Specialist Technical Officer/Trainer

Job Details

EMPLOYMENT TYPE - Ongoing Full time

LOCATION - ACT

AFP BAND & SALARY - Band 06 ($111,861.00 - 123,420.00) + 22% composite allowance*

JOB REFERENCE NUMBER - 15888

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
• 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?

Applications are sought from suitably qualified applicants wishing to be considered for the role of a Specialist Technical Officer/Trainer (AFP Band 6) in the specialist Covert and Technical Operations – Technical Surveillance Training Team (CTO-TST).

As a specialist Technical Surveillance officer and trainer, you will play a critical role in uplifting the technical surveillance capability of the AFP and partner agencies by designing, developing and delivering advanced Technical Surveillance training programs. The position requires a subject matter expert with extensive experience in law enforcement, intelligence, government, or defence agencies. The successful applicant will empower AFP members to counter sophisticated adversaries, including those engaged in foreign interference, espionage, and counter-surveillance activities, ensuring the organisation remains at the forefront of operational excellence.

As a Specialist Technical Surveillance Officer/Trainer, you will also contribute to and lead the development of technical capabilities for Covert and Technical Operations by providing your expert close operational support through the research, development and maintenance of technical surveillance training, equipment and methodologies. These operational duties of the role predominately involve the development, maintenance and installation of electronic surveillance technologies to support AFP Operations.  

What will you do?

• The development, planning, and delivery of tailored training programs in specialist technical surveillance techniques and technologies, with emphasis on countering foreign interference, espionage, counter-technical surveillance, and advanced adversary methodologies.
• Conducting training delivery and assessment in line with the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTO).
• Identifying and analysing emerging technology types and behavioural trends to inform training content and operational readiness.
• Working collaboratively with AFP operational teams, training areas, and partner agencies to ensure the currency and relevance of workplace skills and knowledge.
• Traveling domestically and internationally as required to deliver programs and support capability development across AFP and partner agencies.
• Engaging in ongoing professional development to maintain subject matter expertise in technical surveillance and related technologies for both operational and training purposes.
• Maintaining awareness of relevant legislation affecting the technical surveillance operating environment.
• Providing high level technical support in support of the AFP’s mission;
• Developing team members and fulfilling a guiding, mentoring and advisory role;
• Undertaking a range of operational support tasks;
• Undertaking project or research work to support AFP business;
• Utilising AFP Information Systems to interrogate, input, collate and retrieve data for operational support; and
• Maintaining currency and subject matter expertise through ongoing professional development and learning opportunities outside the formal education process.

Our ideal candidate

This role requires in-depth knowledge of and/or experience with one or more of the following:

• Expertise in a specialist discipline relevant to Technical Surveillance Operations (IT, Electronics, Communications, Allied Trades);
• Knowledge and experience in project management.
• Significant knowledge of commercial, off the shelf, electronic technologies including wireless communications, computer operating systems, computer hardware and computer networks.
• Experience in Radio Frequency Devices, Embedded Micro-Controller-Microprocessors Hardware and Software and printed circuit board design is not essential but desirable.

Essential Requirements

• Australian citizenship
• Formal tertiary or trade qualifications, or equivalent industry experience in any of the fields of engineering, electronics, information technology/computer science.
• Specialist technical surveillance skills and comprehensive knowledge gained through extensive experience in law enforcement, intelligence, government, or defence agencies in any of the above fields.
• Proven ability to identify emerging technologies and technical surveillance methodologies relevant to AFP strategic objectives.
• Demonstrated experience in training delivery, including program design and assessment in technical surveillance methodologies and techniques.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, with strong attention to detail and the ability to engage diverse audiences.
• Autonomous work ethic, with ability to operate in remote and team environments.
• Willingness and ability to travel for training delivery.
• Current driver’s licence.
• Minimum of five years’ experience in an operational technical surveillance team.
• Negative Vetting 2 security clearance, or eligibility to obtain one.
• Successful completion of a medical and psychological assessment

Desirable Requirements

• Contemporary knowledge of advanced technical surveillance technologies and methodologies.
• The ability and willingness to undertake all mandatory training requirements necessary to be sworn in as an 'AFP operationally qualified special member' would be viewed very favourably.  (Please note: Although not a pre-requisite of this role, on the successful completion of the AFP Special Members Program will provide an opportunity for the successful applicant to be “qualified” and deploy on AFP operational deployments. For more information about the Special Members Program please email the contact officer).
• Experience developing productive working relationships within law enforcement and intelligence communities.
• Demonstrated strategic thinking and personal drive for continuous improvement.
• A TS-PA Security Clearance or the ability to obtain one.
• Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment (or commitment to obtain as an initial development objective).

Additional Information

• National or International travel may be required.
• This position has been advertised in multiple locations, however the role is located in the ACT. Successful applicants must be willing to relocate to the ACT.
• 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 (only required if tech skills will be assessed)

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: Michael Johnson

Contact Officer Phone: 0429443800 ​

Contact Officer Email: PTTRecruitment@afp.gov.au

Applications Close: 11:59pm (AEST) 06/05/2026

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

www.afp.gov.au