ACT Policing - Constable Kenny Koala Handler (Casual)

Job Details

EMPLOYMENT TYPE - Casual

LOCATION - ACT

AFP BAND & SALARY - Band 04, $52.61 - $61.85 per hour (which is inclusive of a 25% casual loading), plus 15.4% superannuation 

JOB REFERENCE NUMBER - 16176

This advertisement is to fill current vacancies and create a merit list for future ongoing or non-ongoing vacancies arising over the next 12 months.

Did you know?

The mission of the Australian Federal Police is to provide dynamic and effective law enforcement to the people of Australia. It provides policing throughout Australia in relation to the prevention and detection of crimes against the Commonwealth, its laws and integrity, and community police services to the Community of the ACT.

Working for the AFP provides you with a diverse and rewarding career. Whether you immerse yourself in a position on the frontline, or provide critical operational or professional support, the work you do makes a big impact on the people of Australia. 

What is the role?

Become the Face Behind Canberra’s Favourite Koala!

If you grew up in Canberra, you will more than likely know the name and face of Constable Kenny Koala! ACT Policing’s famous crime fighting koala has become a household name over the years, helping generations of young people learn important life skills through fun, interactive safety education. For more than 50 years, the Constable Kenny Koala program has been delivering presentations across Canberra on the topics of road safety, protective behaviours, decision making, and cyber safety. Constable Kenny is a high-profile and trusted public figure, and ACT Policing is now looking for the right additions to the team to continue upholding the valuable reputation he has in the community.

Working alongside Constable Kenny is more than just holding a puppet — it's about bringing Constable Kenny to life, representing yourself as a trusted friend of both Constable Kenny and ACT Policing, and inspiring young people to make safe choices, build resilience, and develop positive relationships with police. Schools and early learning environments are at the heart of the program; a friend of Constable Kenny can expect to be spending their days delivering scheduled sessions to a variety of children aged 3-12 years. You will also have the opportunity to attend community events with Constable Kenny to continue promoting the work of police in the ACT and deepening community connections. All efforts are designed to build trust and confidence in ACT Policing, encourage vulnerable community members to report crime, and divert young people from unsafe behaviours.

Constable Kenny has an irreplaceable role to play as a conduit between police and the community – regardless of age, background, gender, or language, the role of a Constable Kenny handler is to allow others to see themselves reflected in those there to protect them, the police. This is a rare opportunity to be part of a program that has touched the lives of thousands of Canberra children and families. If you’re looking for a role where you can educate, inspire, connect and make a genuine impact, then Constable Kenny is ready for his next trusted partner.

You will also be required to contribute to the achievement of outcomes in accordance with the regulatory framework, the AFP Code of Conduct and the AFP Governance Instruments. It is expected that the successful applicant will deliver on the core responsibilities and meet any requirements of the position as outlined below.

Please note - this is a casual position, hours will be varied and on an ad-hoc basis.

What will you do?

As a Constable Kenny Koala handler, successful applicants can expect a dynamic work environment and impactful role responsibilities. Successful applicants will play a key role in maintaining the perception of Constable Kenny in the community and achieving shared program outcomes.

A friend of Constable Kenny will need to:

• have the ability and passion for engaging with children and promoting child safety.


• perform consistently in front of classrooms with the Constable Kenny puppet to deliver safety presentations and adopt the Kenny persona when engaging with children.

• operate the Constable Kenny puppet in a proficient and effective manner and ensure you meet the physical demands required to manipulate the puppet for up to six sessions per day.


• understand some children may have challenging behaviours and/or a distrust of police due to their personal circumstances or backgrounds.


• attend community events with Constable Kenny Koala.


• act as an ‘icebreaker’ for police with young people and community members who may be mistrusting towards or fearful of police.


• be able to adapt your communication style/approach to positively engage with children and members of the public with varying levels of ability.


• actively participate in communication and marketing activities to support the program such as media, social media, photography and videography activities.


• understand and abide by legislation regarding any disclosures children may make to Constable Kenny (you) – including disclosures of a criminal nature – and monitor the impact this may have own your own wellbeing, seeking appropriate support when required.


• build positive relationships with children and their teachers and/or carers which establish trust between ACT Policing and the Canberra community.


• work largely independently and possess good time management skills.


• commit to 1-2 regular shifts per week, with consideration also given to ad-hoc weekend work (where appropriate).


• establish and maintain puppet proficiency, taking advantage of training/upskilling/refresher opportunities offered.

Successful applicants may be required to work outside of normal business hours, including weekends. As such, you will be subject to the appropriate conditions detailed in the AFP Enterprise Agreement.

Essential Requirements

• You must be an Australian Citizen at the time of application.


• A Negative Vetting 1 (Secret) security clearance or the ability to obtain one.


• Ability to physically operate Constable Kenny Koala as a puppeteer.


• Ability to adapt communication style and program content to audiences.

Desirable Requirements

• Qualifications or experience in areas relevant to the role and responsibilities.

Additional Information

• This role is located in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory and applicants are expected to be based in Canberra.


• Internal AFP applicants are not eligible to apply for casual employment in addition to their substantive position. 

Selection Criteria

Bands 4

• Organising your work, making sound decisions and achieving outcomes


• Communicating and working effectively with other people


• Applying technical knowledge, expertise and skills

Application

Please submit the following documents via our Jobs portal prior to the closing date and time:

• Resume/CV - This will form the basis for determining your suitability against the position requirements and give the panel a clear outline of your current knowledge and qualifications along with previous experiences. Please include your work history, responsibilities and achievements.


• Applicant pitch (maximum two pages). Ensure your pitch tells us why you are the best fit for the role, with examples that demonstrate your capabilities addressing the selection criteria, role requirements and work level standards for the role.

Only complete applications will be considered. Please review and ensure the uploaded documents are correct for this application after submitting your application.

Employment Suitability

Should you successfully progress from the application stage all applicants must:

• Complete an Employment Suitability Questionnaire (ESQ) and provide a traffic history check and proof of Australian citizenship. This aids in the assessment of your character and your ability to comply with the AFP's professional standards both in an official and private capacity. Please review our AFP Character Standards to ensure that you meet our requirements before you submit your application. Applicants will not receive feedback if they are unsuccessful at this gateway.


• Have your fingerprints taken if an offer of employment is made.


• Undertake mandatory drug testing for illicit drugs. This sample could include; urine, saliva or hair.


• Satisfactorily undertake a security clearance to the level specified for the position.  

Recruitment Process

Applicants who have demonstrated their suitability for employment through their resume and application, may be asked to complete additional assessments or activities to determine suitability for the role. This may also include a formal interview. Using the relevant AFP work level standards as a guide, you may be asked a range of questions to demonstrate your skills and abilities. These could include behavioural based scenario questions. Read our guides for applicants to find out how to prepare for your interview.

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

Diversity and inclusion is an operational priority for the Australian Federal Police (AFP). To be an effective police force, we must be reflective of the community we serve, working across languages, cultures and transnational borders. The 2023-26 Diversity & Inclusion Strategy is the guiding framework for delivering the AFP’s diversity and inclusion goals and reflecting our commitment to being an employer of choice, incorporating diversity and inclusion principles in day-to-day practice and building a psychologically and culturally safe workplace. This includes hiring people from diverse backgrounds who bring their lived experience to contribute, and add value, to the AFP. Find out more about how the AFP embraces diversity and inclusion.

Contacts and Closing Information

Contact Officer: Sgt Brandon Thurgar

Contact Officer Phone: (email preferred) ​

Contact Officer Email: [email protected]

Applications Close: 11:59pm (AEST) 17/09/2026

To view other employment opportunities, please visit our career site.

www.afp.gov.au