Forensic Support Officer in Guildford

This role is within a unit where Surrey Police and Sussex Police work in collaboration, whilst remaining 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, allowances and hours.

We really welcome your interest in joining our Police Force. It is a privilege to lead the teams in Surrey Police and Sussex Police who continuously work selflessly and tirelessly in order to keep people in our counties safe. We are looking for talented and inspirational people who put the needs of the public at the heart of everything that they do and who want to make a difference. If you feel you are that person then we want to hear from you. We wish you all the very best with your application.

The Role & Key Responsibilities

From your first day with us you will be part of a policing family making a real difference. It is our mission to identify and protect vulnerable people, prevent and respond to harm and keep people safe. In this role you will be providing professional support to the Forensic Recovery Unit and the Forensic Digital Media Unit teams. Your key responsibilities will include:

• General maintenance and organisation of paper and electronic records, including reviewing submission requests received by email, allocating and monitoring data retention periods.
• Logging statistical information by inputting data into spreadsheets and updating the required systems eg Socrates, Microsoft Excel.
• Carrying out completion tasks such as sending results to customers (Forensic Hub and officers/staff across Surrey and Sussex), the physical movement of exhibits and updating case records accordingly.
• Maintaining a ‘Cleaning and Maintenance’ schedule of equipment and conducting routine safety checks of laboratory equipment, cabinets etc.
• Creating and updating laboratory equipment records, including logging equipment defects.
• Providing quality assurance in the form of initial and second checks of paper and electronic records.
• Carrying out monthly stock maintenance checks and dip checks of equipment.
• To undertake other duties appropriate to the grade and character of work as may be reasonably required, including specific duties of a similar or lesser graded post.

Skills & Experience

Qualifications required:

• GCSEs A-C/ 4-9 or equivalent, including maths and English; or have substantial recent evidence of competent performance in a directly relevant equivalent role.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience:

• Must have previous experience in an administrative role including filing and organising records.
• Must be competent in the use of IT systems, particularly Microsoft Office (including Excel, Word, Outlook and Teams).
• Able to evidence excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently without supervision as well as the ability to work well in a team.
• Work in a meticulous and concise manner with patience and excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Excellent skills in planning, coordination of activities, reporting and proven experience of working methodically with minimal supervision.
• Ability to problem solve with minimum supervision.

Why Work With Us?

Policing is an exciting 24/7 business and we all have commitments outside work. We’re invested in supporting people to balance their life with work and we encourage flexible working. We are open to conversations about job shares and part time working. We take pride in looking after our people and offer a variety of benefits:

• Career progression
• Contributory pension scheme (LGPS)
• Generous annual leave allowance
• Discounts for everyday spend
• On-site gyms and a range of sports clubs
• Generous and supportive parental leave
• Financial and mental wellbeing guidance and support
• Discounted contributory healthcare scheme

36 hours per week, comprising of weekday shifts covering 0730-1530 Monday - Friday (not including public holidays). We are open to discuss part-time working for this role. The post holder will be required to wear a Police Staff uniform and comply with the dress code as appropriate to the Force employer. Requirement to travel to other locations including police premises and training courses. Due to the specialist operational nature of this role, post holders must provide finger/palm prints for elimination purposes. It is essential that following internal training/mentoring, post holders will be able to fulfil the key accountabilities, work independently and provide a portfolio of evidence demonstrating full competence in all aspects of the role. The role may require some manual handling. The post holder must have the ability to undertake relatively physically demanding work under a variety of circumstances and situations.

Diversity Statement

We are only as good as our people. It's 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 the skills that diversity brings; all of which help us to 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 Disability Confident, hold Race Equality Matters Trailblazer status, are a signatory of the Race at Work Charter and are aligned with the Armed Forces Covenant and the HeForShe movement. We are committed to being an anti‑racist police service. We promise to challenge injustice, ensure fairness and to uphold anti‑racist principles in both our organisation and our communities. 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 belief, we would love to hear from you.