Forensic Technician Ii - Riverside

About The Position

The Riverside County District Attorney's Office has an opportunity for a Forensic Technician II position in Riverside. The incumbent will perform technical forensic work identifying, collecting, preserving, photographing, interpreting, and comparing fingerprints and other physical evidence at crime scenes, autopsy examinations, and during criminal trials. The Forensic Technician II will be responsible for preparing the detailed written field and laboratory reports, testifying in court, and performing other duties as required. This position also requires the incumbent to travel throughout the County of Riverside.

Applicants possessing at least one year of experience receiving, cataloging, and maintaining custody of evidence in a County District Attorney's Office or law office agency are preferred.

Competitive candidates will possess experience and certifications related to forensics, which includes, but is not limited to: Crime Scene Photography, Fingerprint Techniques and Impression, Forensic Report Writing, Death Investigation, and/or Blood Stain Pattern Analysis.

Meet the Team!

The District Attorney of Riverside County , as the public prosecutor acting on behalf of the People, vigorously enforces the law, pursues the truth, protects those victimized by crime, exonerates the innocent, and safeguards the rights of all to ensure that justice is done on behalf of our community. The office's staff of over 700 is comprised of prosecuting attorneys, sworn investigators, victim-witness advocates, paralegals, investigative technicians, forensic analysts, and a wide range of information technology and supporting staff all committed to excellence and integrity in public service. We are, and we seek to maintain, a diverse workforce to match a diverse county.

Examples Of Essential Duties

• Study new techniques in forensics; conduct research into the development of new techniques, methods, and equipment.
• Consult with attorneys regarding effective preparation and presentation of evidence during trial.
• In a laboratory setting, develop and enhance fingerprint evidence using various techniques; lift trace evidence such as blood, hair, fiber, and DNA samples and refer evidence to criminal laboratory (e.g., the DOJ) for further analysis.
• Construct, store, and inventory courtroom exhibits; videotape testimony, edit and redact audio files of suspect and witness interviews; prepare, organize, and document evidence for discovery.
• Collect and process evidence during search warrants; create diagrams and poster boards of search warrant location; videotape search, photograph and document all evidence collected.
• Search for, collect, and preserve evidence at crime scenes for laboratory analysis; photograph crime scenes, collisions, suspects, and evidence collected.
• Take and compare physical impressions to attempt to connect evidence with suspect.
• Use computer software and equipment to prepare and draw sketches of crime scenes and suspects.
• Prepare detailed written field and laboratory reports and other correspondence.
• Collect, preserve, and attempt to evaluate or identify evidence such as blood, hair, fibers, cloth, wood, paint, and glass fragments.
• Develop and preserve latent fingerprints using various techniques; identify and compare fingerprints.
• May review the work of lower Forensic Technicians and provide training and lead direction to lesser-experienced technicians.
• Interview witnesses as to location of evidence and for details in order to create composite drawings of suspects.
• Testify in court as an expert witness in the presentation and verification of collected evidence such as bloodstain interpretation, projectile trajectory, fingerprints, photography, and diagramming.
• Attend post mortem examinations; fingerprint the deceased, collect trace evidence, pathological samples, and other physical evidence for further examination; photograph autopsies of criminal investigations; prepare photos for courtroom presentation.
• Prepare detailed records; tag, mark, preserve, and store evidence collected; may manage an evidence room to include checking items in and out, maintaining chain of custody and inventory control, and destroying items no longer needed for criminal prosecution.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: 32 hours of P.O.S.T. approved training in fingerprint science and/or 40 hours of Basic Fingerprint Techniques or the equivalent.

Experience:One year of experience collecting, preserving, and photographing physical evidence at crime scenes, and comparison of fingerprint evidence.

License: Possession of a valid California Driver's License is required.

Knowledge of:The techniques of collection, identification, and comparison of physical evidence; modern principles, practices, and techniques of traditional photography and digital imaging; current methods of fingerprint collection, identification and analysis and comparison; technological developments relative to the forensic function.

Ability to:Coordinate information obtained from a variety of sources; interpret such information; find relationships, and draw logical conclusions; apply modern fingerprinting methods to the task of identification; take, develop, and print clear photographs; follow oral and written instructions; maintain effective working relationships; write clear, concise reports; stand, stoop, bend, stretch, reach and extend arms above shoulder, stand for prolonged periods of time and lift and carry camera and evidence collection equipment. This position also requires the incumbent to work around offensive sights and smells.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Veteran's Preference

The County has a Veteran's Preference Policy. Upload a copy of your (or your spouse's) Member-4 Form DD-214 indicating dates of service, and a copy of your spouse's letter of disability (if applicable) with your application. For privacy reasons, it is recommended that you remove your social security information from the document(s). A Human Resources Representative will review the materials and determine if you qualify for veterans' preference. See the policy here .

Reasonable Accommodations

The County of Riverside is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter for the position noted above. For additional information and/or to obtain the appropriate form for requesting a reasonable accommodation, please visit the Disability Access Office web page located at: http://dao.rc-hr.com/ .

What's Next?

This recruitment is open to all applicants. Applicants who are current County of Riverside employees and/or current employees of the Riverside County District Attorney's Office may be considered before other applicants depending on the volume of applications received.

Upload a copy of your degree or transcripts as an attachment to your Government Jobs account at the time of application. Competitive experience/education must be reflected on your application/resume.

Qualified applicants may be considered for future vacancies throughout the County. Based on the number of applications received, this posting may close without notice.

Degree And Experience Verification

Competitive experience/education must be reflected on your application/resume.

• Tier I (Classic Member - Formula 3% @ 60): Applicable to current and former County of Riverside local miscellaneous employees hired prior to 08/24/2012 and did not withdraw CalPERS contributions. The employee contribution is eight (8%) percent.
• Tier II (Classic Member - Formula 2% @ 60): Applicable to local miscellaneous employees 1) hired after 08/23/2012 through 12/31/2012; 2) Previously employed with another CalPERS contracting public agency or a reciprocal retirement system, with a break in service of less than six months between the separation date with the previous employer and the appointment date with the County of Riverside. The employee contribution is seven (7%) percent.
• Tier III (PEPRA New Member - Formula 2% @ 62): Applicable to CalPERS local miscellaneous new members hired on or after the implementation of the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) which took effect January 1, 2013. As of July 1, 2020, the employee contribution is 7.25% and subject to change annually.
• Prior to submitting your application , upload a copy of any license(s), official/unofficial t ranscript(s), degrees, and/or related employment documents to your Government Jobs account.*** If your education was completed outside of the United States, you will need to provide a copy of your Foreign Education Equivalency evaluation from a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute (ACEI). Contact Information For more information regarding the position, please contact the recruiter Letisia Jimenez at (951) 955-5787 or via email at [email protected]. MEDICAL/DENTAL/VISION INSURANCE: A choice of different medical, dental and visions plan are available to elect. The County provides a Flexible Benefit Credit contribution as governed by the applicable LIUNA Memorandum of Understanding to contribute towards the cost of these plans. Note: Employees on assignment through the Temporary Assignment Program (TAP) receive different benefits. See the list here . MISCELLANEOUS RETIREMENT: County of Riverside has three retirement Tiers through the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS).

A new member is defined as any of the following:

• A new hire who enters CalPERS membership for the first time on or after January 1, 2013, and who has no prior membership in any California Public Retirement System.
• A member who first established CalPERS membership prior to January 1, 2013, and who is rehired by a different CalPERS agency after a break in service of greater than six (6) months.
• A new hire who enters CalPERS membership for the first time on or after January 1, 2013, and who was a member with another California Public Retirement System prior to that date, but who is not subject to reciprocity upon joining CalPERS.

CalPERS refers to all members that do not fit within the definition of a new member as "classic members".

Contribution rates are subject to change based on the County of Riverside annual actuarial valuation.

Note

This summary is for general information purposes only. Additional questions regarding retirement formulas can be sent to [email protected] or by calling the Benefits Information Line at (951) 955-4981,

Option 2.

If you have prior service credit with another CalPERS agency or within agencies, please contact CalPERS at (888) 225-7377 to determine which retirement tier would be applicable to you. CalPERS is governed by the Public Employees' Retirement Law. The Retirement Law is complex and subject to change. If there's any conflict between this summary and the law, the law will prevail over this summary.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Voluntary employee contribution with a choice between two 457 deferred compensation plan options.

VACATION ACCRUAL (Bi-Weekly Accrual)

0< 3 year = 80 Hours (10 Days)
4< 9 years = 120 Hours (15 Days)
10 or more years = 160 Hours (20 Days)
Maximum Vacation leave accumulation is 480 hours.
SICK LEAVE: Four (4) hours Sick Leave accrual per pay period with unlimited accrual.
HOLIDAYS: Normally 12 paid holidays per year
BEREAVEMENT LEAVE: Allowed 5 days (3 days are County paid; 2 additional days can be taken from accrued Sick Leave balance)
BASIC LIFE INSURANCE: Equal to one times annual base salary not to exceed $50,000 of term life coverage. Premiums are paid by the County. Additional Supplemental Life plan is available for employee purchase.
DISABILITY: Short-term Disability benefit pays up to a maximum of $461.54 weekly, payable up to a maximum of 52 weeks.
POST RETIREMENT MEDICAL CONTRIBUTION: A monthly contribution is made by the County towards retiree health insurance offered through the County as governed by the applicable Memorandum of Understanding.
OTHER: There may be other benefit provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding. Please contact the recruiter listed on the job posting directly for more information.