Criminalist Job in Colorado

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ARAPAHOE COUNTY
Department of Human Resources
Sheriff's Administration
13101 East Broncos Parkway
Centennial, Colorado 80112
http://www.co.arapahoe.co.us/Jobs/HumanResources

Invites Applications for the Position of:
CRIMINALIST
An Equal Opportunity Employer

SALARY
$4,177.00 - $6,687.00 Monthly

DEADLINE
12/21/11

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
EDUCATION: Bachelor’s Degree in Forensic Science, Natural Sciences, Criminalistics or a closely related field.
EXPERIENCE: Two (2) years experience performing crime scene and/or laboratory duties associated with the processing of evidence in a law enforcement agency
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS / LICENSES: None.

DESCRIPTION
Under limited direction from the Supervising Criminalist, this position performs a variety of professional crime laboratory/forensic analyses and crime scene duties including recognition, documentation and collection of physical evidence and reconstruction of events as required. Directs activities at crime scene regarding collection and analysis of evidence, and performs professional and administrative duties associated with the processing of evidence.

DUTIES
• Responsible for the recognition, identification, documentation, and scientific collection of all physical evidence pertinent to the investigation of a criminal act.
• Examines crime scenes to discover, preserve, collect, photograph, video, and identify physical evidence.
• Performs latent print comparisons of recorded prints as well as evidentiary latent prints, identifies fingerprints, and utilizes Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems. (AFIS/AFIX/IAFIS).
• Collects trace evidence.
• Interprets the scientific data gathered and prepares meaningful reports in a manner to be presented to a judge and jury in a court of law.
• Prepares sketches and diagrams to include dimensions of scene and to establish location of evidence and relationships of all relevant data.
• Prepares detailed reports and documentation for investigative use and court proceedings.
• Prepares, processes and maintains a variety of written reports and records pertaining to lab processes and activities.
• Documents, handles, packages, and receipts evidence to maintain chain of custody in accordance with established forensic practices under state and federal laws.
• Directs law enforcement personnel at crime scenes to ensure continuity and preservation of evidence.
• Appears in court as an expert witness as required.
• Instructs other agency members in Criminalistics, crime scene processing and training seminars, to include outside law enforcement agencies under mutual aid requests.
• Makes presumptive field tests of suspected illegal drugs to determine type.
• Performs various techniques to restore obliterated numbers on firearms and other metal objects.
• Maintains agency photographic and processing equipment in clean and operating order.
• May be assigned to train new employees and or act as a trainer to coworkers in specific specialty areas.
• Does not pose a direct threat or significant risk of substantial harm to the safety or health of himself/herself or others.
• Operates computers and standard office equipment including commonly used computer software programs.
• Is committed to a high standard of safety laws and all of the Sheriff’s Office policies and rules and must be willing to report safety violations and potential safety violations to appropriate supervisory or management personnel.
• Maintains regular and acceptable attendance.
• Is available and willing to work such overtime per day or per week as the Sheriff’s Office determines is necessary or desirable to meet its needs.
• Is available and willing to work such weekends and holidays as the Sheriff’s Office determines are necessary or desirable to meet its needs.
• Performs duties both in the office and in the field.
• Follows and supports the mission, values, organizational philosophies, operational principals, code of conduct, and policies and procedures of the Sheriff’s Office
• Interacts effectively with others.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS
• Extensive knowledge of modern forensic laboratory equipment and procedures.
• Extensive knowledge of criminal acts, methods of operation and investigative procedures.
• Extensive knowledge of all areas of Criminalistics.
• Considerable knowledge of criminal law, criminal court proceedings and rules of evidence.
• Knowledge of NCIC Fingerprint classification systems.
• Knowledge of law enforcement accreditation standards at the Sheriff’s Office.
• Knowledge of computers and commonly used computer software programs.
• Working knowledge of digital image processing software (e.g., PhotoShop).
• Skill in the use of laboratory and photographic equipment and materials.
• Ability to operate computers and commonly used computer software programs, as well as any other standard office equipment as required by position.
• Ability to give acceptable expert testimony in courts of law
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, coworkers and other law enforcement/judicial personnel
• Ability to communicate effectively in verbal and written English, to include public

APPLICATIONS MAY BE FILED ONLINE AT:
http://www.co.arapahoe.co.us/Jobs/HumanResources