Crime Scene Investigator

Lake County Sheriff's Office; Florida; On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life insurance

Retirement plan (457)

Job summary

Lake County Sheriff's Office is seeking a Crime Scene Investigator I to perform scene processing, documentation, and evidence handling. The role requires adherence to policies, safety practices, and teamwork across shifts, including weekends and holidays.

Responsibilities include photographing, sketching, collecting evidence, and coordinating with law enforcement and legal teams. The position requires an associate degree or equivalent CSI experience, plus valid Florida driver’s license and

Qualifications

• Requires an associate degree or 3 years’ CSI experience in law enforcement.
• Professional knowledge of crime scene processing and photography.
• Knowledge of safety practices and standard procedures.

Responsibilities

• Investigates crime scenes and documents observations with photos, measurements, and sketches.
• Identifies and collects evidence; preserves integrity and secures items.
• Performs chemical tests and alternate light source examinations on evidentiary material.
• Maintains evidence custody records and prepares reports and court submissions.
• Testifies in court and participates in required training and field routines.

Skills

Crime scene investigation

Photography

Evidence handling

Report writing

Education

Associate degree or 3 years CSI experience

Tools

Latent print powder

DNA swab kits

Job description

PURPOSE OF CLASSIFICATIONCrime Scene Investigator I works within the Forensic Science Bureau of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. The purpose of this classification is to perform investigative activities at crime scenes. This position spends at least 65% of the time performing duties that involve the collection, examination, preservation, documentation, preparation, or analysis of human tissue or fluids or physical evidence having potential biological, chemical, or radiological hazard or contamination, or use of chemicals, processes, or materials that may have carcinogenic or health-damaging properties. Independent judgment is exercised within established policies and procedures. Work is reviewed for compliance with desired objectives through observation and written reports. The Crime Scene Investigator I works under the supervision of the Forensic Bureau Chain of Command and adheres to hierarchical order of communication upon availability.ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONSThe following duties are normally performed by this position. These are not to beconstrued as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.The most important and essential job function is dependability and includes the following:regular attendance, working as a team member, functioning under intense time pressure, andthe ability to work dayshift, afternoon, nightshift, and possibly rotating shifts, including weekends and holidays, at any Lake County Sheriff’s Office location, according to agency needs.Investigates crime scenes through adhering to general orders for taking photographs,measurements, preparing sketches and diagrams, completing narratives, following collection techniques as trained during the field training phases and summarizing observations of evidence.Identifies and determines evidence to be collected; preserves integrity of evidence; processes evidence for latent development through the use of various powder and / or chemical means; swabs evidence for the possible presence of DNA; documents and interprets evidence; ensures security of evidence and obtains evidence disposition.Conducts chemical and alternate light source tests on evidentiary material such as potential latent fingerprints, trace evidence, and biological fluids. Performs follow-up duties, which may include attending autopsies, reviewing collected items for additional evidence, completing specific request (s) from law enforcement or attorneys.Maintains files and record keeping on all evidence submitted by certified personnel as well as outside agencies; assists other agencies as requested.Operates a computer to enter, retrieve, review, or modify data; verifies accuracy of entered data and makes corrections as appropriate; utilizes database, word processing, spreadsheet, criminal information database or other programs.Prepares, completes, and/or receives various forms, reports, diagrams, narratives, submissions, property, evidence, receipts, subpoenas, reference material or other documents, reviews,processes, forwards, distributes, completes peer to peer reviews, evidence processing worksheets, or retains as appropriate.Communicates with supervisor, employees, other departments, Medical Examiner’s Office, court officials, State Attorney’s Office, Public Defender’s Office, other attorneys, outside agencies, the public and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information or resolve problems.Maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge and awareness of applicable laws /regulations; attends workshops and training sessions as appropriate.Testifies in Federal, State, and local courts present observations and technical testimony in laymen's terms, defends analytical methods and results, presents findings during the administration of a deposition to prosecutors and defense attorneys and provides discovery documents upon receipt of a formal legal request document.Must successfully complete a court testimony course within the first year of employment. Adheres to all best laboratory practices. This includes the use of Personal Protective Equipment and safety procedures when working with evidence and equipment.ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONSProvides assistance or coverage to other employees as needed. Performs other related duties as required.MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONSMust have a minimum of an associate degree from an accredited college or university. In lieu of a degree, applicant may have 3 years’ experience working as a CSI within a law enforcement agency. Board certification through a recognized certification body in the discipline is recommended.Professional knowledge of theories and practices would typically be acquired through a bachelor's degree program in the sciences.Knowledge of common methods and procedures and skill in crime scene processing and photography.Practical knowledge of best practices and general safety.SPECIAL REQUIREMENTSMust have and maintain a valid Florida driver’s license. Must successfully complete abackground investigation including a polygraph test. Mandatory pre-employmentphysical, psychological and drug screening tests required. Upon being hired, shall successfully complete the Field Training Program and a basic crime scene processing class. An entry level CSI will be hired on the current salary.PERFORMANCE APTITUDESData Utilization: Requires the ability to coordinate, manage, and/or correlate data. Thisincludes exercising judgment in determining time, place and/or sequence of operations,referencing data analyses to determine necessity for revision of organizational components,and in the formulation of operational strategy.Human Interaction: Requires the ability to function in a supervisory capacity. Includes the ability to make procedural and technical decisions in both an internal and external setting.Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization: Requires the ability to operateand control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools and/or materials requiring complex andrapid adjustments.Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize conceptual data and information, as well asreference, descriptive, design, advisory, consulting and synthesis data and information asapplicable.Mathematical Aptitude: Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplicationand division; ability to calculate decimals and percentages; may need to utilize principles ofand interpret statistics; ability to perform mathematical operations involving algebraic principlesand formulas and geometric principles and calculations; and the ability to calculate volumes,weights, and measures.Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to apply principles of logical or conceptualthinking to determine a wide range of both intellectual and practical relationships, and toexercise judgment and make decisions to serve as guides and general directives for an entireorganization.Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving the direction, control and planning of an entire program or set of programs.ADA COMPLIANCEPhysical Ability: Tasks require the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to lightwork, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate weight 75 pounds plus or minus and occasionally may involve stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling and lifting heavier items. Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation.Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require the ability to perceive and differentiate colors orshades of colors, sound, odor, and visual cues or signals. Tasks require the ability tocommunicate orally.Environmental Factors: Performance of essential functions may require exposure toadverse environmental conditions, such as odors, fumes, temperature extremes, machinery,electric currents, traffic hazards, toxic agents, disease, pathogenic substances, repetitive wristmotion, or bright/dim lights.The Lake County Sheriff’s Office is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Sheriff’s Office will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.Work Shift:**Full-Time Benefits Include:*** Medical* Dental* Vision* Life* Retirement* Deferred Comp 457 Plan* Supplemental insurance* Work Comp* Paid Sick and Vacation* Paid Holidays* Employee Assistance Program* Free Health Clinic* Tuition Assistance