Unit Leader - Document Examination Unit (Fro5)

The Victoria Police Forensic Services Department 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 Department

Lab Operations – Analytical Services

Document Examination Unit

FO-5 Unit Leader role available

About the role:

The Document Examination Unit examines handwritten and/or signed documents for the comparison of handwriting text and signature formations. The Unit also examines handwritten documents, printed documents, printers, photocopiers, security identity documents and the examination of documents for indentations, alterations, obliterations, and erasures.

As a Unit Leader, manage the provision of evidential and investigative forensic drug analysis services to Victoria Police and other relevant stakeholders.

Your duties will include:

• Manage the work unit functions including the allocation of personnel and resources, modelling high level leadership attributes in the workplace through coaching, mentoring, guidance, and performance feedback.
• Manage service delivery workflow processes, including regular service evaluation and future planning activities with a commitment to business improvement.
• Provide high level scientific/technical and professional service, including advice, leadership, and guidance within the Unit and across the business as required.
• Integrate scientific/technical best practice within the Unit and across the business as required.
• Provide key advice and leadership in the development or implementation of policy and procedures.
• Ensure accreditation and quality requirements are achieved and maintained within the Unit.
• Maintain business reporting requirements and monitor future needs relevant to the work area.
• Display high level case management skills within the Unit and across multi-disciplinary work groups.

As the successful applicant, you will have:

• A good understanding of principles and practices relevant to the delivery of training and information services.
• Proven ability to provide expert training, advice, and services, including at the strategic level.
• Strong commitment and knowledge of business reporting requirements and Departmental planning processes.
• Extensive knowledge of quality systems, NATA procedures and guidelines, and competency-based training and assessments.
• Well-developed communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to foster professional relationships and impart specialist knowledge to courts, investigators, colleagues, students and other agencies.
• Proven ability to monitor client and stakeholder satisfaction and constructively manage stakeholder issues to ensure positive outcomes for the stakeholder and the Region/Department/Command.
• A proven record of ethical behaviour and a demonstrated commitment to the Victoria Police Code of Ethics and Conduct, Financial Code of Practice, and the Organisational Values.

Role Specific Requirements

• Monitor and maintain Document Examination casework acceptance criteria to provide the appropriate prioritisation of casework within the Unit.
• Ensure personnel are adequately trained and required skills are maintained.
• Identify opportunities and participate in research, development and innovation activities focused on improving services.
• Monitor client and stakeholder satisfaction and constructively manage stakeholder issues.
• As a senior caseworker within the Unit, undertake routine and non-routine casework, including technical and administrative reviews.
• Present expert evidence in Courts of Law relating to multi-disciplinary skills as required.

Requirements and relevant information:

• A relevant tertiary qualification and/or equivalent experience is highly desirable.
• A Victorian Drivers Licence and the ability to obtain a Victoria Police Approved Drivers Authority.
• The successful candidate will be required to undergo pre-employment checks which may include fingerprint checks and misconduct screening.
• The successful candidate will be required to provide a DNA sample (buccal swab) for use in laboratory quality control procedures (elimination purposes only).
• Ongoing Forensic Officer Level 5 position available.
• Position is located at 31 Forensic drive Macleod, Victoria.

How to apply

Your application must include:

• Resume
• Responses to the individual Selection Criteria, found in the position description attached to this advertisement.

Please Note: All applications will need to be submitted through the following platform: Job Skills Exchange (JSE) and careers.vic.gov.au website.  Applications will not be accepted via other platforms or email.

Current Victorian Government employees must apply via Jobs and Skills Exchange (JSE).

Applications close midnight, Monday 12th February 2024 No applications will be accepted via email.

For further information on this role please contact: Anthony Bonnici on (03) 9906 0*** or via email ***************@police.vic.gov.au

If you have a disability/medical condition and require a copy of this advertisement and attached documentation in an accessible format or would like to discuss an access requirements/reasonable adjustment for the recruitment process, please contact VPS Recruitment via email ***************@police.vic.gov.au  or on (03) 9450-9***.

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. 

Having a workforce that reflects the community we serve is important to Victoria Police. We want to attract and retain people of all genders, ages, religions, disability, sexual orientation, family and caring responsibilities, and cultures including people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage. If you are interested in a position, we encourage you to apply as we celebrate the benefit that diversity brings to our employees, our services, and our community.

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