Unit Leader

**Victoria Police**

**Forensic Services Department**

**Lab Operations - Analytical Services**

**Chemical Trace Unit**

**Ongoing FO-5 Unit Leader role available.**

**About the Unit**:
The Chemical Trace Unit (CTU) provides the following services:

- Laboratory examinations of a range of trace evidence types (e.g. gunshot residue (GSR), paints, plastics, glass, chemical irritants, and miscellaneous substances) in support of criminal investigations and court processes.
- Provision of expert evidence in the form of written reports and expert testimony in courts of law.
- A 24/7 crime scene service in relation to the recovery of GSR evidence from crime scenes, living and deceased persons.
- Provision of expert advice to police and other stakeholders in relation to chemical trace evidence.

**About the Role**

As a Unit Leader, manage the provision of forensic chemical trace evidence services to Victoria Police and other relevant stakeholders.

**_ As the successful applicant, some of your duties will include:_**
- Manage and coordinate activities within the Chemical Trace Unit including vetting, prioritisation of casework, monitoring quality practices and casework acceptance criteria.
- Lead, develop and motivate personnel within the Chemical Trace Unit including performance evaluation and feedback.
- Ensure personnel are adequately trained and required skills are maintained.
- Identify opportunities for business improvement, participate in and take a lead role in changes associated with the resultant business improvement activities.
- Participate in and report on quality assurance, proficiency testing, crime scene and testimony monitoring where relevant.
- Identify opportunities and participate in research, development and innovation activities focused on improving services.
- Monitor client and stakeholder satisfaction and constructively manage stakeholder issues.
- Provide specialist forensic advice to relevant personnel and organisations in relation to trace evidence types.
- Conduct routine and non-routine casework in relation to chemical trace evidence types.
- Attend crime scenes and collect trace evidence as required.
- Prepare expert reports for the courts, police investigators and other stakeholders.
- Present expert evidence in Courts of Law.
- Undertake technical and administrative reviews of chemical trace casework.

**Skills & Experience**
- As the successful applicant, you will have: _
- Demonstrated ability to lead, develop and motivate a multi-function team to provide a quality and timely forensic science service.
- Strong commitment and knowledge of business reporting requirements and Departmental planning processes
- Proven ability to manage casework tasks and oversee processes according to the Departmental business model to meet performance targets in line with customer expectations.
- Proven ability to deliver scientific best practice, including maintaining accreditation, training and quality requirements
- Well-developed communication and interpersonal skills and ability to foster professional relationships and impart specialist knowledge to courts, investigators, colleagues and other agencies.
- Demonstrated commitment to business improvement supporting research, training, development and innovation projects with a focus on developing forensic capability, process efficiency and process integration.
- 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
- A relevant tertiary qualification is required. A degree or post graduate degree in science is highly desirable, preferably with a major in Chemistry.
- The incumbent must possess a Victorian Drivers Licence and the ability to obtain a Victoria Police Approved Drivers Authority.
- Applicants must be an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or hold a valid work permit or visa.

**How to apply**
- **Resume**:

- **Responses to the Selection Criteria** - The Selection Criteria is found in the position Description attached to the job advertisement.

**Applications close midnight, Thursday29th May 2025.**

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 commu