Coordinator - Forensics (Executive Level)

Job Details

EMPLOYMENT TYPE - Ongoing Full time

LOCATION - ACT

AFP BAND & SALARY - Executive Level ($175,089.00 - $231,035.00)

JOB REFERENCE NUMBER - 15638

This advertisement is to fill current vacancies and create a merit list for future ongoing or non-ongoing vacancies arising over the next 12 months.

Did you know?

The mission of the Australian Federal Police is to provide dynamic and effective law enforcement to the people of Australia. It provides policing throughout Australia in relation to the prevention and detection of crimes against the Commonwealth, its laws and integrity, and community police services to the Community of the ACT.

Working for the AFP provides you with a diverse and rewarding career. Whether you immerse yourself in a position on the frontline, or provide critical operational or professional support, the work you do makes a big impact on the people of Australia. 

We recognise your contribution to our workforce and offer generous remuneration and conditions including:

• Five weeks (25 days) of paid annual leave per year + additional paid Christmas stand down 
• 18 days of paid personal leave per year
• Generous superannuation of 15.4%
• 18 weeks paid Parental Leave for Primary Caregiver (and 11 weeks for Secondary Caregiver) + additional unpaid leave entitlements for up until 24 months from the child’s date of birth or placement
• Generous salaries and incremental salary progression governed by the AFP Enterprise Agreement
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangement that provides work/life balance
• Health & wellbeing services – with a focus on early intervention, education and prevention
• Access to ongoing training and professional development opportunities

What is the role?

Forensics Command is a full integrated forensic capability that proactively supports the AFP’s broad policing remit and evolves specialist and technical capabilities to achieve outcomes towards the AFP’s vision of ‘Policing for a Safer Australia’.

The Executive Level positions in Forensics are critical for the delivery of operational outcomes, providing personal, technical and organisational leadership across a number of capability areas and teams. Forensics capabilities are deployed in support of all phases of law enforcement operations through prevention, disruption, investigation and prosecution. Working under the strategic direction of the senior executive, the focus will be on ensuring systems, processes and strategies are in place to direct the workforce to best effect.

The merit pool will be established and drawn upon to fill vacancies as they arise across the Forensic Coordinator positions as described below. Each role requires different specialist skills and knowledge due to the capability they lead. These roles include:

• Coordinator Digital Forensics: Responsible for the delivery of digital forensic and audio/visual capabilities
• Coordinator Crime Scenes: Responsible for the delivery of crime scenes and forensic search and imagery capabilities
• Coordinator Forensic Intelligence and International: Responsible for the delivery of weapons technical intelligence, forensic drug intelligence, forensic intelligence, international engagement capabilities
• Coordinator Forensic Foundations and Enabling: Responsible for the delivery of training; quality; laboratory and facilities management; logistics; and strategy, performance and innovation capabilities.
• Coordinator Biometrics: Responsible for the delivery of biology, fingerprints and facial identification capabilities.
• Coordinator Criminalistics: Responsible for the delivery of chemical criminalistics, document sciences and firearms identification and armoury capabilities.
• Coordinator Forensic Platforms and Digital Innovation: Responsible for the development and maintenance of critical forensic infrastructure (our platform), systems (including the Forensic Management System), tools and digital innovation.
• Coordinator Missing Persons and Forensic Identification: Responsible for the National Missing Persons Coordination Centre (NMPCC) team and integrates the activities of NMPCC into the boarder forensic outputs of the Command, including Disaster Victim Identification Coordination. Also responsible for the forensic operation centre, forensic exhibit registry and evidence recovery capabilities.

What will you do?

As an Executive Level AFP appointee, you will ensure the achievement of outcomes are in accordance with the regulatory framework, the AFP Code of Conduct and the AFP Governance Instruments.

More information on the duties of the roles can be can be found within the Candidate Pack.

Essential Requirements

• You must be an Australian Citizen at the time of application.
• Negative Vetting 2 (Top Secret) security clearance or the ability to obtain one.
• Formal qualifications and contemporary experience and knowledge in a relevant science/forensic/technical discipline.
• Demonstrate the core elements of the AFP Leadership Philosophy.
• Proven ability to lead and manage forensic, scientific and/or technical teams to deliver and evolve specialist capabilities with impact.
• Proven ability to achieve results in a way that results in capability uplift, systems improvement or set strategic direction.
• Demonstrate an ability to interpret and manage complex issues as they pertain to forensic science in a rapidly changing and complex law enforcement environment.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively to achieve outcomes.

Additional Information

• The Forensic Coordinator roles are Canberra-based; however, consideration may be given to viable alternative arrangements subject to AFP operational requirements.

Selection Criteria

• Achieve results
• Communicates with influence
• Contributes to strategic thinking
• Cultivates productive working relationships
• Shows personal drive and integrity
• Technical knowledge and skills 

Application

Please submit the following documents via our Jobs portal prior to the closing date and time:

• Resume/CV - This will form the basis for determining your suitability against the position requirements and give the panel a clear outline of your current knowledge and qualifications along with previous experiences. Please include your work history, responsibilities and achievements.
• Applicant pitch (maximum two pages). Ensure your pitch tells us why you are the best fit for the role, with examples that demonstrate your capabilities addressing the selection criteria, role requirements and work level standards for the role.

Only complete applications will be considered. Please review and ensure the uploaded documents are correct for this application after submitting your application.

Employment Suitability

Should you successfully progress from the application stage all applicants must:

• Complete an Employment Suitability Questionnaire (ESQ) and provide a traffic history check and proof of Australian citizenship. This aids in the assessment of your character and your ability to comply with the AFP's professional standards both in an official and private capacity. Please review our AFP Character Standards to ensure that you meet our requirements before you submit your application. Applicants will not receive feedback if they are unsuccessful at this gateway.
• Have your fingerprints taken if an offer of employment is made.
• Undertake mandatory drug testing for illicit drugs. This sample could include; urine, saliva or hair.
• Satisfactorily undertake a security clearance to the level specified for the position.

Recruitment Process

Applicants who have demonstrated their suitability for employment through their resume and application, may be asked to complete additional assessments or activities to determine suitability for the role. This may also include a formal interview. Using the relevant AFP work level standards as a guide, you may be asked a range of questions to demonstrate your skills and abilities. These could include behavioural based scenario questions. Read our guides for applicants to find out how to prepare for your interview.

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

At the AFP we value the different perspectives, approaches and lived experiences of our people, and recognise that our collective intelligence and diversity is what makes us stronger. As such, we encourage applications from people from all walks of life, including people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, First Nations people, women, the LGBTQIA+ community and people with disability.

Contacts and Closing Information

Contact Officer:  Principal Forensic Scientist - Dr Kylie Jones,

Contact Officer Phone:  N/A, ​

Contact Officer Email:  Kylie.Jones@afp.gov.au

Applications Close: 11:59pm (AEDT) 28/01/2026

To view our other employment opportunities, please visit our career site.

www.afp.gov.au