Senior Scientific Officer - Forensic Toxicology

About the opportunity

We have an opportunity for a Permanent Full Time Senior Scientific Officer to join our Forensic Toxicology Laboratory at FASS, providing leadership to a dynamic team of scientific professionals delivering highly specialised analytical drug testing services to the NSW Coroners Court, NSW Police Force and the Ministry of Health.

FASS specialises in providing independent and objective forensic analysis to the criminal and coronial justice systems, as well as quality scientific analysis that contributes to community health and safety. Our services include illicit drug analysis, forensic and drug toxicology, chemical criminalistics, forensic biology and DNA, forensic medicine, environmental toxicology, and environmental microbiology.
Being part of NSW Health Pathology means you’re helping create better health and justice systems every day.

We operate more than 60 laboratories and around 200 collection centres across NSW and conduct over 60 million tests per annum. Our network of pathologists are supported by scientists, technicians and support staff who quickly and accurately assess samples so clinical teams can make the best possible treatment decisions for patients. We encourage our staff to be involved in research and innovation opportunities to help create safer, healthier communities. Our Forensic & Analytical Science Service provides independent, objective analysis to the NSW criminal and coronial justice systems.

What we can offer you

• Accrued Days Off in addition to Annual Leave
• Generous salary packaging options and other fringe benefits
• Corporate wellbeing programs, including the Fitness Passport
• Learning and development opportunities, including in-house training with RTO My Health Learning

Apply advanced scientific leadership and experience regarding cases/ specimens with varying levels of complexity, and provide supervision, training and support to a group of technical and scientific staff, ensuring the accurate, quality, timely and customer-focused provision of tests and reports in a NATA accredited Unit.

Interested in joining Australia’s largest public pathology service? Apply now by addressing the following questions:

1. A Bachelor Degree or higher degree in Science or Applied Science with a major relevant to the Unit, or an equivalent qualification relevant to analytical or forensic science to which the role applies
2. Demonstrated experience or extensive knowledge in methods, instrumentation and emerging technologies relevant to the Unit, field or specialty area, in an accredited laboratory or relevant environment.
3. Demonstrated extensive experience in the analysis, interpretation and reporting of complex matters, in an accredited laboratory or relevant environment.
4. Capacity to successfully supervise, develop and motivate a team in a changing and challenging environment.
5. Ability to monitor and prioritise staff workflow effectively to ensure unit objectives and performance targets are met within specified timeframes while maintaining high quality standards.
6. Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to give lectures/presentations to appropriate parties, provide expert evidence in courts and build strong stakeholder relationships.
7. Demonstrated advanced knowledge and understanding of current legislation, policies and requirements that impact the unit and accreditation standards.
8. Demonstrated capacity to adopt and model the NSWHP RITE values of Respect, Integrity, Teamwork and Excellence.

1. Click here for the Position Description
2. Find out more about applying for this position
3. For role related queries or questions contact Vanessa Shaw on *************@health.nsw.gov.au

Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination Against Specified Infectious Diseases

This is a Category A position. All Category A applicants must read and understand NSW Health Policy Directive PD2023_022 Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination Against Specified Infectious Diseases. All recruits must agree to comply with the requirements outlined in this policy. All recruits must provide evidence against specified diseases and comply with the requirements of this policy at their own cost prior to appointment. 

All NSW Health workers are required to have two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, as defined by NSW Health. Employees working in a clinical area or are required to attend clinical areas are considered category A. Category A positions are required to provide evidence of having received three doses of COVID-19 vaccine in accordance with the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (TGA) and meet the requirements of the Occupational Assessment Screening and Vaccination Against Specified Infectious Diseases Policy Directive. You will be required to provide a record of your COVID-19 vaccination status if successful.

Acceptable proof of vaccination is the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) Immunisation History Statement or AIR COVID-19 Digital Certificate. Booster doses are highly recommended for all health care workers who have completed the primary course of COVID-19 vaccinations.  

New to NSW Health Pathology? 

The preferred candidate may be required to undergo a functional assessment prior to appointment.

Working Rights 

This position is a permanent position. To be eligible for permanent appointment to a position in NSW Health, you must have an Australian citizenship or permanent Australian residency. Please note: A person who is not an Australian citizen or a permanent resident is only eligible for temporary employment for a period not longer than the duration of their current visa.

Talent Pool

If the selection panel identifies more than one suitable candidate for the role, an eligibility list will be created for future permanent full time / part time, temporary and casual vacancies. 

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion 

NSW Health Pathology is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive workplace. We seek to recruit from diverse applicants and create teams with skills, perspectives and experiences that complement each other at work. We welcome suitably qualified applicants regardless of age, ethnicity, socio-cultural background, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity.

All staff employed by NSW FASS will be required to supply a reference buccal sample so that their DNA profile can be compared to other generated profiles to exclude the possibility of contamination.