Senior Digital Forensic Technician (Harlow)

Location of Role: Harlow

Advert Closing Date: 13/08/2026

Starting Salary: £37,020.00 (pro-rata for part-time vacancies)

Part/Full Time: Full Time

Contract Type: Permanent

Working Pattern: Shift not 24/7

Weekend/Evening Working: Yes

Kent Police and Essex Police have recently transformed their Digital Forensic Service (DFS) to adapt and take advantage of the latest technology and infrastructure available. We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Senior Digital Forensic Technician to join our team at Kent and Essex Police. This role offers a unique opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology and infrastructure at Harlow Police Station.

The new Digital Services' structure has been designed to provide the best possible career progression and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) framework to ensure you will have the tools and necessary experience to carry out first class digital forensic investigations. Digital devices and information communication technology are present in almost every investigation the Police Service undertakes. These range from complex computer platforms to mobile phone handsets, games consoles, digital CCTV systems and satellite navigation. As digital devices continue to evolve it will be critical that you are able to adapt & learn new emerging technologies to meet the requirements of the role.

We are looking for enthusiastic individuals who can demonstrate within their reason for application the following skills and/or experience:

• Good technical ability, knowledge of computer and/or mobile phone hardware, software, and operating systems.
• Educated to degree level in a relevant subject or have at least 2 years recent experience within a Digital Forensic service provider (law enforcement or private sector).
• Knowledge and experience of working in an ISO 17025 accredited environment.
• A thorough understanding of ISO 17025 and how it affects the role.
• Communication and interpersonal skills both verbally and written.
• Experience of writing technical statements for court ability to manage multiple and competing demands.
• Experience in writing technical reports.

As a Senior Digital Forensic Technician, you will manage a personal caseload, offering advice and guidance within digital forensic investigations. Your responsibilities will include extraction, processing and reporting of digital evidence. You will be expected to provide advice and assistance to officers and staff concerning the proportionate extraction of digital data. This role also includes the requirement to mentor new Digital Forensic Technicians and conduct mandatory quality standard functions such as Dip checks and competency reviews. You will have a working knowledge of the quality standard ISO 17025 and will be required to develop and maintain your competence under these requirements ensuring best practice is shared amongst colleagues.

It is expected that you will update your technical knowledge of Digital Forensic procedures and advancements within the Digital Forensic field to further your progression as a Senior Digital Forensic Technician. This role at times requires handling highly sensitive and potentially distressing information, necessitating a high degree of emotional resilience. You must be able to work under tight deadlines, manage multiple tasks, and handle competing demands effectively.

The Senior Digital Forensic Technician role at Harlow is shift based, you will be working a 6-week pattern where you will be required to work 1 weekend in 6. The shifts are detailed below:

• AM shift: 0700 - 1500.
• PM shift: 1200 - 2000.
• Weekend shift: 0800 - 1600.

Due to the operational nature of this role, it will be predominantly office based within an office-based team. Some travel may be required to other police sites to discharge duty. Depending on your current vetting level and security clearances, you may be required to complete additional vetting information during the recruitment process.

Kent Police and Essex Police welcomes applications regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, sex, or employment status. Please let us know if you require extra support at any stage of the application process, or for further information regarding this position, please email us at recruitment.business.services@ecis.police.uk stating 'Application Support and Adjustments' in the title of your email. Alternatively, you can call us on 01245 452833. Where appropriate we will make adjustments to the selection process, working arrangements and/or the working environment provided it is reasonable in all the circumstances to do so.

If you're not from the UK, you must be a resident in the UK and have lived here continuously for the last three years. You must also be free from restrictions with indefinite leave to remain. If you're from the UK you must have lived here continuously for the last three years. This doesn't apply to those serving abroad in the British Armed Forces.

As a Disability Confident Leader we:

• Have subjected our Disability Confident self-assessment to external challenge and validation.
• Are taking an active leadership role in encouraging and helping other employers on their journey to becoming Disability Confident.

Diversity, Equality and Inclusion are central to the values of our organisation. At Essex Police we value and embrace the unique experiences, identities and abilities that each of us bring to our roles. We strive to empower everyone to bring their authentic self openly and safely to work. Through the dedicated commitment of our support networks, DE&I team and wider HR departments, we are on a journey to embed our DE&I commitments, ensuring Essex Police is an employer of choice; where everyone feels included. Essex Police and Kent Police are an equal opportunities employer.

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