Police Crime Scene Technician II

Town of Oro Valley•Oro Valley, AZ

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Oro Valley Police Department (OVPD) is accepting applications for the position of Crime Scene Technician (I and/or II). This role provides specialized forensic, technical, and operational support to detectives, police officers, prosecutors, and other department personnel through crime scene investigation, forensic evidence processing, property and evidence management, and quartermaster operations. The Crime Scene Technician II performs more difficult, complex, and specialized assignments with greater independence, advanced certifications, leadership responsibilities, technical expertise, and independent professional judgment. This position serves as a senior technical resource within the Crime Scene Unit, providing technical guidance and senior-level expertise while supporting criminal investigations through independent forensic decision-making, quality assurance, leadership, and specialized operational oversight.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Three (3) years of experience in forensic evidence collection, crime scene processing, digital photography, or a closely related field.
Current International Association of Identification (IAI) Certified Crime Scene Investigator (CCSI) or Certified Crime Scene Analyst (CCSA).
Current International Association of Property and Evidence (IAPE) Certified Property and Evidence Specialist (CPES).
Current Arizona Terminal Operator Certification.
Valid Arizona Class D Driver License at the time of employment.
Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and policies governing crime scene investigations, evidence handling, and property management.
Knowledge of forensic evidence collection, preservation, documentation, latent fingerprint development, and crime scene processing methods, and specialized laboratory techniques.
Knowledge of advanced evidence management principles, records management systems, evidence tracking systems, quality assurance practices, and applicable property and evidence laws and procedures.
Knowledge of purchasing, procurement, inventory accountability, equipment management, lifecycle planning, and operational support procedures.
Knowledge of specialized forensic equipment, department-issued forensic technology, computerized records management systems, evidence management software, and emerging forensic technologies.
Knowledge of training, mentoring, leadership, and quality assurance principles related to forensic operations and evidence management.
Ability to exercise independent forensic judgment in complex crime scene investigations, evidence processing, and forensic decision-making.
Ability to independently determine appropriate evidence collection strategies, forensic processing methods, documentation techniques, and laboratory submission procedures based on scene conditions and investigative needs.
Ability to lead technical operations during critical incidents and provide guidance to Police Crime Scene Technician I personnel.
Ability to mentor, train, monitor, and evaluate Police Crime Scene Technician I personnel while promoting professional development and adherence to department standards.
Ability to analyze complex forensic, evidence management, and operational issues and recommend effective solutions and procedural improvements.
Ability to coordinate multiple operational responsibilities simultaneously while maintaining the integrity of evidence, chain of custody, and forensic documentation.
Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with department personnel, prosecutors, outside agencies, and members of the public.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships while providing professional leadership, technical consultation, and customer service.
Ability to prepare clear, accurate, and comprehensive reports, technical documentation, and court testimony.
Ability to operate computerized records management systems, evidence management software, specialized forensic equipment, and standard office equipment.
Ability to evaluate, implement, and recommend improvements to forensic procedures, evidence management practices, equipment accountability processes, and operational workflows.
Ability to safely perform duties while complying with applicable safety standards, policies, and procedures.
Ability to work flexible schedules, including nights, weekends, holidays, and on-call assignments.
Normal color vision sufficient to distinguish colors used in forensic examinations and evidence identification.
Ability to work outdoors for extended periods in varying weather conditions, including extreme heat, cold, rain, wind, and areas with heavy vehicular traffic.

Nice To Haves

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

Documenting, identifying, collecting, preserving, processing, storing, safeguarding, tracking, releasing, and disposing of physical evidence.
Coordinating forensic laboratory submissions.
Maintaining chain of custody.
Managing specialized department equipment and operational inventories.
Performing the department's most technically complex forensic assignments involving critical incidents, homicides, officer-involved shootings, suspicious deaths, and other investigations requiring advanced independent judgment.
Independently responding to critical crime scenes (homicides, serious injury assaults, etc.) to provide technical and forensic expertise relating to specialized processing methods and techniques.
Independently responding to Pima Regional Critical Incident Team (PRCIT) activations to provide technical and forensic expertise relating to specialized processing methods and techniques.
Independently processing evidence in the laboratory utilizing fingerprint powders, alternate light sources, chemical reagents, specialized camera equipment, filters, and other forensic techniques.
Independently performing function testing and test-firing of impounded firearms and collecting spent cartridge cases for entry into the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN).
Assisting with inspections, audits, and quality assurance activities related to evidence and property management.
Independently conducting Safekeeping and Found Property destruction processes.
Coordinating and assisting the CST Supervisor with Evidence Destruction Board preparation and documentation.
Independently resolving complex evidence management issues involving chain of custody, legal disposition, statutory retention requirements, and interagency coordination.
Assisting with quality assurance reviews of evidence documentation and evidence management practices.
Recommending improvements to evidence handling procedures and workflow efficiencies.
Assisting with development and revision of property and evidence procedures.
Preparing detailed reports and completing all documentation associated with crime scene investigations and evidence handling.
Entering and maintaining accurate data within department records management systems.
Providing testimony in court and other legal proceedings regarding crime scene processing, evidence collection, chain of custody, and evidence preservation.
Working independently and providing temporary supervision to Crime Scene staff in the absence of the CST Supervisor.
Serving as the point of contact and coordinating crime scene or other responses during the CST Supervisor's absence.
Exercising considerable independent judgment while prioritizing assignments, coordinating multiple operational responsibilities, and resolving technical issues requiring specialized forensic knowledge.
Issuing, receiving, inspecting, inventorying, maintaining, and documenting department-issued firearms, less-lethal weapons, body-worn cameras, personal protective equipment, uniforms, radios, specialty equipment, and operational supplies.
Maintaining accountability records for assigned department equipment.
Conducting and coordinating inventories, inspections, and quality assurance reviews of specialized department equipment and operational inventories.
Maintaining operational readiness of department equipment.
Assisting department personnel regarding equipment issuance, accountability, and inventory procedures.
Coordinating equipment, inventory, and operational support functions in the absence of the CST Supervisor.
Reviewing inventory discrepancies and assisting with corrective actions.
Recommending improvements to inventory control, accountability, and purchasing procedures.
Assisting with planning replacement schedules for specialized department equipment.
Coordinating procurement, replacement, inventory accountability, lifecycle management, and vendor purchasing activities for specialized department equipment and operational supplies.
Training, monitoring, and mentoring staff designated Crime Scene Technician I and providing second level review and quality control of tasks.