At a Glance
- Tasks: Ensure safe deployment of air assets to support police operations across England and Wales.
- Company: Join the National Police Air Service, a vital part of public safety.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, pension scheme, and 24/7 employee support.
- Other info: Flexible shifts with opportunities for career progression and job share options.
- Why this job: Play a crucial role in public safety and make a real difference in your community.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and ability to handle fast-paced, challenging situations.
The predicted salary is between 31749 - 31749 £ per year.
Location: Wakefield
Salary: £27,204 - £31,749 per annum plus 20% shift allowance and weekend enhancements
THE FOLLOWING VACANCY HAS BEEN ADVERTISED EXTERNALLY
NPAS Operations Centre, National Police Air Service, Wakefield
Career Progression Scale 4 to Scale 5 full-time permanent posts (37 hours)
CLOSING DATE: 16th August 2026.
Scale 4 Salary: £27,204 to £29,859 and Scale 5 Salary £30,333 to £31,749 rising incrementally. In addition, 20% shift allowance and 14.16% weekend enhancements (as applicable). This takes the total salary to £36,303 to £42,629 for Scale 4.
The National Police Air Service (NPAS) is the national provider of air support to all the Police Forces of England and Wales with West Yorkshire Police currently being the lead Force. NPAS is looking to recruit Flight Dispatchers to join our Operations Centre based in Wakefield.
We need you to ensure and support the efficient and safe deployment of air assets to Police forces. Responsibilities include:
- Receiving, recording, and communicating information regarding requests for specialist air provision
- Maintaining the trust and confidence of aviation staff and customers nationwide
- Considering multiple requests and prioritising deployments in accordance with procedures
Full training will be given to support this. This challenging and exciting opportunity would suit candidates with excellent communication skills both verbal and written, capable of dealing with challenging customers with empathy and understanding in a fast-paced and safety-critical environment.
You will be playing a critical role in the arrest of offenders and ensuring public safety, often at major, high profile events nationally. You will also require a working knowledge of computerised systems such as databases and information input and recording.
The NPAS Operations Centre provides around-the-clock service. NPAS Flight Dispatchers are therefore required to work shifts, provide 24/7 cover in accordance with departmental working patterns, and occasionally work at other locations as may be reasonably required.
We offer generous entitlements and supportive policies to enable a better work-life balance, including:
- Generous annual leave allowance - 25 days per year (pro-rata) rising to 30 days after 5 years
- Public holidays
- Generous local government pension scheme
- Access to a range of occupational health facilities
- Employee assistance service - accessible 24/7 and providing counselling and financial advice for you and your immediate relatives
- Cycle to work scheme
- Sports and social clubs with discounted tickets for events
- Access to the national high street "Blue Light" discount scheme
The NPAS Ops Centre works 12-hour shifts (with an occasional 8-hour shift). As a dispatcher, you would usually work two day shifts (0700hrs to 1900hrs) followed by two night shifts (1900hrs to 0700hrs), followed by four rest days. Different shifts are applicable for job share roles.
As part of the selection process, you will be asked to undertake a typing test. The 2024 version of the Competency Values Framework applies to this process.
The post is suitable for job share. For roles which are advertised as Career Progression Schemes, individuals will be appointed to the bottom scale point of the appropriate grade within the scheme, based on the role entry requirements. Full progression through the scheme may be subject to attaining a specific qualification or successfully passing an assessment or review.
Any shift enhancements/weekend allowances are based on the published Force pattern; any deviations from this could mean the enhancements/allowances may differ or not apply. For full details refer to staff Terms & Conditions.
West Yorkshire Police is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce and the National Police Air Service (NPAS) is proud to serve all communities across England and Wales. We particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, females, and those with disabilities who are currently under-represented within West Yorkshire Police and NPAS. Disability is not necessarily a bar to application or success in this role and all applications are assessed individually.
Please contact our Resourcing team if you have any questions relating to this, or you wish to discuss reasonable adjustments in the recruitment process or beyond into the role. All applications will be fairly and rigorously assessed by West Yorkshire Police / NPAS.
Applicants should be aware that it is not always possible to carry out adequate vetting checks on persons who have not been resident within the UK for the last three years. Therefore, where this applies, applicants may be refused because it was not possible to vet them to the appropriate standard.
XP348 NPAS Flight Dispatcher **External** in Wakefield employer: West Yorkshire Police
West Yorkshire Police is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where collaboration with various agencies is at the forefront of our mission to combat counter-terrorism and organized crime. With flexible working hours and a strong commitment to employee development, we provide opportunities for growth and meaningful contributions to community safety in the York area.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land XP348 NPAS Flight Dispatcher **External** in Wakefield
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We think you need these skills to ace XP348 NPAS Flight Dispatcher **External** in Wakefield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience:When you're applying for a role in the transportation and logistics sector at West Yorkshire Police, make sure to highlight any relevant experience. Whether it's moving goods, coordinating schedules, or using transportation management software, give us the lowdown on your past gigs. It'll paint a clearer picture of what you're capable of!
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How to prepare for a job interview at West Yorkshire Police
✨Know Your Logistics Basics
Get familiar with the key principles of transportation and logistics, like supply chain management, inventory control, and route optimisation. You might get asked practical questions about how to improve efficiency, so brush up on your problem-solving skills and be prepared to discuss any relevant software tools you've used.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
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In our world of logistics, missing a small detail can lead to big problems. Be prepared to discuss instances where your attention to detail saved the day, whether it was engaging with clients, managing documentation, or tracking shipments accurately. This will help demonstrate how you can be a reliable asset to West Yorkshire Police.
