Description:
Victoria Police
Forensic Services Department
Lab Operations – Analytical Services
Botany Unit
FO-4 Ongoing Senior Forensic Officer role available.
About the Unit:
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.
About the Role
As a Senior Forensic Officer, examine, sample and conduct identification on botanical casework and report the findings to the Victorian Courts.
As the successful applicant, some of your duties will include:
- Undertake timely, quality routine and non-routine casework assignments and make judgements in accordance with policies, procedures and legislative requirements.
- Display high level case management skills within the unit and across multi-disciplinary work groups.
- Undertake technical and administrative reviews of casework.
- Convey specialist knowledge and judgement that impacts on legal deliberations and/or investigations including in a court context where opinion evidence may be required.
- Take a lead role in maintaining quality systems and recommend improvements.
- Recommend resource allocation to immediate managers in order to meet service delivery priorities.
- Attend, manage and examine metropolitan and regional Victoria crime scenes and process related samples as required.
- Formulate and supervise/mentor/coach professional development programs for less experienced colleagues.
- Provide leadership and clearly define expectations, allocate work, monitor and manage performance including the provision of timely and constructive feedback to facilitate staff development.
- Identify business improvement opportunities and assist in relevant research, development and validation projects which improve and expand Group methodology.
- With limited direction and in line with experience and developed knowledge, make judgements in the provision of expert specialist advice to stakeholders. This includes the preparation and presentation of lectures/demonstrations/tours and assistance with both internal and external training programs.
Skills & Experience
As the successful applicant, you will have:
- A significant track record of forensic scientific/technical achievement. With a proven commitment to quality in casework and/or research where appropriate
- Demonstrated ability to provide expert advice to scientific/technical and non-scientific personnel at all levels including providing opinion evidence in court.
- Ability to manage and prioritise casework and meet deadlines within defined/agreed outputs/targets and/or to co-ordinate a team and meet team objectives.
- Diverse and specialist subject knowledge with an emphasis on forensic science and a proven ability to work autonomously and interpret examinations.
- Ability to conduct scene examinations where little or no supervisory advice is available.
- Demonstrated conceptual, analytical and problem-solving skills
- 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 and the Organisational Values.
Requirements and relevant information:
- Ongoing position available
- Position is located at 31 Forensic Drive, Macleod, Victoria
- Possess an appropriate degree and/or relevant tertiary qualification.
- Experience in the examination and identification of narcotic plants is highly desirable.
- 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.
How to apply
Your application must include:
- Resume
- Responses to the Selection Criteria – The Selection Criteria is found in the position Description attached to the job advertisement.
Please Note: Applications will not be accepted via email.
Applications close midnight, Tuesday 27 th May 2025.
For further information on this role contact: Kylie Slattery on 03 9450 1729 or via email kylie.slattery@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 FORENSIC-RECRUIT-ESTAB-MGR@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.
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