Forensic Services Technician

Arizona Department of Public Safety•Phoenix, AZ

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Arizona Department of Public Safety is hiring Forensic Services Technicians to respond to requests for crime scene assistance and photography. Under general supervision, technicians screen, process, and triage crime scene evidence; prepare reports; provide expert testimony; support forensic field-testing programs; maintain instruments and equipment; and conduct training. The role also performs related duties as assigned. This competitive classification recruitment establishes an eighteen-month eligibility list for current and future vacancies in the Phoenix area. Candidates must successfully complete the examination process, consisting of an in-person written exam weighted at 25% and a Qualification Appraisal Board weighted at 75%.

Requirements

Associate's degree from an accredited institution in crime scene investigations, crime scene technology, criminalistics, electronics technology, or a closely related field, with coursework in forensic science, crime scene technology, photography, or chemistry; alternatively, four years of full-time experience in an accredited forensic laboratory performing an essential function, or four years of experience as a law enforcement photographer or electronics technician.
Provide a DNA sample for the staff database.
Have a valid Arizona driver's license by the date of hire and maintain it throughout employment.
Successfully complete the examination process.
Attain and maintain technical certification as required, such as Rapid DNA Operator, Intoxilyzer Operator/Quality Assurance Specialist, or Clandestine Laboratory Response.
Knowledge of evidentiary identification, documentation, and collection; crime scene safety; criminal law; relevant crime scene, photographic, and field-testing equipment and software; repair techniques; firearms safety; evidence-processing techniques; and applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
Skill in using crime scene processing, diagramming, photographic, image-enhancing, evidence-processing, and troubleshooting equipment and software; recognizing transient evidence and systematically processing scenes; teamwork; and problem solving.
Ability to establish effective working relationships; recognize hazards; work independently and in stressful or hazardous environments; work around deceased individuals in various stages of decomposition; process scenes logically; remain professional and composed during long, stressful, or complex scenes; perform detailed work; identify problems and solutions; take thorough notes; follow and give instructions in support of a lead investigator; communicate clearly, explain technical concepts, write detailed reports, prioritize assignments, and maintain an organized laboratory area.
Ability to move items weighing up to 20 pounds, stand for extended periods, and squat or kneel to perform job functions.
Ability to work outside normal business hours, including nights and weekends, in extreme weather, and on a 24-hour on-call basis.

Responsibilities

Perform initial screening, processing, and triaging of evidence from crime scenes.
Perform function tests on firearms recovered from crime scenes and in support of the Firearms Unit.
Assist troopers conducting field tests.
Facilitate Department and laboratory field programs, including Intoxilyzer, Field Drug Testing, and Rapid DNA programs.
Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair or coordinate repairs for field and laboratory instruments, equipment, and software, including cameras, breath-testing instruments and simulators, Rapid DNA instruments, digital evidence software, and sex assault kit tracking software.
Provide expert testimony in support of criminal investigations.
Search, identify, document, measure, diagram, preserve, and collect physical evidence at crime scenes.
Prepare supplemental reports concerning crime scene activity, evidence-testing results, and instrument repairs.
Respond to requests for assistance at hazardous materials scenes.
Conduct overall, macro, and aerial photography of accident and crime scenes; serve as an in-house photographer supporting law enforcement functions.
Conduct preliminary examinations of evidence in the field.
Maintain official Department images and process public and Department requests for photographs.
As an AZ P.O.S.T.-certified instructor, provide instruction to troopers and other state agency personnel on topics such as Intoxilyzer, Rapid DNA operations, and crime scene processing.
Maintain instrument reports and calibration, certification, and maintenance records to support admissibility of evidentiary samples.
Maintain unit vehicles, the vehicle bay, and supply inventory.
Respond to crime scene, court, photography, and scene-assistance requests as needed, including through a 24-hour on-call rotation.
Complete required technical certifications and maintain at least a Standard overall performance rating during the preceding 12 months to progress to the next step.