Chemical Treatment Unit Supervisor in Portsmouth

Red Snapper Recruitment are recruiting for a Chemical Treatment Unit Supervisor for a Police force in the South of England. You will manage Chemical Treatment Unit staff and resources ensuring operational capability and compliance to quality operating standards. You will also manage and quality assure forensic examination processes in accordance with the service level agreement and be the Single Point of Contact for the provision of expert advice.

Location: Southsea, Hampshire

Contract: Permanent

Salary: £40,383 - £42,612 per annum

Vetting: must be eligible for MV + SC

Main Responsibilities:

• Line Management responsibility for CTU staff and their effective deployment, both in the Laboratory and at Crime Scenes.
• To identify means of continuous improvement for CTU staff and the department as a whole, including delivery external training for other relevant employees in respect of CTU processes.
• Responsibility for all aspects of COSHH requirements, ensuring strict compliance with guidelines and to use and maintain equipment and chemicals in the Unit, in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act.
• To write Health & Safety risk assessments for the Unit and for other departments where chemicals are used and ensure compliance.
• Budgetary responsibilities for operational equipment, maintenance contracts and overtime.
• To manage the development, enhancement and recording of fingerprints and other marks through the use of chemical processes and specialist equipment.
• To have thorough familiarity with and coach others in the Home Office /DSTL Fingermark Visualisation Manual and associated updates, adhering strictly to its instructions regarding chemical treatments, referred to in SOPs.
• To act as the single point of contact for specialist advice on the best techniques to apply for forensic recovery and on submissions policies for best investigative outcomes and keep appraised of developments in this field.
• Responsible for the sourcing and control of necessary equipment and consumables, determining required specifications and providing expert recommendations for purchasing to enable the most cost-effective procurement.
• Covering the legal requirements of any licensed substance.
• To quality check reports and statements in accordance with the rules of evidence.
• To negotiate time scales for delivery with CPS lawyers and Officers and balance resources accordingly.
• To write, validate and regularly review Forensic Services, Force Policies and Procedures and quality assurance/FSR/ISO documentation covering all Chemical Treatment Unit activities.
• To work with the CTU Technical Manager and the Quality Team to ensure quality assurance processes are in place, managed and adhered to and that they are compliant to the FSR Code and relevant ISO standards, ensuring formal accreditation is achieved and maintained.

Person Specification

Education / Qualifications

• Essential: Educated to QCF Level 4 in a science subject or significant work experience deemed to have brought the post holder to a comparable level. The post holder must hold a full driving licence (Category B). The post holder must have good eyesight in accordance with the prevailing standards at the time.
• Desirable: Educated to Level 6 standard in the science field and/or an appropriate technical qualification. COSHH and/or NEBOSH trained or other relevant Health and Safety training or experience.

Experience and Skills

• Essential: A proven track record of managing people and the delivery of quality assured processes and services. Proven experience in managing large volumes of work under time pressure.
• Desirable: Previous work experience in a related field of work/environment, this could be any of the following: Forensic work, general science/laboratory work, extensive, detailed investigative work, experience in a Criminal Justice role. Worked with chemicals in a safety conscious environment. Experience of Crime scene Investigation / Forensic/ Fingerprint work. Knowledge of police organisation and structure and relevant legislation.

Additional Requirements

• Follow GDPR guidelines and Constabulary policies in relation to accessing and handling personal data.
• The role holder will be required to attend crime scenes and other locations across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, including environments that may be challenging or distressing.
• The postholder must be able to travel at short notice to meet operational demands and therefore must hold a full UK driving licence (Category B) and be prepared to undertake and pass a Force driving course if required.
• The post holder may be required to work occasional unsocial hours in order to respond to operational demands for which the appropriate recompense will be paid.
• An initial 6 month probationary period will apply on appointment to the role.
• The post holder must provide their fingerprints and DNA for elimination purposes, as a requirement of the post.
• The post holder must have good eyesight in accordance with the prevailing standards at the time, with or without correction, in order to perform the detailed and meticulous work associated to the role, participation in biannual testing is mandatory as defined by the organisation.
• All officers and staff must be aware of risk in relation to their role, please view the appropriate Health & Safety Risk Assessment for the role.