Digital Forensic Investigator

City of Grande Prairie; Grande Prairie; On-site; CAD 62,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Grande Prairie is seeking a Digital Forensic Investigator to join its Police Service. You will collect, preserve, analyze, and disclose digital evidence for criminal investigations, using industry-standard tools on computers, mobile devices, and networks.

Responsibilities include preparing reports, offering expert opinions, and testifying in court. Five years of experience and a two-year diploma in a related field are required, with a focus on confidentiality and evidentiary

Qualifications

• A two-year diploma in Digital Forensics or related discipline is required.
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in digital forensic investigations or related forensic field.
• Experience using forensic software/hardware to conduct triage and full examinations.
• Experience preparing disclosure materials, technical reports, and evidentiary documentation.
• Experience handling confidential, sensitive, or disturbing materials.
• Experience providing testimony or working within policing/criminal justice environments is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Collect, preserve, document, and process digital evidence per legislation and standards.
• Conduct forensic examinations of computers, mobile devices, storage, and networks.
• Use industry tools to recover, analyze, and interpret digital evidence.
• Assess requests, determine priorities, and advise on forensic approaches.
• Prepare technical reports, disclosure packages, timelines, and expert opinions.
• Explain digital findings to investigators, prosecutors, and partners.

Skills

Digital forensics

Evidence handling

Cyber investigations

Networking knowledge

Operating systems

Education

Two-year diploma in Digital Forensics

Tools

EnCase

FTK

Job description

The City of Grande Prairie is a vibrant, growing community located in the beautiful Peace Country region of Alberta. We are committed to providing exceptional public service and enhancing the quality of life for all residents. Grande Prairie is a great place to live, work, and play.

Our Grande Prairie Police Service is looking for a dedicated Digital Forensic Investigator to join the team.

Position Responsibilities

Reporting to the Criminal Investigation Section (CIS) Staff Sergeant and working closely with investigators, Crown Counsel, and external law enforcement partners, you will be responsible for the collection, preservation, examination, analysis, interpretation, and disclosure of digital evidence in support of criminal investigations.

You will provide specialized forensic expertise related to computers, mobile devices, digital storage media, networks, and emerging technologies. Using industry-recognized forensic methodologies and specialized forensic hardware and software, you will recover, preserve, and analyze digital evidence while maintaining strict confidentiality, continuity of evidence, and evidentiary integrity.

As a Digital Forensic Investigator you will be responsible for:

• Collecting, preserving, documenting, and processing digital evidence in accordance with legislation, forensic standards, policies, and best practices.
• Conducting forensic examinations of computers, mobile devices, tablets, gaming consoles, GPS devices, cloud-based data, removable media, and other digital storage systems.
• Using industry-standard forensic tools and applications to recover, analyze, and interpret digital evidence, including deleted, encrypted, hidden, damaged, or partially recoverable data.
• Assessing investigative requests, determining examination priorities, recommending forensic approaches, and providing technical support and expertise throughout criminal investigations.
• Preparing comprehensive technical reports, notes, disclosure packages, timelines, evidentiary summaries, and expert opinions for investigators and Crown Counsel.
• Collaborating with investigators, prosecutors, and legal experts to explain digital evidence findings and recommend investigative strategies.
• Attending criminal court proceedings and providing expert witness testimony regarding forensic examination methodologies, findings, and evidentiary integrity.
• Attending crime scenes when required to identify, preserve, collect, and assess digital evidence, devices, and networks.
• Providing technical direction to investigators regarding the seizure, transportation, preservation, and handling of digital evidence to minimize the risk of data alteration or loss.
• Maintaining and administering specialized forensic hardware, software, databases, workstations, storage systems, virtual environments, secure networks, and evidence management systems.
• Developing and maintaining forensic procedures, workflows, and operational guidelines.
• Providing training and technical guidance to police personnel regarding digital evidence handling, cybercrime awareness, investigative technologies, and forensic preservation procedures.
• Researching emerging technologies, forensic methodologies, and industry trends to continuously enhance investigative capabilities.
• Acting as a subject matter expert in digital forensics and cyber investigations and liaising with law enforcement agencies, Crown Counsel, information technology professionals, and community partners.
• Participating in specialized projects and providing recommendations regarding forensic technologies, information security, digital evidence preservation, and investigative processes.

Qualifications

Education:

• A two-year diploma in Computer Science, Information Technology, Digital Forensics, Cybersecurity, or a related discipline from a recognized post-secondary institution.

Experience:

• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in digital forensic investigations, digital evidence analysis, cyber investigations, or a related forensic technology environment.
• Experience conducting forensic acquisition, preservation, and analysis of digital evidence.
• Experience using forensic software and hardware to conduct triage and comprehensive forensic examinations.
• Experience preparing disclosure materials, technical reports, and evidentiary documentation.
• Experience working with confidential, sensitive, graphic, and disturbing materials.
• Experience with network technologies, operating systems, and digital evidence management.
• Experience providing testimony or presenting technical findings would be considered an asset.
• Experience working within policing, public safety, or criminal justice environments would be considered an asset.

Please Note:

• An equivalent combination of education, certifications, and directly related experience may be considered.
• A valid Class 5 Driver's Licence is preferred.
• Ability to obtain and maintain Enhanced Security Clearance is preferred.

Hours

The standard workweek consists of an average of 37.5 hours, with the specific schedule being determined by the immediate supervisor.

Compensation

Starting Salary $45.21 - $58.43 per hour as per the Out-of-Scope Agreement.

Comprehensive benefits package. What We Offer | City of Grande Prairie (cityofgp.com)

Diversity & Inclusion

The City of Grande Prairie is committed to building and sustaining an inclusive work environment composed of individuals with unique experiences, perspectives, talents, and contributions who welcome, support, respect and value all members of the community.

Selection Process

We appreciate your interest in our organization, and we thank you in advance for your application. Candidates selected for an interview will be notified via phone or email.

• Our application review process includes a thorough evaluation of all submissions. Short-listed candidates will be contacted for interview scheduling.

Note:

After submitting your application and uploading your resume, you should expect to receive an email confirmation indicating that your application for this position has been successfully submitted. If you receive this email, there is no need for any additional contact with us regarding this position.

To efficiently manage the high volume of applications we receive for each job posting, we are unable to address job-specific inquiries prior to the interview stage. However, if you progress to the job interview stage, we will gladly answer any questions you may have.