Forensic Video Examiner

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF CLASS

This is a technical position specializing in analyzing videotapes and digital media for investigation and evidence purposes, court disclosure, and preparing, presenting, supporting, and defending associated findings in courts of law; provides expert witness and court testimony upon request. A high degree of initiative, independent judgment, and analytical thinking is required within established policies and procedures. Work is reviewed periodically by conferences, reports, and results achieved.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Attends crime scenes, recovers evidence from system hard drives from businesses with surveillance systems, and digitizes it into the Forensic Video Analysis system to analyze video.
• Processes poor-quality video and audio tapes through clarification and filtering techniques.
• Analyzes audio and video evidence.
• Separates or demultiplexes camera views.
• Identifies media that has been tampered with or altered.
• Identifies time indicators on videotapes, reconciling any discrepancies in the report.
• Prepares detailed reports to include observations, analysis, and results of video examination and appropriate digital image work requests.
• Provides courtroom testimony as needed for any audio/video work performed.
• Assists the Property and Evidence Section in making copies of videos.
• Provides training and guidance to colleagues/front-line officers.
• Operates and maintains a variety of video systems/video analysis equipment.
• Researches new Forensic Video procedures to maintain the best possible quality evidence.
• May be required to participate in and/or facilitate training to support departmental or City initiatives and requirements.
• May be required to work overtime or alternate hours as necessary for the efficient operation of the department.
• Position is designated Mission Critical.

• Performs related work as required.
• Attends specialized training specifically for video analysis to obtain or maintain certification.

QUALIFICATIONS (EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE)

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university; a major in Forensics or Information Technology is preferred.
• One year of experience collecting and analyzing digital surveillance video.

An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that provides the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other competencies necessary for success in the target position may be considered.

• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
• Must possess and maintain a valid contact telephone number.
• Certification in video analysis from LEVA or the IAI is preferred. If not certified at the time of appointment, either the LEVA or the IAI certification must be obtained within 18 months of meeting certification eligibility requirements. Must maintain certification thereafter.
• May be required to pass an elevated background check provided by the City of Lakeland Police Department upon hire.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

KNOWLEDGE

• Knowledge of applicable State of Florida laws about search and seizure and evidence processing, handling, and storage.
• Knowledge of chain of custody and evidence storage procedures.
• Knowledge of video techniques, materials, and equipment used in video analysis.
• Knowledge to determine differences between class and accidental characteristics.

• Ability to complete video comparisons.
• Ability to use and maintain video/photography equipment.
• Ability to research, gather, organize, and analyze data.
• Ability to modify and adapt to unusual problems.
• Ability to operate all in-car camera video systems and software applications.
• Ability to view graphic death scenes and videos, pornographic in nature.
• Ability to communicate effectively, clearly, and concisely orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, other City employees, outside Law enforcement agencies, and the general public.
• Ability to make sound decisions using good judgment with little to no supervision.

• The job requires some sedentary work; most work involves walking or standing often, exerting up to 10 pounds of force regularly, up to 50 pounds occasionally, and routine keyboard operations.
• The job risks exposure to laboratory chemicals, firearms, narcotics, bio-hazardous material (blood tissue, bodily excretions, etc.), contagious diseases (HIV, tuberculosis, hepatitis, etc.), volatile environments, and graphic crime scenes.
• The job requires normal visual acuity, field of vision, hearing, speaking, color perception, sense of smell, depth perception, and texture perception.

All City of Lakeland positions are subject to testing (e.g. written, oral, performance, computerized, interview and/or any combination). Candidates selected for testing will be notified via email or telephone. Please check your email and telephone messages regularly, including "junk" folders. Test times and locations to be announced.

Required Documents
1. Copy of DD214 – Military Discharge (if applicable).

Applicants for the position of Forensic Video Examiner are required to submit a copy of ALL required documents with the employment application. Applicants will not be eligible for employment until ALL required documents have been submitted to CIVIL SERVICE or uploaded with the application. Documents will not be accepted after the closing of the job posting.

Elements of the selection process
Our system allows you to work on your application and save the application without submitting it. This is done to allow you to save your work and come back to finish the application without having to start over. Your application is not considered “complete” until it is thoroughly filled out, without missing information, and ALL required documents are received by Civil Service. If you submit your application and do not “complete” it before 4 p.m. on the posted close date (listed on the job opportunities page), your application will be rejected from the system and you will have to start the application process over. The application WILL NOT be accepted or reviewed until it is “complete”.

After submission of the completed application (including ALL required documents) the application will be accepted. Once your application has been reviewed and accepted based on minimum qualifications for the position, applications will be reviewed for desirable qualifications.

If selected to move to the next phase, the applicant will attend an interview conducted by a panel. The panel will consist of a minimum of three police department members.

If selected to move forward, you will be invited to complete a biographical interview, conducted by a member of the G.S.S. staff. The biographical interview will consist of a full comprehensive review of the application submitted to confirm accuracy of the information provided. Applicants that are selected to continue in the process will be given information and instructions for the submission of a Personal History Questionnaire, which will be required to move forward in the process.

Those applicants that are selected for employment will be given a conditional offer of employment. The job offer is contingent upon the successful completion and approval of a Truth Verification Examination (i.e. polygraph or computer voice stress analysis), drug screen testing and completed background investigation.

A thorough background investigation will be completed on all candidates prior to employment.

The applicant will receive written notice either by mail or electronic mail at each phase of the selection process advising them that they were selected to move forward in the process or that they were not selected. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the e-mail address provided on the application is correct and to provide any updated information to Civil Service during the application process.

Once a decision has been reached to offer the applicant employment OR that the applicant will not be offered employment, applicants will be notified within 30 days. The intent of the Lakeland Police Department’s General Services Section is that the selection process, from the date of the application until the applicant is advised of a decision regarding employment, will not extend beyond 180 days.

When the applicant is selected for employment and all elements of the selection process have been passed, the applicant will begin the in-house training and familiarization of the positional duties. The new employee will be on probationary status until their one year probationary period is successfully completed.

Reapplication
Reapplication, retesting, and re-evaluation of applicants not hired is permitted after six months as long as nothing in the application history indicates an unfitness for employment. Conditions that qualify as unfitness for employment include revelations of unacceptable drug use, criminal records, or other factors discovered during the selection process.

Background Investigation
As part of the background investigation, a biographical interview will be completed. During biographical interview a member of the G.S.S. staff will conduct a full comprehensive review of the application submitted to confirm accuracy of the information provided. If selected to move forward, Information and instructions will be provided for the submission of a Personal History Questionnaire, which will be required to move forward in the process.

The G.S.S staff will also take your fingerprints to assist in the background phase of the hiring process.

A background investigation, of each candidate for all positions, is conducted prior to appointment
to probationary status. The background investigation may include, but is not limited to:
a. verification of qualifying credentials
b. a review of any criminal record
c. a review of applicants driving record
d. fingerprint check
e. warrants check
f. records check
g. verification of at least three personal references
h. a review of prior employment/military history
i. a review of applicant’s employment and academy files
j. review of social site/internet information

Be advised that sensitive or confidential aspects of the applicant's personal lives may
be explored.

Truth Verification Examination
A computer voice stress analysis (CVSA) or polygraph examination of all candidates receiving a conditional offer of employment is conducted and assessed by a qualified professional prior to appointment to probationary status. Candidates are provided with a list of areas from which the truth verification examination questions will be drawn prior to the examination. The results of a truth verification examination shall not be used as a single determinant of employment status.

Drug Screen
A drug screen of all candidates receiving a conditional offer of employment is conducted and assessed by a qualified professional prior to appointment to probationary status. The drug screen tests for recent usage of controlled substances, either illegal or prescribed substances. Prohibited substances are defined by departmental directives and are available to candidates who have questions concerning prohibited drug usage.

The City of Lakeland is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access Employer and a Drug Free workplace.