Crime Scene Investigator (Civil Service)

The Sioux City Police departments mission emphasizes our ability to work in partnership with the community through community policing, outreach efforts, and establishing strong partnerships with the citizens we serve. We are seeking a Crime Scene Investigator. Under the general direction of the ID Section Supervisor, the position processes crime scenes using forensic applications including, but not limited to, digital photography, fingerprint development and comparison, DNA and general evidence collection. Must have knowledge regarding chain of custody and cross contamination. Employee must receive training in Iowa to examine and test marijuana within 5 years of employment. Cross training within the property room is possible. Must pass a thorough background check. Work hours may vary, and overtime is required. At the City of Sioux City, we value our employees by providing them the peace of mind through our exceptional compensation and benefits package to protect our most valuable asset. We are committed to the well-being of our employees and their families. Our employees enjoy our competitive benefits which include but not limited to medical and dental coverage, life and cafeteria plan options, generous paid leave time. All City employees must reside within thirty (30) miles of Sioux City's jurisdictional limits, within the states of Iowa, Nebraska, or South Dakota, or must comply with this requirement within 180 days from the date of hire. Join us! Conducts complete crime scene investigations and collects physical and microscopic type evidence for comparative and elimination purposes; processes items for fingerprint evidence both on scene and in lab, collects evidence for DNA testing. Performs a variety of assignments in police photography, using both black and white and color imaging, still and video photograph; downloads, catalogs and saves digital photos. Uses alternative light sources and chemical processes to develop images for photographing. Performs forensic photography at postmortem examinations and collects evidence accordingly. Performs technical testing for drug identification. Develops latent fingerprints and evaluates prints for quality. Classifies searches and files fingerprint records utilizing the BIS system. Reviews some FBI record returns to aid in the location of aliases. Sends evidence to DCI lab and disseminates reports. Prepares and collects casts of footprints, tire tracks and tool impressions for evidence comparisons. Restores obliterated serial numbers on a variety of metal surfaces. Collects trace evidence from suspects and victims including DNA evidence. Testifies in judicial proceedings. Maintains good public relations through courteous and prompt attention to all citizen requests for service. Shows sensitivity to the emotional state victims maybe in. Maintains regular and punctual attendance and working hours. Expected to temporarily perform duties outside of normal classification in the event of a declared emergency. In the event that an employee is excused from work other than being sick, they will be required to report to work in a state of declared emergency.

Cognitive Demands, Skills and Abilities :

Ability to identify and understand the speech of another person; using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems; identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions; ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events); ability to maintain composure in stressful situations that may include graphic crime scenes, blood, strong odors, distraught individuals, autopsies; ability to be careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

Job Knowledge :

Must have knowledge regarding the handling of evidence without contamination and maintaining the chain of custody; must be able to learn to use equipment for evidence collection including, but not limited to, static dust lifter, plaster casts, swabs, blood detection kits, trajectory kits, luminol, serial number restoration, and mikrosil. Must be able to learn to use evidence processing equipment for fingerprint recovery and comparison, and drug identification. Must have knowledge of the use of digital photography in both manual and automatic modes. Must have computer skills sufficient to download and work with digital photos, photo lineups, property management, digital scene reconstruction, Excel, Word and be able to burn CDs. Must be willing to present, teach and lecture on topics related to Forensic Science. Will be required to learn and use the skills necessary to independently process a major crime scene.

Language Ability and Interpersonal Communication :

Requires the ability to write and speak clearly, distinctly and effectively with fellow employees and the public; read in English and compare similarities and differences between words and series of numbers; provide and follow verbal and written instructions; give full attention to what other people are saying and seek to understand in a professional manner apply common sense understanding to the work process, procedures, programs, and services; ability to recognize when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.

Physical Requirements :

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands and fingers to handle or feel; and climb or balance. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer); Ability to see details at a distance; ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness; must be able to work long hours and irregular shifts. Regularly lifts and/or moves up to 25 pounds and occasionally lifts up to 50 pounds.

Work Environment :

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts and equipment, fumes or airborne particles, blood, and other bodily fluids, toxic or caustic chemicals, and outside weather conditions with fifty percent (50%) of the work being performed in the field. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate. Must become certified in Iowa to examine and test marijuana within 5 years of employment. Must possess a valid driver's license. Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in Forensic Science, Criminal Justice, Crime Scene Investigation, Forensic Technology, Criminalistics, Chemistry, Biology, or related field, or An associate degree in Forensic Science, Criminal Justice, Crime Scene Investigation, Forensic Technology, or related field and two (2) years of full-time work experience in a forensic laboratory, general crime scene investigation, fingerprint processing; or closely related area, or Graduation from high school or a G.E.D. and four years of full-time work experience in a forensic laboratory, general crime scene investigation, fingerprint processing or closely related area, or Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Experience with photography is preferred.