Criminalist II / Forensics Biology Unit

Job Description:

Criminalist II / Forensics Biology Unit

Description

The Position

OPEN & PROMOTIONAL EXAMINATION - ONE YEAR PROBATIONARY PERIOD

Under general supervision of senior management, this position performs journey level duties of the series and provides training to equivalent and subordinate positions within the series, acts in a lead capacity to subordinate employees, and assists in the preparation and revision of laboratory manuals. The Criminalist II performs technical forensic casework, using methods and procedures that comply with established standards of practice.

Essential functions of the job include, but are not limited to, the following:
Ensures Department services are provided with exceptional customer service and the highest level of ethical standards.

Performs analysis and examines physical evidence in forensic specialty areas such as Crime Scene Investigation, Computer Forensics, Firearms/Toolmarks, Forensic Biology/DNA, Latent Print Processing, Friction Ridge Comparison.

Examines evidence, evaluates findings and interprets results utilizing various techniques including photography, microscopy, DNA typing, data searching and recovery, and digital processing.

Consults and advises law enforcement, attorneys and the courts regarding nature of evidence or the results of laboratory analyses and their meaning.

Testifies on the results of laboratory analyses and may interpret the findings for the courts and other legal hearings.

Prepares clear, comprehensive, technically sound and accurate casework reports, including all determined facts and conclusions.

Maintains laboratory, instruments, equipment and glassware in a constant state of cleanliness, order, and good repair.

Participates in validation studies or performance verifications for new procedures, methods and/or equipment.

Prepares laboratory technical procedures manual.

Ensures analysis practices maintain adherence to accreditation standards.

Acts in a lead capacity in a forensic discipline. Provides training to other Criminalists on new procedures, equipment, research, and/or best practices.

Ensures responsibility for the chain of custody, security, and control of evidence while it is in the possession of the Crime Lab.

Performs administrative and law enforcement support activities.

May act as a Disaster Service Worker, as required.

Drives on City business.

Ensures Department services are provided with exceptional customer service and the highest level of ethical standards.

Assumes responsibility for ensuring the duties of the position are performed in a safe, efficient manner.

Performs other related duties as assigned or as the situation requires.

When assigned to the Forensic Services Unit:
Processes complex crime scenes requiring specialized techniques in detection, recognition, documentation, collection, interpretation, and preservation of physical evidence associated with crime scenes to include all types of friction skin evidence, trace evidence, and biological evidence.

Develops, collects, and preserves latent fingerprints by applying various powders, chemical processes and utilizing alternate light source technology.

Documents crime scene investigations and accident locations by digital photography and/or diagrams.

Takes aerial photographs and video tapes of crime scenes.

Makes impressions of shoeprints, tire tracks and other objects at crime scenes.

Prepares and enters latent fingerprints into the Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS). Compares AFIS results.

Ensures responsibility for analyzing, comparing, and evaluating developed latent prints for the purposes of identification by comparing the latent prints with known recorded impressions of an individual.

Collects evidence involving but not limited to, fingerprinting, DNA, fingernail scrapings, gunshot residue, and other evidence from witnesses, victims, and suspects in custody.

Enters cartridge case evidence into the National Integrated Ballistics Information Network (NIBIN).

Collects, transports, processes and books evidence.

Prepares court exhibits to depict crime scenes, including latent print comparison charts.

When assigned to the Forensic Biology Unit:
Conducts forensic examination of evidentiary items submitted to DNA laboratory to identify, isolate, and collect bodily fluid samples, appropriate for forensic DNA examination.

Conducts scientific examination of DNA samples by biochemical and physical methods, including DNA extraction, PCR setup, and uses specialized analytical instrumentation to develop accurate DNA profiles.

Interprets analytical results of DNA testing through use of accepted methodologies, including genetic typing software. Conducts peer review of profiles and interpretations done by other employees.

Ensures proper use of scientific equipment used in DNA testing, including modern genetic analytical instrumentation.

When assigned to the Computer Forensics Unit:
Conducts digital forensic analysis of computers and other digital/data storage devices such as smart phones, tablets, storage devices/drives, and cloud computing systems and applications.

Secures and collects digital and electronic devices and/or surveillance video at a crime scene in order to preserve digital evidence.

Renders safe and conducts forensic analysis of computer hard drives and other electronic storage media including smart phones, tablets, flash drives, external hard drives, cloud files, networks and applications in order to extract, preserve and present evidence for use in criminal investigations.

Accesses password-protected and secure files by utilizing forensic software applications.

Physically disassembles, documents and examines computers and related hardware components.

Takes photographs and/or videos of computers and digital devices utilizing digital camera and video equipment in order to document computer hardware configuration and conditions.

Identifies evidence of computer crimes such as the theft and sabotage of data, unlawful access of data and systems, fraudulent use of bank, credit and telecommunications accounts, and trafficking of child pornography.

Provides ongoing analysis of technology trends to incorporate proven forensic investigation and supporting technologies into practice

Minimum Requirements

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Experience
Three years of recent experience as an analyst conducting independent casework in an accredited crime laboratory or five years of equivalent experience in a non-accredited crime laboratory.

Experience in forensic DNA analysis is desirable.

Education/Training
Varies with classification and assigned unit.

When assigned to the Forensic Services Unit:
Bachelor’s Degree in a related field.
In addition to the minimum experience requirement of the position, three years of recent experience in crime scene investigation (e.g. photography, documentation, latent print processing, and evidence collection) or latent print comparison may be substituted for the Bachelor’s Degree requirement.

When assigned to the Forensic Biology Unit:
Bachelor’s Degree in a chemical, physical, biological science, forensic science, or related field from an accredited college or university. Coursework in Genetics, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, and Statistics/Population Genetics highly desirable.

Candidates seeking appointment to a Forensic Biology assignment must meet the educational requirements for DNA Analyst as detailed in the current revision of the Quality Assurance Standards for Forensic DNA Testing Laboratories issued by the FBI Director. Must complete at least nine semester units (or equivalent credit hours) in biology, genetics, molecular biology AND statistics and/or population statistics coursework.

When assigned to the Computer Forensics Unit:
Bachelor's Degree in computer science, networking and digital computer forensics, or criminal justice.

In addition to the minimum experience requirement of the position, an Associate’s Degree with significant coursework in those subjects and two years of progressively responsible recent experience in computer network or system support may be substituted for the Bachelor’s Degree requirement.

Industry certifications such as Certified Computer Examiner (CCE), Certified Forensic Computer Examiner (CFCE), Certified Cyber Forensics Professional (CCFP) or similar may be considered in lieu of the two years of supplementary experience.

License(s)/Certification(s)
Valid Class C California Driver's License.
Certifications through the International Association for Identification are highly desirable.

Knowledge of:
Applicable safety rules, practices and procedures.
Basic laboratory safety procedures.
Basic principles involved in scientific methodology.
Basic principles of chemistry, biochemistry, biology, physics, and statistics as related to analytical laboratory work, and the principles, theory and operation of scientific instruments and apparatuses used in the Criminalistics Laboratory.
Modern criminal investigation and identification techniques and procedures.
Procedures, practices and laws regarding the collection, preservation, and integrity of evidence.
Techniques of scientific research, analysis and report writing.

Skill in:
Reading, writing and communicating in English to obtain crime scene information, to produce reports and to testify in court.
Use of a personal computer including computer graphics/digital imaging and software applications as they relate to forensic applications and processes.

Ability to:
Provide exceptional customer service to all employees and vendors.
Administer and evaluate proficiency testing.
Analyze, interpret and present data and outcomes to a broad audience, including law enforcement agencies, the courts and other agencies.
Apply theories and principles of chemistry and forensic science to forensic casework situations.
Assess the adequacy of technical and administrative review activities.
Communicate effectively orally and in writing, including when serving as an expert witness in the presentation of laboratory findings.
Document activities in an accurate and clear manner.
Establish and maintain smooth and effective working relationships and resolve interpersonal conflicts.
Establish competency and maintain proficiency in specialty disciplines where casework is performed.
Follow oral and written directions.
Foster a teamwork environment.
Gather and analyze physical evidence and formulate conclusions.
Initiate, manage, and coordinate investigation of technical issues, recommend corrective/preventive actions, conduct root cause analyses, and verify completion of corrective action plans.
Lead, coach, instruct and motivate employees.
Model and practice the highest standards of ethical conduct.
Monitor and ensure continued compliance with state laws, laboratory licensing requirements, external accreditation standards, the most recent ANAB Policy on the Estimation of Uncertainty of Measurement, Measurement Traceability, Department policies, and Crime Laboratory operational standards and quality management system.
Monitor and maintain control of documentation for the laboratory operations, quality manual, technical procedures, personnel testimony evaluations, case records, technical records, instrument calibration, maintenance records, training records, competency testing, quality assurance records and documentation related to the quality system.
Perform a variety of basic chemical, instrumental, biological, digital and other laboratory analyses.
Prepare and maintain analytical and other laboratory records and technical reports.
Prepare the Crime Laboratory for external on-site assessments and audits.
Provide clear work instruction.
Resolve analytical problems arising from casework through consultation of the scientific literature and/or applied research.
Schedule and conduct periodic internal quality system audits
Schedule and coordinate periodic management reviews.
Study and keep current of new techniques and procedures in the specialized areas of forensics.
Use the scientific method to solve a variety of complex problems to explain the significance of the results obtained.
Work effectively in a highly structured environment.

Other Characteristics
Willingness to:
Work necessary hours and times to accomplish goals, objectives, and required tasks in a timely manner.
Work overtime as required or requested.
Assume responsibility for maintaining a safe working environment.

Special Conditions
Must be able to work a flexible schedule to include emergency call-in, overtime with extended hours, call-back, shift work, nights, holidays and weekends to accommodate City needs. Required to work rotational weekends on-call.

TATTOO POLICY - Unless otherwise exempted, no employee of the Glendale Police or Fire Department shall have any visible tattoos or other skin markings.

Working Conditions
Depending on unit assignment, work is performed in a variety of locations to include on-site work at crime scenes, hospitals, and in the Police Department. Work is performed in indoor and outdoor environments. When work is performed outdoors, there is full exposure to the elements. The incumbent may be exposed to related health hazards to include blood and other bodily fluids/products, infectious diseases, human borne parasites, air, water, and blood borne pathogens, and may have contact with complete and/or partial human corpses in various stages of decomposition. Other health hazards may include odors, toxic chemicals, and hazardous substances. Occasionally, work is performed within confined areas or at high altitudes, including photography from helicopters. Physical demands include frequent standing, walking, bending, reaching, lifting, crawling, climbing ladders and inclines, repelling down ravines, and moving objects weighing up to 50 pounds. May be required to independently work crime scene investigations either without supervision or without sworn police presence. Incumbents must be able to meet the physical requirements of the class and have mobility, vision, hearing and dexterity levels appropriate to the duties to be performed.

Promotional Eligibility
Any City of Glendale employee who meets the minimum qualifications for this position, has completed probation or six months of City employment, and is occupying a permanent full-time classification. Hourly City employees may be considered, provided that they furnish proof of continuous employment immediately preceding the final filing date, which would equal a minimum of six months of full-time service or 1040 part-time hours. (Civil Service Rule VIII 4-E).

Note

An equivalent combination of experience, education and/or training may be considered as a substitute for the listed minimum requirements.

Exceptional Customer Service Policy
The City of Glendale values quality customer service and takes pride in the exceptional service provided by every employee. As a part of the Glendale team, we are dedicated to delivering courteous, considerate, and personalized attention to our diverse community and to one another.

Please click on the link to read the Exceptional Customer Service Policy .

Selection Process

EVALUATION OF APPLICATION: All applications, resumes and submitted reference materials will be reviewed and evaluated and only the best-qualified candidates based on applicable experience will be invited to the selection process.
WRITTEN EXAM: (PASS/FAIL) To evaluate the candidate's ability to be successful in this position. Exam will be relevant to the duties of this position. Due to the large amount of applications received, only the top scoring candidates who achieve a minimum passing score of 70.00% on the written exam will be invited to the further stages of the examination process.

ORAL INTERVIEW: (Weight of 100%) To evaluate the applicant's experience, education, and general background for the position. Due to the large number of applications anticipated, the City of Glendale cannot guarantee that all applicants will be invited to an oral interview.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: A comprehensive background investigation will be conducted on all finalists, which will review and verify personal history including, but not limited to financial responsibility, criminal history, drug use history, driving record, and verification of application materials. Significant issues or omissions in the above-stated areas may be grounds for disqualification. Background investigation will include a polygraph and Livescan fingerprinting. For further information, please contact the Professional Standards Bureau at (818) 548-3117.
TIME AND PLACE OF THE EXAMINATION WILL BE ANNOUNCED. Any evaluation will be based on the candidate's education and experience as related to the position. Any examination will be to evaluate the candidate's education, experience, knowledge and skills for the position. The City of Glendale reserves the right to modify the above stated examination components and/or weights. Should this be necessary, the candidates will be notified of the specific examination components and weights prior to the administration of any examination. The selected candidate will be subjected to a background check including Livescan fingerprinting. The City of Glendale conforms with State and Federal obligations to make reasonable accommodation for applicants and employees with disabilities. The Human Resources Department asks that it be advised of special needs at least five days prior to the first test part so that a reasonable accommodation may be made. The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an express or implied contract. In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, the City of Glendale requires that all new employees provide documentation to establish both work authorization and identity.

The City of Glendale offers a comprehensive benefit package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, and long-term disability insurance.

The above listed benefits apply to full-time, salaried positions only.

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

Salary:

$6,720.25 - $10,314.97 Monthly