Senior Operational Psychologist
Canberra, ACT, AU
Job Details
EMPLOYMENT TYPE - Ongoing Full time
LOCATION - ACT
AFP BAND & SALARY - Technical Specialist - Band 2 ($147,369.00 - $164,728.00)
JOB REFERENCE NUMBER - 14757
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 looking for an opportunity that offers meaningful work and allows you to showcase your professional skills? Do you want to work for an Agency that makes a big community impact by keeping Australia safe?
An exciting opportunity is available for an experienced and dynamic individual to join the AFP in a key strategic role responsible for the development of a key capability in the AFP. Applications are sought from applicants wishing to be considered for the role of Senior Operational Psychologist in support of AFP Intelligence & Covert Services.
The Senior Operational Psychologist in AFP Intelligence and Covert Services plays a crucial role in delivering rigorous, robust and evidence-based behavioural science guidance in support of law enforcement investigations and operations. The Senior Operational Psychologist, as an AFP Technical Specialist, provides expert advice and develops technical solutions in Operational Psychology that helps drive the AFP’s prevention and disruption efforts.
As a Technical Specialist in the AFP you will ensure the achievement of outcomes are in accordance with the regulatory framework, the AFP Code of Conduct and the AFP Governance Instruments. Technical Specialists provide expert consultancy within their area of specialism. They develop and promote technical solutions which support the business requirements of the AFP, within their area of expertise. A Technical Specialist role does not hold any leadership or financial delegations.
We're interested in hearing from people who
- Have the ability to ask the right questions and find the right solutions, to act with integrity and place operational support at the centre of everything you do.
- Can bring your passion for service excellence and, whilst being comfortable working independently, you will also be able to refer our customers to other specialist team members in order to better serve their needs.
What will you do?
Role responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:
- Provision of expert psychological and behavioural science guidance, to strategic and operational decision-makers, in relation to assessments and advice that shape AFP responses. This includes provision of risk assessments, psychological assessments and input into operational plans that support operational priorities.
- Integrate contemporary research that deepens understanding and applicability of operational psychology in national security and law enforcement environments.
- Delivery of training to key stakeholders.
- Develop and support inter-disciplinary and inter-agency liaison, both nationally and internationally, that helps ensure operational psychology best-practice is integrated into AFP initiatives.
- Participation in continuing professional development and peer supervision with other psychology colleagues, in support of maintaining professional registration requirements.
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.
- Has contemporary knowledge and experience relevant to the role.
- Minimum 7 years of experience in a like or related field, with at least 2 years in a senior role.
- Postgraduate degree in Psychology or a related Behavioural Science field. This qualification must be Australian Recognised, to ensure you are eligible for membership of the Australian Psychological Society.
- Current unconditional registration as a psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) with Clinical or Forensic Endorsement.
- Candidates will be required to complete a Psychological assessment to be able to progress through this process.
Desirable Requirements
The following skills and/or experience would be highly regarded:
- Previous experience in the public sector or law enforcement in a supervisory or consultation role.
- Development and delivery of training to multiple stakeholders.
Additional Information
- Domestic travel and working outside of core business hours may be required for this role, depending on AFP business needs.
- This position has been advertised in multiple locations, however the role is located in Canberra and applicants are expected to be based in the ACT region.
Selection Criteria
- Knowledge and Experience
- Judgement and Risk
- Independence and Decision Making
- Relationships
- Professional Leadership
- Research and Innovation
- Project Management
- Additional stakeholder emphasis
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 against the addressing the selection criteria, role requirements and work level standards for the role.
- Evidence of postgraduate degree in Psychology or a related Behavioural Science field.
- Evidence of current Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) unconditional registration. Applicants can access a PDF certificate of registration from the AHPRA website.
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.
- Candidates will be required to complete a Psychological assessment to be able to progress through this process.
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 LGBTQIA+ community and people with disability.
Contacts and Closing Information
Contact Officer: ICS Recruitment,
Contact Officer Phone: N/A,
Contact Officer Email: ICS-Recruitment@afp.gov.au
Applications Close: 11:59pm (AEST) 20/06/2025
To view our other employment opportunities, please visit our career site.