Skip to main contentDigital Forensics Practitioner
HM Revenue and Customs
Apply before 11:55 pm on Wednesday 27th September 2023
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About the job
Job summary
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.
Covert Operations, Digital Exploitation (CODE) sits within HMRC’s wider Fraud Investigation Service (FIS) responsible for the department’s civil and criminal investigation work. FIS ensures that HMRC has an effective approach to taking on the most serious tax evasion and fraud.
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.
See what it’s like to work at HMRC: find out more about us or ask our colleagues a question. Questions relating to an individual application must be emailed as detailed later in this advert.
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.
This is an entry level role suitable for those looking to start an exciting career in Digital Forensics. HMRC will invest in individuals who are driven, passionate, and committed to the role. Full training and support will be provided, and you will aspire to become an ICDIP associated professional. Therefore, successful applicants will be coachable and willing to self-improve continually.
Candidates must live within reasonable daily travel, of an HMRC Regional Centre.
Training Requirements
You will be required to complete a 12 month Training and Assessment Period (TAP) - document attached.
Necessary Digital Forensics training, ranging from in-house training to external courses, will be provided.
This role requires a certain degree of fitness and applicants will be required to be cleared by an Occupational Health assessment to be able to attend an Operational Safety Training (OST) course. Successful completion of the OST is required to undertake duties away from the office. Failure to pass and maintain the OST certificate may affect receipt of the Flexibility Payment.
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.
- The building of a portfolio of evidence to become a member of ICDIP
- Attending operational duties (including search warrant executions away from normal place of work with overnight stays).
- Travelling across the country, including occasional international travel.
- Undertaking Digital Forensics training, ranging from in-house training to external courses.
Essential Criteria
- National Security Vetting Clearance at Security Check (SC) or the ability to achieve SC clearance.
- Possess a passion for technology that goes beyond that of a regular user. You should be comfortable exploiting technology to its limits.
- Be practical and pragmatic with a problem-solving mind-set and an eye for 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 for self-improvement. You must be willing to learn new and evolving skills.
- Full UK Driving Licence.
Desirable Criteria
- Degree in Digital Forensics, Computer Science, or related field.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Working Together
- Delivering at Pace
- Making Effective Decisions
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Digital Forensics - Test
Benefits
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
- Flexibility Payment - This post attracts a Level 1a Flexibility Payment (FP) that is paid monthly with salary.
This FP allows HMRC the flexibility to change your work pattern, at short notice, to meet business needs. You will also be expected to work additional hours outside of your normal working hours/days, including weekends and bank holidays.
In applying for a position and accepting the FP you agree that you can and will meet those attendance requirements.
FP levels are reviewed annually – on a business need and personal basis – and may be subject to change.
If you currently receive the Flexibility Payment, which may include Transition Protection and/or a Maintained Pension Value, moving to a new role may affect your payments.
Details of the Flexibility Payment can be found in the attached document.
Find more about HMRC benefits in 'Your little extras and big benefits handbook' for further information or visit Thinking of joining the Civil Service.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV and statement of suitability. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form
After submission of the first stage of your application you will be invited to complete a Civil Service Verbal Test & Civil Service Numerical Test. If you successfully pass the test, you will be invited to complete the final stage of the application.
Please complete the online tests and written application as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended), the closing date for the tests is 27/09/2023 at 23:55. If you fail to complete the online test before the deadline your application will be withdrawn. Guidance for the test will be available when you are invited to take the test. The tests are administered online and accessed via the CS Jobs website.
The CV consists of 3 sections: Qualifications, Career History and Skills and experience - maximum 500 words per section. Please demonstrate your technical experience within the skills and experience sections.
The statement of suitability should explain in no more than 1000 words how you meet the requirements in the person specification and should include an example of where you have demonstrated the behaviours ‘Making Effective Decisions’, ’Delivering at Pace’ and ‘Working Together’.
The CV, statement of suitability and experience will be assessed at sift.
We reserve the right to raise the score required at any stage of the process in order to manage numbers.
If you progress to interview, you will be further assessed on technical knowledge, behaviours & strengths. Your technical knowledge will be assessed by way of questions during the interview followed by a written assessment of your technical knowledge.
Sift and Interview will take place within 5 weeks of advert closing date. Interviews will be held face to face.
A reserve list may be held for a period of 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.
Eligibility
To check that you are eligible to apply, review this eligibility information
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.
Reasonable Adjustments
We want to make sure no one is put at a disadvantage during our recruitment process because of a disability, condition, or impairment. To assist you with this, we will reduce or remove any barriers where possible and provide additional support where appropriate.
If you need a reasonable adjustment or a change to be made so that you can make your application, review this information on reasonable adjustments, and contact hmrcrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible.
Diversity and Inclusion
At HMRC we are committed to creating a great place to work for all our colleagues and creating an inclusive and respectful environment that reflects the diversity of the society we serve.
Diverse perspectives and experiences are critical to our success and we welcome applications from all people from all backgrounds with the experience and skills needed to perform this role. We’re committed to creating a great place to work for all our colleagues here at HMRC. We want everyone to feel valued and supported to achieve their potential at HMRC.
For more information on how we make this happen, review this information on our culture and values
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.
We welcome applications from those who need to work a more flexible arrangement and will agree to requests where possible after considering operational and customer service needs. We can’t guarantee that we can meet all requests to work flexibly, as agreement will be subject to business ability to accommodate, and any request to work a more flexible arrangement should be made prior to your acceptance of the provisional offer.
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.
The Civil Service runs 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.
Locations
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.
Security Update
For more information on the level of security checks we will carry out, review this information on security checks
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.
Further Information
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.
Duplicate applications for the same vacancy will also be withdrawn.
Transferring into HMRC from Civil Service If you are currently working for an ‘Other Government Department’ (OGD) and would like to consider the impact on your pay when joining HMRC, please see the attached document "Combined T&C and OGD Pay English”, found at the bottom of this advert. Further information on staff transfers can be found on gov.uk
Problems during the application process
If you experience accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
If you think you’ve made a mistake on a short application form (e.g. you’ve ticked the incorrect eligibility box), please contact hmrcrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk at least two working days before the vacancy closes. After this, we won’t be able to reopen your application.
Please use the subject line to insert appropriate wording e.g. Please re-open my application - 313275 & vacancy closing date 27/09/2023. Please note that we cannot amend or re-open your application if you have submitted your full application in the interests of fair and open recruitment.
For reasonable adjustments queries or requests, please see details within reasonable adjustments section above.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
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).
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Ian Spencer
- Email : Ian.spencer@hmrc.gov.uk
- Telephone : 03000 563239
Recruitment team
- Email : hmrcrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
