Crime Scene Technician

CITY OF PITTSBURG; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 71,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

CITY OF PITTSBURG seeks a Crime Scene Technician to identify, collect, record, and preserve evidence for lab analysis and court presentation. You will handle fingerprints, process scenes, and maintain chain of custody in collaboration with sworn personnel.

The role requires two years of relevant experience and a Bachelor's degree in a forensic-related field, with potential certification substitutions. Pre-employment checks include drug screening and background investigations.

Qualifications

• Two years of full-time experience in investigative or crime scene work.
• Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, natural sciences (forensic concentration), chemistry, biology, or related field.
• Advanced Crime Scene Certification may substitute education requirements.

Responsibilities

• Conduct thorough searches of crime scenes to identify, document, collect, and preserve evidence.
• Document scenes using photography, video, or diagrams and take measurements.
• Perform latent fingerprint collection/processing and DNA collection.
• Maintain custody and storage of evidence; prepare reports and evidence logs.
• Testify in court as required and coordinate with police and forensic labs.
• Work beyond regular hours as needed and may involve shift work.

Skills

Crime scene investigation

Evidence collection

Documentation

Court testimony

Education

Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice/Forensic sciences

Tools

IAI Certification

Job description

The Crime Scene Technician is a crime scene investigative professional within the PBP. The Crime Scene Technician is responsible for identifying, collecting, recording, and preserving both physical and photographic evidence for laboratory examination and court presentation. Maintains fingerprint records, compares latent fingerprints, and identifies persons through finger and palm prints.

Once trained and determined ready for field work, the employee must be capable of taking responsibility for the forensic processing of an assigned crime scene without requiring direct assistance or supervision from another CSU investigator. This responsibility may include serious and complex investigations such as homicides, robberies, burglaries, and other scenes required or ordered for processing by higher authority. Independently does not mean working physically alone. A civilian Crime Scene Investigator will not perform field duties without sworn personnel present to provide scene security and handle law‑enforcement functions.

Candidates should have a strong interest and willingness to pursue advanced training and develop competency in specialized forensic disciplines, including latent print examination and identification, advanced crime scene processing, forensic photography, and other disciplines needed by the CSU. If hired, employees will be required to obtain International Association for Identification (IAI) Crime Scene Certification and complete annual training and continuing education through the IAI or other recognized or accredited forensic science and crime scene investigation organizations.

Department

Public Safety/Bureau of Police

Salary

$73,258 per year.

Posting Type

Announcement

Union

Non-Union

Civil Service Classification

Non-Competitive

General Requirements

You must submit or show proof of all the following at the time of filing your application (unless otherwise indicated below), or your application will be disqualified. Disqualifications based on any of these General Application Requirements are not subject to a Civil Service appeal.

• Applicants must submit a complete application, including education, work experience, a resume (if applicable), and completed supplemental questions.
• A current, valid Pennsylvania Class C Driver's License (or out-of-state equivalent) is required prior to appointment and must be maintained throughout employment. The Department of Human Resources & Civil Service will consider individual written requests for accommodation based on the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• Applicants must become residents of the City of Pittsburgh prior to employment and remain residents throughout employment.

NOTE: The City of Pittsburgh, as a matter of policy, conducts pre-employment and promotional background investigations on all candidates being considered for positions. The background investigation includes, but is not limited to, criminal background, driver's license, and City of Pittsburgh real estate tax payments. Candidates may be disqualified from consideration based on the results of their background investigation, as it relates to the job for which the applicant is being considered.

NOTE: Candidates being considered for employment must submit official transcripts verifying post-secondary education (college/university, trade school, etc.) prior to hire.

NOTE: Candidates in this position will be subject to an initial drug screening, a physical examination, and a complete criminal background investigation, to include a polygraph examination before permanent appointment can be made. A criminal conviction may be grounds for rejection of the candidate by the hiring agency.

Qualifying Requirements

Your work experience and education/training will be evaluated to determine if you meet the qualifying eligibility requirements listed below for this position. You will receive notice of your eligibility status.

• WORK EXPERIENCE The application must clearly show two (2) years of full-time experience of relevant experience investigative or crime scene identifying, collecting, recording, and preserving physical evidence at crime scenes. Advanced education in a forensic field may be substituted for the required work experience.
• EDUCATION/TRAINING The application must clearly show a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Natural Sciences (Forensic concentration), Chemistry, Biology, or a related physical or natural science field. An advanced Crime Scene Certification may be a substitute for the required education.
• EQUIVALENCY Education/training and/or work experience may be substituted using two years of relevant college study as equivalent to one year of qualifying experience if the application clearly shows the required number of years to meet the Total Qualifying Requirement for this position (based on the sum of work experience and education/training listed above). The Total Qualifying Requirement is six (6) years. (See NOTE under the General Application Requirements Section above regarding the verification of education/training)

If you meet the qualifying requirements listed above, you will be sent a letter of admission (when applicable) for the following examination(s). You must pass the written and/or performance examination(s) to be placed on the official Civil Service eligibility list for this position. Candidates receiving job offers must pass a medical examination (when applicable) before the hire date.

• Written None required for this position.
• Performance None required for this position.
• Medical Required. Employees in this position are subject to random drug screening twice yearly.

• Exemplifies the Bureau rules and regulations, both on and off duty.
• Works with police officers, detectives, supervisors, prosecutors, court personnel, medical examiner personnel, forensic laboratories, outside law-enforcement agencies, and other criminal justice professionals. Some of these collaborations will likely occur in challenging and, at times, chaotic environments.
• Testifies as a regular and essential function of this position, including expert testimony when appropriately trained and qualified.
• Conducts a thorough search of all crime scenes to identify, document, collect, and preserve any physical evidence.
• Documents scenes by utilizing photography, video, or diagramming the condition of the crime scene and evidence found therein.
• Takes detailed measurements.
• Conducts latent fingerprint collection/processing.
• Manages DNA collection.
• Analyzes blood patterns.
• Processes all evidence collected at the scene as well as received from all departmental branches prior to submittal to the Crime Lab or Property Room.
• Maintains proper storage of evidence and test items in accordance with established protocol.
• Appears in court to testify as to the procedures followed during collection, receipt, storage, processing, and transfer of evidence.
• Works with a variety of hazardous items, including weapons, narcotics, drug paraphernalia, toxins, body fluids, flammable and explosive materials, and unsanitary materials.
• Maintains manual and computerized records, including evidence custody documents, chain of custody documents, property receipts, property control files, and related reports.
• Archives, maintains, stores, and organizes case folders.
• Retains automated and manual logs, records, and files as required.
• Attends training as required to maintain proficiency in the most advanced techniques for evidence collection/processing.
• May work beyond scheduled hours when necessary to complete an assignment and may be subject to shift work, on-call / call-out responsibilities, including nights, weekends, and holidays. This is not a traditional 9-to-5, weekends- and holidays-off position.
• Performs other related tasks and duties as assigned or required.