Salary: SOO2 - £42,612 - £45,765, 8.4% weekend working allowance
Location: Chester-Le-Street
Hours/Contract: An average of 37 hours per week,
Initially Mon-Fri 0800-1600, and then onto the following shift pattern when competent across the wider DFU.
This shift pattern is currently under review as this role is growth within the department and consequently is likely to move to a 1 in 5 weekends at work shared equally between the DFU managers.
Closing Date: Monday 21st September 2026, 5 pm
Vetting Level: MV
Make a Difference – Join Our Team
We are looking for dedicated and motivated individuals to join Durham Constabulary, helping to protect our communities and deliver an outstanding policing service. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to meaningful work where your skills and commitment will make a real impact.
The Role
To ensure that Forensic Media Unit is accredited to ISO17025 and the Forensic Regulators Codes of Practice. To assist in ensure forensic work undertaken by the wider force within specific Forensic Science Activities meets those standards.
As part of our team, you will play a vital role in supporting operational policing and delivering high-quality services to the public. Working in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, you will collaborate with colleagues and partners to achieve positive outcomes and uphold our core values of professionalism, integrity, and service.
What You’ll Do
- Undertake and conduct supervision of forensic examiners and technicians and allocation of workloads.
- Ensure that all methods falling under ISO17025, DIG 300, DIG 301, DIG 400 and DIG 401 have been validated as fit for purpose.
- Produce and maintain Work Instructions and Standard Operating Procedures for all forensic media work undertaken by the department in line with the Forensic Science Regulator’s Statutory Code of Practise.
- To ensure that work undertaken consistently meets the standards required for both quality and timeliness. Ensure regular quality checks are carried out on work produced.
- Ensure adequate and suitable equipment (including software) is available for use. This will involve keeping pace with advances in technology and making recommendations on equipment usage to ensure that the unit continues to be equipped in a manner that provides an effective service.
- Ensuring the competency of staff working within the unit through a framework of evidenced and documented competency assessments,
- Working alongside the Quality Manager to identify root causes and resolve non-conformances identified.
- Creating, maintaining and reviewing training plans, business continuity plans and service level agreements.
- Deliver high standards of service aligned with organisational priorities
- Contribute to the safety and wellbeing of our communities
- Work effectively as part of a team in a demanding but rewarding environment
- Support continuous improvement and organisational excellence
- Adhere to policies, procedures, and professional standards at all times
What You’ll Bring
- A degree or equivalent qualifications in a relevant subject.
- At least 1 year’s supervisory experience
- At least 1 year’s technical experience within Forensic Media or other digital forensic disciplines
- At least 1 year’s administrative experience including writing reports
- At least 1 years’ experience of ISO process or similar audit procedures
- A strong commitment to public service and our organisational values
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- The ability to work under pressure and adapt to changing priorities
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making capabilities
- Relevant qualifications and/or experience for the role
If you hold a higher qualification than those required, or have a minimum of five years’ relevant experience, please ensure this is clearly evidenced within your application. All applications will be carefully reviewed by our recruitment team.
For further details, please refer to the Job Description and Person Specification.
How to apply
To apply, please submit:
- A completed Application Form
- A completed Equality Monitoring Form
Applications must be received by the closing date and should be sent via email to:
[email protected]
We are committed to equal opportunities, we therefore encourage you to complete and return the equality monitoring form. This form is optional, and your responses will be kept confidential and for statistical purposes only.
Eligibility Requirements
- Applicants must have the right to work and live in the UK without restrictions
- Proof of eligibility will be required for successful candidates
- All recruitment communication will be sent via email—please check your inbox, including junk/spam folders
Candidates must have indefinite leave to work and live in the UK and be free from any restriction. Any successful candidate will be asked to provide evidence of this.
Candidates will be contacted via email in relation to the recruitment process and are advised to also check junk and spam folders for email updates.
Further information
Any offer of employment will be subject to appropriate vetting checks which will be maintained/updated throughout the period of service.
Applicants must have been a UK resident for at least three years prior to the date of application.
If applicants have not been a resident in the UK for at least three years and can provide a VERIFIABLE certificate from the police of any country where they have taken temporary residence. The certificate must indicate that they have not been convicted of any offence whilst in that country or involved in any investigation by a Law Enforcement Agency.
Any tattoos deemed to be obscene, or advocates sexual, racial, ethnic, or religious discrimination, by written word or design is prohibited and the presence of such a tattoo would preclude an applicant from passing the recruitment process for employment with the Constabulary.
For any queries, please contact [email protected]
