Position Summary
Bedfordshire Police – Permanent Full‑time Senior Digital Forensic Specialist, based at Joint Protective Services Headquarters, Kempston, Beds PO2. Salary range: £45,765.
Key Responsibilities
* Support and deputise the Digital Forensic Manager, ensuring all digital forensic methods used across the collaboration are validated, verified and maintained in accordance with ISO accreditation requirements and the Forensic Science Regulator’s Code of Practice.
* Develop validation plans, organise and manage validation materials and datasets, and complete validation and implementation reports.
* Create, review and implement technical documentation, including Standard Operating Procedures, Technical Guidelines, training and competency materials, and validation documentation, ensuring all processes remain fit for purpose and compliant with accreditation requirements.
* Maintain regular liaison with ICT, ISAU and external service providers on system updates, technical issues, data storage solutions, information security and digital forensic equipment, resolving lower‑level technical and non‑technical issues and overseeing system networking and data security arrangements.
* Remain operationally competent across all in‑scope digital forensic methods by completing ongoing training and a representative cross‑section of digital casework, as directed by the Digital Forensic Manager.
* Provide visibility and assurance to stakeholders across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, ERSOU and external digital forensic partners, reporting on current compliance positions and future development activity.
* Act as deputy to the Digital Forensic Manager at local, regional and national meetings.
* Research new and replacement digital forensic equipment in line with 7‑Force procurement guidance, producing written recommendations to support informed decision‑making and future capability planning.
Key Requirements
* Degree or equivalent qualification in a forensic science discipline, or relevant experience working in digital forensics or a comparable analytical discipline.
* Excellent oral and written communication skills, capable of producing clear, concise and auditable management system and compliance reports.
* Strong interpersonal skills – ability to work effectively with people at all levels and across varying degrees of technical understanding.
* Very high level of computer literacy, specifically with Microsoft Office applications, statistical monitoring tools and electronic database or workflow management systems.
* Ability to work in an environment involving exposure to unpleasant, sensitive or distressing material, and a working understanding of ISO accreditation standards, the FSR Code of Practice and experience supporting UKAS initial assessments and surveillance programmes.
* High degree of self‑motivation, ability to work independently without direct supervision, and initiative to manage demanding workloads and competing deadlines effectively.
This description outlines the main responsibilities of the post and is not intended to be exhaustive. Additional duties may be agreed and reviewed through the annual performance review process.
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