Evidence Technician

Job Description

The City of Saratoga Springs currently has an opening for an Evidence Technician - Temporary/Short Term.

General Purpose:

Performs a variety of technical duties in the investigation and reconstruction of crime scenes. Assures integrity, maintenance, and tracking of all police evidence. Prepares photographs and evidence for courtroom documentation. May respond to area hospitals and/or the medical examiners' office building for autopsies to document and collect evidence in criminal investigations.

Performs a variety of clerical and technical duties designed for intake, storage, release and/or disposal of all property received by the Saratoga Springs Police Department that are to be held as evidence, found property, or stored for safekeeping.

Time and days may vary depending on need and schedule.

Job Responsibilities

• Takes impressions of footprints, tire tracks, tool marks, etc.; uses miscellaneous chemicals, kits and supplies as dictated by the crime scene.
• Collects DNA samples.
• Reconstructs crime scenes; searches for latent fingerprints; collects and preserves evidence; conducts examinations of documents, and fingerprints; investigates
  
  arsons. Processes crime scene evidence for latent fingerprints; uses alternate light sources and examines evidence for microscopic evidence (hairs and fibers);
  
  examines and analyzes various types of drug evidence.
• Video tapes crime scenes. Compares, identifies, and verifies latent prints and inked prints, to known inked prints. Prepares specialized displays, graphs, charts,
  
  diagrams, photo enlargements, and related documentation as needed to reconstruct or describe crime scenes for court purposes and/or to interpret evidence.
• Writes detailed technical reports of work performed. Prepares exhibits for and testifies in court concerning evidence, chain of evidence, and crime scenes.
  
  Instructs police officers and others on subjects relating to crime scene investigation. May provide fingerprinting service to the general public; Downloads
  
  and copies video and audio. Performs other related duties as required.
• Maintains knowledge and skills on the latest evidence processing techniques through ongoing training and familiarity with forensic manuals and scientific research.
• Insures the integrity of evidence through all stages of the evidence management process, including distribution, return, destruction and/or sale of items; transports
  
  evidence to various crime labs and court rooms. Helps maintain control of recovered properties; uses the inventory system; processes property claims upon
  
  proper verification of ownership.

Qualifications

• An associate degree (preferred emphasis in biology, chemistry, forensic technology, forensic science, physical science, or related field) and/or 2 years of job-related training (experience with evidence intake and/or working in a laboratory is desired). Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Access & Power Point), forensic LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System) and UCJIS (Utah Criminal Justice Information System is preferred.

Certifications:

• Must possess a valid Utah driver's license.
• Criminal records authorized (certification done upon hire).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Working knowledge of state criminal codes and penalties associated with various offenses.
• Working knowledge of the Spillman and UCJIS reporting systems.
• Working knowledge of practices in evidence intake (including but not limited to collection, preservation, identification, and documentation of physical evidence
  
  taken from crime scenes), storage, documentation, inventory and disposal.
• General PC computer operations.
• Excellent writing skills including correct use of English language and vocabulary,
• Standard office practices and procedures related to evidence filing and property maintenance.
• Interpersonal communication skills, modern filing systems related to alphabetical and numeric files; telephone systems.
• Telephone etiquette.
• Operation of a variety of types of standard office machines including computer terminal, fax machine, copy machine, etc.

Ability

• Interpret and apply applicable state and federal laws associated with property and evidence.
• Exercise initiative, independent judgment and to act resourcefully under varying conditions
• Maintains strict confidentiality related to sensitive administrative and legal information; develop effective working relationships with supervisors, fellow employees,
  
  and the public
• Communicates effectively both verbally and in writing
• Work under time pressures and work deadlines; work in an environment requiring continuous sitting
• Ability to follow routine verbal or written instructions

Working Conditions

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions-including but are not limited to the job functions, qualifications, and competencies listed herein-of this job in the working conditions below. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The successfully candidate must be able to perform under the physical demands and work environment including but not limited to the following:

• Sit at a desk or table to operate a computer and related equipment and to type, read, proofread, interpret, and apply information obtained therefrom for sustained periods of time while maintaining efficiency, attention to detail, alertness, proficiency, and accuracy.
• Stoop and/or bend to move items into and between file drawers or boxes.
• Regularly walk, stand, or stoop, climb, balance, bend, kneel, crouch, and/or crawl.
• Lift, carry, push, pull or move boxes weighing up to 30 pounds.
• Lift, carry, push, pull, or move carts of items weighing up to 100 pounds.
• Work in outside weather conditions, could be exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme heat, extreme cold, and vibration.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quiet while in the office and can be moderately quiet to moderately loud when in the field.
• This position requires the employee to be able to operate a car, pickup truck, van, or similarly situated motor vehicle.
• May involve strong odors and unpleasant crime scenes.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary Range:

The full salary range is as follows, please note hiring will normally occur at the Minimum of the range and will not exceed the Midpoint of the range:

Minimum - $23.78/hr.

Midpoint - $28.54hr.

Maximum - $33.29/hr.

Benefits

There are no benefits with this temporary/short-term job.

Disclaimer

SUSPENSION OF PROCESS, ETC.:

The City reserves the right to reject any and all applicants, to waive any requirement set forth in this announcement, and to hire anyone as the City Manager or designee deems to be in the City's best interest, all subject to legal requirements. Any application in response to this Announcement is at the applicant's sole risk and expense. Although the City anticipates hiring one of the applicants responding to this announcement, there is no guaranty that any responding applicant will be hired.

Saratoga Springs is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

NOTES:

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with a disability to perform the essential functions of the job in accordance with state and federal law.
• Selected applicants will be invited to an oral interview, likely conducted before a hiring panel.

Note: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the position. This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities, and skill required for this position.