Crime Scene Technician I

City of High Point; High Point (NC); On-site; USD 45,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of High Point seeks a Crime Scene Technician for the Police Department. This role involves critical responsibilities including evidence documentation and processing at crime scenes. Candidates should have an Associate's degree, strong communication skills, and the ability to work in high-pressure situations. This position offers competitive salary and benefits, as well as opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

Guaranteed monthly pension

Medical, dental, and vision plans

401K and 457B Retirement Plans

Paid vacation and sick time

Tuition reimbursement plan

Qualifications

• Requires an Associate’s degree and relevant experience in forensic or investigative settings.
• Must obtain Intoxilyzer operator certification within one year.
• Valid North Carolina Driver’s License required.

Responsibilities

• Respond to crime scenes; document evidence through notetaking, photography, and videography.
• Develop latent prints, secure evidence, and testify in court as an expert witness.
• Train new employees on forensic-related matters.

Skills

Oral communication

Written communication

Judgment

Teamwork

Stress management

Education

Associate’s degree

Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice or Forensic Science (preferred)

Job description

WHO WE ARE

At the High Point Police Department, we are committed to protecting our city and building relationships with our community. Our team includes over 300 officers and professional staff who are passionate about serving others.

As a proactive, data-driven agency, we take pride in being nationally recognized for excellence. Our department offers some of the finest in-house training in the country, along with numerous opportunities for growth, development, and career advancement.

A rewarding career awaits you here. Join our team and play a vital role in keeping High Point a safe place to live, work, and visit.

WHAT WE OFFER

The High Point Police Department offers a competitive salary commensurate with education and experience. We also offer generous benefits for full-time employees which include but are not limited to:

• A guaranteed monthly pension upon retirement
• Competitive medical, dental, and vision plans effective day one
• 401K and 457B Retirement Plans
• Paid Vacation and Sick Time
• Paid Holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement Plan

YOUR PURPOSE

Join our team as a Crime Scene Technician, where you'll play a vital role in the documentation, collection, and preservation of evidence critical to investigations. This hands-on position supports law enforcement efforts by processing crime scenes, developing latent prints, maintaining the integrity of physical evidence, and serving as an expert witness in court.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Responds to crime scenes and documents through notetaking, photography, videography, and sketches with measurements.
• Develops latent prints through chemical techniques and various powders.
• Collects and preserves evidentiary items while maintaining chain of custody.
• Ensures crime scenes are secured.
• Processes crime scenes
• Prepares written notes, reports, and testifies in court as an expert witness.
• Obtains known finger and palm prints.
• Secures evidence, preventing contamination and maintaining chain of custody.
• Collects, processes, packages, labels, and examines evidence when needed for trace and physical analysis.
• Trains new employees on forensic related matters
• Processes arrestees during prisoner processing
• Communicates and deals with citizens daily during crime scene investigations and other duties.
• Conducts Intoxilyzer tests.
• Operates lab motor vehicle in all weather conditions.
• Responds to work during all weather-related events, considered essential personnel.
• Maintains files and records.
• Conducts Public Fingerprinting
• Ensures all work is performed in accordance with Section and Unit Standard Procedures, Departmental General Orders, City Safety Standards, City Policies and OSHA Standards

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Education and Experience:

  • Associate’s degree is required.

  • Candidates with relevant field experience or internship/volunteer experience in forensic or investigative settings will receive additional consideration.
    
    

• Certifications and Licensure:

  • Ability to obtain Intoxilyzer operator certification within one year of employment is required.

  • A valid North Carolina Driver’s License is required. Individuals holding a license from another state must obtain a North Carolina license within sixty (60) days of employment.

  • Successful completion of a polygraph examination and background investigation is necessary due to the confidential and sensitive nature of the work.

• Work Environment and Schedule:

  • Position involves working under general supervision on a varied, rotating schedule that includes on-call shifts, holidays, weekends, and inclement weather.

  • Candidates should be prepared to process crime scenes involving graphic violence and emotionally challenging content.

  • Work may require extended hours in confined spaces or physically demanding positions.

  • Willingness and readiness to lead the processing of crime scenes at any time is expected.

  • A calm, objective, and professional demeanor is essential, especially in high-stress and high-profile situations.

• Skills and Abilities:

  • Strong oral and written communication skills, along with proficiency in computers and digital tools, are essential.

  • Ability to exercise sound judgment, initiative, and adhere to established procedures is critical.

  • Physical and mental endurance are required to meticulously locate and collect small pieces of evidence over extended periods.

  • The role involves managing psychological stress, particularly when working homicide scenes or providing courtroom testimony.

  • Effective teamwork and collaboration with members of the Forensic Section are expected at all times.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• A bachelor’s degree or higher in Criminal Justice, Forensic Science, or a related field from an accredited college or university is preferred

• Working knowledge of Crime Scene Investigations.

• Certifications in Forensic Discipline.

• English and Spanish Language skills.

Physical Requirements

Hearing and Speaking

• Ability to express and receive information through spoken word is essential for communicating with coworkers, citizens, and applicants.

Visual Abilities
Visual acuity is necessary for tasks requiring both near and far vision:

• Far Acuity: Clear vision at 20 feet or more, needed for observing tests, operating a vehicle, or addressing audiences.
• Near Acuity: Clear vision at 20 inches or less for reviewing documents and close-up tasks.
• Depth Perception: Ability to judge distances and spatial relationships.
• Field of Vision: Peripheral awareness when eyes are focused in one direction.
• Accommodation: Ability to quickly adjust focus between varying distances.

Physical Strength and Dexterity
This is classified as light work, involving:

• Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally
• Up to 10 pounds of force frequently
• A negligible amount of force constantly to move materials

Types of Physical Demands

• Reaching: Extending arms/hands in any direction
• Handling: Grasping, holding, or turning objects with hands
• Fingering: Using fingers to pick, pinch, or manipulate small items

Mental Activity and Requirements

Reasoning

• Ability to apply logical thinking and a working knowledge of public personnel practices and employment laws to solve practical problems, assess situations quickly, and make sound decisions.

Mathematics

• Competence in using arithmetic and/or statistics to prepare tests, reports, and analyses.

Language

• Proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing in English is required.

Environmental Conditions

Work Environment

• Work may be performed indoors or outdoors in varying conditions.

Hazards

• Potential exposure to body fluids, chemicals, vaccines, and other substances. Work is governed by OSHA safety standards.

Tools and Equipment

• Regular use of computers, calculators, audio/video recording equipment, projectors, printers, copiers, measuring devices, two-way radios, phones, and office supplies.
• Frequent reference to manuals, ordinances, regulations, reports, correspondence, statutes, and building codes.

OUR COMMITMENTS

The City of High Point is dedicated to fostering a work environment that values individuals from all backgrounds and seeks to attract and retain the most qualified partners in service to the citizens of High Point. As an at-will employer, the City allows employees to terminate their employment, or be terminated at any time, with or without cause, as long as it is not prohibited by law.

The City of High Point is committed to classifying and compensating its employees fairly for the work they do, weighing both the internal capabilities and the external market. While the job description is not intended to and does not create a contract of employment, we are excited to use this “living document” as a guide for managing performance and positions to ensure job descriptions are reflective of the current work required by the incumbent or expected by any candidate to whom an offer of employment is extended.

The City of High Point is committed to providing a safe, comfortable working environment for all employees. To that end, we are proud to comply with all Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements, as well as make reasonable accommodations to candidates and employees as we are able in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Candidates selected for employment must undergo (a.) a drug screening, in accordance with the City’s drug and alcohol policy and (b.) a background screening to determine whether there is any current, pending, or previous charge, conviction or other infraction deemed incompatible with service in the capacity for which the candidate is being hired. Certain positions are considered so critical to the health and safety of others that a candidate cannot be placed in any of those positions without passing a pre-placement physical exam. Successful results from these conditions will result in an offer of employment.

Application Deadline: Due to high candidate volume, this position may be removed earlier than the stated closing date. If interested, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.