Forensic Analyst

Lake County•Waukegan, IL

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Lake County Government is seeking a Forensic Analyst to perform cell phone, tablet, and computer forensic exams and analysis. This role supports law enforcement departments in Lake County and peripheral agencies, assisting in the analysis of investigations using cyber-related tools. The Forensic Analyst is responsible for maintaining and updating forensic programs and tools within the Cyber Lab, monitoring and maintaining the Cyber network, servers, and backups. Additionally, this position collaborates with law enforcement to develop search warrants, overhears, ping orders, and cyber-related court orders necessary for cyber analysis and investigations. The Forensic Analyst serves as a confidential employee and carries out the policies of the State’s Attorney.

Requirements

Working knowledge of computer and phone forensics and analysis.
Strong background in IT, networking, computer management and maintenance.
Ability to multitask, performing forensic exams while still producing search warrants and court orders, including exigent situations.
Ability to learn specialized analysis software and integrated justice software.
Ability to exercise discretion, maintain strict confidentiality of sensitive ongoing criminal investigations, and uphold the ethical standards of the legal profession.
Ability to work independently on projects and under pressure at times to handle a wide variety of activities and confidential matters with discretion.
Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with judicial personnel, attorneys, law enforcement, outside agencies, and the public.
Ability to successfully lead and motivate diverse teams of individuals to achieve results.
Ability to respond appropriately in emergencies and where policy may not clearly exist.
Ability to effectively prioritize workload and perform multiple tasks simultaneously.
Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from law enforcement rank and file.
Ability to understand and implement chain of custody relating to evidence.
Ability to work independently, to handle conflict, and maintain professionalism.
Ability to manage project demands within limited time constraints and assess case priorities as they develop.
Ability to express complex technical concepts effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Ability to work well with people from different disciplines with varying degrees of technical experience.
Excellent public speaking and presentation skills.
Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups including police officers, parents, and students.
Working knowledge of MS Office software and extensive knowledge of Excel.
Ability to write reports and routine business correspondence.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret documents and technical procedures.
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
Completion of a Baccalaureate degree program from a college or university of recognized standing with coursework in criminal justice, paralegal studies, information technology, public or business administration, or related field.
Minimum two years of experience in a professional position or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Trained and certified in EnCase Computer Forensic Programs (through Advanced level).
Trained and certified in Cellebrite UFED Examiner and Mobile Device Examiner Programs.
Possession of a valid Driver’s License, supplemented by a satisfactory driving record.
Successful completion of a background investigation and criminal history check.

Responsibilities

Perform certified forensic analysis of cell phones, creating reports and communicating with law enforcement and attorneys regarding the results.
Perform certified forensic analysis of computers, tablets, external drives, and analyze results to determine essential artifacts relevant to each case.
Prepare reports and communicate with law enforcement and attorneys regarding the results.
Testify in court as an expert witness on cyber-related analysis and examinations.
Analyze investigations with law enforcement to determine which cyber-related tools are most appropriate to obtain the most effective results.
Track and analyze cyber lab exam statistics and prepare and submit monthly analysis to the Illinois Attorney General’s office.
Track and update license renewals on forensic tools and programs.
Initiate license renewals and maintenance for forensic tools and programs.
Maintain certifications as necessary for utilizing cyber programs and tools for analysis.
Use forensic tools to access court/evidence discs for attorneys that are not accessible by generic software.
Support investigators, attorneys, and Lake County law enforcement in tracking subjects with Ping (2703D) results using GPS and coordinating with various cell carriers.
Prepare search warrants, Ping Orders, Overhears, and other related court documents associated with cyber-related crimes for all Lake County law enforcement departments.
Support law enforcement in determining and articulating probable cause for investigations.
Update court-related documents and orders with required language, coordinating language required by both Illinois statutes and requirements of various carriers.
Give presentations to law enforcement for education in cyber-related crimes, including updates in technology, evidence custody, and trends.
Give presentations to the Lake County community (schools, parents, community groups, etc.) regarding various cyber-related topics such as internet safety, sexting, and cyberbullying.