Forensic Officer

State Government of Victoria, Australia; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Victoria Police is seeking an Ongoing Forensic Officer Level 2 to join Lab Operations – Analytical Services (LOAS) in Melbourne. Initial assignment to the Audio-Visual Unit for one year, with rotations to other LOAS units.

Roles include technical and administrative casework support at two sites: VPC Spencer Street and Macleod, ensuring quality controls and data management. The FO-2 will prepare reports, interact with stakeholders, and contribute to a multi-capable, flexible workforce while

Qualifications

• As the successful applicant, you will have a relevant tertiary qualification or industry experience.
• Ability to undertake scientific/technical examinations following established procedures.
• Experience with operation and maintenance of relevant scientific instrumentation.
• Proven administrative skills with detailed and accurate records.
• Strong communication skills for internal and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Conduct examinations of exhibits under direction and supervision.
• Handle exhibits, process lodgements using local databases and LIMS.
• Attend to customer enquiries and arrange exhibit collection.
• Interact with stakeholders to provide advice and information.
• Provide administrative assistance, maintain records, compile statistics.
• Operate and maintain laboratory systems and equipment.
• Attend crime scenes and assist with field work as needed.
• Support research and development projects.
• Ensure quality controls and prepare evidentiary reports.

Skills

Tech interest

Examinations

Instrumentation

Record keeping

Communication

Autonomy

Teamwork

Reporting

Customer service

Ethics

Education

Tertiary qualification

Tools

LIMS

Databases

Job description

Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs

Reference: VG/20032079

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 (LOAS)

Ongoing Forensic Officer Level 2 (FO-2) position available

About the role:

The LOAS Division comprises of: Audio Visual Unit, Botany Unit, Chemical Trace Unit, Clandestine Laboratory Unit, Document Examination Unit, Drug Analysis Unit, Drug Information and Analytical Support Unit, Fire and Explosion Unit, and Vehicle Examination Unit.

This position will initially be assigned to the Audio-Visual Unit for a period of one year. Following this period, the successful candidate will undertake rotations to other units within LOAS in response to evolving operational priorities, business needs and organisational requirements.

The position will require the incumbent to attend two work sites (VPC, 311 Spencer Street Melbourne (initial 1 year tenure) and VPFSC, 31 Forensic Drive, Macleod).

The Audio-Visual Unit provides a range of forensic audio-visual services which include:

• Extraction and recovery of footage from CCTV devices.
• Extraction and recovery of audio and video recordings from a range of digital and analogue recording and storage devices.
• Analysis and authentication of video, images and audio.
• Repair of physically damaged media (tapes, CDs DVDs).
• Recovery of deleted or corrupted audio-visual recordings.
• Audio, video, and image enhancement.
• Attend crime scenes.

The role of this position is to provide quality and timely technical and administrative casework support to units within the LOAS Division in both laboratory settings and in field, including crime scenes. To contribute to the LOAS Division's multi-capable workforce model whereby FO2 staff are trained to become a flexible and agile workforce that can be deployed across the division to meet emerging operational priorities and provide short-term surge capacity when required.

As the successful applicant, some of your initial duties will include:

• Conduct examinations of exhibits under direction and supervision within defined parameters.
• Exhibit handling, processing of case lodgements using local databases and LIMS case management system.
• Attend to customer enquiries, lodgement of exhibits and contact customers to arrange exhibit collection.
• Regularly interact with a range of internal and external stakeholders to provide advice or general information.
• Provide general administrative assistance including, ordering, maintaining computerised records, database entries, manual records, compiling statistic reports and conducting preliminary audits of casework records.
• Operate and maintain existing systems and processes including technical and scientific equipment.
• Attend and assist at crime scenes and secondary locations where appropriate.
• Assist in relevant research and development projects.
• Conduct quality controls within work area, including keeping records where necessary in accordance with the laboratory quality assurance and accreditation program.
• Present factual evidence in Courts of Law, where required.
• Perform work individually and as a member of a team.

Skills & Experience

As the successful applicant, you will have:

• An interest in "technology" such as audio-visual production, IT, coding, or general IT proficiency is desirable.
• Ability to undertake scientific/technical examinations following established procedures.
• Experience with the operation and maintenance of relevant scientific instrumentation.
• Proven administrative skills including the maintenance of detailed and accurate records.
• Well-developed oral an d written communication skills with an emphasis on the ability to impart specialist knowledge and advice to internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to work autonomously and/or in a team environment and to manage workloads in order to meet defined/agreed targets and deadlines.
• Prepare reports and provide results on technical matters relevant to own work area.
• 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:

• Ongoing FO-2 role available
• A relevant tertiary qualification or industry experience is desirable.
• The position will require the incumbent to attend two work sites (VPC, 311 Spencer Street Melbourne (initial 1 year tenure) and VPFSC, 31 Forensic Drive, Macleod).
• 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 position may require the incumbent to be exposed to material that is offensive and/or graphic in nature.
• Where relevant, the successful candidate will be required to undergo medical/health monitoring and surveillance in accordance with VPFS policy.
• Undergo pre-employment checks which may include fingerprint checks and misconduct screening.
• May be required to undergo National Security Vetting and achieve and maintain a security classification rated as Secret (Negative Vetting Level 1). To achieve this, you must be an Australian Citizen.
• Provide a DNA sample (buccal swab) for use in laboratory quality control procedures (elimination purposes only)
• We expect our people to foster a safe and inclusive environment where their behaviour and attitude reflect, builds upon and promotes a positive and collaborative workplace that respects the culture and values of Victoria Police.

About Us:

Victoria Police have 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."

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

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