CLPEX Chat Board

Hi, everyone! We have a latent examiner position (and a firearms position, just in case ya know anyone!) open for a FT position. It is on the City of Aurora, Colorado official website so I won't bore you with those details here.....What I have always found lacking in other job descriptions is what I REALLY want to know so here is the real scoop for any of you who might be looking:

This is a relatively large city with a somewhat small lab. We are a full service lab (cept for DNA and a couple little things), getting more full service all the time. We have a crime scene investigator side and a criminalist/specialist side. Most of the specialists also do CSI work, or have at some point. Only a few of the CSI's have specialties outside of scene work. We have one CSI supervisor (civilian) and one overall lab supervisor (a Lt.). Currently there is one FT LPE and one part time LPE. The part time job may or may not disappear once we staff the FT job.

The job: I won't lie, it is busy. But not insane. You would have your very own office. With a door. That closes. And windows that actually allow sunshine in! I am happy to report that the people who work here are super cool. Seriously. How many jobs have you had where you would like it except for the jerks you work with??? You will not say that here!! We may have our disagreements, but we all still like and respect one another.

The detectives and officers by and large are very happy and treat us all with respect, as we do for them. None of this all "I'm Detective Superior and you are just a civilian" bologna.

The bosses are both exceptional. I have held many different jobs in different fields over the years so have had my share of bosses to compare these two with. There is no comparison. The BEST. Hands down. They are smart and nice and funny and ethical and totally know why we do what we do and what we need to do that job properly. Seriously if I were to make a recipe for good bosses, this is what the end product would look like.

It's not all roses, but close. You would have to work with me and I like to take my shoes off in the afternoon. and I play my music too loud and talk too loud. But again, you have your own office. With a door. That closes! ; )

So if you have that feeling like you want to leave where your at or feel like there should be more to work life that what you have now but are afraid wherever you go it will be more of the same so why lose your seniority, I am here to tell you this is the spot for you! You can even apply online (don't forget the extra questions!). How much easier could we make it??! Yes, I know the pay is not outrageous, but how much is your mental health worth?? email or call if you have questions. I can't answer everything (like don't even ask what questions are on the oral board! ; ) but I will answer what I can and the rest we can cover after you apply! Want to keep it confidential, that's okay too cause I know how some places can be...Like you want to keep a job like that?!?!

Sandra
303 739 6242
swiese@auroragov.org

Who paid you for the endorsement?

How large is the case load? Are all the LPE and criminalists paid the same or on the same scale? How often do they go out on calls?

Either way my app is in...

Too funny! No one paid me for the endorsement, unless you mean the City of Aurora! ; ) It truly is a great lab to work in and a great city--the best part is everything I say here is verifiable! (and not just by people who work here!)

Before I forget, I also want to add to the original description that this is a job where you would be encouraged, if you are interested, to do research and publish and we would figure out a way to fit the time needed for that into regular work. Our boss is a cool guy and knows research is important.

And within the next couple of years, we hope to be a certified lab and that plan is getting in motion purty quick like....

Also, the job will only be posted for a short time, so please apply as soon as you can! ; )

To answer your questions:

The LPE's have the title of Criminalist. The CSI's are titled CSI's. The criminalists, so far as I know, are on a higher pay scale than the CSI's, if that answers the question? As for scene work, I don't know that you would even have to if you hate scene work. Unless it was something big and you were needed to maybe help process, say, an entire house, etc. I prefer to have the opportunity to respond to scenes and I only go out when it is something big and/or the duty CSI is backed up. I also will eventually take a shift or two when schedules dictate the need, but again this is my preference as I refused to consider this job if I was just going to be a house mouse the whole time. ; ) In any case, it depends mostly on need and, of course, your personal desire to go out or stay in.

The case load is generally steady, but I am afraid I don't have a solid number for you. I personally get onlybetween 5-10 new lab requests a week and about 20 or so new cases for evaluation (scene latents). Some take 10 minutes, some take a day or so. On my desk right now I have 6 new requests I haven't started, 4 'older' homicides I need to do some things on that were not done when they came in, about 10 old AFIS hits from a guy who used to work here, about 3 of my own AFIS hits I haven't written up yet, 5 cases to verify, about 17 new cases that need evaluation and two cases pending some additional action by the detective before I can do more. Then whatever is in my que. Very manageable and everyone plays nice when a case takes precedence over others that have been waiting longer.

We have some projects of older stuff that needs to be attended to, some processing (the CSI's do most of their own processing, but if you like lab processing you are certainly welcome to do some!) but not a lot, processing chemicals to mix as needed....Hmmm, that is the majority of the work day. Of course "other duties as assigned" ; ) What is cool here is we are big enough to specialize but small enough that everyone's extra talents are also welcome and utilized. For instance, our QD person is also a blood spatter analyst. I do scenes and LPE and maybe 1/2 of the digital processing/Adobe needs....So you don't have to do just one thing unless that is your heart's desire!

Feel free to email or call or post here with any other questions. I don't have any secrets about the job. Remember: your own office. With windows. And a door. And a cool boss. Not to mention exceptional co-workers. Really.

Oh! For those of you not from here: you would also get to live in the best, most beautiful state in the union! BONUS!]

Sandra Wiese
303 739 6242
swiese@auroragov.org

Sandra,
What is the schedule like for this position? Is it strictly day shift or are there evening and night shifts? What is the on-call schedule?

The schedule is days, with a flexible start/end schedule (flexible meaning you can pick say, that you want to come in at 6 am or at 9 am or somewhere in between, but not flexible like you just show up any time between 6 and 9!; ) We work 9 hour days, five days one week with the fifth day an 8 hour shift and the next week a four day week with a day off.

Right now there are no plans to make swing or evening shifts available, but I don't know if that is a "never" thing. For the forseeable future, it's just days. I was used to a noon to 2200 shift and now come in at 9 and have found it still has some of the swing shift advantages, if you are someone who prefers swings, like me!

On call? Oh, I must say that really makes me smile. I was on call 24/7/365 for the last 8 years and I am SO still getting used to not having to be on call AT ALL here. I actually had to buy a watch since I had been so used to just having the pager to tell time for so many years. My phone doesn't ring at 2 am all the time now! ; )

Our "on call" is like this: if we get something on a weekend or at night that requires more personnel than the on duty CSI can do alone (the CSI's are staffed 24/7), then the CSI supervisor or the Lt. will start calling people and whoever answers AND is available will come in. Of COURSE you can just say no, you do have a life, right? But this is such a cool place to work that you really want to help instead of feel like "Geez, people, can't you ever leave me alone???" ; ) Seriously.

Thanks for all the questions and keep em coming! The job will close soon so please at least apply soon! ; )

Sandra Wiese
swiese@auroragov.org
303 739 6242

The air must be thin because you are way toooooo happy for working in a government job. But, I applied and see what happens.

Yeah, I'm a little hyper and a little happier than most, but again: you have a door that closes! ; ) Let me put it this way: I've been in law enforcement for a little over 11 years and know folks from all over. We all like to reinforce the "fact" that working for the government is poopy at best (yes, I said poopy! Didn't want to say what we REALLY use!)....Yet, at least for me, deep in my heart I did not feel it had to be that way. I took a big risk coming to this agency---I was fully vested, was queen of my domain, did have a door, but no windows....And an unappreciative boss who knew everything though reality is that he knows next to nothing, especially how to be a person. That was what I was prepared to deal with for the next 20 years....

BUT, I am THRILLED to say the very scary decision to leave my little queendom, dysfunctional as it was, and come here was one of the best decisions of my life to date. I'm not making any of it up. It's a little crazy, but in the best possible way. There CAN be a job like you dream of; where your knowledge and hard work are truly appreciated and encouraged. Where people are genuinely friendly and the bosses actually lead and (gasp!) treat you like an adult. No, REALLY. ; ) I get stuck in a bit of traffic every day coming to work and, guess what? I DON'T CARE. Those people are pissy cause they are going to a bad job and I am not cause I am going to a good job!

Last thing: since my boss doesn't control personnel, I would encourage anyone who has applied to send me your name so I can make sure we do, in fact, get your app here in the lab and it doesn't end up stuck in HR hell because you forgot to dot an i. No need to send more than just your name and feel free to send it from any email. Or call and leave me a message. I just want to make sure you each get a fair shot and don't get lost in the shuffle. Especially any of you who have applied and dream of something better and are fun and happy yourselves! ; ) (that last is just my personal wish!; ) If you want to send more than your name, 'sup to you! ; )

THANKS to ANY and ALL WHO HAVE APPLIED SO FAR! Here is your oral board hint: personality counts. ; )

Sandra Wiese
swiese@auroragov.org
303 739 6242

Yeah, I'm a little hyper and a little happier than most, but again: you have a door that closes! ; ) Let me put it this way: I've been in law enforcement for a little over 11 years and know folks from all over. We all like to reinforce the "fact" that working for the government is poopy at best (yes, I said poopy! Didn't want to say what we REALLY use!)....Yet, at least for me, deep in my heart I did not feel it had to be that way. I took a big risk coming to this agency---I was fully vested, was queen of my domain, did have a door, but no windows....And an unappreciative boss who knew everything though reality is that he knows next to nothing, especially how to be a person. That was what I was prepared to deal with for the next 20 years....

BUT, I am THRILLED to say the very scary decision to leave my little queendom, dysfunctional as it was, and come here was one of the best decisions of my life to date. I'm not making any of it up. It's a little crazy, but in the best possible way. There CAN be a job like you dream of; where your knowledge and hard work are truly appreciated and encouraged. Where people are genuinely friendly and the bosses actually lead and (gasp!) treat you like an adult. No, REALLY. ; ) I get stuck in a bit of traffic every day coming to work and, guess what? I DON'T CARE. Those people are pissy cause they are going to a bad job and I am not cause I am going to a good job!

Last thing: since my boss doesn't control personnel, I would encourage anyone who has applied to send me your name so I can make sure we do, in fact, get your app here in the lab and it doesn't end up stuck in HR hell because you forgot to dot an i. No need to send more than just your name and feel free to send it from any email. Or call and leave me a message. I just want to make sure you each get a fair shot and don't get lost in the shuffle. Especially any of you who have applied and dream of something better and are fun and happy yourselves! ; ) (that last is just my personal wish!; ) If you want to send more than your name, 'sup to you! ; )

THANKS to ANY and ALL WHO HAVE APPLIED SO FAR! Here is your oral board hint: personality counts. ; )

Sandra Wiese
swiese@auroragov.org
303 739 6242

Yeah, I'm a little hyper and a little happier than most, but again: you have a door that closes! ; ) Let me put it this way: I've been in law enforcement for a little over 11 years and know folks from all over. We all like to reinforce the "fact" that working for the government is poopy at best (yes, I said poopy! Didn't want to say what we REALLY use!)....Yet, at least for me, deep in my heart I did not feel it had to be that way. I took a big risk coming to this agency---I was fully vested, was queen of my domain, did have a door, but no windows....And an unappreciative boss who knew everything though reality is that he knows next to nothing, especially how to be a person. That was what I was prepared to deal with for the next 20 years....

BUT, I am THRILLED to say the very scary decision to leave my little queendom, dysfunctional as it was, and come here was one of the best decisions of my life to date. I'm not making any of it up. It's a little crazy, but in the best possible way. There CAN be a job like you dream of; where your knowledge and hard work are truly appreciated and encouraged. Where people are genuinely friendly and the bosses actually lead and (gasp!) treat you like an adult. No, REALLY. ; ) I get stuck in a bit of traffic every day coming to work and, guess what? I DON'T CARE. Those people are pissy cause they are going to a bad job and I am not cause I am going to a good job!

Last thing: since my boss doesn't control personnel, I would encourage anyone who has applied to send me your name so I can make sure we do, in fact, get your app here in the lab and it doesn't end up stuck in HR hell because you forgot to dot an i. No need to send more than just your name and feel free to send it from any email. Or call and leave me a message. I just want to make sure you each get a fair shot and don't get lost in the shuffle. Especially any of you who have applied and dream of something better and are fun and happy yourselves! ; ) (that last is just my personal wish!; ) If you want to send more than your name, 'sup to you! ; )

THANKS to ANY and ALL WHO HAVE APPLIED SO FAR! Here is your oral board hint: personality counts. ; )

Sandra Wiese
swiese@auroragov.org
303 739 6242

Sandra,

I have to laugh, it sounds like we had the same bosses at one time. I think it is great you are somewhere working in a happier environment, nothing like it, eh? I am also moved on, I gave up a tiny office with a door, that closes, for sanity! I am glad I did.

Good luck in your search for a new co-worker!

Just an update to tell you all thank you and to let you know we have qualified applicants....Wonderful!!!


And an update to those of you who have applied: recent events have pushed some things back by a few days, but once we get rolling we will ROLL so even though you have not heard back yet, please please PLEASE do not be disheartened and my biggest thanks to you for taking a chance on us, you won't regret it!

Sandra

OK, how many applied & how many still have the chance to work there? Oh ! how many people are being hired and what is the total lpe staff?

While I would love to tell you how many applied, my hands are tied in keeping that information confidential. We had several good candidates and will be continuing the process with one new hire at this time. I do not believe background packets have been received from all qualified applicants, but I my role in this process has ended now that recruitment and interviews are over. Thanks again to all who applied and to all who just read about it and told their friends! You all are a wonderful group!

Sandra