Unit Leader

Victoria Police
Forensic Services Department
Chemical Trace Unit
Ongoing Unit Leader Level 5 role available

**About the Role**:
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.

**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.

As a Unit Leader, you will manage the provision of forensic chemical trace evidence services to Victoria Police and other relevant stakeholders.
Victoria Police is a contemporary and agile workplace and support flexible working arrangements.

**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**:

- Position is located at 31 Forensic Drive, Macleod, Victoria.
- 1 x Ongoing FO-5 Unit Leader position available
- 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
- Response to the Key Selection Criteria - found in the position description attached to the job advertisement.

**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