Criminalist I

Job Description:

Criminalist I

Description

Description

If YOU are looking for a rewarding career in a place where you and your ideas matter - a place where the results of your hard work are reflected throughout your community and on the faces of your neighbors - this is your home. What are you waiting for? APPLY TODAY !

The ideal candidate in this position will be able to perform a broad range of investigative tasks to document crime scenes including taking photographs, recovering and processing evidence, evaluating and processing evidence, examining latent fingerprints and performing related duties as assigned in accordance with the Police Department policies and procedures.

We currently have one vacancy in the Reno Police Department in which hiring will begin immediately following the close of this recruitment. This recruitment will also establish a list for future vacancies, which will be filled as they occur.

This is an open competitive opportunity for all qualified applicants.

The City of Reno is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to everyone. This commitment is an integral part of our efforts to ensure that we have a diverse and representative workforce that serves the community of Reno.

Examples of Essential Functions

• Performs detailed investigations in conjunction with law enforcement agencies regarding a wide variety of crime / death scenes for the presence of all types of evidence such as biological fluids (i.e., blood, etc.), DNA, hairs / fibers, control substance, latent prints, gunshot residue (GSR), shoe and tire impressions, firearms / weapons, clothing, etc.
• Maintain accurate documentation of observations and actions taken while investigating a crime / death scene.
• Photograph crime / death scenes, victims, autopsies, traffic accidents, property damage, stolen property, arson sites, and arrestees, in accordance with prescribed procedures.
• Perform forensic photography and videography of victims, suspects crime scenes, items of evidence, latent prints and other items and objects.
• Measure location and relational distances of victims, suspects and other individuals, evidence, objects, building, vehicles and other items using manual and automated equipment and prepare diagrammatic material depicting those measurements and locations as found at crime scenes.
• Collect and preserve evidence using clean collection techniques.
• Maintain the integrity and the chain of custody of all evidence from collection, logging into the computer system, and distribution to the appropriate law enforcement or judicial agency.
• Attend autopsies to document, collect and preserve evidence involved in a death investigation.
• Examine and process items of evidence, both at crime / death scenes and in the laboratory, for the presence of latent prints. In accordance with prescribed processes, lift and preserve prints for use in comparisons / eliminations.
• Develop latent fingerprints with powders, chemicals, or other approved methods, both in the field and in an evidence laboratory, on a variety of objects and surfaces and perform related specialized photography.
• Evaluate developed latent prints and compare them to inked prints from known subjects.
• Complete measurements, rough sketches and computer aided diagrams of crime / death scenes for investigation and court purposes.
• Document findings and compose investigative reports for submission to law enforcement agencies and courts.
• Provide other forensic services based on education and training.
• Provide expert witness testimony citing involvement in a particular case, observations and information obtained through the course of attending crime / death scenes, autopsies or latent print processing results.
• Participate in criminal pre-trial investigations regarding violent and non-violent cases.
• May perform other general duties including updating computerized records, filing, maintaining and storing an appropriate inventory of supplies, and maintaining laboratory equipment.
• Perform related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

The following minimum qualifications are required to be met at the time of application.

Combinations of relevant work experience and education that are equivalent to the following are acceptable.*

Education/Training:

• A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university with major work in forensic science, chemistry, biology, or a closely related field. An equivalent combination of directly related crime scene investigations, evidence processing and evaluation, forensic photography and videography, manual and/or automated crime scene diagramming, and/or latent fingerprint examination, identification and verification experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the Bachelor’s Degree.
  

Work Experience:

• Two (2) years experience performing the full range of duties and responsibilities related to crime scene investigations, evidence processing and evaluation, forensic photography and videography, manual and/or automated crime scene diagramming, and/or latent fingerprint examination, identification and verification.

License/Certification:

• Valid driver's license.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, valid National Crime Information Center (NCIC) certification for inquiry.

**Bilingual candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.**

Supplemental Information

To Apply:
Please submit your completed application and all additional information/documentation requested online at www.reno.gov/jobs by September 29, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. PT. If a computer or mobile device is not available to you, suggested locations to complete an online application submittal include: the City of Reno City Hall 2nd floor computer kiosk or 5th floor Civil Service Offices, any locations of Nevada Job Connect or any local library or educational facility.

If you are having difficulty logging into your governmentjobs.com profile, please call the applicant support line at 855-524-5627.

Examination Process:
Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications and pass the examination for this position to be eligible for hire. The examination will consist of online assessments which include an Online Written Skills Test, Cognitive Abilities Test and an Employee Personality Profile; along with a Training and Experience evaluation (T&E) weighted as follows.

Online Written Skills Test = 50%
Training & Experience Evaluation (T&E) = 30%
Cognitive Abilities Test = 20%
Employee Personality Profile = Informational purposes only

Online Assessment Details:
Qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the online assessments once the recruitment has closed. These tests will be self-administered with no proctor, which means candidates will be able to complete them online at their convenience during the designated testing window.

The instructions and guidelines will be emailed to qualified applicants after the recruitment closes on September 29, 2024. Please make sure to check for emails around this time, including your spam folder so that you do not miss this testing opportunity. All assessments must be completed within the designated testing window to move forward in the hiring process.

Subject areas that may be included on the online written skills test include:
Crime Scene Investigations
Forensics
Tool Marks

Training and Experience Evaluation (T&E) Details:
The T&E examination consists of a Supplemental Questionnaire. The questions may be viewed online under the tab marked "QUESTIONS" on the job announcement page. The
T&E must be submitted online at the time of application.

• Responses to your T&E questions should be consistent with the information given in your application details. Answers are subject to verification.
• Failure to complete all of the questions or incomplete responses will result in a lower score; therefore, it is advantageous for you to provide a full and complete response to each supplemental question.
• In order to receive credit for education or training, you must attach copies of your transcripts, diploma, or relevant certificates to your online application.
• Resumes or questionnaires uploaded as attachments to the application will not be accepted in lieu of completing each question online.
• "See Resume" or "See above," etc., are not qualifying responses and will not be considered.
• Changes or corrections to your responses cannot be made once your application packet has been submitted.
• TIP: It may be more efficient to develop your responses in a word processing document and then paste them into the online questionnaire to be submitted.

Notification:
Applicants are notified by email of their examination results. Applicants who do not meet the minimum qualifications will also be notified within two weeks of the job posting closing.

Testing Accommodation:
We strive to ensure equal access for all individuals. If you require accommodations due to a disability, we encourage you to inform the Chief Examiner by the closing date of this announcement. Your request will be handled with confidentiality and respect.

Employee/Veteran Preference in the Event of Tie Scores:
In the event of tie scores resulting from an open competitive examination (Rule VII, Section 7), candidates will be provided a rank preference in the following order:

Classified employees with established veteran status Classified employees without veteran status Non-classified employees and external candidates with established veteran status. This preference will only be administered in the event of tie scores. Documentation must be submitted at time of application.

Appointment and Certification:
Appointments to positions in the City's Civil Service system are made on the basis of examination. Scores resulting from a competitive examination are used in determining a person's rank on an eligible register. The department may hire any of the persons referred. The names of those persons not hired may be considered when the next vacancy occurs, for as long as that register is viable.

Questions and Updates:
Questions about the information on this announcement and updates to application information should be directed to Civil Service at (775) 334-2223 or civilservice@reno.gov .

The City of Reno is an equal opportunity employer. Recruitment, hiring, assignment, training, compensation, promotion, retention, and disciplinary decisions will be made without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, political affiliation, membership in an employee association, or any other protected class status applicable under federal or state law or City Charter.

Please use this Health and Welfare Benefit Link to learn more about the City of Reno's great employee benefit plans and wellness programs.

Closing Date/Time: 9/29/2024 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$68,120.00 - $95,804.80 Annually