Full Job Description
The hiring salary range is $19.31 - $24.13 per hour
Job Title: POLICE CRIME SCENE SPECIALIST
Department: Police
Reports To: Police Sergeant
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Job Status: Full-time; Classified
Pay Grade: 106
SUMMARY
Incumbents photograph, process, and record crime scenes showing correlation between the evidence and scene, and perform various chemical and photographic processes in the field or workstation to develop, compare, and preserve evidence. Incumbents also train Police employees in evidence collection and crime scene safety, and may make public presentations.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
This list of duties and responsibilities is illustrative only, and is not a comprehensive listing of all the duties and responsibilities performed.
Identifies, collects, examines, interprets, classifies, preserves, and presents evidence from crime scenes, such as biological evidence, latent fingerprints, tire prints, firearms, shoe prints, tool marks, and other physical evidence
Processes evidence in the field or workstation using special powders, chemical solutions, forensic light sources, and various cameras, lenses, and filters to develop and preserve evidence
Prepares detailed reports of scenes that have been processed and any involvement during the investigation
Attends autopsies to photograph injuries and fingerprint the deceased for identification purposes
Photographs major crime scenes and serious accidents
Develops, collects, and/or preserves latent fingerprints by conventional, chemical or laser/alternate light source technology; classifies and compares fingerprints
Performs presumptive chemical identification examinations on various types of substances, including blood and narcotics
Provides expert testimony relative to the work performed in court and other legal proceedings
Trains Police employees in crime scene evidence collection, safety, and photography; instructs Police personnel on the proper methods of crime scene search and investigation, and the preservation and collection of physical evidence; may provide training in crime scene preservation to patrol officers, detectives, and citizens
Works with Investigations personnel to ensure the proper preparation of evidence for court and other relevant proceedings
Enters and extracts information from the AFIS system; runs searches/matches on the system
Ensure workstations and assigned areas are stocked with evidence collection supplies and kept in an organized manner
Works rotating shifts with irregular hours, weekends, holidays, on-call basis, and availability over the normal duty hours
Maintains regular attendance and punctuality
Performs other duties of a similar nature or level
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
None
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Knowledge of:
Classifications, comparison, identification, filing, and searching of fingerprints
Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, codes, statutes, and regulations
Crime scene investigation principles and practices
Firearms safety and handling
Photography principles
Principles and procedures of investigating, processing, and documenting of motor vehicle accidents
Basic warehousing practices and procedures
Local, State, and Federal rules, policies, and procedures related to the collection, preservation, storage, retention, and disposal of property and evidence
Skill In:
Use of photographic equipment and photo lab materials
Using modern office and laboratory equipment
Use of latent print development and recovery equipment
Using a computer and related software applications
Ability to:
Learn and apply criminal law and procedures
Take fingerprints suitable for use in the AzAFIS
Testify in court as a latent print/fingerprint expert
Use computerized data entry and retrieval systems
Identify, evaluate, and present evidence
Handle and process various chemicals to process evidence
Prepare accurate and grammatically correct written reports and purchase requests
Understand and carry out oral and written directions in an independent manner
Learn and apply the City's purchasing procedures
Apply Local, State and Federal rules, policies, and procedures to the retention and disposal of property and evidence
Organize a large inventory
Maintain efficient record keeping systems
Establish and maintain effective working relationships and those contacted in the course of work
Facilitate training sessions
Think and act quickly under pressure and make appropriate judgments
Work rotating shifts with irregular hours, weekends, holidays, on-call basis, and availability over the normal duty hours
Communicate orally and in writing
Communicate and use interpersonal skills to interact with coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc., to sufficiently exchange or convey information and to receive work direction
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
Associate's Degree in Crime Scene Investigations, Criminalistics, Forensic or Natural Science and two years as a Crime Scene Specialist with a law enforcement agency or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
Must obtain an ACJIS Terminal Operator Certification within six months of hire date. Must obtain certification on Arizona Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AzAFIS) within six months of hire date. Must obtain certification as a Crime Scene Investigator by the International Association of Identification within two years of hire date. Must have at the time of hire and be able to maintain a valid Arizona Driver License.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Heavy Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The work will occur in an office and field environment. While performing the duties and responsibilities the employee maybe exposed to loud noise, noxious odors, unsanitary conditions, chemicals, electricity, moving mechanical parts, varying weather conditions, and other related conditions and situations.
The City of Surprise offers a comprehensive benefit package including annual paid time off and eleven paid holidays. Other benefits include employer paid medical, dental, and vision insurance, as well as, a state retirement system.
