Police Criminalist

City of Gresham, OR; Gresham (OR); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Gresham is accepting applications for a Police Criminalist. This position will collect evidence at crime scenes, process, store and categorize evidence and items taken for safekeeping, and work closely with uniformed patrol and the detective’s division.

The role requires processing of crime scenes, photography, latent fingerprint development, evidence testing, and testifying in court as needed. Candidates should have relevant education and experience and a commitment to equity in

Qualifications

• Minimum qualifications include an Associate's degree and 3–6 years of qualifying education, training, and/or experience.
• Alternatively, a Bachelor's degree with 1–4 years of experience.
• The City values diverse, ethical, and accountable candidates with strong investigative skills.

Responsibilities

• Investigate crime scenes, search and process for evidence, fingerprint suspects, and document crime scenes.
• Perform laboratory evidence tests, including latent fingerprint development and narcotics testing; classify and identify substances.
• Prepare evidence for court exhibits and testify when required.
• Manage and inventory evidence and related property; maintain photography and lab equipment.

Skills

Fingerprint analysis

Evidence handling

Lab procedures

Criminal investigations

Education

Associate's degree

Three to six years experience

Bachelor's degree

One to four years experience

Job description

The City of Gresham is accepting applications for a Police Criminalist. This position will be required to collect evidence at crime scenes, process, store and categorize evidence and items taken for safe keeping. In addition, this position will work closely with uniformed patrol and the detective’s division.

As Oregon's fourth-largest city, Gresham is a welcoming community of hard-working people where tradition and heritage meet innovation and opportunity. Gresham is a dynamic and rapidly growing city where families and businesses have a mutual desire and drive to thrive. City of Gresham employees care deeply about the community they serve, and go 'one step beyond' to deliver services in collaborative, inventive, practical, and nimble ways. Our work is challenging, fast-paced and rewarding.

We believe that to deliver the highest level of service to all Gresham community members, it is crucial we employ a diverse workforce, foster an inclusive working environment, and ensure our policies and systems result in equitable outcomes. The City seeks candidates who will support these values by continuously incorporating equity in their daily work, and actively contributing to a workplace culture that respects unique viewpoints, life experiences, and cultural perspectives.

Come build the future with us.

This position reports to a detective sergeant and will work with the Oregon State Crime Lab, Medical Examiner’s Office, District Attorney’s office, Public Defenders office, Multnomah County Courts, other law enforcement agencies. Routine duties include processing of evidence, taking photographs of crime scenes and traffic crashes, crime scene documentation and processing, assisting in the collection of evidence during search warrants, ridge detail identification and collection, latent processing and documentation, and DNA collection.

What you will get to do:

• Investigate crime scenes: search and process crime scenes for evidence; fingerprint suspects and other individuals; perform crime scene surveillance, evidence, and general department photography; process photos and maintain photo case files.
• Perform various evidence tests in the laboratory including developing latent fingerprints, narcotics testing, and others; compare, classify, and identify fingerprints using chemistry, photography, and electronic techniques; identify unknown subjects and substances utilizing technical laboratory skills.
• Research cases; analyze and evaluate evidence; prepare evidence for court exhibits; prepare and present a variety of records and related reports; testify in court.
• Perform general facilities, equipment, and other specialty duties, including ordering, receiving, and stocking supplies; maintain photography equipment, supplies, and files; maintain supplies needed for investigation and evidence analysis.
• Respond to and resolve confidential and sensitive inquiries; provide expert guidance to other departments, the general public, and/or outside agencies; provide training to staff on crime scene investigation, evidence, and related techniques; act as a representative on committees, interagency task forces, and special projects as assigned; conduct criminal and/or administrative investigations as assigned.
• Analyze and review federal, state, and local laws, regulations, policies, and procedures in order to ensure compliance; conduct analysis on best practices and trends, and formulate recommendations.

Qualities we are looking for:

• Adaptable –someone who can quickly adjust to circumstances and intensive deadlines
• Critical thinker who exercises sound judgement and decision making– Someone who can analyze situations, data and information and apply critical thinking to resolve problems and decide on what actions and solutions to implement
• Customer focused– Someone who proactively identifies and/or anticipates the needs of internal and external stakeholders
• Initiative- Someone who can work independently with little supervision
• Detail-oriented and well organized- Someone who is thorough in accomplishing tasks with concern for all areas involved no matter how small; monitors and checks data or information and plans and organizes time and resources efficiently.
• Team player- Someone who collaborates with others in a small team environment while building and maintaining good working relationships
• Effective Communicator –Someone who listens and observes, then responds appropriately. Displays competence in communication verbally and in writing to relay information thoroughly and accurately while building and maintaining rapport.
• Conscientious -Someone who is honest; has integrity; accepts responsibility for their actions; has high ethical standards; earns the trust of others by consistently demonstrating sound moral principles; does the right thing; reliably fulfills commitments through self-discipline and sense of duty.

As a Police Criminalist, it is necessary to be available for call outs.

Knowledge of:

• Laws, rules, regulations, and ordinances affecting City and Police Department policies and operations
• City government administration, organization, functions, and services
• Practices, principles, procedures, regulations, and techniques as they relate to crime scene investigation, evidence identification and collection, storing and recording criminal evidence and personal property, analyzing and comparing physical evidence, and others;
• Techniques and use of photographic equipment, microscopes, and other scientific analytical instruments
• Rules of evidence in criminal law
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service to the public and City staff
• Communication principles, practices, and techniques
• Modern office practices and methods, computer equipment, and software applications

Ability to:

• Exercise discretion in confidential and sensitive matters
• Interpret, apply, and ensure compliance with applicable policies, procedures, laws, and regulations
• Analyze criminal evidence; interpret and classify fingerprint patterns; manage and inventory property and evidence
• Work in and process violent crime scenes
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all internal and external contacts
• Operate office equipment and technology tools including microscopes, other analytical equipment, personal computers, laptop computers and printers, and presentation equipment
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing; present information, proposals, recommendations, and evidence clearly and persuasively
• Physically perform the essential job functions

Minimum Qualifications:

Any combination of education and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. For this position, we require equivalency of 5-8 years of qualifying education, training, and/or experience.

• Associate's degree -AND-
• Three (3) to six (6) years of experience

-OR-

• Bachelor's degree -AND-
• One (1) to Four (4) years of experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• International Association for Identification Latent Print certification
• International Association for Identification Crime Scene Certification
• International Association for Identification Member with certifications and in good standing

A review of application materials will be conducted to determine the most qualified candidates to be invited to an interview.

If you desire a modification of this process to accommodate a disability, please provide your request in writing to [e-mail].

Veteran's Preference

The City of Gresham provides qualifying veterans and disabled veterans with preference in employment in accordance with state law. Any candidate wishing to have their qualifying veteran's preference applied to the process must submit a qualifying document (DD Form 214 or 215) at the time of application providing proof of eligibility that includes discharge status. Disabled veterans must also submit a copy of their Veteran's disability preference letter from the US Department of Veteran Affairs at the time of application, unless the information is included in the DD Form 214 or 215.

Our Commitment

The City of Gresham is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all qualified employees and applicants without unlawful regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, familial status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, Oregon, or local law.

Any offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion of a full background check.

All applications will be screened.

Applicants who move forward will be required to submit a completed Statement of Personal History (SPH).

The SPH is a lengthy form, it is recommended that you begin filling it out now but do not submit it until requested.

Applicants will be notified by email, with detailed instructions about the document and a specific deadline for returning it. The document can be found at www.GreshamOregon.gov/jobs under the "Guidelines for Applicants" tab. Please note that it will only open when using Internet Explorer as your internet browser.

Contact [e-mail] with questions related to this recruitment.

For assistance with the online application please contact NEOGOV directly at 1-855-524-5627.