Crime Scene Investigator I at Douglas County Nebraska in Omaha, Nebraska

Job Description:

The Position


Incumbent works under the direction of the CSI Field Supervisor, identifying, developing, collecting, documenting and preserving physical evidence from crime scenes and motor vehicle accidents.


Essential Functions

• Respond to Law Enforcement personnel requests, conducting and assisting with crime scene investigations.


• Establish and maintain effective work relationships with clients, supervisors, County employees, elected officials, attorneys, law enforcement, other agencies, and the public.


• Comply with Civil Service policies and regulations, collective bargaining agreements, County policies, department policies and laws to create a cooperative, safe, respectful, and quality work environment.


• Locate, process, and preserve various evidence types (e.g. latent, biological, trace, fingerprint impression evidence), utilizing advanced technical equipment and techniques.


• Document scenes and associated evidence utilizing notes, digital video, and specialized photography techniques (e.g. oblique lighting, night photography).


• Create comprehensive field and computer generated diagrams of crime scenes and accident scenes suitable for court presentation.


• Collect, package, and protect evidence and associated reference samples (e.g. loss, destruction, contamination).


• Maintain proper chain of custody of all evidence.


• Attend and document autopsies and collect physical evidence, assisting in the positive identification of deceased individuals and in criminal prosecution.


• Document and process victims, subjects, and/or suspects of violent crimes for potential physical evidence.


• Administer breath tests on suspects arrested for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) or other alcohol-related charges.


• Prepare photo lineups utilizing the investigative search computer database.


• Document and process collected evidence items at the Forensic Services Division (FSD).


• Preserve and store evidence items (e.g. electronic).


• Submit laboratory requests to the Latent Print Unit and/or Chemistry Unit.


• Prepare and maintain all case records, reports, correspondence, and documents.


• Participate in CSI Unit case file technical and administrative reviews.


• Appear and testify in court as a subject matter expert witness.


• Assist the County Attorney's Office, creating enlarged scene diagrams and other visual displays for court presentation.


• Clean and decontaminate the CSI Unit area of the FSD facilities and maintain equipment notifying the CSI Field Supervisor of damage or missing equipment.


• Utilize personal protective equipment (PPE).


• Participate in equipment and vehicle inspections.


• Maintain job knowledge and skills (e.g. research, webinars, training courses, seminars, conferences, continuing education).


• Participate in validation studies.


• Conduct selected quality control checks and documentation according to Unit Technical Manuals.


• Provide input and propose corrections and improvements to the FSD quality system.


• Conduct and assist with training sessions (e.g. citizens' academy, various schools, special interest groups, other agencies).


• Safely operate a motor vehicle when required to travel on County business.


• Report to work with regular, consistent attendance.


• Perform other related duties as assigned and directed.

Education and Work Experience and Other Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Forensic Science, Chemistry, Biology, Criminal Justice, Anthropology, Geology, Entomology, or Photography required.


• Complete the CSI structured training program, associated competency tests, and supervised casework within eighteen (18) months of hire and maintained throughout employment required.


• International Association for Identification (IAI) Crime Scene Certification Level I within three (3) years of hire and maintained throughout employment required.


• Maintain a Nebraska Title 177 Class B permit.


• Valid driver's license and own transportation upon hire and maintained throughout employment required.


• Completion of a pre-employment criminal record check, physical assessment, and conditional offer drug screen required.


• *Equivalent combination of education and work experience may be substituted for requirements on a year-for-year basis.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

• The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.


• Work is generally performed indoors and outdoors, in a variety of locations (e.g. investigation scenes, laboratory, autopsy facilities). Noise level is usually moderate. Work hours vary (e.g. days, shifts, weekends, overtime/extra hours, holidays, emergency call-in). Work involves potential exposure to the elements, mechanical/electrical hazards, and biohazards (e.g. offensive odors, decomposing human corpses). Work requires safety measures for exposure to chemicals, and exposure/handling of weapons in the gathering or processing evidence. Occasionally, work may be performed in confined areas. Work may be unpleasant and upsetting when dealing with evidence involving human remains, sexual assaults, child abuse or neglect and may be stressful when dealing with time constraints, multiple/changing priorities, limited resources and uncooperative/irate individuals.


• Work requires some physical activity including extended periods of sitting, standing, walking, frequent bending, reaching, lifting, carrying, occasional balancing, climbing, crawling, crouching and kneeling, and the agility, balance and strength to maneuver over rough terrain, and around various obstacles on foot. Work requires the ability to frequently lift and/or carry objects weighing up to 50 pounds and occasionally up to 100 pounds. Incumbents must be able to perform crime scene functions while wearing a full face respirator.


• Required sensory abilities include vision, hearing, and touch. Visual abilities, correctable to normal ranges, include close, distance, color and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Communication abilities include the ability to talk and hear within normal ranges. Incumbent must possess the hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate computers and other equipment.

Douglas County is an EOE - Disability/Veterans


Douglas County offers a comprehensive benefit package including:

• Insurance including health, dental, vision, and life


• Pension


• Sick Leave


• Vacation Leave


• 13 Holidays


• Flex Spending Accounts


• Deferred Income plans (457 plan)


• EAP


• Health Savings Accounts

01

What is the highest level of education you have completed?

• Less than a high school diploma/GED
• High school diploma/GED
• 1 year of college
• 2 years of college
• 3 or more years of college
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree

02

If your degree is in a field of study other than Forensic Science, Chemistry, Biology, Criminal Justice, Anthropology, Geology, Entomology or Photography, please specify your field of study.

03

How many years of crime scene investigation experience do you have?

• Less than one year
• One year
• Two years
• Three years
• Four years
• Five years ore more

04

You must complete the CSI structured training program, associated competency tests, and supervised casework within eighteen (18) months of hire and maintain throughout employment. Do you understand this condition of employment?

• Yes
• No

05

You must acquire and maintain International Association for Identification (I.A.I.) Crime Scene Certification Level I within three (3) years of hire and maintain throughout employment. Do you understand this condition of employment?

• Yes
• No

06

You must maintain a Nebraska Title 177 Class B permit. Do you understand this condition of employment?

• Yes
• No

07

You must possess a valid driver's license and own mode of transportation upon hire and maintained throughout employment. Do you understand this condition of employment?

• Yes
• No

08

Are you able to successfully perform the Essential Functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation?

• Yes
• No

09

Are you able to meet the Physical Requirements and Working Conditions of this position with or without reasonable accommodation?

• Yes
• No

10

If you answer yes to claiming Veteran's Preference, you must attach to your application, before submission, a copy of your DD214 including page 4 identifying your character of service (and IF disabled, verification of disability from the VA), OR if you are a spouse of a 100% disabled veteran, you must attach a copy of your spouse's DD214, showing character of service, a copy of the veteran's disability verification from the Department of Veteran's Affairs demonstrating a 100% permanent disability rating, and proof of marriage to the veteran; OR if you are a spouse of an active service member, you must attach a copy of your spouse's active service orders and proof of marriage to the active service member. I understand this requirement that documents must be attached.

• Yes
• No
• I am not claiming Veteran's Preference

11

Have you ever been convicted of a violation of any criminal statute whether felony or misdemeanor, or do you currently have a charge pending for any felony, misdemeanor, or other criminal offense excluding minor traffic violations? NOTE: Applicants are not obligated to disclose a sealed juvenile record of arrest, custody, complaint, disposition, diversion, adjudication, or sentence.

• Yes
• No

12

If you answered "yes", please list offense(s) and date(s) of occurrence(s). NOTE: A conviction record is not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered in relation to the position applied for.

13

The Sheriff's Department operates 24 hours per day, seven days per week, 365 days per year. Do you have the ability to conform to a work schedule which may include weekends, holidays, varied shifts and work hours, overtime, and emergency call-ins?

• Yes
• No

14

The pay range salary for this position is $27.02 to $36.47 per hour. Is this acceptable to you?

• Yes
• No

15

Do you understand that the expected duration of the selection process could be up to six (6) months?

• Yes
• No

16

Do you understand that selected applicants may be required to complete an interview, background check, and drug screen?

• Yes
• No

17

Do you understand that applicants not selected may apply again for future job postings?

• Yes
• No

Required Question


Employer Douglas County (NE)

Address 1819 Farnam Street, Suite 505

Omaha, Nebraska, 68183

Phone 402-444-6188


Website http://hr.douglascounty-ne.gov/employment Apply Now