Job Title: / Forensic Submissions Officer - Regional Forensic
Post Number:
Division/Department/Section: / South West Regional Forensic Services
Devon & Cornwall Police
Line Manager
(Name/Title & Post Number) / Forensic Submissions Team Leader
1. PURPOSE
You must refer to the Guidance Notes for completion of each section of this JDQ as this contains important information of individuals you should consult with eg Vetting Officer, etc. Link here
Reporting to the Forensic Submissions Team Leader you will be responsible for processing forensic submissions within the South West Region.
You will provide an enhanced quality assurance and specialist advice for forensic submissions. Additionally you will be responsible for ensuring that the region receives the best forensic result and intelligence at the best cost in accordance with the National Framework and the West Coast Consortium Forensic Contract (WCC).
2. POSITION IN THE ORGANISATION
People who work directly for this post
NONE
3. MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
What is the post responsible for?
(INPUT) / With what results?
(OUTPUT)
To ensure that forensic submissions are assessed for evidential relevance and viability before sending to the appropriate laboratory, for appropriate tests, in terms of expertise and cost and in accordance with the WCC Contract. / To ensure that all submissions are relevant and financially sound, justifying them and ensuring best value for money.
To provide a source of expert advice to specialist officers and staff across the region on forensic disciplines and examinations. / To ensure that the Submissions Unit is utilised to its maximum, offering sound advice and an effective service to officers at all levels and other forces.
To promote the Forensic Submissions Unit’s work across the region and other outside agencies. / To ensure that management at all levels and external partnerships are aware of forensic opportunities, submission procedures and any changes in procedure in order to promote the service
To ensure invoices received within the unit from commissioned laboratories and other agencies are accurate and complete, that the appropriate budget code is identified and the accounts reconciled. / Maintain accurate data in respect of committed and invoiced costs, and identify inaccuracies and any potential efficiency savings within Forensic Budgets. To ensure that all invoices for Forensic Services are correct, and accurately reflect the work carried out by the provider.
To respond to a dynamic scientific and legal environment in identifying, recommending and introducing improvements to the forensic submissions process to assist key stakeholders. / To ensure that the Submissions Unit is utilised to its maximum, offering sound advice and an effective service to everyone at all levels with emphasis on continuous improvement.
To research regional systems to ensure consistency and accuracy in information shared with stakeholders. Update and interrogate forensic systems to monitor and record submissions status. / To provide accurate, consistent and up to date information
Authorise submissions to Forensic Service Providers. / To ensure that all submissions are relevant and financially sound, justifying them and ensuring best value for money.
This list of duties is not restrictive or exhaustive and the post-holder may be required to carry out duties from time to time that are either commensurate with/or lower than the grade of the post. In some posts this might include the ad-hoc provision of guidance and informal training of new colleagues. / Completion of duties to meet the needs of the police service.
4. CONTACTS
Five main contacts, internal or external (other than Manager), which the post-holder regularly deals with in the course of their work.
1. / Forensic Science Suppliers (Forensic Science Service, Forensic Alliance and other specialist laboratories)
2. / All Staff within the Scientific Support Department – Forensic Submissions officer, Crime Scene Investigation, Fingerprints, Hi-Tech Crime Unit, Technical Support Unit, Force Forensic Laboratory
3. / Crown Prosecution Service
4. / Officers in the case (authorisation for Forensic Submissions and providing advice on Forensic matters) including Senior Investigating Officers.
5. / Finance HQ (routine budget queries and updates).
5. SPECIAL CONDITIONS/ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Any special arrangements surrounding the job e.g. 24 hr responsibility, on-call time, and weekend work in this section.
All successful applicants will be required to submit themselves for drug testing in line with employing Force's Drug Policies.
6. HEALTH & SAFETY TRAINING
Are there any specific health and safety training requirements for this role which need to be considered prior to or post appointment? (Manager should read appropriate Risk Assessments and identify training required, eg, manual handling training, VDU assessment, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) etc)
THE BELOW IS TO BE ADDED FOR ALL HEAD OF DEPARTMENT ROLES
The nature of the role also carries a requirement to attend events, meetings, etc, outside of ‘normal’ office hours and beyond Dorset’s boundaries on a relatively frequent basis.
Your role is fundamentally important in the organisation’s safety management structure. Your line manager has delegated to you the responsibility of ensuring that all day to day health and safety matters so far as is reasonable practicable are satisfactory implemented and managed in your area of business for which you are responsible for. Incumbent in this duty is to ensure that all staff for whom you are responsible for, receive adequate information, instruction and supervision as is necessary for them to undertake their duties safely and all health and safety policies as appropriate are satisfactorily implemented and managed. You will be required to set a personal example by not condoning unsafe working practices and show positive commitment to health and safety.
To satisfactorily enable you to undertake the above duties, the Force expects that you will make yourself available to undertake appropriate health and safety management training relevant to your post.
You are advised to read the Force’s Health and Safety policy which will give a more in depth description of your full health and safety responsibilities.
7. HEALTH MONITORING
Are there any Health Monitoring requirements specific to this post which will be considered prior to appointment/job offer.
All successful applicants will be required to submit themselves for drug testing in line with employing Force's Drug Policies.
8. VETTING
Certain designated posts require enhanced vetting in line with the Force Vetting Policy. Details of such specified below eg ‘this post is subject to vetting’ or ‘this post is subject to higher level vetting’. Vetting clearance will need to be obtained prior to appointment of a candidate.
Please note that, due to the nature of security checks undertaken, applicants must have 3 years' continuous residency in the UK up to the date of the application and Home Office approval for indefinite leave to remain within the UK.
9. TERMS OF APPOINTMENT
There may be a requirement to work outside of office hours and to be flexible in terms of working location and be prepared to work temporarily at other locations within the South West Region.
All successful applicants will be required to submit themselves for drug testing in line with employing Force's Drug Policies.
Please note that, due to the nature of security checks undertaken, applicants must have 3 years' continuous residency in the UK up to the date of the application and Home Office approval for indefinite leave to remain within the UK.
The commencing salary will be within Scale E starting at £21,309 rising by increments to £24,852
10. PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential Criteria
Essential Qualifications/Specific Training/Alternative relevant experience, knowledge, skills which are required for this post.
Criteria to be measured / Competencies Required
Criteria A
/ Working knowledge of a forensic case management system (e.g. SOCRATES).Criteria B
/ Experience of producing accurate written information that demonstrates a high level of attention to detail.Criteria C
/ Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills at all levels.Criteria D
/ Be self-motivated with the ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team.Criteria E
/ Ability to work under pressure with demanding workloads and deadlines.Criteria F
/ Sound knowledge of the forensic submissions process and how it contributes to crime investigation and the criminal justice system.Criteria G
/ A good standard of computer literacy and a working knowledge of windows software including Microsoft Word.Criteria H
/ Knowledge of the Streamlined Forensic Reporting (SFR) protocols.Desirable Criteria (if applicable)
Desirable Qualifications/Specific Training/Alternative relevant experience, knowledge, skills which are required for this post.
Criteria to be measured / Competencies Required
Criteria I / Experience of working within a Forensic Submissions Unit.
Criteria J
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11. DECISIONS TAKENGive three examples of decisions that would be made by the post-holder.
1. / Authorisation or rejection of forensic submissions for laboratory analysis to ensure money is well spent and will further the investigation.
2. / The most appropriate analysis required maximising the forensic potential.
3. / The most appropriate Forensic Service Provider to use
Give one example of a matter which the post-holder would refer to someone else for a decision.
To manage the daily work of all Forensic Submission Officers ensuring effective prioritisation where appropriate.State who that would be referred to below.
Forensic Submissions Team Leader12. DIMENSIONS
Provide facts and figures relevant to the job, section or department. These may include any staff who reports to the jobholder, budgets, contract values, value of projects managed. In relation to budgets: use gross revenue expenditure. When quoting capital figures, use annual capital expenditure. Budgets directly and indirectly influenced should be mentioned, e.g. direct control of a budget or advice to others on how to use it.
13. REASON FOR POST (Complete only in the case of new posts)
(a) Please confirm the reasons why there is a requirement for this role (i.e., home office requirement/legislation, redistribution of work, previously performed by another role within the force etc).
(a) / Regional Collaboration
(b) If the responsibilities have transferred from another post, please specify the role that previously performed these duties.
(b)
14. ADDITIONAL COMMENTS (if applicable)
15. SIGNATURES
Post-Holder’s Name and Signature (if a re-evaluation application)
I confirm that the attached re-evaluation application and the above job description questionnaire is an accurate record of the agreed list of changes. / Date:
Date that the JDQ and changes effective from:
Line Manager’s Name and Signature: / Date:
Divisional/Departmental Manager’s Name and Signature: / Date:
I confirm that any additional funding requirement will be met from the Divisional/Departmental Budget and have identified how this will be achieved in the following column.
Assistant Chief Officer’s Name and Signature:
(If post will be funded by central funds) / Date:
Re-evaluation Application:-
In accordance with the Procedural Agreement, please also complete a Request for Re-evaluation Application Form (A451) in addition to this form. Both forms should be submitted by electronic and hard copy to the Employee Relations Officer, Human Resources Department for submission to an evaluation panel.
New post application:-
Submit this form by electronic and hard copy to the Employee Relations Officer, Human Resources Department for submission to an evaluation panel.
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