Forensics Operational Capability Team Leader

Job Details

EMPLOYMENT TYPE - Ongoing Full time 

LOCATION - ACT

AFP BAND & SALARY - Band 07 ($118,673.00 - $127,101.00)

JOB REFERENCE NUMBER - 15114

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:

• Six weeks (30 days) of paid annual leave per year + additional paid Christmas stand down 
• 4 extra days of mandatory rest leave per year
• 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?

Are you a scientist who wants to protect Australia and Australian interests?

AFP Forensics Command is an essential and trusted policing partner. We have built our reputation on being innovative and collaborative problem solvers, able to respond to the most complex challenges with dedication and skill. We provide probative intelligence, expert opinions, and tailored solutions to meet operational needs. We ensure ongoing operational impact while maintaining the trust of the community.

Forensics Operational Capability Team Leader roles exist within Criminalistics, Biometrics, and Crime Scenes. The function of this role is to progress the relevant disciplines in line with Forensics’ strategic priorities. Impact is achieved across all AFP Outcomes: National and International Policing, ACT Policing, and Specialist Protective Services, as well as International Policing Missions.

The Forensics Operational Capability Team Leader provides strategic and operational leadership to enhance forensic capabilities across disciplines. The role involves analysing operational delivery to inform portfolio uplift, leading capability design aligned with the future strategic outlook, and driving research and innovation to address capability gaps. It includes operational capability support during major incidents, oversight of quality and asset management, and fostering cross-agency collaboration.

The Team Leader also mentors emerging leaders, manages working groups, contributes to education and training development, and identifies efficiencies to streamline processes, ensuring AFP Forensics remains adaptive, effective, and future-ready.

What will you do?

The Forensics Operational Capability Team Leader role includes:

• Operational insight: Assist and analyse operational delivery for the purpose of providing objective insight and recommendations in relation to operating practices, workflows, prioritisation, impact, and business continuity planning. Analyse operational demand holistically and inform portfolio direction.
• Enhance cross-disciplinary capability: Identify opportunities, design and deliver cross/trans-disciplinary Forensics contribution to prevention, detection, disruption, and protection, including support to intelligence, policy and legislative reform, and other nontraditional approaches.
• Capability design: Lead project management for capability design and delivery, to meet the future needs of the Command as per the AFP's “Blue Paper to 2030 and Beyond" and the "Forensics Strategic Outlook 2026 and Beyond". Ensure the portfolio adapts to new requirements in line with appropriate change management principles.
• Research and development: Proactively and systematically identify capability gaps and develop solutions, forecasting future capability requirements, providing input to fora such as the Forensics Capability Committee. Enable members to pursue opportunities to innovate and develop efficiencies, providing guidance and support.
• Operational support: Perform as Forensic Coordinator or Capability Advisor in operational contexts as required, including such support under major incident frameworks. Complete operational Post Activity Reports and monitor and address emerging or systemic issues and opportunities.
• Leading working groups and capability team: Establish projects and manage working groups to deliver on defined outcomes as required, and lead portfolio members assigned to projects.
• Leadership and coaching: Support executive leadership group in management of Team Leader roles and responsibilities, and providing coaching and mentoring to members and emerging leaders.
• National advisory: Actively engage with internal and external stakeholders, nationally and internationally, to improve Forensics’ capabilities and impact, incl. through uplift of partners. Act as, or otherwise support, the AFP representative(s) on internal committees and multiagency fora such as specialist advisory groups, pursuing AFP’s mission through enhanced partnerships, collaboration and interoperability.
• Operational cohort support: Provide guidance and input in relation to Forensics multidisciplinary cohort capabilities and requirements and to related frameworks and governance.
• Education and training: Maintain understanding of capability area education and training requirements and provide insight, guidance and assistance with the design & development of appropriate training programmes.
• Quality: Provide oversight and assistance to the portfolio in relation to quality audit outcomes, corrective actions, NATA recommendations, and continuous improvement ideas, with support from subject matter experts and the Forensics Quality team.
• Asset management and procurement: Provide oversight and assistance in relation to management of assets and procurement, in conjunction with subject matter experts, Forensics’ finance and procurement support, and AFP assets and procurement functions.
• Cutting red tape: Actively identify efficiencies and recommend appropriate process or systems changes, through oversight and assistance in relation to Forensics’ information management system and other digital enablement of the portfolio, augmented by operational and capability understanding.
• Adaptable support: Other tasks and priorities as directed.

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 tertiary qualifications in a relevant field.
• Contemporary knowledge and at least 5 years’ experience in a relevant field.
• Candidates will be required to complete a psychological assessment to be able to progress through this process.

Desirable Requirements

• Research experience and/or qualifications (e.g. PhD or Master)
• Experience in capability development or project management

Additional Information

• National or International travel may be required.
• This position is advertised in Canberra, ACT and applicants are expected to be based in Canberra. Flexible working arrangements may be considered dependent on the applicant.
• This role attracts a composite allowance in recognition of expanded working hours, normal patterns of attendance and shift patterns (such as afternoon shifts, weekends and Designated Public Holidays) that are required under the Operations working pattern. In accordance with the AFP Enterprise Agreement, an employee who is required to work in accordance with the Operations working pattern will receive a Core Composite of 22% in addition to their base salary, which will count as salary for superannuation. The Commissioner has the authority to remove a composite from a role.

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. 
• Copies of relevant qualifications (e.g. testamurs).

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.

Applicant feedback:

• Applicants will be notified if they do not pass an assessment phase/gateway.
• Applicants who do not progress beyond screening or shortlisting will not receive feedback.
• Applicants who are invited to undergo additional assessments or formal interviews will be provided with feedback if requested within 28 days of notification of their outcome.
• Feedback will occur after the recruitment process has been finalised. The recruitment process is considered finalised when the delegate has approved the Selection Advisory Committee’s report.

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:  Dr Michael TAYLOR,

Contact Officer Phone:  02 5126 2691, ​

Contact Officer Email:  forensic.recruitment@afp.gov.au

Applications Close: 11:59pm (AEST) 26/09/2025

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

www.afp.gov.au