Forensic Technician (Police Department)

VILLAGE OF SCHAUMBURG

Human Resources Department

101 Schaumburg Court, Schaumburg, IL 60193

http://www.schaumburg.com/

The Village of Schaumburg is a thriving community of 78,723 residents located 11 miles west of O’Hare International Airport and approximately 26 miles northwest of Chicago. Not only is Schaumburg the twelfth-largest community in the State of Illinois, but it is also home to the second-largest concentration of retail, office, and commercial activity. Notable village distinctions include being rated as an excellent or good place to live by 95% of respondents in the National Community Survey; having multiple highly-awarded and accredited departments; and being recognized as a Better Business Town by The Better Business Bureau of Chicago and Northern Illinois.

The village employs approximately 600 employees in 12 departments, including police, fire, engineering and public works, communications, community development, cultural services, economic development, finance, general government, human resources, information technology, and transportation. Our employees work to serve the residents and strive to make Schaumburg the best community it can be.

Forensic Technician (Police Department)

STARTING PAY RATE: $27.39 - $30.63 per hour based on a 40-hour workweek. Salary dependent on qualifications. The salary range for this position is $27.39 - $40.33. This position is represented by a union; you may refer to the AFSCME collective bargaining agreement available on our website.

Please attach as part of your application all necessary documents verifying that you meet the minimum qualifications for the position.

This position is responsible for crime scene and evidence processing, various types of photographic documentation, evidence gathering and packaging, crime laboratory evidence submission and the process thereof typing, filing, utilization of specialized fingerprint development equipment and chemicals, maintains the property and evidence recovered or turned over to the Police Department, conducts disposal and release of evidence and property, and preserves chain of custody for property and evidence. This position works in authorized work attire, in accordance with department policy, and will maintain duty hours appropriate to assignments.

To succeed in this role, the ideal candidate will need to effectively communicate to a full range of people and organize time and resources effectively, and complete work with accuracy. We are looking to add a team member capable of prioritizing multiple projects and will need to shift gears comfortably and work cooperatively with others.

1. Responds to crime scenes, traffic crashes, arson investigations, and/or Medical Examiner’s or Coroner’s office, when requested, to photograph and conduct detailed inspections for the presence of evidence and properly processes all evidence, such as latent prints, footwear and tire impressions, firearms evidence, blood and other physiological fluids and bodily tissue, controlled substances and trace evidences such as hair, fibers and gunshot residue. Prepares sketches and finished diagrams using diagramming software, and writes detailed investigative reports of all evidence processing that was completed.
2. Preserves, collects, packages, and transports any physical evidence from crime scenes, so as to facilitate its maximum potential for use in subsequent criminal or civil proceedings and ensures that the evidentiary chain of custody is not compromised. Ensures that evidence requiring special processing and/or laboratory analysis is handled in a prompt and proper manner, including in house state certified cannabis analysis. Obtains comparison exemplars from suspects and victims, such as fingerprints, palm prints, buccal swabs and any other type of similar evidence that may be required for comparison
3. Evaluates potential latent print surfaces, conducts latent fingerprinting processing and ensures that analysis is handled in a prompt manner; evaluates latent fingerprint and/or palm print evidence for identification suitability.
4. Ensures the proper storage and processing of evidence and property recovered or turned over to the Police Department; transports all evidence requiring forensic testing to the appropriate crime laboratory in a prompt and proper manner. Releases any evidence needed in court to officers and releases evidence or property to owners in accordance with departmental policy and state statutes. Ensures all evidence submitted into custody is properly sealed, labeled, and packaged to ensure integrity of the evidence and property. Exercises proper security measures over evidence and property to ensure the integrity of the chain of custody and notifies immediately appropriate supervisor in writing, of any irregularities in operations.
5. Conducts regular audits, inspections, and case reviews as required by department policy for timely disposal of evidence and property, destroys items in-house when appropriate, or coordinates the transportation and off-site destruction of old ammunition, firearms, illegal drugs, and biohazard contaminated items. Conducts non-scheduled 100% audits of the firearms, currency, and drugs in custody.
6. Communicates with sworn officers, coworkers, supervisors, and a demanding and diverse public in answering questions, processing crime scenes, explaining procedures and handling complaints. Directs other civilian or public employees at the scenes of crimes, accidents, disasters or other situations where a Forensic Technician is required for the preservation of evidence and conveys accurately specialized job assignment expertise and provides assistance to other department members when appropriate.
7. Provides input to attorneys regarding submittal of photographs, physical evidence and diagrams, and testifies as an expert witness in civil and criminal courts, pretrial conferences and grand juries. Provides photographs and/or any digital media as required for court, investigation, or subpoenas.
8. Operates and maintains the computerized property management system. Schedules regular software updates to the evidence and property database. Contacts database customer support when necessary to ensure evidence database integrity and timely repair. Provides detailed property reports when requested.
9. Sustains a liaison with the State of Illinois Crime Laboratory and other support facilities utilized by the police department.
10. Performs other duties as assigned.

SCHEDULE:
This position involves regular shift work, necessary to provide forensic services. Work shifts are normally 8 hours in duration, but may be extended in the event of an emergency, disaster, personnel shortage, workload, or work-in-progress. The position is subject to on-call scheduling.

QUALIFICATIONS:
1. Associate’s degree in forensic technology, criminal justice or related field.
2. A minimum of three years of experience as a full time crime scene technician, full time sworn police evidence technician, or comparable field with similar experience in forensics. Consideration will be given for expertise in trace evidence or expertise in all aspects of fingerprint processing and identification.
3. Minimum 40 hours of Basic Forensic Technician training and minimum 40 hours of photographic training from an accredited training facility preferred or ability to obtain within one year of date of hire.
4. Certification as a Crime Scene Investigator through the International Association for Identification preferred or ability to obtain within two years of date of hire.
5. Proficiency in the operations of a property control system with emphasis on a computerized Bar Code system preferred or ability to obtain within one year of date of hire.
6. Possession of a valid driver’s license.
7. Proficiency with current computer software systems, including email, calendar programs, job specific software, and customer service systems preferred or within the first six months of employment.

The Village of Schaumburg has a competitive benefit package which includes: flexible benefit Section 125 plan including health, dental, vision, and life insurance as well as medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts, a retirement plan through the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund, paid holidays, paid vacation, sick leave, tuition reimbursement, and more.

Candidate screening process may consist of an application review, skills testing, employability assessment, interviews, reference checks, and other job-related testing or verifications. Chosen candidates will be subject to a background and criminal history investigation, and qualifying pre-employment medical examination and drug screen (including cannabis).