Latent Fingerprint Examiner II/III – Police Department

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About the Department

The San José Police Department is dedicated to providing public safety through community partnerships and 21st Century Policing practices, ensuring equity for all. The Department is committed to treating all of San Jose’s diverse community members with dignity, fairness, and respect, while protecting their rights and providing equal protection under the law.

Position Duties

The San Jose Police Department (SJPD) is recruiting for a Latent Fingerprint Examiner II/III. Under general direction, performs technical level work of unusual difficulty in fingerprint examination for criminal identification and evidence classification.

Typical duties as a Latent Fingerprint Examiner II/III may include, but not limited to:

• Collects, develops, evaluates, compares, and identifies latent fingerprints or other impression evidence found at major crime scenes or submitted to the unit, including whole, partial fragmentary, or distorted latent finger and palm prints.
• Operates computers and computer-related equipment associated with automated fingerprint identification systems.
• Provides expert testimony, methodology, and identification in all aspects of latent print processing in court and formal hearings.
• Uses fingerprint comparators, magnifiers, ridge counters and other technical and scientific equipment for observing and comparing latent prints.
• Maintains communications with Federal, State and local law enforcement agencies and identification units.
• Latent Fingerprint Examiner III leads and trains latent fingerprint examiners in other classifications.

Current unit hours are Monday through Friday dayshift hours with a 4/10 schedule. Please note you may be required to work evenings, weekends, or holidays depending on agency needs.

Minimum Qualifications

Latent Print Examiner II

Education and Training : Successful completion of high school or GED Certificate, and 160 hours of training/course work on fingerprint or latent print analysis, comparison and evaluation by a recognized law enforcement agency, crime laboratory, P.O.S.T., or recognized professional institute or organization.

Experience : Satisfies at least ONE of the following options:

One (1) year full-time experience as a Latent Fingerprint Examiner I with SJPD, or equivalent, performing fingerprint analysis comparison and evaluation using an Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS).
Three (3) years of experience performing classification of fingerprints.
500 hours full-time experience (volunteer or intern experience is acceptable) performing fingerprint analysis, comparison and evaluation in a latent print unit at a law enforcement agency or crime laboratory.
Three (3) years of full-time experience as an evidence technician, crime scene technician, or lab technician processing physical evidence for latent prints.

Acceptable Substitutions for Education and Training :

Option 1: Associate’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Administration of Justice, Criminology, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Mathematics, Forensic Science, Statistics, or a related field, and 80 hours of training/course work on fingerprint or latent print analysis, comparison and evaluation by a recognized law enforcement agency, crime laboratory, P.O.S.T., or recognized professional institute or organization.

Option 2: Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Administration of Justice, Criminology, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Mathematics, Forensic Science, Statistics, or a related field, and 40 hours of training/course work on fingerprint or latent print analysis, comparison and evaluation by a recognized law enforcement agency, crime laboratory, P.O.S.T., or recognized professional institute or organization.

Required Licensing

Possession of certification as a Certified Latent Print Examiner by the International Association for Identification is required within 2 years of eligibility.

Latent Print Examiner III

Education & Experience : Successful completion of high school or General Education Development ( GED ) Certificate and four (4) years of journey-level experience equivalent to Latent Print Examiner II with SJPD.

Acceptable Substitutions :

Option 1: Associate’s Degree from an accredited college or university in Administration of Justice, Criminology, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Mathematics , Forensic Science, Statistics, or a related field, and three (3) years of journey-level experience equivalent to Latent Print Examiner II with SJPD, OR

Option 2: Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in Administration of Justice or Criminology, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Mathematics, Forensic Science, Statistics, or a related field and two (2) years of journey-level experience equivalent to Latent Print Examiner II with SJPD.

Required Licensing (such as driver’s license, certifications, etc.)

Possession of a valid California Class C Driver’s License is required and must be maintained during the entire term of employment in the job class; failure to possess or maintain the valid required license shall result in discipline up to and including termination of employment. Must meet all background, psychological and polygraph requirements.

Latent Print Examiner III: Possession of current certification as a Certified Latent Print Examiner by IAI is required.

There is no substitution for the required Latent Print Examiner Certification.

Other Qualifications

Competencies

The ideal candidate will possess the following competencies, as demonstrated in past and current employment history. Desirable competencies for this position include:

Job Expertise - demonstrates knowledge of and experience with applicable professional/technical principles and practices, Citywide and departmental procedures/policies, and federal and state rules and regulations. Knowledge and experience in quantitative and qualitative data; performing complex statistical and analytical research.

Analytical Thinking - approaching a problem or situation by using a logical, systematic, sequential approach.

Customer Service - demonstrates the ability to anticipate customers' needs and deliver services effectively and efficiently in a timely, accurate, respectful, and friendly manner.

Collaboration - develops networks and builds alliances; engages in cross-functional activities.

Initiative - exhibits resourceful behaviors toward meeting job objectives; anticipates problems, is proactive, and avoids difficulties by planning ahead; displays willingness to assume extra responsibility and challenges; pursues continuing education opportunities that promote job performance.
Problem Solving - approaches a situation or problem by defining the problem or issue; determines the significance of problem(s); collects information; uses logic and intuition to arrive at decisions or solutions to problems that achieve the desired outcome.

Communication Skills - effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts and facts clearly, orally, and in writing; demonstrates effective use of listening skills; displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts.

Multi-Tasking - can handle multiple projects and responsibilities simultaneously; has handled a wide variety of assignments in past and/or current position(s).

Computer Skills - experienced with common business computer applications including but not limited to: MS Outlook, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Access, and MS Excel.

Teamwork & Interpersonal Skills - develops effective relationships with co-workers and supervisors by helping others accomplish tasks and using collaboration and conflict resolution skills.

Selection Process

The selection process will consist of an evaluation of the applicant's training and experience based on the application and responses to the Job Specific Questions. You must answer all job-specific questions to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration.

Only the candidates whose backgrounds best match the position will be invited to proceed in the selection process. Additional phase of the selection process will consist of one or more interviews, as well as a background investigation conducted by the San Jose Police Department.

You will be prompted to answer the following job-specific questions during the online application process. Please note that there is a 4,000-character limit, including spaces, for each text response.

Please list below whether you have experience equivalent to the level of Police Data Specialist or experience performing as either of the following: fingerprint Classifier; ten-print examiner or fingerprint identifier. Please include your specific job title and dates of employment. Please describe in detail your experience and where you gained experience in performing latent print comparison and identification work.Please describe your experience and where you gained knowledge in processing latent print development, either in the laboratory or crime scene.Please describe your experience and where you gained experience in searching ten-prints and/or latent prints in an Automated Fingerprint Identification system.Please describe your experience with computer-related equipment associated with automated fingerprint identification systems. Please specify the databases or applications you have used, your proficiency and years of experience with each.
If you have questions regarding the recruitment, selections, or hiring processes, please contact Alexandria Rodriguez at Alexandria.Rodriguez@sanjoseca.gov.

Additional Information:

Employment Eligibility: Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San Jose will NOT sponsor, represent or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.

Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third party job board application system.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

Please allow adequate time to complete the application and submit before the deadline or the system may not save your application. If your online application was successfully submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation email to the email address you provided. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE CONFIRMATION, please email CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov and we will research the status of your application.

The City of San Jose offers a wide range of core health benefits including Medical, Dental, Vision, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Disability, and Savings Plans. Please visit the City's benefits pagefor detailed information on coverage, cost, and dependent coverage.

For information on the City’s Retirement Plan(pension for full-time employees), please visit the Office of Retirement Services website. You will be able to view information based on different Sworn/Federated job classification.

In additional to the benefits above, there is an additional perks siteto explore further benefits of working for the City of San Jose like paid leave, educational reimbursements, and holiday pay are specific to the job classification and union membership.

Closing Date/Time: 11/12/2024 11:59 PM Pacific

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• City of San Jose

• 408-535-1285

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