Police Evidence Specialist I - SR-18

County of Hawai`i; Hilo (HI); On-site; USD 52,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation up to 21 days/year

Sick Leave up to 21 days/year

Holidays: 13 paid days/year

Training and Development

Tuition Reimbursement Program

PSLF Program

Retirement Plan

Deferred Compensation

Flexible Spending Plan

Health Benefit Plans

Employee Assistance Program

Group Life Insurance

Job summary

County of Hawai'i is seeking an Police Evidence Specialist II for the Hawai'i Police Department - Criminal Investigations Section in Hilo. The role involves searching for and recovering physical and trace evidence, preparing reports and exhibits for court, and assisting in crime lab tests and analyses.

The position requires a Bachelor's degree and one year of forensic-related experience, with occasional irregular hours and weekend work. Residency and firearm qualifications apply.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and transcript.
• One year of lab/analytical experience in forensic science or related fields.

Responsibilities

• Search, recover, preserve, and mark physical and trace evidence at crime scenes.
• Take measurements and prepare sketches/diagrams of scenes and accidents.
• Develop and recover latent fingerprints at scenes and accidents.
• Prepare casts of impressions and take photos for evidence records.
• Assist in preparing evidence reports and court exhibits.
• Assist in testing and analyses of recovered evidence and latent prints.
• Receive on-the-job instruction in advanced crime scene techniques.
• Attend training and participate in in-service programs for personnel.
• Operate mobile crime scene vehicle and equipment as required.

Skills

Learn crime scene procedures

Prepare detailed reports

Sketch crime scenes

Record findings accurately

Establish working relationships

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Laboratory instruments

Job description

Assists in searching for, recovering, preserving, and marking physical evidence at crime scenes, assists in preparing evidence reports and exhibits for court presentation; assists in conducting tests and analyses within the police crime laboratory; and performs other related duties as required.

There is one (1) immediate permanent full-time vacancy with the Hawai'i Police Department - Criminal Investigations Section in Hilo.

The permanent class of work is Police Evidence Specialist II, SR-20, $5,107/month. Persons hired into career ladder positions must meet minimum qualification requirements for the next level in the career ladder series, perform work at the higher level, and meet performance requirements to move to the next level in the career ladder series.

The eligible list may be used for other permanent and temporary vacancies as they arise during the life of the list. Temporary appointment may lead to conversion to permanent appointment.

Special Working Conditions: Irregular hours, shift and weekend work, and occasional exposure to obnoxious conditions as required.

• Assists in searching for, recovering, preserving, and marking physical and trace evidence at crime scenes.
• Takes measurements and notes; prepares simple sketches and diagrams of crime scenes and major traffic accidents, including placement of physical evidence.
• Develops and recovers latent fingerprints at crime scenes and major traffic accidents.
• Assists in preparing casts of impressions found at crime scenes and major traffic accidents.
• Takes photographs of latent prints, evidence, and crime scenes; processes same as required.
• Assists in preparing evidence reports and in assembling evidence and exhibits for court presentation.
• Assists in conducting tests and analyses of recovered physical evidence to include processing of latent prints through various methods; screening for and collecting of biological fluids; preparing chemical reagents, etc.
• Receives on-the-job instruction on the more complex and sophisticated methods, procedures, and techniques of crime scene investigations.
• Attends in-service and other classes pertinent to the field; participates in the conduct of in-service training for uniformed personnel.
• As required, operates a mobile crime scene vehicle and the specialized equipment therein.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Training and Experience: A combination of education and experience substantially equivalent to:

• graduation from an accredited college or university with a baccalaureate degree (scan and attach a copy of your official college transcript to your application), and
• one (1) year of laboratory, research, or analytical work experience involving the application of scientific principles and procedures in chemistry, biology, physics, forensic sciences, or related fields.

Qualification for Firearms:

• must be qualified to carry and/or possess firearm or ammunition in accordance with state and federal laws, e.g., no misdemeanor or felony domestic violence conviction.

License Requirement:

• possession of a valid State of Hawai'i driver's license (Class 3) or any other valid comparable driver’s license at time of filing. (You will be required to submit your valid driver's license at time of hire).

Note: Foreign transcripts must be accompanied by an official transcript or credential evaluation to determine U.S. equivalency. (Scan and attach a copy of your official transcript or credential evaluation to your application).

Examination: All applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements will be assigned a score of 70 points. An education and experience evaluation will be conducted based on the applicant's training, education and experience as presented in the application.

Please read the minimum qualification requirements carefully. Be certain to list all pertinent training and experience, as this may be important in determining your examination score. It is essential that the applicant describe fully the duties and responsibilities of each position held, specify the date of each position held (from and to, month and year), and indicate the number of hours worked per week.

Knowledge of: basic principles of the physical and biological sciences; standard laboratory procedures and equipment.

Ability to: learn crime scene characteristics and evidence recovery procedures; learn and apply the rules of evidence; learn and apply investigative methods and techniques; prepare reports of crime scene investigations; prepare sketches and detailed diagrams of crime scenes and major traffic accident scenes; use common laboratory instruments and equipment; assist with routine laboratory analyses and keep records of findings; establish effective working relationships with other employees; and follow oral and written instructions.

Physical Requirements: Persons seeking appointment to positions in this class must meet the health and physical condition standards deemed necessary and proper to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.

Physical Effort Grouping: Light

Benefits of County employment: The County of Hawai'i offers a competitive compensation package. Your total compensation is comprised of your salary and a generous range of valuable benefits, subject to eligibility requirements.

• Flexible Working Arrangements: Options may include alternate work schedules (4-10) and flexible working hours.
• Vacation: Start accruing paid vacation time immediately upon hire – up to 21 days per year.
• Sick Leave: Start accruing paid sick leave time immediately upon hire – up to 21 days per year.
• Holidays: The County provides 13 paid holidays per year (plus General Election Day when applicable).
• Training and Development: The County has a variety of training and development opportunities for employees.
• County Tuition Reimbursement Program: This scholarship program rewards employees who take the initiative to advance their education and learning.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program: You may be eligible for this federal program which forgives portions of federal student loans for individuals working in public service.
• Retirement Plan: The Employees' Retirement System is a qualified defined benefit public pension plan that provides retirement, disability, survivor and other benefits to all eligible full-time and part-time county employees in the State of Hawaii as well as their beneficiaries.
• Deferred Compensation: Save additional money for retirement – this voluntary supplemental retirement savings plan allows for the investment of tax-deferred contributions.
• Flexible Spending Plan: Use pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified dependent care and/or medical expenses, as well as insurance premiums.
• Health Benefit Plans: The County of Hawai'i offers a variety of health benefit plans for eligible employees.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): This voluntary assistance program provides employees and their family members with free professional and confidential assistance in overcoming personal and work-related problems.

• Group Life Insurance: Free life insurance policy for active employees.
• Credit Union Membership
• Other Leaves: You may be eligible for other leaves, including Family Leave, Funeral Leave, Leave Sharing, Military Leave, Donor Leave, Victims Protection Leave, as well as leave for Parent-Teacher Conferences, Disaster Relief, Blood Bank Donations, and Jury Duty.

All benefits are subject to eligibility requirements and change due to legislative actions and/or changes negotiated through collective bargaining. Please check out the benefits tab for additional information.