE NOTE: PSNI has no direct input into the initial recruitment exercise. Queries
relating to applications, interviews and all short-listings should be directed to HR
Connect only:
Email:
[email protected]
Tel:
0800 1 300 330
[All requests must include your name, address and reference number IRC189305]

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