Specialist Network Engineer (TSF3)

Job Details

EMPLOYMENT TYPE - Ongoing Full time

LOCATION - ACT; NSW; QLD; VIC

AFP BAND & SALARY - Technical Specialist - Band 3 ($179,919.00 - $198,686.00)

JOB REFERENCE NUMBER - 15833

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’re committed to looking after you, with some of the best benefits and conditions in the industry – including (but not limited to):

• 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 14 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 arrangements that support 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 Technology Operations & Chief Information Officer Command (TOCIO) is a trusted frontline partner that enables policing through problem solving and technical expertise and excellence. The Command provides corporate application, ICT end to end solutions, advice, cyber security and infrastructure that underpin AFP activities. The Command aims to be a highly collaborative, innovative, reliable and trusted enabler across the AFP.

The Enterprise Technology & Architecture Branch is seeking a Technical Specialist Network Engineer to support the development and integration of core networking capabilities across on-premise and cloud environments. You will play a key role in ensuring the enterprise network remains secure, adaptable, and aligned with both strategic and operational needs. These roles are expected to operate with limited supervision, demonstrate sound decision-making, and adapt to emerging priorities. You’ll also contribute to a positive team culture by modelling professionalism, encouraging collaboration, and supporting team capability development.

Technical specialists provide expert consultancy within their areas of specialisation. They develop and promote technical solutions which support the business requirements of the AFP, within areas of expertise. You will also ensure the achievement of outcomes are in accordance with the regulatory framework, the AFP Code of Conduct and the AFP Governance Instruments.

What will you do?

Successful candidates will play a senior role in defining and implementing robust, future-ready network solutions. You will work proactively with internal stakeholders, project teams, and cyber security experts to ensure the enterprise network supports business priorities while complying with technical and governance standards.

Key Responsibilities include:

Network Infrastructure:

• Provides escalation for routing and switching. Manages backbone resilience and advanced protocols.

Wireless (WLAN)

• Provides escalation for complex wireless issues. Manages advanced design, roaming, high-density coverage and secure mobility integration.

Cloud and Hybrid Networking:

• Provides advanced support for cloud and data centre networking. Resolves escalated hybrid connectivity and segmentation issues.

• Collaborate with cloud infrastructure teams to ensure seamless, secure connectivity and unified management.

Security Integration:

• Specialist in Zero Trust and identity-based networking. NAC, SASE, and complex authentication issues.
• Escalation for advanced firewall, segmentation, and security incidents.
• Focuses on advanced monitoring and analytics. Manages telemetry pipelines, capacity forecasting, and escalated performance issues.
• Work closely with cyber security teams to support compliance, threat mitigation, and incident response readiness.

Mentorship and Capacity Uplift:

• Actively share knowledge and coach other team members, fostering professional growth and cross-skilling.
• Lead solution assurance, technical reviews, and ongoing team capability development.

Documentation and Reporting:

• Maintain comprehensive documentation, diagrams, policies, and procedures.
• Provide regular reports on network performance, resilience, risk posture, and improvement opportunities.

Troubleshooting and Operational Support:

• Provide high level support for complex network issues, particularly those requiring architectural insight or impacting business-critical systems.
• Lead root cause analysis and contribute to post-incident reviews, ensuring long-term solutions are integrated into future network designs and standards.

Essential Requirements

• You must be an Australian Citizen at the time of application.
• Masters degree or direct relevant experience specialist skills and demonstrated proficiency in specialisation or 8 years’ experience within the field of expertise.
• Negative Vetting 1 (Secret) security clearance, or the ability to obtain one.
• Proven experience in implementing and managing complex enterprise network architectures.
• Advanced technical knowledge of routing, switching, and firewall technologies (e.g. Cisco, Fortinet, Aruba).
• Demonstrated sound judgement and decision-making in high-impact technical environments.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, communication and negotiation skills.
• High-level written and verbal communication skills.

Desirable Requirements

The following skills and/or experience would be highly regarded:

 Relevant tertiary qualification or certifications (e.g. CCNP/CCIE, Azure/AWS networking).

• Experience leading strategic network transformations or ICT integration projects.
• Familiarity with enterprise architecture and solution assurance practices.
• Strong understanding of governance, compliance, and security frameworks (e.g. ISM, PSPF, ISO 27001).

Additional Information

• Domestic and International travel may be required for this role, depending on AFP business needs.
• These roles can be worked from any of the advertised locations in Australia, with reporting to management in Canberra.
• This recruitment process is to fill vacancies at the Technical Specialist Band 3 level. The AFP anticipate advertising similar roles at the Technical Specialist Band 2 level in the coming weeks and encourage you to keep an eye on the AFP Job Vacancies page if you are interested in these roles also.

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 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

We’re all individuals and we love that. 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: Andrew Cooper

Contact Officer Email: eta_recruitment@afp.gov.au
Please ensure all email enquiries reference the requisition number 15833 in the subject line.

Applications Close: 11:59pm (AEST) 14/07/2026

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

www.afp.gov.au