Field Evidence Technician I/II/III

This recruitment will establish an employment list to fill current and any future vacancies within the Sheriff’s Department. The anticipated life of the employment list is six months. If interested in employment for this position for current or future vacancies, please submit an online application for consideration.

Current vacancy with the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department located in Visalia. This recruitment will establish an employment list to fill current and future vacancies. The anticipated life of the list is six (6) months.

Work Schedule: Subject to standby and call outs.

Typical Duties

Report to crime scenes within Tulare County and other counties as require; assists in investigations of crimes including residential and commercial robberies, petty and grand thefts, residential, commercial and vehicle burglaries, stolen and recovered vehicles/property, domestic violence, homicides, suicides, and other death investigations, sexual assaults, industrial accidents and other crimes; may be subjected to physical threats, verbal abuse, and other stressful situations; prepare detailed reports related to crime scene investigation activities and complete required documents; process crime scenes for physical evidence, including but not limited to locate and collect physical evidence, photograph and document crime scenes and evidence, and proper preservation of evidence; maintain proper chain of custody of evidence; manage evidence rooms; process evidence and compare fingerprints for identification purposes; process people for identification or evidentiary purposes; process, document and collect evidence from humane remains; uses specialized equipment and procedures to determine the presence of blood, body fluid, gunshot residue and to collect body fluids, hair fibers, gunshot residue and other trace evidence and materials; assume responsibility for the integrity of a crime scene in the absence of a supervisor; process evidence to collect latent prints, DNA, or other physical evidence, using a variety of currently approved techniques, such as the use of powders, light and/or chemicals; test and analyze evidence to determine the nature of substances; perform comparisons of latent print impressions with known finger and/or palm prints; collect and analyze digital data; operate photography and video equipment to collect/preserve photographs and video documents; interpret and apply Federal, State and local policies, procedures, laws and regulations; testify in court regarding crime scene processing, fingerprint comparisons, and any other evidence analysis; provides training in evidence processing for department personnel; assists other law enforcement agencies with crime scenes and evidence as directed; document crime scenes with sketches/diagrams via, by hand or computer; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of crime scene technology; reports to work as scheduled; may work a variety of schedules including evenings, weekends, and holidays as required and may be subject to call-out and will be on a rotating stand-by schedule; position requires handling of contraband, contaminated items, and biological samples.

Essential job duties may be assigned that are not listed above but are relative to this job classification. (Reasonable accommodation will be made when requested and determined by the County to be appropriate under applicable law.)

Minimum Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum qualifications are used as a guide for establishing the education, training, experience, special skills and/or license which are required and equivalent to the following

Education/Experience: Associate degree or completion of 60 college units in criminal justice/criminology or closely related field from an accredited college or university. Level I: Two (2) years of progressively more responsible experience related to forensics and evidence collection within a law enforcement agency may be used in lieu of education. In addition to the education requirement, the Level II: Three (3) years responsible experience related to forensics which include one (1) year working directly in crime scene investigations, within a law enforcement agency. Level III: Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice/criminology or closely related field from an accredited college or university and two (2) years responsible experience related to crime scene investigation or forensic laboratory work, in a law enforcement agency.

Knowledge of: Rules of evidence regarding chain of custody and methods to preserve and safeguard evidence including fingerprint development/lifting and classification techniques; basic principles of photography and video camera operation; principles and procedures of record keeping; English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation; perform routine mathematical calculations; Federal, state and local policies, procedures, laws and regulations; basic safety practices and procedures; modern cleaning and disinfection methods and practices for cleaning of persons, floors, walls, fixtures and equipment. Level III: Principles of supervision.

Skill/Ability to: Work and communicate effectively with people of various education and socioeconomic backgrounds by respecting beliefs, interpersonal styles and behaviors of both clients and co-workers; operate contemporary office equipment inclusive of computer, keyboard, and all applicable electronic equipment and software; compose, write clear and accurate reports for evaluation and criminal prosecution; establish and maintain effective working relationships with, other agencies, and the general public; use current safety equipment and take safety precautions in carrying out duties; work with human bodies associated with traumatic deaths and those infested with insects and vermin; tolerate unpleasant odors such as chemicals used to preserve and process evidence from decomposed bodies; position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, and stooping in the performance of daily activities; duties may require walking on uneven and slippery surfaces, climbing ladders, working outdoors in all weather conditions, around loud noise and moving vehicles; ability to lift, drag and push files, documents and other heavy objects up to 50 pounds is also required; work around or in contact with hazardous materials and other potentially toxic substances; work in confined spaces; complete a structured on the job training course; communicate in a clear and concise manner in all forms of communications. Level II: This position requires handling of contraband, contaminated items, and biological samples; incumbent may work around or in a contact of hazardous materials and other potentially toxic substances; prioritize work assignments, handle multiple projects simultaneously and work in absence of supervision; use and care for specialized Sheriff’s forensic equipment; work extended hours when required. Level III: Apply deductive, logical reasoning and make independent decisions.

License or Certificate: Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license by the time of hire.

Additional Information

Conditions of Employment:
Candidates selected will be required to pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol screening. Additionally, a background investigation may also be conducted, which may include a re-investigation every 10 years for some positions. An Employment Eligibility Verification using E-Verify may be required on the first day of employment for some positions. Some job classes may also require a physical exam.

College Cost Reduction Access Act :
This may be a qualifying position for student loan forgiveness through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA). Only student loan payments made after October 1, 2007 and in a qualified repayment plan are eligible. For more information you are encouraged to speak with your student loan service or visit: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Bargaining Unit 3

The information listed is a general summary of benefits. These provisions do not constitute an expressed or implied contract and are subject to change.

Benefit Amount: An annualbenefit amountis provided and may be applied towards health insurance premiums (medical, dental, vision and life).This benefit is pro-rated and paid on a pay period basis (24 pay periods).

Health Insurance: A choice of PPO and HMOmedical plans which include PPOand HMO dental plans andinclude dentalandvision coverage. Dependent coverage is available. Providers include Anthem Blue Cross, Kaiser Permanente, Delta Dental, andVision Services Plan (VSP).

Retirement: The retirement plan is a defined benefit plan administered pursuant to the 1937 Act County Employees Retirement Act and integrated with Social Security. In addition to ordinary retirement benefits, the plan provides disability and death benefits. Retirement contributions are made by both the County and the employee. The County has reciprocity with the State of California, contracting PERS agencies, and all County 1937 Act Retirement Systems.

Paid Holiday Leave: 12 set days and 1 personal holiday.

Vacation Accrual:
2 weeks per year (0-3 years of service)
3 weeks per year (3-7 years of service)
4 weeks per year (7-11 years of service)
5 weeks per year (11+ years of service)
Limit of 300 hours.

Sick Leave Accrual: 12 days per year with unlimited accumulation, 50 hours of which may be used toward family sick leave.

Group Term Life Insurance and AD&D: $10,000; Provided by Standard Insurance Company.

Disability Insurance: Employees are covered by State Disability Insurance. The premium is paid by the employee.

Deferred Compensation: A voluntary deferred compensation plan is available.

To view more detailed descriptions of Tulare County's benefits, please view the Benefits section of our Web site at https://tularecounty.ca.gov/hrd/benefits-wellness/health-plans-active-employees/

The Provisions Of This Bulletin Do Not Constitute An Expressed Or Implied Contract And Are Subject To Change.

Closing Date/Time: 7/9/2024 11:59 PM Pacific

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Visalia, California United States View Map