Crime Lab Evidence Technician

Duties:

Essential Functions

• Assumes responsibility for and maintains the integrity of evidence. Intakes new evidence; enters evidence and property details into the evidence management system; packages evidence for storage or processing. Maintains chain-of-custody and prevents the alteration, unauthorized removal, theft, or other compromise of evidence. Prepares and packages evidence for delivery to Idaho State Police Forensics Laboratory, authorized private laboratories, or law enforcement agencies for analysis or to the Ada County Property Room for long term storage. Ensures reception and delivery of all evidence is tracked by the Property & Evidence Management System. Oversees/manages evidence to include records, receipt of, storage, safeguarding, collection, loading, transporting, verifying, releasing, and disbursement. (30%)
• Coordinates crime lab records management processes and ensures all records and evidence is properly documented and stored, including physical and electronic evidence. Collects statistical data and prepares quarterly statistical reports. Utilizing multiple computer databases, completes extensive research by gathering and disseminating background, arrest history, and/or court proceedings as it relates to forensic investigations. Maintains the department's online MSDS database, digital imaging system, RMS (or other records management system), and the laboratory information management system. Processes video and photographs for authentication and dissemination purposes for the Prosecutors office or other law enforcement agencies. Manages laboratory archives following established guidelines. (30%)
• Maintains work area and evidence storage space in the crime laboratory, response vehicles, evidence bay, and packaging room; including maintaining an inventory of laboratory equipment and supplies, ordering stock as needed, cleaning the laboratory, and general maintenance on laboratory equipment. (20%)
• Provides crime scene investigation support by participating in the collection of evidence from crime scenes, including but not limited to proper preservation and packaging of physical evidence (fingerprints, biological, trace, impression, firearms, drugs, etc.), acting as the evidence custodian, may assist in basic crime scene duties under the direction of a Criminalist by note-taking or other duties as assigned and authorized. Completes paperwork associated with the evidence collection process, including crime scene investigation reports. May testify in court to evidence handling and chain of custody as well as other technical duties performed. (10%)
• Keeps immediate supervisor, co-workers, and designated others accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems. Maintains established standards of laboratory cleanliness, safety, and efficiency. Participates in all audits, inventories, and inspections to maintain accreditation compliance. Responds to supervisors, technical leaders, and others for review and planning of programs, policies, manuals, and quality audits. Creates goals, objectives, and identifies growth opportunities. (10%)
• Performs other duties as assigned. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time. Total Percentage = 100%

Requirements:

Required Knowledge, Experience, And Training

• Associate’s degree in a forensic, physical, natural, or biological science; or Criminal Justice (with a science background) from an accredited U.S institution; or a combination of education and six months to a year of relevant experience in:; providing analytical, technical, and/or investigative experience involving research and reporting of complex data preferably in law enforcement, a laboratory, or emergency services, or evidence handling and preservation or, basic crime scene investigation.
• Level of Knowledge; Working knowledge of law enforcement and forensic procedures, data collection and research techniques and methods;; Working knowledge of processes necessary to run queries to extract data; dynamics of the criminal justice system; programs and terminology, crime scene investigation techniques; Boise City and Idaho State Codes; state and city laws, statutes, and ordinances; MS Office software; camera and cell phone usage.
• Abilities; ability to accurately analyze and compare minute details; operate and maintain laboratory equipment; plan, manage, and prioritize projects and day to day duties; successfully engage in independent research, evaluation, and validation activities; perform and document a broad range of routine duties; use logical reasoning to analyze, evaluate and make sound decisions or recommendations; determine priorities and manage multiple projects under stress; develop tolerance toward sensitive, violent, or graphic material; maintain composure and control emotions in highly stressful circumstances; establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, attorneys, crime victims, and personnel of other law enforcement and governmental agencies; communicate effectively verbally and in writing; prepare reports with a high degree of accuracy; serve as a scientific liaison to other entities in the criminal justice field on evidence handling procedures or other evidence topics; display an attitude of cooperation and work harmoniously with all levels of City employees, the public, and other organizations; communicate effectively in the English language at a level necessary for efficient job performance; complete assignments in a timely fashion; understand and comply with all rules, policies, and regulations; maintain prompt and regular attendance; perform all essential and marginal functions as assigned by an authorized employee, supervisor, and/or manager with or without a reasonable accommodation; Individuals must be capable of operating vehicles safely, towing, and have an acceptable driving record

Preferred Knowledge, Experience, And Training

• Bachelor’s degree in a forensic, physical, natural, or biological science; or Criminal Justice (with a science background) from an accredited U.S institution.
• Certification from the International Association of Property and Evidence (IAPE)
• National Crime Information Center (NCIC) certification

Licensing And Other Requirements

• Valid state-issued driver's license.
• National Crime Information Center (NCIC) certification within six months of hire.
• Must have the ability to successfully complete in-house and formalized training in evidence handling (to include the International Association of Property and Evidence (IAPE) training to support certification in the use of NCIC/CCIC) as well as basic crime scene investigation.

Special Requirements

Applicants must be able to pass:

• City of Boise background check processes which includes a criminal history check and reference checks in accordance with the City of Boise Hiring Process Regulation
• Driving Record Check
• Polygraph Exam
• Criminal Justice Information System background check (CJIS)

Drug Free Workplace:

• In accordance with the City of Boise Drug Free Workplace Regulation, this position is designated as safety sensitive and is subject to testing requirements including Post Offer Applicant Testing, Random Testing, Reasonable Suspicion, Post - Accident, etc. Applicants will be required to submit to screening for illegal drug use prior to hire. Appointment to this position is contingent upon a negative pre-employment drug test.
• This position is required to exercise custodial responsibility for illegal drugs or precursors.

Working Conditions

• The physical effort characteristics and working environment described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Efforts

• While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently lifting/carrying up to 10 pounds and occasionally lifting/carrying up to 20 pounds. Also, the employee is frequently pushing/pulling up to 10 pounds and occasionally pushing/pulling up to 20 pounds. The noise level is occasionally moderate. Work includes sensory ability to talk, hear, smell and touch. Work in this position also includes close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision and depth perception. Employees will sit, stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, grasp, climb and balance. Position requires hand/finger dexterity.

Working Environment

• The work environment will include inside conditions, outdoor weather conditions, extreme temperatures, in wet and humid conditions, areas of dust, odors, mist and gases or other airborne matter. Employees are exposed to mechanical and electrical hazards, work in/at heights and confined spaces. Employees will also drive a vehicle as part of this position. Work includes protected exposure to infectious bacteria, bodily fluids and chemicals. This position works at crime scenes which may be hazardous or unsanitary, located in houses, buildings, outdoors in adverse weather conditions, etc. Individuals will be regularly subjected to viewing evidence of violence or trauma. This position works at crime scenes which may be hazardous or unsanitary, located in houses, buildings, outdoors in adverse weather conditions, etc. Individuals will be regularly subjected to viewing evidence of violence or trauma, including graphic and disturbing crime scenes of homicide, sexual assault, robbery, traffic accidents, animal abuse, arson, and autopsy subjects (deceased persons, children, and animals), and related evidence at all stages during the investigation and prosecution of crimes. Work includes protected exposure to explosives and narcotics (to include fentanyl).
• This position works: On call to respond to crime scenes as required.

Do you have the Education Required? See available on-line and campus-based degree programs now!