Job Description
Duties and Requirements Click to read more
Duties
Essential Tasks & Responsibilities:
- Responds to crime scenes and documents through notetaking, photography, videography, and sketches with measurements.
- Develops latent prints through chemical techniques and various powders.
- Collects and preserves evidentiary items while maintaining chain of custody.
- Ensures crime scenes are secured.
- Processes crime scenes
- Prepares written notes, reports, and testifies in court as an expert witness.
- Obtains known finger and palm prints.
- Secures evidence, preventing contamination and maintaining chain of custody.
- Collects, processes, packages, labels, and examines evidence when needed for trace and physical analysis.
- Trains new employees on forensic related matters
- Processes arrestees during prisoner processing
- Communicates and deals with citizens daily during crime scene investigations and other duties.
- Conducts Intoxilyzer tests.
- Operates lab motor vehicle in all weather conditions.
- Responds to work during all weather-related events, considered essential personnel.
- Maintains files and records.
- Conducts Public Fingerprinting
- Ensures all work is performed in accordance with Section and Unit Standard Procedures, Departmental General Orders, City Safety Standards, City Policies and OSHA Standards
Requirements
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience:
- An associate’s degree is required.
- Candidates with relevant field experience or internship/volunteer experience in forensic or investigative settings will receive additional consideration.
Certifications and Licensure:
- Ability to obtain Intoxilyzer operator certification within one year of employment is required.
- A valid North Carolina Driver’s License is required. Individuals holding a license from another state must obtain a North Carolina license within sixty (60) days of employment.
- Successful completion of a polygraph examination and background investigation is necessary due to the confidential and sensitive nature of the work.
Work Environment and Schedule:
- Position involves working under general supervision on a varied, rotating schedule that includes on-call shifts, holidays, weekends, and inclement weather.
- Candidates should be prepared to process crime scenes involving graphic violence and emotionally challenging content.
- Work may require extended hours in confined spaces or physically demanding positions.
- Willingness and readiness to lead the processing of crime scenes at any time is expected.
- A calm, objective, and professional demeanor is essential, especially in high-stress and high-profile situations.
Skills and Abilities:
- Strong oral and written communication skills, along with proficiency in computers and digital tools, are essential.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment, initiative, and adhere to established procedures is critical.
- Physical and mental endurance are required to meticulously locate and collect small pieces of evidence over extended periods.
- The role involves managing psychological stress, particularly when working homicide scenes or providing courtroom testimony.
- Effective teamwork and collaboration with members of the Forensic Section are expected at all times.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- A bachelor’s degree or higher in Criminal Justice, Forensic Science, or a related field from an accredited college or university is preferred
- Working knowledge of Crime Scene Investigations.
- Certifications in Forensic Discipline.
- English and Spanish Language skills.
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Job Tags
Shift work, Weekend work,