Senior Forensics Officer

Job Details

EMPLOYMENT TYPE - Ongoing Full time

LOCATION - ACT; NSW; QLD

AFP BAND & SALARY - Band 08 ($127,101 - $138,349). This salary is reflective of the AFPs new Enterprise Agreement which commences 9 December 2024.

JOB REFERENCE NUMBER - 13832

This advertisement is to fill current vacancies and create a merit pool 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 mandatory leave rest days per year 
• 18 days of paid personal leave per year
• Generous superannuation of 15.4%
• 16 weeks of paid maternity leave (after 12 months of service) + an additional 36 weeks of maternity leave without pay
• 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?

The Senior Forensics Officer is responsible for the operational outcomes and capability initiatives of the Forensics Command. This role typically sits across a number of teams or capabilities and is accountable for the direction of operational Forensics resources to maximise effect. 

As a Senior Forensics Officer, you are expected to work collaboratively and flexibly under the strategic direction of the senior executive and are responsible for the senior leadership and management of Command-wide initiatives. You will play a pivotal role in developing people, managing change and influencing behaviours that lead to a supportive culture that respects the perspectives, talents and value of every individual.

The right person for this role will be able to:

• Demonstrate strong and consistent leadership, with a focus on continuous improvement of self and others.
• Provide a safe and rewarding work environment, fostering a positive work culture across multiple teams and capabilities.
• Communicate clearly and often, ensuring briefing materials are concise and impact driven, forming strong relationships within and outside the Forensics Command.
• Identify emerging issues to inform enhancements to regional and command processes or frameworks.
• Serve as an exemplary role model and mentor for team leaders and team members.
• Ensure timely attention to matters involving performance management.

Consistent with the AFP values, AFP leadership philosophy, organisational reform agendas, AFP corporate business plans and your Performance Development Agreement, the expectation is that you will deliver on the core responsibilities and meet any requirements of the position as outlined below.

What will you do?

Successful applicants will be responsible for leading and managing specific capabilities that contribute to the operational activities of the AFP, by ensuring that business area outputs are achieved in accordance with the requirements for:

• Accreditation under International Standard ISO17025 and Australian Standards AS5388 for a forensic environment and the Forensics quality system requirements;
• the AFP values, regulatory frameworks and the AFP code of conduct; and
• the AFP Governance Framework.

The responsibilities of a Senior Forensics Officer, Forensics Command include:

• The prioritisation and direction of operational support, including the triage and assessment requirements, to identify and provide the most appropriate forensic capabilities through consultation.
• To inform operational priority setting in alignment with the Investigations Doctrine and Capability Delivery Model, and the priorities set by the organisation in relation to priority matters for investigation.
• Represent Forensics at key fora such as AFP regional capacity committees, ensuring that the needs and pressures on Forensics resources are balanced against operational need.
• Ensure Forensics contribution to prevention and disruption through support to intelligence outcomes.
• Ensure capacity is allocated (and balanced against operational support) to essential underpinning enabling activities required to ensure that Forensics Command is providing high quality forensics science services including training, capability development and quality assurance activities.
• Collaborate across the Forensic leadership team in the shaping of strategies that provide essential support to the whole of Forensics Command, national crime strategies and/or multi-agency taskforces.
• Continuously elevate subject matter knowledge of Forensic capabilities and/or technical fields to ensure the maintenance of subject currency, thereby contributing to Forensics' strategic alignment and cutting-edge proficiency.
• Ensure teams are pivoting to meet the future needs of the Command as per the AFP's "Blue Paper to 2030 and Beyond" (available on AFP website) and the "Forensics Strategic Outlook 2026 and Beyond" (a copy of which can be provided).

Essential Requirements

• A Negative Vetting 2 (Top Secret) security clearance or the ability to obtain one.
• Demonstrate the core elements of the AFP Leadership Philosophy.
• Proven ability to lead and manage forensic and/or technical teams to deliver and evolve specialist capabilities with impact.
• Proven ability to manage complex case responses to ensure operational outcomes.
• Demonstrated understanding of all capabilities that Forensics can provide to an investigation.
• Demonstrate an ability to interpret, diagnose 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 regardless or rank or structure.
• Strong knowledge of AFP’s investigative, intelligence and quality frameworks and their application to science and the judicial environments.

Desirable Requirements

• Tertiary qualifications in relevant field would be highly regarded.

Additional Information

• National or International travel may be required for this role, depending on business needs.
• There are anticipated vacancies located in Canberra, Sydney and Brisbane, and successful applicants are expected to be based in those locations.
• 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 2017-2020, 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.
• Additional skills/ability/personality testing may be required as an assessment methodology.

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.
• Proof of a minimum of two COVID-19 vaccinations (or one dose if the Janssen vaccine was used) will be required if an offer of employment is made. 
• 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 invited to 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 LGBTQI community and people with a disability.

Contacts and Closing Information

Contact Officer - Mark Tahtouh,

Contact Officer Phone: n/a, ​

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

Applications Close: 11:59pm (AEDT) 02/01/2025

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

www.afp.gov.au