FINGERPRINT TECHNICIAN II

City of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 48,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Chicago's Chicago Police Department, Record Services Division, is seeking a Fingerprint Technician II to perform fingerprint pattern identification and background checks using the Henry classification system.

The role requires handling arrestee fingerprints, conducting AFIS searches, and ensuring clarity of impressions, with evening shifts and a 3:30 pm - 11:30 pm or 11:30 pm - 7:30 am schedule.

Qualifications

• 1 year of fingerprint technician experience using Henry classification for positive identification.
• Ability to perform fingerprint identification for criminal history background checks.
• Experience with AFIS databases is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Receive and compare fingerprint impressions with criminal history records.
• Apply Henry classification system to identify fingerprints.
• Conduct AFIS searches using computer systems.
• Ensure impressions are legible and retake if needed.
• Evaluate fingerprints for city employment background checks.

Skills

Fingerprint identification

Tools

AFIS

Job description

FINGERPRINT TECHNICIAN II

CHICAGO POLICE DEPARTMENT

Record Services Division

Number of Positions: 1

Starting Salary: $57,000.00

This position is open to current AFSCME Bidders and the Public. Only current City employees covered under the City's Collective Bargaining Agreement with AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY, AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES (AFSCME) – BARGAINING UNIT 1, 3, 4, & 5 are considered BIDDERS and eligible to bid. Qualified Bidders who properly submit a bid application will receive preference over non-bidders.

Applications for this position will be accepted until 11:59 pm Central time on 10/13/2026.

Under general supervision, the class performs at the fully functional level, using the Henry classification system of fingerprint pattern identification to examine and match sets of fingerprint impressions as part of criminal history background investigations, and performs related duties as required.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Receives fingerprint impressions of arrestees and examines and compares with police criminal history and arrest records
• Conducts fingerprint identification of arrestees by applying the principles of the Henry classification system of fingerprint pattern identification
• Conducts comparative evaluation of fingerprint impressions by examining the patterns of friction skin ridges and comparing between ridge events of separate sets of fingerprint images to find identification matches
• Conducts computerized database searches by entering search criteria into an electronically stored Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS)
• Compares and evaluates positive fingerprint matches ensuring that any discrepancies are adequately explained and/or justified
• Ensures that arrest identification numbers are assigned via computer to establish police records for first time offenders
• Visually examines ink fingerprint impressions for comparison with ink and scanned police arrest reports
• Verifies that submitted fingerprint impressions are legible and orders the impressions to be retaken when they are unacceptable
• Makes positive fingerprint identification based on similarities to the criteria and comparable fingerprint impressions that are registered and maintained in the police AFIS database system
• Evaluates fingerprints as part of the city employment background investigation process for the Department of Human Resources

Additional duties may be required for this position.

DEPARTMENT: Chicago Police

DIVISION: Record Services

ADDRESS: 3510 S Michigan Ave - Public Safety Headquarters

HOURS: 3:30 pm - 11:30pm OR 11:30 pm - 7:30 am

SHIFT: Rotating days off

THIS POSITION IS IN THE CAREER SERVICE.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• One year of fingerprint technician work experience involving file searching and examining of fingerprints for positive identification using the Henry classification system of fingerprint analysis.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Some lifting (up to 10 lbs.) is required

SELECTION REQUIREMENTS

This position requires applicants to complete an interview. The interviewed candidate(s) possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position will be selected. Selected Bidders will be hired in seniority order according to the collective bargaining agreement.

Preference will be given to candidates possessing the following:

• Previous knowledge of biometric fingerprint identification systems
• Previous experience with a criminal justice database
• Experience conducting file search and fingerprint classifications

For Information on our employees benefits please visit our benefits website at: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/fin/benefits-office.html

For Information on our salary and title structure visit our classifications website at: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dhr/provdrs/Job_Classification_Compensation/svcs/classification-and-pay-plan.html#docaccess-ba6c316e7a6d538348ff53b1eeebb6ab

APPLICATION EVALUATION: Initial evaluation will be based on information provided on the application and the documents submitted. Department of Human Resources staff will review applications after the final posting date. Staff will follow any and all required Employment/Hiring Plan provisions, federal, state and local laws, and Collective Bargaining Agreements when applicable. Staff will apply hiring preferences as required by the municipal code. Placement on an eligibility list is not an offer or guarantee of an interview nor employment with the City of Chicago.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY: To further our commitment to hiring applicants with diverse experience the City of Chicago has adopted the following ordinances 2-74-020 and 2-74-075. The ordinances provide a preference to applicants who meet minimum qualifications and who are veterans of the Armed Forces, and/or residents of Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Areas (SEDA) and/or Chicago Public School (CPS) high school graduates to be referred to departments for consideration. These hiring preferences do not apply to bidders, as Collective Bargaining Agreements define the hiring process for bidders. For positions covered by a collective bargaining agreement, bidders will be considered before external candidates.

ALL REFERENCES TO POLITICAL SPONSORSHIP OR RECOMMENDATION MUST BE OMITTED FROM ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS SUBMITTED FOR CITY EMPLOYMENT.

The City of Chicago is an Equal Employment Opportunity, Military Friendly, and Fair Chance Employer.

City of Chicago

Brandon Johnson, Mayor