Team Leader - Digital Surveillance Operations

Job Details

EMPLOYMENT TYPE - Ongoing Full time

LOCATION - ACT

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

JOB REFERENCE NUMBER - 15104

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?

Digital Surveillance Collection (DSC) develops and operates a wide range of lawful covert surveillance capabilities in support of the AFP’s operational requirements.

Applications are sought from suitably qualified individuals wishing to be considered for the position of Team Leader Digital Surveillance Operations (DSO), Digital Surveillance Collection (DSC) within the Covert Technical Operations branch of the Crime Command portfolio. A Pool will be created to meet current and anticipated vacancies.

This is an exciting role for an experienced individual to lead a key operational and technical capability team within the Australian Federal Police. A unique opportunity to showcase your technical knowledge, operational acumen and excellent communications and problem-solving skills as an interface between frontline officers and highly specialised engineering staff to convert operational challenges into technical solutions. This will be a challenging role suitable for a strong and supportive leader with the ability to balance operational outcomes with the welfare of a team operating in a high tempo environment.

As a Team Leader in the AFP 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 each individual. Consistent with the AFP values, AFP leadership philosophy, organisational reform agendas, AFP corporate business plans and your Performance Development Agreement, it is expected that you will deliver on the core responsibilities and meet any requirements of the position as outlined below. You will also be required to contribute to the achievement of outcomes in accordance with the regulatory framework, the AFP Code of Conduct and the AFP Governance Instruments.

What will you do?

As a Team Leader in DSC, you will lead a multi-disciplinary team that develops and operates bespoke digital surveillance capabilities. DSC provides AFP Investigators with covert technology enabled surveillance and intelligence gathering capabilities. This role provides flexible and detailed support, undertakes systems deployment, maintenance and development as part of a wider team within Covert Technical Operations.

• You will apply your skills and expertise, applying technology to provide innovative solutions to real time operational problems.
• Be an excellent and empathetic communicator with a proven ability to function in high tempo operational environments
• You will be required to work shift work occasionally to support operational activity, and will involve domestic and international travel.
• Work at the cutting edge of Law Enforcement technology to support the AFP’s highest priority Investigations
• Make a meaningful contribution to Australia’s national security.

Essential Requirements

• You must be an Australian Citizen at time of application. 
• You must have the ability to obtain and maintain an NV1 security clearance.
• Formal tertiary qualifications in an information / communications / technology related field or extensive demonstrated technical equivalent skills including a demonstrated familiarity with multiple operating systems, both computer and mobile.
• Excellent management and leadership skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Contemporary knowledge of legislation including, but not limited to, the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 and the Surveillance Devices Act 2004.
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills encompassing the proven capacity to adapt to shifting requirements and timelines.
• Demonstrate an ability to work in a sensitive environment and display a high level of professionalism in the conduct of their work within the AFP and when dealing with external agencies and stakeholders.
• Provide technical assistance and input to the development, deployment and enhancement of interception, surveillance and delivery capabilities.
• Ability to collaborate with other DSC teams, external agencies and trusted industry partners

The successful candidate will function well in a team environment and individually under operational pressures, show lateral thinking, apply sound independent judgement and always to look for opportunities to improve themselves and others.

Desirable Requirements

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

• Related experience in a policing environment.

Additional Information

• This role is located in Canberra, ACT and applicants are expected to be in Canberra. 
• National or International travel may be required.
• Occasional after-hours, weekend or public holiday work may be required. You will be required to be ‘on-call’ on periodically as part of an On-call roster.
• 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. 

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 will be required to undergo a technical, psychological and operational suitability assessment process and final engagement will depend on the successful completion of specific operational safety training.

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

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:  Joe,

Contact Officer Phone:  0251264113, ​

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

Applications Close: 11:59pm (AEST) 15/09/2025

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

www.afp.gov.au