Crime Scene Specialist III

Duties:

• Analyzes, collects, preserves, and presents biological evidence, latent fingerprints, tire prints, shoe prints, tool marks, and other physical evidence from primarily persons crimes including homicides and suicides;
• Photographs evidence at crime scenes;
• Processes evidence in the field and/or laboratory using powders, chemical reagents, forensic light sources, and various photographic equipment in order to develop and preserve evidence;
• Assumes role as lead Specialist for a shift, squad, or at major crime scenes;
• Attends autopsies to photograph injuries and fingerprint the deceased for identification purposes;
• Testifies in court as a witness in connection to the scenes processed and evidence developed and preserved;
• Writes departmental reports and supplements;
• Accepts, documents, and bar-codes evidence;
• Participates as a trainer in a structured training program;
• Inputs data or information into a terminal, PC, or other keyboard device;
• Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality seamless customer service.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Evidence collection and processing using a variety of technical equipment, materials, and processes including collection and processing at complex persons crime scenes.
• Photographic methods and equipment as related to crime scene investigations and laboratory processing.
• Departmental rules and regulations.
• Basic rules of evidence.
• Computers.

Ability to:

• Communicate in the English language by phone or in person in a group or oneto-one setting.
• Produce written documents in the English language with clearly organized thoughts using proper sentence construction, punctuation, and grammar.
• Train Specialists I and II in crime scene collection and processing methods and procedures.
• Learn job-related material through structured lecture and reading in the English language. This learning takes place mainly in a classroom setting.
• Travel over rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces.
• Move objects weighing less than 50 pounds short and long distances.
• Remain in a standing or sitting position for extended periods of time.
• Operate a variety of standard office equipment.
• Perform duties in/on helicopters, aircraft, elevated platforms, ladders and roofs.
• Perform duties in conditions to include decomposing bodies, strong odors, insects, hostility, emotionally charged situations, child and animal victims.
• Work in a variety of weather conditions with exposure to the elements.
• Work cooperatively with the public and other City employees.
• Work safely without presenting a threat to self or others.

Requirements:

• Three years of experience in crime scene processing, including two years at the level of a Crime Scene Specialist II or its equivalent.
• Associate’s degree in biology, chemistry, forensic science, criminal justice, or a specifically related field.
• The ability to obtain professional certification from the International Association for Identification within 12 months of appointment.
• Positions in the Police Department must meet the polygraph and background standards that are appropriate to non-sworn positions. The general factors for disqualification are listed at https://www.phoenix.gov/policesite/Documents/disqualifierscivilian.pdf
• Candidates will be required to demonstrate the ability to perform job-related physical tasks as part of the Police Department’s selection process.
• Working irregular hours, second and/or third shifts, weekends, holidays, callout and evenings may be required. Some vacancies occur on second / third shift.
• Requires working outside in a variety of environmental extremes such as heat, cold, rain, air pollution, and dust.
• Requires walking for prolonged periods which may include walking over rough, uneven, or rocky surfaces.
• This is a driving position. For positions requiring the use of personal or City vehicles on City business: individuals must be physically capable of operating the vehicles safely, possess an appropriate valid Arizona driver’s license, possess personal insurance coverage, and have an acceptable driving record.
• An equivalent combination of related experience and education may be considered.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS – The job requirements listed above, plus:

• Experience working in crime scene investigations
• Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, natural science, or a specifically related field.
• Crime Scene Certification through the International Association for Identification (IAI).

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