Identification Officer - Fingerprints

Job summary

Forensic Services provides a range of capabilities to support the NCA's fight against Serious and Organised crime. At the heart of everything we do is the Forensic Science Regulator's Codes of Practice and for the Identification Bureau this means compliance to international accreditation standard ISO 17025.

The Identification Bureau is a specialist team of Fingerprint and DNA subject matter experts who provide NCA with a range of services to deliver robust evidence and intelligence to support the identification of subjects. The team manages the NCA’s access to the UK National Fingerprint Database (IDENT1) to support various automated identification activities in support of NCA core business and International fingerprint requirements, including Prüm Fingerprint exchange. The business area conducts fingerprint analysis, comparison and searching activity in support of criminal justice outcomes and international fingerprint requirements on behalf of the UK, providing expert witness evidence for the organisation as required.

The Fingerprint Identification Officer role processes subject fingerprints and examines scene of crime marks in line with bureau policy and within agreed quality standards, carrying out relevant searches either manually or electronically. They play a key role in supporting the established technical fingerprint capability including the implementation of accreditation across services offered.

Job description

Fingerprint Identification Officer duties are varied and include the undertaking of both technical and administrative functions to manage fingerprint records and casework material relating to agency operations.

The Fingerprint Identification Officer provides non reporting support to the agency's Identification Bureau maintaining the operational and technical efficiency and effectiveness of all identification services. Maintaining and operating biometric systems, performing identity checks, ensuring data integrity and compliance with quality standards and legal requirements such as Protection of Freedoms Act are all part of day to day activities. Fingerprint Identification Officers also play a key role in validation and verification of fingerprint methods to assist with demonstrating continued compliance to ISO 17025. Where satisfactory competence is demonstrated further training on the fingerprint learning programme may be offered as part of a progression plan to grow the next generation of expert witnesses.

The role is based in the Tamworth office and due to the nature of the role does not offer hybrid working. Flexible working is considered with a minimum of 30 hours per week.

Person specification

Friction Ridge detail Analysis, comparison and Evaluation of either tenprints or marks.

Experience of routine processing of fingerprints; marks or tenprints.

Understanding of fingerprint standards, regulation and accreditation; FSR CoP&C / ISO 17025:2017

Application of accreditation principles within casework, audit or assessment environment

Current knowledge & experience of working with fingerprint database systems

End User knowledge and experience of IDENT1 / IABS systems processing either mark or tenprint data

Understanding of information management and data integrity issues

Management of biographic and biometric records in digital and hardcopy

Knowledge of relevant governance and legislation

Familiarity with PoFA, AFSPR, CPIA and related oversight bodies e.g FINDS, OBSCC, UKAS.

Experience of Handling Exhibits and Evidence

Experience of handling exhibits and evidence, including receipt, storage and considerations around continuity and integrity

Customer Service

Understands who the customer is, what they need and effectively delivers against those requirements. Develops and maintains positive relationships with internal and/or external stakeholders.

Communication

Skills to convey information clearly and effectively through written and verbal communication.

IT Skills

Ability to confidently work with Microsoft Office (primarily excel) as well as learn other forensic applications and programmes as required.

Time Management

Effectively manages time and workload ensuring tasks are completed to agreed standards and timelines.

Essential Criteria

You must meet the essential criteria and evidence this within your application to be considered for the role.

Entry Requirements

• Friction Ridge detail analysis, comparison and evaluation of either tenprints or marks.
• Current knowledge & experience of working with fingerprint database systems.
• Understanding of fingerprint standards, regulation and accreditation; FSR CoP&C / ISO 17025:2017.

Qualifications, Membership and Licences

Evidence of Foundation Fingerprint Qualification or Initial Tenprint level competency

Any applications from candidates not meeting this eligibility criteria will not progress.

Qualifications

Evidence of Foundation Fingerprint Qualification or Initial Tenprint level competency

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Working Together
• Changing and Improving

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Friction Ridge detail Analysis, comparison and Evaluation of either tenprints or marks.
• Current knowledge & experience of working with fingerprint database systems
• Basic understanding of fingerprint standards, regulation and accreditation; FSR CoP&C / ISO 17025:2017
• Experience in being involved in the improvement of a more positive or inclusive team environment.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £36,057, National Crime Agency contributes £10,445 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

New entrants to the NCA receive 26 days annual leave, rising to 31 on completion of 5 years continuous service, plus 8 bank holidays.

If qualifying criteria is met new joiners from UK Police Forces or the UK Intelligence Community (UKIC) will have service with those employers taken into account for continuous service purposes for annual leave entitlement only, this will be up to a maximum of 31 days leave (including 1 privilege day).

Other benefits include:

• Flexible working, including flexi-time, compressed hours and job sharing (in line with business requirements)
• Family friendly policies, notably above the statutory minimum
• Learning and Development opportunities
• Interest free loans and advances, including season tickets, childcare and rental deposits
• Housing schemes - Key Worker status
• Discounts and Savings with a wide variety of services including Cycle to Work, Smart Tech schemes, dental insurance, gym discounts and savings on everyday spending, available through the Reward Gateway , Edenred and Blue Light Card schemes.
• Staff support groups/networks
• Sports and social activities, including membership to the Civil Service Sports Council (CSSC)

Further information is available on the NCA Website.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

How we will assess you

Your application will be assessed against the following:

Technical - this will be assessed by 250 word examples on:

• Friction Ridge detail Analysis, comparison and Evaluation of either tenprints or marks.

• Current knowledge & experience of working with fingerprint database systems

• Basic understanding of fingerprint standards, regulation and accreditation; FSR CoP&C / ISO 17025:2017

• Experience in being involved in the improvement of a more positive or inclusive team environment.

A panel will assess how well your application demonstrates the requirements outlined above.

Longlist

In the event of a high number of applications, we may operate a longlist. Applicants will need to meet the minimum pass mark for the lead criteria.

- Friction Ridge detail Analysis, comparison and Evaluation of either tenprints or marks. .

Candidates who do not meet the minimum pass mark for the lead criteria will not progress to having their other criteria assessed. Applications must meet the minimum criteria to be progressed to the assessment stage.

You will receive an acknowledgement once your application is submitted.

We aim to have sift completed and scores released within 10 working days of the closing date of the advert. For high volume campaigns this timeframe may be extended.

Scores will be provided but further feedback will not be available at this stage.

For guidance on the application process, visit:
NCA Applying and Onboarding

Assessment 1

The format of this assessment will be Interview which will be tested on the criteria listed in the Success Profiles at Assessment section.

Success Profiles at Assessment

Behaviours

• Working Together

• Changing and Improving

Technical

• Friction Ridge detail Analysis, comparison and Evaluation of either tenprints or marks.

• Current knowledge & experience of working with fingerprint database systems

• Basic understanding of fingerprint standards, regulation and accreditation; FSR CoP&C / ISO 17025:2017

• Experience in being involved in the improvement of a more positive or inclusive team environment.

Assessment Outcome

Outcomes will be communicated via the NCA recruitment portal.
If successful but no role is immediately available, you may be placed on a reserve list for 12 months.
Reserve lists can be used to fill similar role types across the Agency where the assessment criteria is considered a match by the recruitment team and the business area.

In the event of a tie at the assessment stage, available roles will be offered in merit order using the following order:

1. Lead criteria (behaviours/technical/experience)
2. If still tied, desirable criteria will be assessed (if advertised)
3. If still tied, application sift scores will be used

Feedback is provided only to those who attend an assessment.

You will be subject to vetting and pre-employment checks before appointment.

Once the vacancy closes, the advert will no longer be accessible. Please save a copy for your records.

We encourage all candidates to visit the NCA Careers Page for more information.

Full advert details for this vacancy can found on the advert on the NCA Recruitment Portal. Please follow the link to apply at advertisers' site.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : The Recruitment Team
• Email : central.recruitment@nca.gov.uk
• Telephone : central.recruitment@nca.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : central.recruitment@nca.gov.uk

Further information

If you believe your application has not been treated fairly, email: Central.Recruitment@nca.gov.uk (quoting the vacancy reference).
If unresolved, you may escalate your complaint to the Civil Service Commission.