Overview
Audio-Visual Forensics Officer – Stratford Regional Centre – Westfield Avenue
About the job
Job summary
Discover a career in your hands at HMRC. Whether you’re seeking purpose, growth, or a workplace that gives you a true sense of belonging, hear from some of our employees as they share their story about what it’s really like to work at HMRC.
Visit our YouTube channel to watch the full series and come and discover your potential.
HMRC is the UK’s tax, payments and customs authority and we have a vital purpose: we collect the money that pays for the UK’s public services and help families and individuals with targeted financial support.
HMRC’s Fraud Investigation Service (FIS) is responsible for the department’s civil and criminal investigations.
FIS provides HMRC with an effective investigation arm to enforce the Department’s compliance policies. This enables the Department to deliver against the strategic responsibilities across all the taxes and duties it administers. This includes complex offshore evasion, international smuggling of illicit excise goods, exports of controlled weapons and technology, labour market abuses, VAT and Self-Assessment repayment frauds and a host of other fraud attacks targeted at the tax system.
FIS is home to a wide range of people with a variety of skills and professional backgrounds – including accountants, cybercrime specialists, criminal justice professionals, tax professionals and operational delivery support teams to name but a few. We use a range of powers and approaches to protect funding for UK public services, investigating the most harmful tax cheats and ensuring nobody is beyond our reach.
Covert Operations, Digital Exploitation (CODE) sits within FIS. Working across Law Enforcement and government, CODE provides investigative tools and covert techniques to front-line investigations and works with key partners to develop and provide access to new technology and systems to enable investigators to respond to serious and complex tax evasion and crime.
Job description
Cybercrime & Forensic Services (C&FS) provides critical support to FIS investigations nationally through the provision of important forensic services. From supporting warrant executions to the preservation and analysis of digital evidence. This is a unique opportunity to be responsible for critical elements of our Audio-Visual Forensic Service provided to HMRC’s investigation teams. You will ensure that all aspects of Audio-Visual Forensic work are carried out the highest standard, adhering to forensic strategy and principles, and meeting Forensic Science Regulator requirements.
As an Audio-Visual Officer, you be assisting the Higher and Senior Officers with dealing with a wide variety of audio-visual evidence such as video, CCTV, audio and photography. Assisting with handling, processing and presenting this evidence in a factual and forensic manner for interview and court, where officers may be required to give evidence.
The primary role is to assist in the processes & operation of the Audio-Visual Forensic Department. Reporting to the Higher and Senior AV Practitioners, the responsibilities of an Audio-Visual Officer are:
• Generalised departmental administration and support duties where the vacancy holder will act as technical point of contact and provide support for customers and AV practitioners including but not limited to; dealing with technical enquires, stock and consumables management, AV equipment and asset management, testing and coordinating repairs / replacement of equipment.
• Updating SharePoint content, AV mailbox monitoring and writing user guides and procedure for operational equipment.
• Assessment & testing of new AV devices proposed by the business to ensure compatibility with current procedure and IT and report findings.
• Processing of multimedia devices / evidence (audio, video, CCTV & photographic media). This could include acquisition, editing and production of AV material.
• Attending with Higher / Senior AV Practitioners, both friendly sites and addresses under warrant to triage and recover CCTV data / conduct forensic scene photography.
• Manage forensic exhibits to ensure continuity, confidentiality and security is always maintained.
• Good communicator who can perform in a client/customer facing role.
• To carry out any duties commensurate with the purpose of the post that may from time to time be determined, including assisting other members of C&FS processing other forms of digital devices.
Person specification
• Comfortable learning and using new technology and complex software packages.
• Strong collaboration and teamwork skills.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong support and customer service skills.
• Willingness to learn and adapt within a small, busy team.
• Ability to problem solve technical and procedural issues.
• Ability to work autonomously, reprioritise and respond to varying operational demands.
Essential Criteria
A keen interest and knowledge of at least one of the below:
• CCTV and Video – video applications, file types, etc.
• Audio – audio applications, file types, etc.
• Photography – photographic techniques and usage and knowledge of camera equipment.
• The ability to undertake a technical analysis of audio & video recordings submitted in evidence and report on findings.
• Ability to communicate technical concepts and findings to a non-technical audience.
• General knowledge of the Adobe Creative Cloud suite (or similar products).
Desirable Criteria
• Previous experience working in a Law Enforcement environment / legal environment.
• Demonstrable skills in industry standard photographic and media processes.
• A keen interest in emerging technologies.
• Experience of giving evidence in court.
• Experience of Quality Management Systems and/or ISO17025.
Training Requirements
The role requires the digital forensics authorised officer course and a willingness from the applicant to undertake dedicated audio-visual and forensic training courses such as certified Adobe courses and forensic courses such as LEVA Level 1.
Licences
A Full UK Manual driving licence is a requirement for this role, there will be an expectation to drive on official business on a weekly basis. Candidates must be confident and have a willingness to drive.
We recognise that some individuals may be unable to drive due to a disability or underlying health condition and may not be able to meet this requirement. If this applies, you are still encouraged to apply. Upon receiving a provisional offer, you will have the opportunity to declare any need for reasonable adjustments. The vacancy holder will then assess your specific requirements to determine if they can be accommodated within the role.
Qualifications
Qualifications (BTEC, A Level, etc) in a relevant subject such as computer science, forensics, digital imagery, photography, etc.
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Working Together
- Delivering at Pace
Technical skills
We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Written questions on video, audio and photography.
- Practical test on Adobe photoshop or another av software product such as Audacity, Premier or Audition dependant on candidates knowledge and skills.
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £34,093, HM Revenue and Customs contributes £9,876 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
HMRC operates both Flexible and Hybrid Working policies, allowing you to balance your work and personal commitments. We welcome applications from those who need to work a more flexible arrangement and will agree to requests where possible, considering our operational and customer service needs.
We offer a generous leave allowance, starting at 25 days and increasing by a day for every year of qualifying service up to a maximum of 30 days.
- Pension – We make contributions to our colleagues’ Alpha pension equal to at least 28.97% of their salary.
- Family friendly policies.
- Personal support.
- Coaching and development.
To find out more about HMRC benefits and find out what it’s really like to work for HMRC hear from our insiders or visit Thinking of joining the Civil Service
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
How to Apply
As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide the following:
- A name-blind CV including your job history, highlighting achievements in past roles.
- A 750-word personal statement demonstrating how your skills and experience are relevant to the role (Job Responsibilities & Person Specification) and the essential criteria. Specific examples can be used (STAR format recommended) to highlight how you meet the criteria, how you work and results achieved.
Please complete a separate statement (Max 250 words) for the Desirable Criteria where applicable. This is not essential for the role but may be considered by the vacancy-holder where candidates have the same scores at sift or interview.
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
We acknowledge that AI can assist you in your application. Find our guidelines at Link: Artificial Intelligence in recruitment
Sift
A full sift will be held on your CV and Personal Statement, with successful candidates being invited to interview.
We reserve the right to increase the pass mark in the event we receive a large number of applications.
Interview
During the panel interview, you will be assessed on the Behaviour and Technical Skills detailed in the advert.
Interviews will take place face to face in Stratford. Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.
Eligibility
Please take extra care to tick the correct boxes in the eligibility sections of your application form. We understand mistakes sometimes happen but if you contact us later than two working days(Monday-Friday) before the vacancy closes, we will not be able to reopen your application for you. If you do make a mistake with your eligibility form, please contact us via: unitybusinessservicesrecruitmentresults@hmrc.gov.uk – Use the subject line to insert appropriate wording for example – ‘Please re-open my application – [insert vacancy ref] & vacancy closing date [insert date]’.
To check that you are eligible to apply for this role, please review the eligibility information before submitting your application.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles – if this applies to you, we’ll let you know via your Civil Service Jobs account.
Merit List
After interview, a single merit list will be created, and appointments will be made in strict merit order until the set demand is filled. If successful, you will be informed when we reach your position on the merit list.
Criminal Record Check
Applications received from candidates with a criminal record are considered fairly in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice and the Recruitment of ex-offenders Policy.
Reasonable Adjustments
We want to make sure no one is put at a disadvantage during our recruitment process. To assist you with this, we will reduce or remove any barriers where possible and provide additional support where appropriate.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
- Contact the UBS Recruitment Excellence Team via ubsrecruitmentexcellence@hmrc.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Additional Security Information
Please note: In addition to the standard pre-employment checks for appointment into the Civil Service, all candidates must also obtain National Security Vetting at Security Check (SC) clearance level for this vacancy. You will normally need to meet the minimum UK residency period as determined by the level of vetting being undertaken, which for SC is 5 years UK residency prior to your vetting application. If you have any questions about this residency requirement, please speak to the vacancy holder for this post.
Important information for existing HMRC contractual homeworkers
Please note that this role is unsuitable for contractual homeworkers due to the nature and/or requirements of the role.
Terms and Conditions
Customer facing roles in HMRC require the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English and/or Welsh where required. Where this is an essential requirement, this will be tested as part of the selection process.
HMRC has a presence in every region of the UK. For more information on where you might be working, review this information on our locations.
The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. The evidence you provide in your application must relate to your own experiences.
Any instances of plagiarism or other forms of cheating will be investigated and, if proven, the relevant application(s) will be withdrawn from the process.
Recording of interviews is prohibited unless explicit agreement is sought in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulations.
Questions relating to an individual application must be emailed as detailed later in this advert.
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
If you experience accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the ‘Contact point for applicants’ section.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
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 the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
