Crime Scene and Evidence Specialist

City of Leander; Leander (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Leander is seeking a mid-level crime scene investigator to support evidence collection, processing, and court liaison duties. The role requires independent judgment, strong confidentiality, and overtime with potential subpoenas.

Minimum qualifications include a bachelor’s degree in criminology, forensic science, or related field, or an associate’s with two years’ experience. A Texas driver’s license and basic TAPEiT/IAPE certifications are required within two years of hire.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in criminology, forensic science, or related field.
• Associate’s degree plus two years of crime-scene experience within last three years.

Responsibilities

• Maintain digital evidence and act as court liaison for discovery and related issues.
• Store and retrieve property and evidence with continuous chain of custody.
• Manage delivery of evidence to courts, laboratories, prosecutors, and other locations.
• Purge inventory of property/evidence for destruction, conversion, or auction.
• Maintain knowledge of laws and policies for disposal of evidence and property.
• Respond to crime scenes, collect and process physical evidence, photograph and sketch as required.

Skills

Criminology

Forensic Science

Evidence Handling

Court Testimony

Team Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in criminology/forensic science

Associate’s degree in criminology/forensic science

Tools

Digital Forensics Tools

Photography & Sketching

Job description

Performs mid-level (complex) work. Provides continuous support in the collection, protection and processing of evidence and scenes of crimes using the latest techniques and equipment. Performs all duties using independent judgment and maintains a high level of security and confidentiality. Works under minimal supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree (B.A./B.S.) from an accredited college or university in criminology, forensic science, or other related science field.

OR

• An Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university in criminology, crime scene technology, forensic science, or other related science field
• Two years of crime-scene work-related relevant experience with a law enforcement agency. This experience refers to full-time employment and must have been within the three years prior to the application.

Required Certificates and Licenses:

• Valid Texas Driver’s License or equivalent from any US State

Additional training and activities:

• Obtain basic certification from T.A.P.E.I.T. and basic certification from I.A.P.E. (International Association of Property and Evidence) within two years of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in criminology, forensic science, or other related science field
• Three or more years of full-time crime scene investigation and/or evidence room experience.
• Current T.A.P.E.I.T. and basic certification from I.A.P.E. (International Association of Property and Evidence)

• Knowledge ofmunicipal police operations.
• Knowledge of city and departmental policies and procedures.
• Knowledge ofall appropriate laws, including city ordinances,and appropriate administrative laws.
• Skill and ability in the use and care of cityspecialized equipment.
• Possessing excellent customer service skills and phone etiquette.
• Skill and ability in required job skills and knowledge with accuracy and thoroughness. Ability to learn and apply new skills. Keeps abreast of current developments. Requires minimal supervision.
• Ability to make professional decisions. Exhibits sound and accurate judgment. Supports and explains reasoning for decisions. Includes appropriate people in decision making process. Makes timely decisions.
• Ability to understand and execute oral and written instructions and ask questions when instructions are unclear.
• Ability to establish and maintain professional working relationships, balancing team and individual responsibilities.

Responsibilities:

• Maintain digital evidence and act as court liaison for discovery and other related physical and electronic evidentiary issues.
• Store and retrieve all property and evidence collected, seized, or kept by the police department assuring a continuous chain of custody.
• Update storage locations and status for physical property and add supplements to maintain all records related to property and evidence.
• Manage the delivery of evidence to and from courts, laboratories, prosecutor's offices, and other locations.
• Purges inventory of property/evidence for destruction, conversion, or auction.
• Arrange for abandoned or forfeited property and evidence to go to auction.
• Maintain knowledge of the law and policies regarding the management, including the process for final disposition of evidence and property.
• Respond to crime scenes, gather, and process physical evidence, photograph and sketch crime scenes and physical evidence as required by policy. Assure that evidence is collected and stored according to policy.
• Handles, prepares, documents bio-hazardous evidence and scenes.
• Utilizes special processes, methods and equipment for the detection and collection of trace evidence.
• Assists officers in packaging of property/evidence and verify that packaging procedures are being followed daily.
• Write reports regarding the collection and processing of evidence discovered.
• Testify as a witness in court regarding the results of analysis and examination of physical evidence.
• Manage and troubleshoot digital evidence system.
• Provide technical support and training, dealing with evidence and property, for all divisions within the police department.
• Manage the ordering, storing, and furnishing of forensic and evidentiary supplies for all divisions within the police department.
• Maintain on-call status for crime scene processing.

• Employees are required to work overtime as the need arises, may have to answer subpoenaed appearances in court on employee’s day off or before and/or after a regularly scheduled work shift.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Working environment:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; extreme cold; extreme heat; risk of electrical shock; explosives; risk of radiation and vibration in unpredictable and varying amounts at crime scenes. Moderate exposure to hazardous materials, body fluids, body decay odor, crimes at industrial sites with broken or moving equipment, or any illegal drug manufacture locations. Continued danger at a scene if a suspect returns to scene or at any emergency response scenario. Work environment may be uncomfortable: not able to sit down, temperature, insects, cramped spaces. Outdoor scenes could include very high temperatures without shade, animals, or extensive search locations.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified in this position.