Crime Scene Investigator/Evidence Technician

The City of Eustis is seeking a trustworthy, responsible individual who, under the direction and supervision of the Officer in charge of the Criminal Investigations Division, the Crime Scene Investigator/Evidence Technician/ Criminal Analyst is responsible for the following duties:

EXAMPLES OF MACHINES, TOOLS, AND EQUIPMENT: Police Communications Equipment, Crime Scene Vehicles, Cameras, Video/DVD Equipment, Computers, Forensic Light Sources, and other equipment provided and trained to operate. Employee must successfully in-service training regarding the safe operation of law enforcement emergency vehicles.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Criminal Investigations Division Commander/Sergeant/Corporal. CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATOR - Responds to and processes various crime scenes by searching for, documenting the location of, collecting, preserving, analyzing, packaging, and preparing for presentation in court evidence such as paint, glass, printed matter, paper, ink, fabric, dust, dirt, combustible gases, hair, skin, blood, bones, human organs, human tissue, semen, urine, feces, saliva, vaginal secretions, narcotics, firearms and related materials, fingerprints, shoe/tire track impressions, and currency; Performs a variety of analytical examinations, such as processing the crime scene and related evidence using chemicals, powders, light source enhancement or other methods; Completes photograph referrals, photographs, and prints of dead persons at the morgue. Duties also involve the collection, examination, preservations, documentation, preparation, and analysis of human tissues or fluids or physical evidence having potential biological or chemical contamination, and uses chemicals, processes, or materials that may have carcinogenic or health-damaging properties in the analysis of such evidence.
Prepares reports and presentations of findings, methods, and techniques used to support conclusions, prepares court exhibits/reports and testifies in court when required. Takes measurements of crime scenes and processes and reconstructs crime scenes to include trajectory analysis, blood stain pattern analysis, and diagramming the scene.
Takes and maintains chain-of-custody of evidence/property; submits evidence to the Evidence Section, Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and other appropriate laboratories for further examination and analysis; acts as a liaison between crime laboratories, investigators, prosecutors, and defense attorneys; confers with experts in relevant specialties as needed; remains available for call out to crime scenes in order to crime scene investigation as previous described. Performs other related duties as required.

EVIDENCE TECHNICIAN - Receives and collects evidence from other law enforcement personnel. Responds to call out situations to assist, organize, package and take custody of evidence from search warrants and other crime scenes as required. Preserves evidence for storage by ensuring proper packaging, labeling, and appropriate storage controls. Documents chain of custody, condition, storage locations and enters data in the department evidence records management system. Prepares evidence for analysis by initiating the required laboratory documentation forms and transports evidence to and from FDLE. Examines evidence for proper identifications, packaging, bio-hazardous properties labeling, integrity and proper disposal requirement. Responsible for ensuring evidence and property seized by the department is properly handled, secured, stored, and readily retrievable, that the chain of custody is maintained and that any changes in its custody have been properly and fully documented. Handles inventory of physical evidence not contained in hermetically sealed
receptacles and therefore creates a high potential for exposure to biological or chemical hazard contamination that may have carcinogenic or potentially heath-damaging properties. Exposed to chemicals, firearms, narcotics, bio-hazardous materials (such as air/blood borne pathogens, bodily excretions, contagious diseases, such as HIV, Tuberculosis, MRSA, Hepatitis and molds) in field, security vaults/lockers, or warehouse environment.
Receives property from other law enforcement officers and civilians. Conducts periodic inventory of firearms, drugs, currency, and general property. Audits evidence for procedural compliance. Testifies in court hearings about duties and responsibilities, Remains available for call outs to assist with the collection of evidence. Performs other related duties as required. Knowledge, Abilities, and Skills: Knowledge of, or the ability to learn, the principles regarding the methods and procedures for the collection, preservation, and custody evidence and property seized by the department.
Ability to follow oral and written communication, use computer and associated programs, take precise and accurate measurements, write clear and concise reports, speak clearly, and either use, or have the ability to learn to use, photographic, video/DVD, and forensic equipment.
Ability to pay close attention to detail and provide for accuracy in the receipt, accountability, collection, packaging, and preservation of evidence and property seized by the department and to assist, consistent with training, in the documentation of crime scenes via photographs and video/DVD recording, to include photographic documentation of evidence, wounds, and injuries.
Ability to work closely and liaison with other agencies and individuals with respect to evidence and property transfers and ability to testify in court regarding the collection, documentation, preservation, and custody of evidence and property seized; ability to work on call including nights, weekends and holidays.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: This is light work for a considerable part of the working time. Requires frequent walking, frequent standing and sitting for long periods of time, climbing, stooping, reaching, bending, lifting, and carrying/pushing and pulling 50 lbs. (plus), good eyesight, hearing, and speech, working in adverse environmental conditions for long periods of time, and regular driving of vehicle.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

Associates Degree (A.A. or A.S.) from an accredited college or university in Criminal Justice, Forensic Science, Chemistry, Biology, or a closely related field, and a minimum of one (1) year of full-time experience as an Evidence Technician or Crime Scene Investigator with a law enforcement agency. Must possess and maintain a valid Florida driver's license with an acceptable driving record. Must be willing and able to complete required agency training and participate in continuing education and specialized training related to crime scene investigations, including the proper receipt, accountability, collection, packaging, documentation, and preservation of evidence, in accordance with applicable Florida Statutes, Florida Administrative Code, and CJSTC standards.

Working Hours:
Generally, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Salary Information:
$22.60 per hour ($47,012 per year); EXCELLENT benefits . Applicants should expect a starting salary of $22.60 per hour. Only applicants with the most job-related qualifications will be selected for interview and further consideration. Additional consideration may be given to applicants with more extensive education, training, or experience. Final candidates may be subject to skills testing, including spelling, math, grammar, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, customer service, ten-key and typing (minimum 35 CWPM). Following a thorough background investigation including a criminal history and drivers license check, the candidate will be given a conditional offer of employment. The final candidate will be required to pass a drug test and medical exam.

Benefits: Excellent health insurance with several options available, 100% dental coverage for employee, paid sick and vacation leave, generous local 175 pension plan, 100% tuition reimbursement for continuing education, free employee fitness center, and much more! (Contact Human Resources for details)

Closing Date:
Open until closed by the City

Important Information:
Applications must be received no later than 5:00 pm on the closing date as listed above. The City may close positions that are posted with an Open closing date at any time, without prior notice. The Citys application is required. The online application is the preferred method but printed applications are also available in person at 109-A East Orange Ave, Eustis. Office hours are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday thru Friday. For assistance or more information, please visit Human Resources at www.eustis.org or call .... Under Florida Law, all application materials are public record and subject to public scrutiny.