Introduction
The Senior Network Engineer – Security & Core Network role at the NSW Police Force needs an engineer who can diagnose difficult problems and remain accountable through resolution. Based in Parramatta and Sydney Olympic Park, the temporary Computer Systems Officer Level 5 position supports secure, resilient and scalable infrastructure for modern policing.
The two 500-word target questions test related but separate strengths. Use the first for a distributed-network investigation and the second for ownership of a complex network or security challenge. Both responses need clear decisions, communication and operational results.
When explaining how to apply for Senior Network Engineer – Security & Core Network, use the two-page cover letter to establish your broader fit with the NSW Police Force environment. Keep firewalls, routing, SASE and other platform experience visible in the resume, supported by outcomes.
Applications close Sunday 26 July 2026 at 11:59pm. Before submitting, return to the official Security and Core Network job ad to confirm the response fields and attachment method.
Contents
- Senior Network Engineer – Security & Core Network role snapshot
- Application requirements
- Candidate evidence areas
- Example application structure
- Help with your application
Senior Network Engineer – Security & Core Network role snapshot
| Role title | Senior Network Engineer – Security & Core Network |
| Organisation | NSW Police Force |
| Location | Parramatta and Sydney Olympic Park |
| Employment | Temporary full-time to 30 June 2029 |
| Classification | Computer Systems Officer Level 5 |
| Salary | $149,739 to $156,088 |
| Closing date | Sunday 26 July 2026 at 11:59pm |
| Official job ad | View the official job ad |
Application requirements for Senior Network Engineer – Security & Core Network
- Cover letter, maximum 2 pages
- Up-to-date resume
- Two target-question responses, maximum 500 words per question, entered online or attached as a separate document
The target questions are:
- “Provide an example that demonstrates your experience troubleshooting complex network issues in a large and distributed environment. Describe the nature of the problem, how you approached investigation and resolution, your role in decision-making, and how you communicated progress and outcomes to stakeholders”
- “Provide an example that best demonstrates your ability to diagnose, resolve, and take ownership of complex network or security challenges. What was your role, how did you approach the problem, and what does this example say about your technical strengths and way of working?”
Candidate evidence areas for Senior Network Engineer – Security & Core Network
| Evidence area | How to demonstrate it |
|---|---|
| Distributed network troubleshooting | Show the scale and complexity of the environment, your investigation method, the decisions you made and how you kept stakeholders informed. |
| Security ownership | Demonstrate hands-on diagnosis, risk management, resolution and accountability for a complex network or security challenge. |
| Firewalls, routing and secure architecture | Connect Cisco and Check Point firewalls, routing and switching, SD-WAN, SASE, Cisco ACI or related infrastructure to a clear outcome. |
| Decision-making under pressure | Explain how you weighed evidence, chose a course of action and managed operational risk while the issue was active. |
| Documentation and collaboration | Show how you documented architectures, configurations or procedures and worked with internal teams, vendors and stakeholders. |
Essential role requirements
- Australian citizenship, Australian permanent residency or New Zealand citizenship
- National Police Check for the successful applicant
- Ability to obtain and maintain the required NSW Police Force security clearance
- Ability to travel to support infrastructure across sites if required
Example application structure for Senior Network Engineer – Security & Core Network
The application requires a two-page cover letter, an up-to-date resume and two responses of no more than 500 words each. Give each response a separate incident or challenge so the panel can assess both investigation and ownership. The table below shows how to divide the evidence.
| Application section | What to include |
|---|---|
| Cover letter | Connect your network-security background to the NSW Police Force operating environment and summarise the scale of systems you have supported. |
| Target question 1 | Tell one complete distributed-network investigation story from problem through resolution and stakeholder communication. |
| Target question 2 | Use a separate ownership story that demonstrates diagnosis, risk judgement, technical strengths and working style. |
| Resume | Prioritise large-scale network, security, troubleshooting, architecture and delivery outcomes. |
Target questions
| Question | Response focus |
|---|---|
| “Provide an example that demonstrates your experience troubleshooting complex network issues in a large and distributed environment. Describe the nature of the problem, how you approached investigation and resolution, your role in decision-making, and how you communicated progress and outcomes to stakeholders” | Take the panel through the investigation in sequence, making your decisions, technical contribution and stakeholder communication clear. |
| “Provide an example that best demonstrates your ability to diagnose, resolve, and take ownership of complex network or security challenges. What was your role, how did you approach the problem, and what does this example say about your technical strengths and way of working?” | Choose a separate challenge that shows ownership from diagnosis through resolution and makes your technical judgement and working style visible. |
What the panel will want to see in your target responses
- A structured investigation method
- Clear personal decision-making and ownership
- Communication that kept stakeholders informed
- Risk controls suited to a policing environment
- Measurable reliability, security or operational results
Help with your Senior Network Engineer – Security & Core Network application
Before submitting, check that the first answer demonstrates distributed troubleshooting and the second demonstrates ownership of a separate network or security challenge. Read the official job ad again, keep each response within 500 words and confirm the submission method.
If you want help selecting and structuring the two technical examples, request tailored NSW Government application support from Team 3Thirty.