Forensics Team Leaders

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 mandatory leave rest days per year 
• 18 days of paid personal leave per year
• Generous superannuation of 15.4%
• 16 weeks of paid maternity leave (after 12 months of service) + an additional 36 weeks of maternity leave without pay
• 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?

The Forensics command delivers fully integrated forensic capabilities that proactively supports the AFP’s broad policing remit and evolves specialist and technical capabilities to achieve outcomes towards the AFP’s vision of ‘Policing for a Safer Australia’. Forensics capabilities are deployed in support of all phases of law enforcement operations through prevention, disruption, investigation and prosecution. AFP Forensics also contributes to offshore operational outcomes and international capacity building and seeks to strengthen relationships with domestic and international organisations, including academia. Its activities are accredited to the ISO17025 standard through the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA).

The successful applicant will be responsible for leading and managing specific capabilities to contribute to the operational activities of the AFP by ensuring that the operational and business area outputs are achieved in accordance with the requirements for:

1. Accreditation under the ISO17025 standard for a forensic environment and the Forensics quality system requirements.

2. the AFP values.

3. the AFP Governance Framework.

What will you do?

Forensic Team Leaders are responsible for the leadership and management of teams to ensure effective and efficient forensic and technical intelligence support to AFP operations and where appropriate external clients.

This may include:

• Ensuring outputs are achieved within, and contribute to the strategic direction and priorities of the AFP, including cutting red tape, supporting the frontline and enhancing engagements with critical stakeholders.
• Leading teams through the organisation, planning and delivery of forensic examinations, and analyses (including technical analyses) into crime and serious incidents.
• Leading teams to provide accurate, timely and impartial forensic evidence to the courts.
• Developing, driving and providing advice to domestic and international partners.
• Engaging and negotiating with leaders, investigators and other stakeholders.
• Developing team members and fulfilling a guiding, mentoring and advisory role.
• Being accountable for responsible resource management.
• Supporting and implementing change management and improvement strategies.
• Briefing and supporting the Forensics Management Team.
• Managing the research, planning, delivery and coordination of projects as determined by the relevant stakeholders in accordance with the agreed requirements, timeframes and budget; and,
• Maintaining currency in subject matter and training expertise through ongoing professional development and learning opportunities outside the formal education process.

The role predominately contributes to the achievement of business, investigation and intelligence outcomes through the provision of specialist forensic examinations and analysis or specialist technical intelligence skills. The role may also provide broad technical support including research and development.

The role may be located in the Canberra Majura Forensics Facility or the AFP Regional Commands in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. Forensic Team Leaders need to be both flexible and mobile as well as able to deploy both nationally and internationally as required.

Further information including a description of the AFP's various forensic disciplines can be found in the candidate pack.

Essential Requirements

• You must be an Australian Citizen at the time of application.
• Demonstrate the core elements of the AFP Leadership Philosophy.
• Proven ability to lead and manage forensic and/or technical teams to deliver and evolve specialist capabilities with impact.
• Formal qualifications and contemporary experience and knowledge in a relevant science/forensic/technical/law enforcement/enabling discipline.
• Demonstrate an ability to interpret and manage complex issues as they pertain to forensic science in a rapidly changing and complex law enforcement environment.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively to achieve outcomes.
• An appreciation of the AFP’s investigative, intelligence and quality frameworks and their application to science and the judicial environments.
• A Negative Vetting 1 (Secret) security clearance or the ability to obtain one.

Additional Information

• These positions are AFP Band 7
• * Some of these positions attract 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 2017- 2020, 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. We encourage you contact ***************@afp.gov.au if you have further questions or would like to determine which positions receive this allowance. 
• No feedback will be provided to applicants that are unsuccessful at application stage.
• AFP employees are required to have received a minimum of two COVID-19 vaccinations (or one dose if the Janssen vaccine was used). Satisfactory proof of vaccination status will be required at the time an offer of employment is made. Please contact the Recruitment Team if you wish to discuss the COVID-19 vaccine requirements further.

Commitment to Diversity and 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.

Contact Officer - Andrew Parkinson,

Contact Officer Email: ***************@afp.gov.au 

Applications Close: 11:59pm (AEST) 18/02/2024