Forensic Caseworker - Botany Unit

Victoria Police - Public Service Positions; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Victoria Police’s Forensic Services, Botany Unit in Melbourne's northern suburbs, is recruiting for a Fixed Term Forensic Officer Level 3 to support casework focused on illicit tobacco. The role involves attending scenes, processing evidence, and presenting expert findings in Courts.

Tertiary Botany qualification and driver licence are required. The position is fixed-term until mid-2028, located at 31 Forensic Drive, Macleod, VIC.

Qualifications

• The candidate must hold a relevant tertiary qualification, preferably with a Botany major.
• Strong ability to interpret forensic examinations and convey technical issues clearly.
• Experience in quality assurance and adherence to accreditation requirements.
• Ability to work autonomously or in a team within a laboratory setting.
• Understanding of court-style presentation of expert evidence.

Responsibilities

• Undertake timely, quality and routine casework and attend crime scenes as required.
• Participate in quality management practices including routine checks and audits.
• Present expert opinion evidence in Courts of Law impartially and concisely.
• Provide specialist advice to stakeholders and make qualified judgments.
• Coordinate daily scheduling, maintenance and troubleshooting of equipment.
• Assist supervising routine scientific/technical functions and lead small teams.
• Contribute to business reports with data collection and statistics generation.
• Provide scientific/technical guidance to less experienced staff.
• Maintain knowledge and comply with policies and accreditation requirements.

Skills

Scientific/technical achievement

Quality in casework

Ability to interpret examinations

Independent work capability

Analytical and problem-solving skills

Customer service orientation

Ethical conduct and integrity

Education

Tertiary qualification in Botany

Job description

Victoria Police - Public Service Positions – Melbourne Northern Suburbs VIC

Full time, Contract

1d ago , from Victoria Police - Public Service Positions

The Victoria Police Forensic Services is an accredited laboratory that provides a professional forensic service to Victoria Police, persons involved with the administration of justice, and the public.

Victoria Police

Forensic Services

Lab Operations – Analytical Services

Drug Sciences Group

Botany Unit

Fixed Term Forensic Officer Level 3 (FO-3) role available until 30/06/2027

About the Role

The Botany Unit attends scenes, examines plant material and provides scientific expertise, education and research into botanically related fields in support of the Victoria Police and the judicial system.

This position will focus on casework functions primarily related to the examination of illicit tobacco.

Key Accountabilities include:

• Undertake timely, quality and routine casework, attend crime scenes and support evidence processing functions using defined methods and procedures as required.
• Take an active role in the quality management practices including the review of routine quality checks, analysis results and audits.
• Present expert opinion evidence in Courts of Law in an impartial and concise manner.
• Make qualified judgements in the provision of specialist advice to key stakeholders.
• Coordinate the daily scheduling, performance, maintenance and troubleshooting of a range of scientific equipment.
• Assist with the supervision and coordination of routine scientific/technical functions which may include leading a small team carrying out such activities.
• Assist with the production of business management reports including data collection, data validation and generation of relevant statistics and reports.
• Provide scientific/technical advice regarding standard procedures to less experienced members.
• Maintain appropriate knowledge and adhere to Victoria Police policies, procedures, legislation and laboratory accreditation requirements.

Skills & Experience:

• Scientific/technical achievement, ability to interpret examinations and to successfully present technical and discipline related knowledge and advice to scientific/technical and non-scientific personnel at all levels, particularly in a Court context.
• Proven commitment to quality in casework and/or research or the ability to provide it.
• Well-developed specialist subject knowledge with an emphasis on forensic science.
• Proven ability to work autonomously and/or within a team environment.
• Ability to conduct scene examinations where little or no supervisory advice is available.
• Demonstrated Conceptual, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• An understanding of the customer service requirements of the position and a demonstrated record of strong commitment and achievement in meeting customer needs.
• A proven record of ethical behaviour and a demonstrated commitment to the Victoria Police Code of Ethics and Conduct and the Organisational Values.

Requirements and relevant information:

• Fixed Term FO-3 position available until 30/06/2028.
• Position is located at 31 Forensic Drive Macleod.
• A relevant tertiary qualification is mandatory, preferably with a major in Botany.
• The incumbent must possess a Victorian Drivers Licence and the ability to obtain a Victoria Police Approved Driving Authority.
• The position may require the incumbent to work outside the normal daily hours and attend crime scenes.
• The successful candidate will be required to provide a DNA sample (buccal swab) for use in laboratory quality control procedures (elimination purposes only).
• The successful candidate will be required to undergo pre-employment checks which may include fingerprint checks and misconduct screening.
• Applicants must be an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or hold a valid work permit or visa.

For further information on this role contact: Kylie Slattery via email **************@police.vic.gov.au

We welcome applications from people with disability and aim to support an inclusive recruitment experience. If you require a copy of this advertisement and attached documentation in an accessible format or would like to discuss an access requirement/reasonable adjustment for the recruitment process, please contact the Recruitment team via email***************@POLICE.VIC.GOV.AU

Victoria Police is a contemporary and agile workplace and support flexible working arrangements.

About Us:

Victoria Police has a dedicated workforce of more than 22,000 employees consisting of police, protective services officers, police custody officers, and public service staff. Each employee plays a vital role in providing the 24/7, 365 days a year emergency response and public safety capability the organisation delivers to its community. As a Victoria Police employee, you have a dedication and commitment to community safety.

Victoria Police is committed to creating a workplace that is safe and inclusive of all our people. We empower and expect our people, at all levels, to develop interpersonal connections and collaborate, use sound judgement, and create and innovate.

In alignment with the principle of self-determination, Victoria Police is dedicated to enhancing our collaboration with the Aboriginal community in Victoria as we build a culturally safe and inclusive workplace for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees. We continue to engage and build relationships with local Aboriginal communities and work closely with them to enhance opportunities and services aimed at empowerment, equality, and equal participation across all areas of the organisation.

We value the diversity and differences of our employees, including their age, gender, culture, religion, sexual orientation, abilities, and life experience. We celebrate these diverse experiences and perspectives as each person brings an informed and contemporary approach to our work which enhances the wellbeing of all. We aim to provide a safe place that is reflective of the community it serves, allowing everyone to bring their whole selves to work.”

Find out what it is like working as a Victorian Public Servant for Victoria Police: https://www.police.vic.gov.au/vps