The Victoria Police Forensic Services Department (FSD) is an accredited laboratory that provides a professional forensic service to Victoria Police, persons involved with the administration of justice, and the public.
Victoria Police
Forensic Services Department
Lab Operations – Analytical Services
Drug Sciences Group
Ongoing Forensic Officer Level 5 (FO-5) role available
About the Role
The primary functions of the Drug Sciences Group (DSG) are to attend and examine crime scenes, conduct evidential analysis of exhibits relating to illicit drugs, narcotic plants, and illicit tobacco, and provide expert evidence in court.
The DSG is located within the Laboratory Operations – Analytical Services Division (LOASD) and comprises the Botany Unit, Clandestine Laboratory Unit, Drug Analysis Unit, and Drug Information and Analytical Support Unit.
The position provides senior scientific and technical leadership within the Drug Sciences Group, overseeing complex, high‑profile, and sensitive forensic casework. Working collaboratively with Unit Leaders and the Group Manager, the role ensures the consistent application, assurance, and improvement of scientific standards, accreditation compliance, training quality, and best practice across the Group.
The position leads and contributes to method development, validation, training delivery, and continuous improvement initiatives to support an effective, capable, and accreditation‑compliant workforce. As required, the accountabilities of this role will extend to other units across LOASD
Key Accountabilities include:
- Apply training, expertise and authorisations to undertake and oversee forensic casework, including complex, high‑risk, high‑profile, and sensitive matters, ensuring the provision of impartial, defensible and timely forensic services.
- Undertake technical and administrative reviews of casework to ensure scientific best practice is applied and compliance with polices methods and procedures.
- Lead, contribute to, and provide expert advice on the development, implementation, and review of technical, professional, and procedural standards within the Drug Sciences Group.
- Maintain contemporary scientific and technical knowledge through ongoing professional development, research, innovation, peer engagement, and consultation with the Office of the Chief Forensic Scientist (OCFS), ensuring alignment with current and emerging best practice.
- Manage, lead, and contribute to significant method development, validation, and verification activities to enhance operational capability while meeting accreditation, quality, and evidentiary requirements.
- Oversee the Drug Sciences Group training program, including the development, content, assessment, and quality assurance of training and competency units, to support workforce capability and maximise quality standards.
- Maintain expert-level understanding of accreditation standards and quality management system requirements and provide authoritative advice to ensure ongoing compliance and readiness for internal and external audits/assessments.
- Ensure Drug Sciences Group controlled documents are developed, reviewed and maintained in accordance with accreditation and policy requirements, and scientific best practice.
- Support the Group Manager and Unit Leaders by overseeing corrective action investigations, ensuring effective root‑cause analysis, timely remediation, and accurate reporting in accordance with policy requirements.
- Provide senior professional leadership and guidance across the Group through coaching, mentoring, and constructive performance feedback, to enhance staff development and strengthen technical and professional capability.
- Act as the senior subject‑matter expert and pre‑eminent Forensic Register authority within the Laboratory Operations Analytical Services Division.
Skills & Experience
- Proven ability to co-ordinate and conduct complex casework / scientific examinations, including at crime scenes where appropriate.
- Proven ability to manage casework tasks and oversee processes according to the service delivery model to meet performance targets in line with customer expectations.
- Demonstrated commitment to scientific best practice through maintaining a high level of contemporary knowledge, understanding and associated skills.
- Proven ability to drive, conduct and lead research, training and innovation projects with a focus on developing forensic capability, process efficiency and business improvement.
- Proven ability to lead, develop and motivate people to support a quality forensic science service.
- Well-developed communication and interpersonal skills and ability to foster professional relationships and impart specialist knowledge to courts, investigators, colleagues and other agencies.
- 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 FO-5 position available.
- Position is located at 31 Forensic Drive Macleod.
- A relevant approved degree or a post graduate degree in science.
- The incumbent must possess a Victorian Drivers Licence and the ability to obtain a Victoria Police Approved Driving Authority.
- The position may require the incumbent to work outside the normal daily hours, attend secondary locations and attend crime scenes.
- The position may require the incumbent to be exposed to material that is offensive and/or graphic in nature.
- The successful candidate will be required to undergo medical/health monitoring and surveillance in accordance with Forensic Services policy.
- 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
- Completed application form - attached to the job advertisement. You must respond to the questions in the application form and attach same for your submission to be complete.
Applications will not be accepted via email.
Applications close 11.59pm, Tuesday 12th May 2026.
For further information on this role contact: Ben Archer via email [email protected]
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 [email protected]
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, protect
ive 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.
Victoria Police is committed to creating a workplace that is safe and inclusive of all our people. We empower and expect our people, at all levels, to develop interpersonal connections and collaborate, use sound judgement, and create and innovate.
In alignment with the principle of self-determination, Victoria Police is dedicated to enhancing our collaboration with the Aboriginal community in Victoria as we build a culturally safe and inclusive workplace for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees. We continue to engage and build relationships with local Aboriginal communities and work closely with them to enhance opportunities and services aimed at empowerment, equality, and equal participation across all areas of the organisation.
We value the diversity and differences of our employees, including their age, gender, culture, religion, sexual orientation, abilities, and life experience. We celebrate these diverse experiences and perspectives as each person brings an informed and contemporary approach to our work which enhances the wellbeing of all. We aim to provide a safe place that is reflective of the community it serves, allowing everyone to bring their whole selves to work.”
Find out what it is like working as a Victorian Public Servant for Victoria Police: https://www.police.vic.gov.au/vps