Forensic Evidence Technician Jobs

Salary: $6,087.47 - $8,313.76 Monthly

Position Description

FORENSIC EVIDENCE TECHNICIAN

Final Filing Deadline: September 10, 2023

Exam #: 23/34E22/08JL

The Sheriff 's Office is comprised of the Administration, Corrections and Enforcement Operation Bureaus. The Sheriff’s Office delivers public safety to the residents of Monterey County by providing 24-hour uniformed patrol, investigations, custody services, court security, and law enforcement support.

The Sheriff’s Office seeks a Forensic Evidence Technician to work in the Enforcement Operations Bureau. This non-safety position is assigned to the Investigations Division - Forensics Services Unit, works with sworn personnel collecting and preserving evidence associated with major criminal cases and offers expert testimony in court; and performs other duties as is required.

The ideal candidate will have a heart for public service, and the citizens of our County. They will be a team player, with a strong work ethic, and the ability to work in challenging conditions.

The Eligible List established by this recruitment process may be used County-wide to fill current and future vacancies on a regular full-time, part-time, or temporary basis.

Examples of Duties

• Operates digital recording equipment such as 3D Scanner and software, cameras, and video recording to record evidence at crime scenes and takes and processes digital crime scene and identification photographs of victims, suspects, evidence items, latent fingerprints, and questioned documents
• Responds to major crime scenes and provides specialized support by searching for, collecting, preserving, transporting and processing physical evidence (i.e., latent fingerprints, blood samples, tool marks, footprints, tire impressions and plaster casts) gathered at crime scenes
• Takes measurements at crime scenes, prepares scaled drawings, and diagrams evidence locations
• Prepares physical evidence and exhibits for court; and appears in court to offer expert testimony regarding laboratory examination of evidence, fingerprint identification and scene investigation
• Classifies inked fingerprints
• Documents all activities during investigations and prepares detailed written reports
• Compares unknown latent prints to known inked prints; examines, prepares and develops latent fingerprints both chemically and with the conventional dusting techniques; enlarges and traces usable prints collected at or off of evidence collected at crime scenes, and searches files for comparisons with those of known persons, both manually and by scanning into the automated fingerprint system; consults on latent fingerprint identification problems; and prepares complete reports of findings/results
• Maintains laboratory areas in a safe, sanitary, and orderly manner
• Collects, preserves and photographs evidence (i.e., hair, fingerprint, clothing, fingernail scrapings, saliva and other physical samples) on and from persons at crime scenes

To view the complete classification description, please visit the County of Monterey website: Forensic Evidence Technician

THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE

Will have a proven track record demonstrating the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

Working Knowledge Of

• Federal/State laws regarding search and seizure of physical evidence
• Modern cleaning and disinfection methods and practices for cleaning of persons, floors, walls, fixtures and equipment
• Applicable laws and regulations, health and safety codes and precautions for handling and preparing deceased persons and for contagious disease control
• Digital computer enhancement software, such as Adobe Photoshop and Microsoft Office Applications
• Rules of evidence regarding chain of custody and methods to preserve and safeguard evidence
• Methods and techniques of various chemical, laser and physical processes and related safety requirements
• Methods and techniques of criminal identification, latent print comparison and crime scene investigation
• Fingerprint identification and other technical and scientific instruments, equipment, supplies and procedures used to search for, collect, preserve and process latent fingerprints
• Fingerprint classification

Skill And Ability To

• Operate photography, audio and video recorder equipment; and take and develop digital photographs
• Maintain confidentiality
• Maintain facilities and equipment in a safe, sanitary and orderly manner
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those encountered in the course of work
• Take and classify fingerprints in accordance with established methods and standards
• Work independently with minimal supervision
• Deal tactfully with persons from a variety of cultural, educational, and occupational backgrounds who may be experiencing stressful situations
• Follow written and oral instructions of a technical nature
• Search, document, collect and preserve evidence gathered at crime scenes
• Correlate, interpret and draw sound conclusions from information received from a variety of sources
• Testify in Court
• Operate and maintain various fingerprint identification and other technical and scientific instruments, equipment and supplies to search for, collect, preserve and process latent fingerprints
• Prepare clear and concise reports and keep accurate records, and prepare physical evidence and exhibits for court; testify in court as an expert witness
• Interpret and apply applicable Federal, State and local laws and regulations
• Use current safety equipment and take safety precautions in carrying out duties
• Operate computers for preparation of sketches, reports and evidence/photo logs and data entry of fingerprint and/or firearms evidence

Examples of Experience/Education/Training

Requirements

An example of a way these requirements might be acquired is

Any combination of training, education and/or experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities and required conditions of employment is qualifying.

Experience: Two years of progressive fingerprint identification and crime scene investigation experience to qualify as court expert in latent fingerprint and crime scene testimony; or

Education: One year of above experience with one year education in Administration of Justice with emphasis in Evidence Technology.

A Bachelors Degree in Chemistry, Biology, Criminal Justice, or a related field is highly desirable, but not required.

Additional Information

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The required conditions of employment include, but are not limited to the following:

• Be available to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and during times of disaster and/or emergency; wear a pager and be subject to holdover and call back duty
• Tolerate unpleasant odors such as those from chemicals used to preserve and process evidence and from decomposed bodies
• Successfully pass a complete background investigation, which includes a voice stress analysis (similar to a polygraph examination)
• Work with bodies of deceased persons to include those associated with traumatic deaths and those infested with insects and vermin
• Possess a valid California Class C driver license at the time of appointment and possess and maintain a satisfactory driving record

Benefits

The County of Monterey offers an excellent benefits package. Please visit our website to view the Unit J Benefit Summary Sheet . This information is not legally binding, nor does it serve as a contract. The benefits listed in the Monterey County Personnel Policies and Practices Resolution or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) prevail over this listing.

NOTES

• As a condition of employment, prospective employees may be required to submit to a background review which may include a review of information concerning present and/or prior employment, driving record, and record of any criminal convictions.
• If you are hired into this classification in a temporary position, your rate of pay will be hourly, and you will not be eligible for the benefits listed in the summary.
• Employment is contingent upon acceptable documentation verifying identity and authorization for employment in the U.S.; a list of acceptable documents is available on the USCIS Form I-9.

Application and Selection Procedures

Apply On-Line at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/montereycounty

by September 10, 2023, 11:59 PM(PST)

OR

Hard copy applications may be obtained from and submitted during normal business hours.

Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM by contacting:

Attn: Human Resources

1414 Natividad Road

Salinas, CA 93906

Phone: (831) 755-3744

A Complete Application Package Will Include

The selection process is tentative, and applicants will be notified if changes are made. To assess applicants' possession of required qualifications, the examination process may include an oral examination, pre-examination exercises, performance examination, and/or written examination. The competitive examination process includes submittal of required application materials.

• A completed County of Monterey Employment Application
• Responses to the Supplemental Questions

Applicants who fail to provide all required materials by the final filing deadline will not be considered. Resumes, cover letters, letters of interest, and other correspondence will not be accepted as a substitute for required application materials. All required application materials will be competitively evaluated. Those applicants that are determined to be the most appropriately qualified will be invited to participate further in the selection process.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

Monterey County is a drug-free workplace and an equal opportunity employer. The County seeks candidates who can make contributions in an environment of cultural and ethnic diversity. Monterey County is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact Jovany Luna, Human Resources Analyst, at [email protected] or 831-755-5395.

http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/government/departments-a-h/human-resources/human-resources/benefits/benefit-summary-sheet

Closing Date/Time: 9/10/2023 11:59 PM Pacific