HM Revenue & Customs
Digital Forensics Practitioner
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Nottingham, Stratford
Please note that there will be 1 role to be held in each location: 1 Nottingham, 1 Stratford
Job Summary
Discover what it’s like to work in a compliance role that makes an impact. Could you help us shape a stronger, fairer future? Your next career move starts here.
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.
For more information about our Directorates, Lines of Business and some of our roles, please visit the FIS Careers pages [HMRC – Fraud Investigation Service, Civil Service Careers].
There is one post based in Nottingham Regional Centre and one post in Stratford Regional Centre.
Job Description
This is an amazing opportunity for any forward-thinking and focused individual who has a passion for technology.
The primary responsibility of the Digital Forensic Practitioner is to support HMRC’s investigation teams through the Forensic acquisition and examination of digital devices that have been or are suspected of being used in the commission of crime.
Working within HMRC's world class Forensic laboratories you will extract and examine data from computers, storage devices, mobile phones, and CCTV systems. Your findings will be subsequently presented to HMRC investigation teams, supporting often complex, large scale, fraud investigations.
You will be confident using cutting edge technology and tools to achieve your objectives, whilst being diligent and focused, ensuring accuracy and clarity when presenting your findings.
A successful candidate for this role will be an excellent team player, able to display energy, effort, and passion for the role. Joining a lively diverse team of Forensic professionals, working together to meet the demanding challenges of modern-day law enforcement Forensics.
Necessary Digital Forensics training, ranging from in-house training to external courses, will be provided.
Additional Information
Please note this role requires the candidate to attend the office 5 days a week due to the nature of the role.
Person specification
This is an opportunity for the right person to support the successful delivery of HMRC enforcement through the Forensic examination of digital media devices that have been or are suspected of being used in the commission of crime. Working as part of a highly skilled team in a busy, dynamic law enforcement environment.
You will ensure that all aspects of Digital Forensic work are carried out to a high standard, adhering to solid forensic strategy, and meeting all requirements of the Forensic Science Regulator.
HMRC operates a competency approach to Digital Forensics. Meaning you will be allocated work based on your current technical proficiency and expertise.
The responsibilities of this role will include (but not limited to):
- Assist other staff during the seizure and retention of digital devices within a laboratory environment and during search warrant executions for subsequent Forensic examination.
- Manage Forensic exhibits to ensure continuity, confidentiality and security is maintained at all times.
- Understand, follow, and actively promote Digital Forensic good practice methodologies (ISO17025:2017 standard and FSR Codes of Practice) to examine computers, mobile phones, and other digital devices.
- Preparing evidential reports upon completion of Digital Forensic examinations.
- Providing fact and procedural-based evidence at Court as and when required.
- Being at the forefront of technical developments within Digital Forensics.
- Using a number of mainstream digital forensic software tools to process data from mobile devices or computers such as X-Ways Forensics, Nuix, Axiom, Cellebrite, Oxygen, XRY, etc.
- Working with material that may be of an obscene, offensive, or distressing nature.
- Attending operational duties (including search warrant executions away from normal place of work with overnight stays).
- Travelling across the country. There will be a future need to having a driving license as travel around the country will be required later in your career.
- Undertaking Digital Forensics training, ranging from in-house training to external courses.
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Essential Criteria:
- Be a proficient user of technology, confident in leveraging its capabilities effectively, with a practical and pragmatic problem-solving mindset and strong attention to precision and detail.
- Be comfortable handling tools in order to dismantle and examine computers, mobile phones, and other technology whilst following documented procedures.
- Be an excellent team player. You must be able to work effectively with others, not only during the delivery of work but also in supporting colleagues working in challenging and fast-moving situations that are a regular occurrence in modern law enforcement.
- Have a strong desire and willingness to learn new and evolving skills.
Desirable Criteria:
- Degree in Digital Forensics, Computer Science, or related field.
Further Location Information
Please ensure that you only apply for a location that you are willing and able to work from, as we will only make one offer of employment. Any additional notes included in a ‘Further Location Preferences (optional)’ field within the application form, will not be considered. Please be aware that you cannot change your location preference after submitting your application.
Additional Security Information
This role requires the successful candidates to hold or be willing to hold Security Check (SC) Clearance.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Working Together
- Making Effective Decisions
Alongside your salary of £31,096, HM Revenue and Customs contributes £9,008 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).
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
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.
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Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.
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 and previous skills and experience.
- A 750-word Personal Statement to demonstrate Essential Criteria and Person Specification.
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 interview.
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Sift
In the event of a large number of applications being received, an initial sift may be held on the CV.
At full sift your CV and your Personal Statement will be assessed, with the successful candidates being invited to interview.
We may also raise the score required at any stage of the process if we receive a high number of applications.
Interview
During the panel interview you will be assessed on Behaviour, Experience,Strength and Technical assessment. The technical assessment will be a practical exercise based on the essential criteria and will be followed by questions.
This is an example of a strengths-based question.
“It is often said that the customer's needs should come first. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?”
There is no expectation or requirement for you to prepare for the strengths-based questions in advance of the interview, though you may find it helpful to spend some time reflecting on what you enjoy doing and what you do well.
Interviews will take place face to face at the candidates preferred location.
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. Mistakes sometimes happen but if you contact us later than two working days (Monday-Friday) before the vacancy closes, we may not be able to reopen your application for you. If you do make a mistake with your eligibility form, or have withdrawn yourself in error and need your application reinstated whilst the campaign is still live, 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.
Exceptionally, candidates who are not successful at this grade may be considered for appointment to similar roles at a lower grade where the eligibility criteria are met. If this applies, we will contact you directly.
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