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 - See Advert
Salary Grade Range - See Advert
Politically Restricted -
Unsocial Hours Allowance -
Location - 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 an exciting opportunity to join the Forensic Identification Services Unit (FISU) as a Forensic Identification Specialist based in Sussex. You are required 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
Key Responsibilities
As a Forensic Identification Specialist you will be responsible for providing an accurate and efficient service as an acknowledged Identification ‘Expert’ using friction ridge detail as a positive means of identification; you will subsequently professionally gather and present evidence to assist in the investigation of crime & support the prosecution of offenders. As a Specialist you will ensure that all of your duties are performed in accordance with Customer expectations and in line with the Forensic Identification Services Unit ‘Service Level Agreement’, Quality Manual and other documented procedures. You will be working in an ISO 17025 accredited environment. With excellent communication skills you will regularly liaise with Police Officers of all ranks and other departments within and outside the branch. Good computer literacy is essential to perform effectively within this role.
Skills & Experience
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
▫ Able to demonstrate a good working knowledge of relevant Police computer systems including PNC, SOCRATES (case Management), Remote Transmission systems, IDENT1 and LIVESCAN (electronic fingerprint taking system).
Desirable:
▫Good standard of education with proven numeracy and literacy skills.
▫ To be IT literate and demonstrate a working knowledge of Microsoft products such as Office©, Excel© and Outlook© together with Internet Explorer©.
▫Able to demonstrate an aptitude to perceive, analyse and think using visual images. ▫Able to work methodically and patiently, using their own initiative, with the ability to think laterally and logically to exacting standards of accuracy and integrity.
▫Able to demonstrate the focus and drive to effectively prioritise work, achieve targets and get results.
▫Able to be adaptable and flexible in their approach to personal time management. ▫Able to be firm and persistent when expressing views and instructions to all levels of staff and customers / stakeholders.
▫Able to evidence strong report writing skills.
▫Able to demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills, together with the ability to communicate (negotiate and influence) effectively at all levels and to be a team player within a close working environment.
▫ Willingness to participate in a Continuous Professional Development programme (CPD).
Additional Requirements:
▫ To undergo security vetting to the appropriate level.
▫ Good eyesight (with or without correction) is required in order to carry out detailed and meticulous work.
▫ Be able to attend other police premises, court and training.
▫ Be subject to the learning and development agreements specific to relevant courses and force policies.
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
For further information regarding this role please contact: FISU Team Leader Zoe DELANEY (zoe.delaney@sussex.police.uk)
The closing date for applications is Tuesday 31st May 2022. Estimated dates for interviews to be held are W/C 13/06/2022.
This vacancy will be based at Headquarters, Lewes.
All posts will be offered subject to successful vetting and medical review.
Applications will only be accepted by clicking the 'apply' button and completion of the electronic forms. CVs are not accepted as part of our recruitment process and you should refrain from uploading/sending these.
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.