Victoria Police

Forensic Services Department

Lab Operations – Analytical Services

Vehicle Examination Unit

FO-5 Ongoing Unit Leader Role available.

About the Unit:

The primary function of the Vehicle Examination Unit is to:

• Establish the identification of stolen and re-birth vehicles through the examination and restoration of altered and obliterated vehicle identifiers.

In addition, the following services are also provided:

• Examination of scene debris for vehicle related parts (e.g., lenses, components etc.) to assist in determining make/model or type of vehicle involved.
• Removal of vehicle trims and components to aid in vehicle searches for items of interest including drugs, weapons, and cash.
• Provision of expertise relating to the mechanical operation of a vehicle or vehicle system.
• Provision of vehicle related advice during execution of warrants.
• Provision of expertise on vehicle locks for forced or bypassed entry.

About the Role

As a Unit Leader, manage the provision of forensic vehicle examination services to Victoria Police and other relevant stakeholders.

As the successful applicant, some of your duties will include:

• Manage and coordinate activities within the Vehicle Examination Unit including pre-examination, prioritisation of casework, monitoring quality practices and liaising with the Vetting & Triage Unit to ensure casework acceptance criteria are met.
• 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.
• Ensure personnel are adequately trained and required skills are maintained.
• Take a lead role in changes associated with business improvement activities.
• Identify opportunities and participate in research, development and innovation activities focused on improving services.
• Undertake administrative reviews of vehicle examination casework.
• Relevant experience in managing a team, and an understanding of quality forensic practices, service delivery requirements, and business improvement methodology are desirable.

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.
• Relevant experience in managing a team, and an understanding of quality forensic practices, service delivery requirements, and business improvement methodology are desirable.
• Relevant knowledge or skills applicable to vehicle examination may be an advantage, however, are not a prerequisite for this role.
• The incumbent may be required to work outside the normal daily hours and attend secondary locations.
• The incumbent must possess a Victorian Drivers Licence and the ability to obtain a Victoria Police Approved Drivers Authority.
• 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: All applications will need to be submitted through the following platforms: Job Skills Exchange (JSE) & Careers.vic.gov.au. Applications will not be accepted via other platforms or email.

Applications close midnight, Sunday 9th February 2025

For further information on this role contact: Rachel Noble on 03 9450 3468 or via email rachel.noble@police.vic.gov.au  or after 20/01/25 contact Graeme Wilson on 03 9450 9818 or via email Graeme.wilson@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