Team Member Chemical Criminalistics

Job Details

EMPLOYMENT TYPE - Ongoing Full time 

LOCATION - ACT

AFP BAND & SALARY - Band 4-6 ($87,836.00 - $123,420.00) within the Forensics Broadband 3-6. This role also attracts an additional 22% composite*.  

JOB REFERENCE NUMBER - 16107

This advertisement is to 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 for the role of Team Member Chemical Criminalistics (Bands 4-6) within the Australian Federal Police (AFP) Intelligence and Forensics Command. A pool of successful applicants will be created from this process, which may be accessed to fill Chemical Criminalistics vacancies or similar vacancies over the next 12 months.

Chemical Criminalistics Team Members play an exciting role in supporting investigation and intelligence outcomes through the provision of specialist forensic and technical examinations of physical evidence, including explosives residues, ignitable liquids, paint, glass, and fibres.

Working across both laboratory and operational field environments, members contribute to a diverse range of crime types, including counter-terrorism, serious and organised crime, and incidents impacting community safety.

Team members collaborate closely with operational teams, providing critical forensic science services to the AFP, its partners, and other law enforcement agencies. The role offers opportunities to deploy nationally and internationally in support of key operations, delivering capability across the full remit of AFP activities.

The applicants should possess tertiary qualifications within a related chemical field. These roles require technical knowledge and expertise, and an ability to implement sound operational decisions.

These roles would suit applicants who demonstrate the following attributes, or the aptitude to develop them:

• Ability to work effectively within a high-performing, collaborative team environment
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail
• Effective communication skills, including the ability to engage with operational staff and stakeholders
• Capacity to adapt and learn in a dynamic operational environment
• Demonstrated collaboration, initiative and innovative thinking
• Professional judgement and an understanding of working within regulatory, investigative and judicial frameworks

As a Team Member in the AFP, you will 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. It is expected that the successful applicant will deliver on the core responsibilities and meet any requirements of the position as outlined below.

What will you do?

The core business responsibilities of the Chemical Criminalistics Team are:

• Working within a team of high performing forensic chemists to provide chemical analysis, advice and, on occasion, scene attendance for a range of stakeholders including but not limited to AFP investigators, national and overseas partners, and other agencies.
• Undertaking chemical analysis of evidential samples using a range of analytical techniques including chromatography and spectroscopy.
• Preparing forensic reports and providing expert interpretation and advice, supporting intelligence development and, where required, presenting evidence in court as an expert witness.
•  

As a Chemical Criminalistics Team member, you will be relied upon to contribute, engage, develop, and enhance the performance of the team, and will be responsible for a variety of duties including, but not limited to:

• Holding, or having the ability to gain, subject matter expertise relevant to the team
• Examination of, and reporting on, samples submitted to the team in support of investigations by AFP and their partners
• Undertaking instrument maintenance and validations, as well as method development
• Providing expert evidence, when required, in judicial settings
• Providing advice to internal and external stakeholders
• Supporting the maintenance of quality systems and processes

Essential Requirements

For all applicants, the following requirements are essential:

• You must be an Australian Citizen at time of application
• A Negative Vetting 1 (Secret) security clearance or the ability to obtain one
• A tertiary qualification (Bachelor or higher) in Chemistry or Forensic Science with significant Chemistry Content
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills

For Band 6 applicants, the following additional requirements are considered essential:

• Proficiency in the use of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS) and other chromatographic methods e.g. ion or liquid chromatography
• Experience in chromatographic instrument maintenance

Desirable Requirements

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

• Knowledge of a range of forensic chemistry examination types, in particular, the forensic examination of explosive residues/bulk explosives and/or ignitable liquid residues
• Experience in the use of GCMS and other chromatographic techniques (Band 3-5)
• Knowledge and/or experience in the validation/verification of analytical instrumentation and method development
• Experience working in a NATA accredited laboratory and with quality systems
• Ability to train and mentor others
• An interest in forensic research and innovation

Additional Information

• This role is a Band 4-6, within the Forensics Broadband 3-6.
• When applying you will be asked to nominate your preferred band level, however final determination of the band level you are found suitable for is at the discretion of the panel.
• This role is located in Canberra and applicants are expected to be based in Canberra. 
• 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.
• This advertisement is to create a merit list for future ongoing or non-ongoing vacancies arising over the next 12 months.

Selection Criteria

Bands 4-5

• Organising your work, making sound decisions and achieving outcomes
• Communicating and working effectively with other people
• Applying technical knowledge, expertise and skills

Band 6 

• 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 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: Vicky Wardle

Contact Officer Phone: 0403172773 ​

Contact Officer Email: vicky.wardle@afp.gov.au

Applications Close: 11:59pm (AEST) 05/08/2026

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

www.afp.gov.au