Digital Forensic Technician

Lexington County Sheriff's Department; Lexington (SC); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The Lexington County Sheriff's Department is seeking a Digital Forensic Technician to perform collection, preservation, extraction, examination, and analysis of digital evidence from a wide range of devices, ensuring proper chain-of-custody for court admissibility.

You will use standard forensic hardware and software, prepare objective reports, assist investigators and prosecutors, provide court testimony when required, maintain equipment, and pursue required certifications while handling

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Ability to meet departmental employment, background, confidentiality, and system-access requirements.
• Ability and willingness to complete department-provided technical training and obtain and maintain required certifications within departmental timelines.

Responsibilities

• Receives, inventories, safeguards, and preserves electronic evidence; maintains complete chain-of-custody and examination records.
• Acquires, extracts, examines, and analyzes data from computers, mobile devices, storage media, and other digital devices.
• Uses authorized forensic hardware and software to identify and recover relevant data, including deleted or concealed information when technically feasible.
• Prepares accurate, objective forensic reports documenting examination methods, findings, and limitations.
• Works with investigators and prosecutors to clarify examination requests, explain findings, and prepare digital evidence for investigative or court use.
• Provides court testimony regarding evidence handling, examination methods, and findings as required and within established qualifications.
• Maintains assigned forensic equipment and software; protects confidential information and follows applicable legal, security, and departmental procedures.
• Manages assigned examinations and case records; keeps the supervisor informed of progress, technical issues, and deadlines.
• Participates in department-provided training, obtains required digital forensic certifications, and maintains job-related proficiency.
• Performs other related duties as assigned, consistent with the civilian responsibilities of the position.

Skills

Attention to detail

Analytical thinking

Written and verbal communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate’s degree or higher in digital forensics, computer science, cybersecurity, information technology, criminal justice, or related field

Tools

Forensic hardware

Forensic software

Job description

The Digital Forensic Technician performs specialized technical work involving the collection, preservation, extraction, examination, and analysis of digital evidence from electronic devices and storage media in support of criminal investigations. The employee utilizes industry-standard forensic hardware and software to recover, process, and document digital evidence while maintaining strict chain-of-custody procedures to ensure the integrity and admissibility of evidence in court.

Position Scope: This is a civilian, non-sworn position that provides technical forensic support and does not exercise sworn law enforcement authority.

• Receives, inventories, safeguards, and preserves electronic evidence; maintains complete chain-of-custody and examination records.
• Acquires, extracts, examines, and analyzes data from computers, mobile phones, tablets, storage media, gaming consoles, GPS units, smart watches, vehicle systems, and other digital devices.
• Uses authorized forensic hardware and software to identify and recover relevant data, including deleted or concealed information when technically feasible.
• Prepares accurate, objective forensic reports documenting examination methods, findings, and limitations.
• Works with investigators and prosecutors to clarify examination requests, explain findings, and prepare digital evidence for investigative or court use.
• Provides court testimony regarding evidence handling, examination methods, and findings as required and within established qualifications.
• Maintains assigned forensic equipment and software; protects confidential information and follows applicable legal, security, and departmental procedures.
• Manages assigned examinations and case records; keeps the supervisor informed of progress, technical issues, and deadlines.
• Participates in department-provided training, obtains required digital forensic certifications, and maintains job-related proficiency.

• Performs other related duties as assigned, consistent with the civilian responsibilities of the position.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Ability to meet departmental employment, background, confidentiality, and system-access requirements.
• Ability and willingness to complete department-provided technical training and obtain and maintain required certifications within departmental timelines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience using, troubleshooting, repairing, or supporting computers, mobile devices, software, or other technology; experience with data management or information technology.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, dependability, integrity, and the ability to handle sensitive information accurately and confidentially.
• Analytical thinking, problem-solving, willingness to learn technical concepts, and the ability to follow detailed procedures.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, sound time management, and ability to work independently and with a team.
• Associate’s degree or higher in digital forensics, computer science, cybersecurity, information technology, criminal justice, or a related field.
• Prior digital forensic training or relevant certifications, such as Cellebrite Certified Operator (CCO), Cellebrite Certified Physical Analyst (CCPA), Magnet Certified Forensic Examiner (MCFE), or comparable credentials.

Requires extended periods of computer use, attention to detail, and occasional lifting, travel, and court appearances. May be exposed to crime scenes, evidence processing environments, and other conditions associated with forensic operations.

• Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly having to move objects.
• Positions in this class typically require talking, hearing, seeing, grasping, fingering, standing, walking, repetitive motions, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, climbing, balancing, pushing, pulling, and lifting.
• Positions in this class are typically subjected to moving mechanical parts, odors, dust, poor ventilation, chemicals, oils, extreme temperatures, inadequate lighting, intense noises, gases, and workspace restrictions.