Forensic Operations Manager Gillingham, England
Job description
Details
Reference number
Salary
Job grade
Contract type
Secondment
Length of employment
Type of role
Operational Delivery
Working pattern
Number of jobs available
Contents
Location
About the job
Benefits
Things you need to know
Apply and further information
Location
About the job
Job summary
We are currently looking for an experienced Forensic Operations Manager to join the NCA Forensic Services Department as part of our Crime Scene Services team.
The Forensic Operations Manager leads a multi-discipline forensic team supporting NCA investigations into serious organised crime throughout the UK, including supporting activity internationally. The vacancy is within the NCA South West and Wales region.
Job description
To be successful in this role you will be capable of independently delivering at pace all aspects of forensic support from initial planning, to the trial phase of Agency operations.
You will lead your team in the development of forensic intelligence in the proactive phase and the securing of appropriate forensic evidence in the reactive operations phase.
The Agency is leading the fight to cut serious & organised crime in the UK, the successful candidate will use their extensive forensic knowledge in support of that goal.
The successful candidate will also hold a portfolio responsibility for a certain threat area (CSAE or Firearms for example), and may become responsible for project work looking at areas of emerging threat. Our also work often entails partnership working with NPCC colleagues and those further afield in international law enforcement.
We are seeking a candidate who is:
Experienced in The National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) Force forensic response to Serious complex/Major crime, with crime scene management and co-ordination skills
And /or
Practical scene experience in Level 2 or Level 3 proactive forensic recovery techniques.
For the most part, officers will be deployed to crime scenes and/or attending various NCA locations to attend meetings or training. As such, whilst an officer may be ‘based’ at one of the advertised NCA locations, attendance at that site would only be expected infrequently (a few times a month for example).
Person specification
Main Responsibilities
- The successful candidate will be required to ensure that all operational forensic activity under their leadership and within their team is lawful, carried out thoroughly, professionally, expeditiously and in accordance with current NCA policies.
- The successful candidate will lead their team by example, working within the NCA Forensic Services Department, Forensic Quality Management System to support ISO17020 accreditation. Moreover ensuring their actions and those of their team comply with the Forensic Science Regulators Codes of Practice.
- The successful candidate will have strong management skills and be capable of leading a mutli-discipline Crime Scene Services team made up of Crime Scene Investigators and Digital Forensic Officers operating throughout the UK and Internationally.
***All NCA officers must hold SC Enhanced upon entry as a minimum. To meet the National Security Vetting requirements for this role you will need to have resided in the UK for a minimum of 3 out of the past 5 years. For more information please see the Candidate information Pack***
***Candidates are required to have SC upon entry. And will be required to gain DV within 12 months in post ***
Licences
Qualifications
- Successful completion of College of Policing accredited Crime Scene Investigation course (or equivalent)
- Successful completion of College of Policing Crime Scene Managers Programme and/or Co-ordinator’s course (or equivalent).
Please ensure the dates of any accreditations you are relying on, are entered on to the CV.
Should you progress to the assessment stage of the process, you will be required to provide a copy of the original certificate.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Leadership
- Managing a Quality Service
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Developing forensic strategies and tactical collection plans to support the SIO Investigation Strategy. Providing forensic advice and guidance in a dynamic environment.
- A comprehensive understanding of the Forensic Science Regulators Code, and working under ISO17020 principles or accreditation
- Proven experience in leading a multi-discipline team supporting investigations and other specialist services.
- Proven track record of positive early engagement in case assessment and triage of forensic evidence to both internal and external forensic service providers, to deliver exhibit prioritisation, whilst mindful of associated risks and appropriate risk mitiga
Benefits
Whatever your role, we take your career and development seriously, and want to enable you to build a really successful career with the Agency and wider Civil Service.
If you are an active police pension member immediately prior to joining the NCA, you can continue your membership throughout your employment with us as if you were a serving police officer. If you do remain an active member and subsequently return to a police force, you should be able to continue your membership there too.
All officers in the NCA are members of the UK Civil Service. You will be eligible for:
- Civil Service pension scheme
- 26 days annual leave rising to 31 on completion of 5 years continuous service
- Training and development opportunities
- Cycle2work scheme
We take the welfare of NCA officers very seriously. All staff have access to Occupational Health services and there are a number of staff representative groups. We also have a range of sporting and other activities on offer.
We can provide flexible working arrangements if the role in question is suitable. These include flexi-time, job sharing and compressed hours (working contracted hours over a shorter period).
Things you need to know
Selection process details
If you wish to apply for this vacancy, you must submit your application by 23:55 on 6th March 2023
Once submitted your application will be acknowledged by the Government Recruitment Service.
During the application process you will need to demonstrate the below criteria throughout your CV.
- Developing forensic strategies and tactical collection plans to support the SIO Investigation Strategy. Providing forensic advice and guidance in a dynamic environment.
- A comprehensive understanding of the Forensic Science Regulators Code, and working under ISO17020 principles or accreditation.
- Proven experience in leading a multi-discipline team supporting investigations and other specialist services.
- Proven track record of positive early engagement in case assessment and triage of forensic evidence to to both internal and external forensic service providers, to deliver exhibit prioritisation, whilst mindful of associated risks and appropriate risk mitigation.
Please note depending on the volume of applications a Longlist at sift may be conducted on following criteria:
- Successful completion of College of Policing accredited Crime Scene Investigation course (or equivalent)
- Successful completion of College of Policing Crime Scene Managers Programme and/or Co-ordinator’s course (or equivalent).
Candidates must pass this criteria for their application to be progressed.
A panel will then assess your application to select those demonstrating the best fit for the role by considering the evidence you have provided against the criteria set out in the Entry Criteria section.
Failure to address any or all of these may affect your application.
Sift results are expected to be released w/c 27th March 2023.
Interviews will take place throughout April and May 2023 - locations to be confirmed. Please be advised that the type of interview (eg. virtual/face-to-face) may be subject to change and successful candidates will be notified of this prior to attending. However the interview is conducted, the interview criteria will remain as shown on page 16 of the candidate information pack.
The above sift and interview dates are an indicative timeline.
Should you be successful at sift but cannot attend on the interview date(s) listed the recruitment team cannot guarantee an alternative date. Please contact the recruitment team.
You will then be asked to attend an interview in order to have a more in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence.
Multi-Location
Where more than one location is advertised, candidates will be appointed in merit order for each location. You will be asked to state your location preference on your application.
Please be aware that you can be posted to any location that you put in your preferences. If you would only like to be posted to one location, please confirm one location only. If you are posted to a location that you have requested and you do not accept that location, you may not be offered another role.
Please note, only advertised location can be offered. Notes populated in a free text box will not be taken into consideration.
Near Miss
Candidates who are judged to be a near miss at interview may be considered for other positions in the NCA which may be at a lower grade, but have a potential skills match.
Hybrid Working
Here at the agency we are currently piloting a hybrid working pattern. 3 out of 5 working days are spent in the office. Further details will be discussed with the successful candidate. Please note this is subject to change and dependant on the job role.
Reasonable Adjustment
We are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible to all. As part of our application process you will be prompted to provide details of any reasonable adjustment to our recruitment process that you may need. If you have a disability or long-term condition (a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long term effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities protected under the Equality Act 2010) and need us to make any adjustments or do anything differently during the recruitment process, please let us know by emailing [email protected], we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Please contact us by emailing [email protected] or calling 0117 372 0000 as soon as possible before the closing date if you wish to discuss any reasonable adjustments before applying.
Inclusion and Accessibility
The NCA embraces and values diversity in all forms. Being truly reflective of the communities we serve and building a culture where everyone can perform at their best is critical to leading the UK’s fight against serious and organised crime – something which affects us all. We want to recruit and retain the very best and broadest diversity of officers so the NCA welcomes applications from individuals from all backgrounds.
We are proud to be an inclusive, equal opportunities employer. As a Disability Confident Leader we are committed to ensuring that all candidates are treated fairly throughout the recruitment process.
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact [email protected]
VETTING REQUIREMENTS SC
All security clearances require you to provide evidence of your UK footprint where you have been physically present in the UK.
The requirement for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years.
Failure to meet the residency requirements will result in your security clearance application being rejected.
If you require SC clearance you will need to provide evidence of the below requirements.
Checks will be made against:
- Departmental or company records (personnel files, staff reports, sick leave reports and security records)
- UK criminal records covering both spent and unspent criminal records.
- Your credit and financial history with a credit reference agency
- Security Services records
VETTING REQUIREMENTS - DV
All security clearances require you to provide evidence of your UK footprint where you have been physically present in the UK.
The requirement for DV is to have been present in the UK for at least 5 of the last 10 years.
Failure to meet the residency requirements will result in your security clearance application being rejected.
If you require DV clearance you will need to provide evidence of the below requirements.
Checks will be made against:
- successful completion of the BPSS
- UK criminal record and identity checks
- credit reference checks
- relevant personnel and medical checks (if required)
We encourage all candidates to thoroughly review the candidate pack which explains the role further before submitting an application.
If you have any specific queries about the role that are not covered by the candidate pack, please contact:
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
Medical
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
- certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
Recruitment team :
Further information
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/recruitment/recruitment-complaints/
