Vacancy Information
This role is within a unit where Surrey Police and Sussex Police work in collaboration, whilst continuing to be two separate legal entities/employers with different terms and conditions.
Both Surrey Police staff and Sussex Police staff are employed in this unit on their own force terms and conditions.
Successful candidates may be appointed on the terms and conditions of employment of either Surrey Police or Sussex Police, depending on organisational requirements. A discussion will be held with the successful candidate to confirm the details of location, salary, allowance and hours.
Division / Department - Specialist Crime
Status - Full Time
Contract Type - Permanent
Grade - Surrey Police Grade H / Sussex Police Grade 11
Salary Grade Range - Surrey Police £35,028 - £41,464 / Sussex Police £35,223 - £38,856
Politically Restricted -
Unsocial Hours Allowance -
Location - Sussex Police Headquarters, Lewes
The starting salary for this role will usually be at the bottom of the salary range and will be pro-rata if the working hours are less than full time.
The Role
Surrey and Sussex Forensic Investigations department currently have a vacancy for a Forensic Identification Services Unit (FISU) Team Leader based in at Sussex Police Headquarters in Lewes. Being a qualified Fingerprint Expert, the successful applicant will lead a team of FISU Specialists and Technicians, managing the day to day operational and technical activity within the unit. They will provide support to Heads of Service and FISU Manager to ensure that Forensic Identification Services function effectively and efficiently and provide high quality support to Police Investigations in accordance with customer expectations and the FISU documented procedures (ISO 17025). Being responsible for the management and supervision of staff undertaking FISU work they will be accountable for meeting Service Level Agreements and criminal justice outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
As FISU Team Leader you will lead and direct the daily work of a team and the wider Forensic Identification Services Unit ensuring that the quality of service and level of expertise is maximised at all times and that the integrity of the identification system is fully maintained. You will undertake regular dip-sampling of work in line with national and local procedures to actively test the integrity of the system and act as Arbiters for the Peer Review process.
You will assist the Forensic Identification Services Manager in establishing policy, targets and priorities in line with the needs of Surrey and Sussex Police, and ISO 17025 and national requirements and to communicate any decisions to the Specialists and Officers.
Identifying, recommending and implementing organisational change to optimise performance in an ISO 17025 accredited working environment, you will work cooperatively with the FISU Manager, Technical Supervisor and Resource Manager together with other relevant stake holders (such as the Quality Manager) to ensure all change meets the requirements of the nationally accredited standard.
You will build and maintain strong working relationships with colleagues, stakeholders, and peers both internally and externally and share findings and best practice appropriately. Maintain an up to date knowledge of Identification Services and the wider business area including changes to technology.
You will manage staff performance and attendance in line with Surrey & Sussex Police policies and documented ISO 17025 procedures.
You will be responsible for identifying relevant competence and training needs, advise and influence the delivery of effective training programmes. Taking an active role in competency testing and fostering an environment of ongoing continued professional development for experienced staff in line with 17025 requirements.
You will attend management meetings when required with senior managers within Surrey & Sussex Police and elsewhere.
You will be actively involved in the selection procedures for Specialists and Officers within the Unit.
You will maintain competence as a practitioner and will be required to devote time to maintaining your own competence within their field of expertise as a subject matter expert.
You will prepare statements of evidence, reports and schedules as required and to attend Courts of Law to personally give evidence of opinion.
You will deputise for the Forensic Identification Services Manager in their absence.
You will undertake training and participate in the provision of auditing for accreditation purposes across Forensic Investigations when requested.
You will undertake other such duties appropriate to the grade and character of the work as may reasonably be required, including the specific duties of a similar or lesser graded job.
Skills & Experience
It is essential to be a qualified Fingerprint Expert and to have recent evidence of having maintained competence. This will have been achieved by attending a recognised Fingerprint Training course and working through a developmental training programme over a number of years, or equivalent experience in a Fingerprint Bureau environment. Competence will have been assessed in line with ISO17025 accredited standards.
Good standard of education with proven numeracy and literacy skills at a higher education level.
Demonstrable experience of successfully managing performance of teams and individuals and identifying change in relation to both performance management and performance indicators.
Leadership experience or training or the ability to commit to professional development.
Able to demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills, together with the ability to communicate effectively with others and to be a team player within a close working environment.
Demonstrate strategic awareness, good knowledge of policing.
It is essential that the post holder can work methodically, using their own initiative, with the ability to think laterally and logically to exacting standards of accuracy & integrity.
Able to work without supervision and to be methodical, patient and thorough. To be able to plan a daily work schedule with the capacity of adapting to unforeseen situations.
The post holder must possess the ability to effectively prioritise work and be adaptable and flexible in their approach and in personal time management.
The post holder must be able to communicate information and advice in non-technical and technical language to others, irrespective of rank, through meetings, one to one’s and presentations. The must possess the ability to engage effectively with stakeholders using negotiating and influencing techniques.
The post holder must be willing to be actively engaged in a programme of Continuous Professional Development that not only develops their technical skills but also their management & leadership skills too.
To work within and comply with the appropriate auditory measures required to maintain ISO accreditation standards and demonstrate personal competency within their identified role.
The post holder must possess strong attention to detail and be able to problem solve in a fast-paced environment.
Evidence of delivering excellent public service, contributing towards the overall aims and values of the organisation.
Able to demonstrate a good working knowledge of relevant Surrey and Sussex computer systems including Microsoft products, PNC, SOCRATES, FISH, IDENT1 and LIVESCAN.
To be prepared to undertake additional training courses & assessments (including management development courses, interview techniques and other specialisms) in order to fulfil the requirements of the Joint Command.
To be prepared to work a rotating shift pattern, including working weekends and on occasions also work overtime in line with organisational priorities.
Good eyesight (with or without correction) is required in order to carry out detailed and meticulous work. Must be able to travel across Surrey and Sussex. Either by: a) Being in possession of a current, full UK Driving Licence and access to a personal vehicle with suitable insurance. Ideally be willing to undertake a Driving Assessment to enable the post holder to drive unmarked Police Fleet vehicles. b) Providing an alternative method of transport.
Further Information
The salary for this role is starts at 33,618 rising in increments to £37,281 + Unsociable hours allowance. A market supplement of £2,000 per annum will also be applied on recruitment, rising to £4,000 per annum after 3 years in post.
For further information regarding this role please contact:
FISU Manager Sarah Rackliff - sarah.rackliff@sussex.police.uk
Additional Information
Following submission of your application you will receive a confirmation email with a copy of your application attached. Occasionally emails from this address can fall into spam/junk folders so please ensure this is checked regularly. You may wish to consider adding noreply@surreysussexpolice.as.recruitmail.com to your address/contact list to ensure you receive all communications.
Surrey Police and Sussex Police work together in collaboration for this role, however they remain two different employers, with differing pay scales, allowances and terms and conditions including hours of employment.
If you are an internal candidate and are conditionally offered the role your attendance record and any reasonable adjustments already in place will be discussed with yourself and your current line manager. If you are successful in your application, you may be required to resign and transfer your employment, taking on the Terms & Conditions and pay scales of the Lead Force (if this is not your existing Home Force).
This post is being advertised in parallel with Force redeployment processes. Any redeployees who are identified will be given preference. This may result in the post being withdrawn at any point during the recruitment process.
Surrey Police and Sussex Police Special Constables, Volunteers and Agency Staff (excluding self employed workers) covered under the Agency Worker Regulations (AWR) are eligible to apply for internal advertised posts.
Diversity Statement
We are only as good as our people. It's really important that our officers and staff can be themselves in the workplace and we know that as an organisation we'll grow from the variety of thinking, approach and skills that diversity brings; all of which help us deliver a better policing service. We strive to ensure how we deliver our services, provide information and how we recruit is open and accessible to all.
We have multiple staff support groups who help to improve our understanding of minority issues and ensure they are reflected in our work. We are proud members of the Stonewall Workplace Equality Index and Disability Confident, a signatory of the Race at Work Charter and aligned with the Armed Forces Covenant and the HeForShe movement.
We value the differences that people bring from all backgrounds and communities. Regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, disability, social status or religious beliefs, we would love to hear from you.
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