Location of Role: North Kent / Chelmsford

Advert Closing Date: 12/06/2026

Starting Salary: £41,856.00 (pro-rata for part-time vacancies)

Part/Full Time: Full Time

Contract Type: Permanent

Working Pattern: Mon-Fri

Weekend/Evening Working: No

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join our Application Development Team in IT Services as a Senior Software Developer.

Responsible for the design, development, and 3rd line support of bespoke and innovative solutions, you will be working on a variety of interesting projects covering the full development life cycle. Previous internal development examples are a Bail application, Room & Desk Booking system, and Mental Health (Section 136) Management systems and an Evidence Based Investigative Tool, as well as administration systems to support back office functions.

The unique function of this team means the role is varied and exciting and brings a huge sense of purpose and job satisfaction knowing our work supports both Officers and Staff to deliver a first class service to the public in tackling and preventing crime.

The successful candidate will have the ability to work both independently and collaboratively with colleagues to meet team goals. You will be required to manage and prioritise your own workload using project management disciplines and must be self-motivated, driven and possess excellent team working skills. In return, you will be working with a highly skilled supportive network of colleagues and managers who are receptive to your ideas and passionate about delivering high quality applications for both Forces.

In your application, please evidence the following requirements:

• Around 3 years or more programming experience in Java (J2EE, J2ME) (or equivalent object-oriented language) and JavaScript or Microsoft Power Platform including Power Apps and Power Automate.
• Around 3 or more years’ experience with systems implementation, covering the full application lifecycle.
• A sound understanding and appreciation of the principles and practice of good system design.
• Be able to demonstrate excellent time management skills and working to deadlines.

Also please document any further expertise in the following areas:

• An understanding and experience of using the Scrum framework.
• Web Services experience.

A technical test may be required to be taken as part of the selection procedure.

We are committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace, where difference is embraced, supported and talent is progressed and enhanced. We encourage applications from all and will support and encourage those from protected characteristics.

Kent Home Based Agile Worker:

The role will offer flexibility in terms of place of work, including the potential to work from home for those who would like to. In the event that home working is agreed for the successful candidate, there will be a requirement to regularly attend a designated ‘Team Zone’ as agreed with the line manager. Currently the designated Team Zone for this role is located at Northfleet. Please note that any excess travel costs from the Team Zone to any future Team Zone will not be paid and applicants are advised to take potential travel mileage increases into consideration when deciding to apply.

Essex Home Based Agile Worker:

Works predominately (80% or more) at home only working in the office when required to do so.

For further information regarding this role please contact Daniel O’Brien, Software Development Team Leader via email daniel.obrien@kent.police.uk.

For full job description for Kent Police please click here.

Your application for this role will be shortlisted on the content you provide within the “reason for application” question, within the application form itself. CV’s, covering letters or attachments are not included in the shortlist. Within your “reason for application” answer, please refer to any experience, skills, and abilities you feel you have that will make you suitable for this role, based on the role criteria stated in the job advert or job description. Please provide as much detail as possible as insufficient content may mean you do not meet the shortlisting criteria, however please note this question is limited to 9000 characters and this system will count spaces and blank lines as characters. This count may differ from the Microsoft Word word count function therefore you may wish to use a different online character counter to check the characters used.

All of our posts require a level of vetting and security clearance. During the recruitment process you will be sent vetting information forms to complete.

Kent Police and Essex Police welcomes applications regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, sex, or employment status.

Please let us know if you require extra support at any stage of the application process, or for further information regarding this position, please email us at recruitment.business.services@ecis.police.uk stating ‘Application Support and Adjustments’ in the title of your email. Alternatively, you can call us on 01245 452833. Where appropriate we will make adjustments to the selection process, working arrangements and/or the working environment provided it is reasonable in all the circumstances to do so.

If you’re not from the UK, you must be a resident in the UK and have lived here continuously for the last three years. You must also be free from restrictions with indefinite leave to remain. If you’re from the UK you must have lived here continuously for the last three years. This doesn’t apply to those serving abroad in the British Armed Forces.

Essex Police is a Disability Confident Leader, we:

• Have subjected our Disability Confident self-assessment to external challenge and validation.
• Are taking an active leadership role in encouraging and helping other employers on their journey to becoming Disability Confident.

Diversity, Equality and Inclusion are central to the values of our organisation. At Essex Police we value and embrace the unique experiences, identities and abilities that each of us bring to our roles. We strive to empower everyone to bring their authentic self openly and safely to work.

Through the dedicated commitment of our support networks, DE&I team and wider HR departments, we are on a journey to embed our DE&I commitments, ensuring Essex Police is an employer of choice; where everyone feels included.

Essex Police and Kent Police are an equal opportunities employer. Communications may be recorded for monitoring purposes.