Crime Scene/Evidence Specialist I/II

Crime Scene Evidence Specialist I Or IIWe are currently recruiting for qualified applicants for a Crime Scene Evidence Specialist I or II. Come and see why the City of Golden is the place you want to be!Why work at the City of Golden?Being a Golden employee is more than just a job, it's a lifestyle. Golden is a vibrant outdoor community making it a great place to live, work and play.Location, location, location – Work near great restaurants and shops, hit the trails, and enjoy the outdoor scenery of Clear Creek and the foothills. Convenient commuting from all directions.Paid time off – Paid vacation starts at 16 days (that's over 3 weeks!), plus 12 days of sick time and 12 paid holidays each year.Great benefits – The City matches up to 8% of your retirement contributions, plus offers a full-spectrum of benefits and perks, including tuition reimbursement!Under the direction of the Crime Scene/Evidence Specialist Supervisor, provides crime scene processing and evidence collection. Conducts forensic examination of evidence recovered from crime scenes including fingerprints, photographs, and other physical evidence. Oversees daily operations in evidence room and lab area. Secures, stores, and disposes of seized evidence and property according to federal, state and department procedures.Job SummaryTakes photographs at crime scenes, traffic accidents, and other police related incidents, using a variety of photographic equipment. Maintains files of photographic evidence, and crime scenes. Locates, develops, photographs, and lifts latent fingerprints at crime scenes and from evidence collected and brought to the police department for chemical processing. Collects inked fingerprints of individuals for comparison, elimination, and identity verification and submits to county or state crime lab for analysis. Prepares court exhibits using a variety of photographic equipment, for cases involving criminal activities. Provides testimony in court on matters pertaining to evidence handling and crime scene investigation techniques and processes. Ensures office, processing, and photographic equipment are in good working order. Also ensures work areas and crime scene vehicles are kept clean. Responsible for security and integrity of evidence vault and evidence lab. Ensures that departmental policies and procedures are adhered to in all aspects of the daily operation of the evidence room/lab area. Follows strict departmental procedures on evidence storage and disposition. Preserves the critical chain of custody. Receives, sorts and secures all property delivered to the Golden Police Department Evidence Vault. Responsible for verifying evidence reports against property and tracking system entries. Logs and researches lost and stolen property to determine ownership, and releases such property to rightful owner. Determines appropriate and lawful disposition of property. Releases property to police officers, lawful property owners, court system, or other law enforcement agencies. Compiles and maintains accurate records of all property transfers, releases, and decisions made. Provides technical and specialized support to department. Explains evidence collection procedures to officers, general public, and other agencies as needed. Conducts periodic audits of property inventory. Manages records of all transactions entered in to evidence and compiles data for statistical computation. Subject to call out after regularly scheduled shift on an as needed basis. Performs other related duties and specialized assignments as needed. Responsible for training new CSIs, detectives and police officers in crime processing, evidence collection and evidence packaging. Provide presentations to community members, students, and children about forensic science and evidentiary collection procedures. Maintaining knowledge of, and applying current techniques in, CSI industry scientific standards for evidence collection, processing and forensic techniques. Work closely with other professionals in a close-knit team atmosphere. Work closely with professionals associated with other organizations including the District Attorney's Office, Forensic Nurse Examiners, and other law enforcement entities.QualificationsBachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Criminalistics or related field, and two years' experience in Crime Scene / Evidence or equivalent combination of education and experience. To be considered for CSI II, the employee must have a minimum of three years' experience and have obtained an International Association for Identification Certified Crime Scene Investigator's certificate, or equivalent training.Knowledge, Skills And AbilitiesTo 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. LANGUAGE SKILLS Ability to read, interpret, comprehend, and employ applicable federal, state and local laws and ordinances; ability to comprehend and follow departmental policies. Ability to write detailed reports and correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to customers, clients, and other employees of the organization. Must possess outstanding customer service and interpersonal communication skills in working with police officers, city employees, outside governmental agencies, and the general public. MATHEMATICAL SKILLS Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs. REASONING ABILITY Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. Ability to work independently in the absence of supervision. OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES Ability to maintain accurate and up to date evidence files; comprehensive knowledge of the principals of evidence collection, processing and retention. Ability to handle sensitive information in a confidential manner. Knowledge of general law enforcement procedures related to the collection and maintenance of evidence. Must be versed in principles and procedures of inventory record keeping. Must be organized and detail oriented and maintain an accurate accounting of property and evidence. Accuracy is critical in assisting proper prosecution of persons arrested by Golden Police Department. Ability to satisfactorily complete on-the-job training in crime scene and evidentiary procedure within 6 months. Ability to communicate effectively to individuals in stressful circumstances, chaotic situations and crime scenes. MATERIALS & EQUIPMENT DIRECTLY USED Motor vehicle, computers, finger printing equipment, microscope, electronic measuring devices, video/audio recording devices and various photography equipment. 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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to run; stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee must frequently lift, carry and shelve materials weighing up to 75 pounds. Moderate physical activity is required to push, pull or lift up to 75 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. May experience uncomfortable working positions such as stooping, crouching and/or bending. May have continual exposure to disagreeable elements such as death scenes, dead bodies, noxious fumes, human excrement, drugs, exposure to heat, cold, dust, various weather conditions and stressful situations as a result of human behavior. May be required to handle bio-hazardous materials such as HIV infected blood samples, clothing and syringes. May be required to manipulate dead bodies to accommodate photographs and fingerprints. City of Golden is an Opportunity EmployerBenefitsRegular Full-Time (RFT) employees of the City of Golden currently receive numerous benefits as part of their total compensation package. These benefits are in addition to mandated benefits such as: workers' compensation, unemployment insurance, and social security. Some benefits are provided at no cost to the employee while others require employee cost sharing or contributions. Employees are eligible to enroll in most benefits upon hire. The City of Golden's benefit package can comprise an average of 35% of total compensation. Employer Paid Benefits Include: Term Life Insurance Short Term Disability Long Term Disability Employee Assistance Program Cost Sharing Benefits Include: Medical Coverage Dental Coverage 401(a) Retirement Plan Full-time employees can also take advantage of : Wellness Benefits Flexible Spending Account Dependent Care Account 457 Deferred Compensation Plan Vision Coverage Tuition Program Supplemental Life Insurance Full-Time employees receive the following leave options: 128 Hours of Annual Leave (accrued each pay period) 96 Hours of Sick Leave (accrued each pay period) 12 Paid Company Holidays For more detailed information please refer to the Employee Benefits & Perks section of our website.