ACT Policing - Constable Kenny Koala Handler (Casual)

Australian Federal Police; Canberra; On-site; AUD 39,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Australian Federal Police in Canberra seeks a Constable Kenny Koala Handler (Casual) to bring Constable Kenny to life in classrooms and at community events. You will deliver safety education to children aged 3-12, engage audiences, and represent ACT Policing with professionalism.

Applicants must be an Australian citizen, able to obtain Negative Vetting 1 clearance, and capable of puppeteering the Kenny Koala.

Qualifications

• You must be an Australian Citizen at the time of application.
• A Negative Vetting 1 (Secret) security clearance or the ability to obtain one.
• Ability to physically operate Constable Kenny Koala as a puppeteer.
• Ability to adapt communication style and program content to audiences.
• Desirable: Qualifications or experience in areas relevant to the role.

Responsibilities

• Engage with children and promote child safety through the Constable Kenny program.
• Deliver safety presentations using the Kenny puppet in classrooms and events.
• Operate the Constable Kenny puppet proficiently for up to six sessions per day.
• Attend community events with Constable Kenny Koala to promote police work.
• Act as an icebreaker to build trust between police and young people.

Skills

Engaging children

Puppetry

Public speaking

Adaptability

Job description

ACT Policing - Constable Kenny Koala Handler (Casual)

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.

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.

The key duties of the position include:

What is the role?

Become the Face Behind Canberra’s Favourite Koala!

If you grew up in Canberra, you will more than likely know the name and face of Constable Kenny Koala! ACT Policing’s famous crime fighting koala has become a household name over the years, helping generations of young people learn important life skills through fun, interactive safety education. For more than 50 years, the Constable Kenny Koala program has been delivering presentations across Canberra on the topics of road safety, protective behaviours, decision making, and cyber safety. Constable Kenny is a high-profile and trusted public figure, and ACT Policing is now looking for the right additions to the team to continue upholding the valuable reputation he has in the community.

Working alongside Constable Kenny is more than just holding a puppet — it's about bringing Constable Kenny to life, representing yourself as a trusted friend of both Constable Kenny and ACT Policing, and inspiring young people to make safe choices, build resilience, and develop positive relationships with police. Schools and early learning environments are at the heart of the program; a friend of Constable Kenny can expect to be spending their days delivering scheduled sessions to a variety of children aged 3-12 years. You will also have the opportunity to attend community events with Constable Kenny to continue promoting the work of police in the ACT and deepening community connections. All efforts are designed to build trust and confidence in ACT Policing, encourage vulnerable community members to report crime, and divert young people from unsafe behaviours.

Constable Kenny has an irreplaceable role to play as a conduit between police and the community – regardless of age, background, gender, or language, the role of a Constable Kenny handler is to allow others to see themselves reflected in those there to protect them, the police. This is a rare opportunity to be part of a program that has touched the lives of thousands of Canberra children and families.

If you’re looking for a role where you can educate, inspire, connect and make a genuine impact, then Constable Kenny is ready for his next trusted partner.

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. It is expected that the successful applicant will deliver on the core responsibilities and meet any requirements of the position as outlined below.

Please note - this is a casual position, hours will be varied and on an ad-hoc basis.

What will you do?

As a Constable Kenny Koala handler, successful applicants can expect a dynamic work environment and impactful role responsibilities. Successful applicants will play a key role in maintaining the perception of Constable Kenny in the community and achieving shared program outcomes.

A friend of Constable Kenny will need to:

• have the ability and passion for engaging with children and promoting child safety.
• perform consistently in front of classrooms with the Constable Kenny puppet to deliver safety presentations and adopt the Kenny persona when engaging with children.
• operate the Constable Kenny puppet in a proficient and effective manner and ensure you meet the physical demands required to manipulate the puppet for up to six sessions per day.
• understand some children may have challenging behaviours and/or a distrust of police due to their personal circumstances or backgrounds.
• attend community events with Constable Kenny Koala.
• act as an ‘icebreaker’ for police with young people and community members who may be mistrusting towards or fearful of police.
• be able to adapt your communication style/approach to positively engage with children and members of the public with varying levels of ability.
• actively participate in communication and marketing activities to support the program such as media, social media, photography and videography activities.
• understand and abide by legislation regarding any disclosures children may make to Constable Kenny (you) – including disclosures of a criminal nature – and monitor the impact this may have own your own wellbeing, seeking appropriate support when required.
• build positive relationships with children and their teachers and/or carers which establish trust between ACT Policing and the Canberra community.
• work largely independently and possess good time management skills.
• commit to 1-2 regular shifts per week, with consideration also given to ad-hoc weekend work (where appropriate).
• establish and maintain puppet proficiency, taking advantage of training/upskilling/refresher opportunities offered.

Successful applicants may be required to work outside of normal business hours, including weekends. As such, you will be subject to the appropriate conditions detailed in the AFP Enterprise Agreement.

Eligibility

Essential Requirements

• You must be an Australian Citizen at the time of application.
• A Negative Vetting 1 (Secret) security clearance or the ability to obtain one.
• Ability to physically operate Constable Kenny Koala as a puppeteer.
• Ability to adapt communication style and program content to audiences.

Desirable Requirements

• Qualifications or experience in areas relevant to the role and responsibilities.

Notes

Additional Information

• This role is located in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory and applicants are expected to be based in Canberra.
• Internal AFP applicants are not eligible to apply for casual employment in addition to their substantive position.

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

Diversity and inclusion is an operational priority for the Australian Federal Police (AFP). To be an effective police force, we must be reflective of the community we serve, working across languages, cultures and transnational borders. The 2023-26 Diversity & Inclusion Strategy is the guiding framework for delivering the AFP’s diversity and inclusion goals and reflecting our commitment to being an employer of choice, incorporating diversity and inclusion principles in day-to-day practice and building a psychologically and culturally safe workplace. This includes hiring people from diverse backgrounds who bring their lived experience to contribute, and add value, to the AFP. Find out more about how the AFP embraces diversity and inclusion.

Getting to know the Australian Federal Police

As Australia’s national policing agency, the AFP is a key member of the Australian law enforcement and national security community, leading efforts to keep Australians and Australian interests safe both at home and overseas. The AFP also has responsibility for providing community policing services to the Australian Capital Territory and Australia's territories, including Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Norfolk Island and Jervis Bay