What are the responsibilities and job description for the Forensic Specialist position at City of Norfolk, VA?
Description
The City of Norfolk's Police Department is currently seeking a Forensic Specialist with a high degree of attention to detail and strong analytical skills to perform field and laboratory analysis for processing and comparing fingerprints, and processing crime scenes. Forensic Specialists will identify, recognize, document, collect, process and preserve physical evidence such as latent fingerprints, physical evidence, digital phones, and video footage.
The ideal candidate will be passionate about forensic science, crime scene investigations, and in working for a "World Class" police department committed to excellence. To be most successful in this position you must be willing to work as part of a team, exercising high energy, and taking accountability and initiative to support a small and cohesive forensic unit.
Essential Functions
Work requires knowledge necessary to understand basic operational, technical, or office processes. Knowledge is normally acquired through two years of college resulting in an Associate's Degree or equivalent.
Two years of experience in evidence identification, preservation and collection or completion of the Virginia Department of Forensic Science Academy or its equivalent.
Other Requirements
Additional Information & Requirements
Must possess a valid Driver's License.
U.S. Citizen (born or naturalized).
Work Schedule
Must be able to work rotating shifts (days/evenings/midnights), including weekends and holidays. Must be available to work overtime when required to meet operational needs.
If you are hired January 1, 2022, or after to a position with Virginia Retirement System (VRS) benefits, you will be required to contribute five percent (5%) of your salary toward your retirement benefit. This will be a pre-tax payroll deduction.
The benefits described above are broad generalizations. The specific benefits that an employee may be eligible for are governed by City regulations, as applicable to job type.
Non-City
Positions listed with a job type designation of "Non-City" are not subject to the benefits descriptions above. Refer to the content of the job posting for information regarding these positions.
01
The following Supplemental Questions are specific to the position for which you have applied to assist the hiring manager in screening applications for specific experience being sought. Please be specific in answering these questions as they will be used to evaluate which applications will be given further consideration in the process. Do not answer "see resume" or "see application" as these are not valid answers. Please note that if you are invited to be interviewed by the department, your responses to the following questions may be subject to verification.
This position requires United States (U.S.) Citizenship. Please select one of the following:
Please select the highest level of education you have completed.
Please indicate the number of years of experience you have working in forensic sciences.
Please select the option that best reflects your level of experience or training in forensic science.
Have you completed the Virginia Department of Forensic Science Academy or its equivalent?
If you answered yes to have completed the Virginia Department of Forensic Science Academy or equivalent, please provide the specific Forensic Academy below. If you marked no, please indicate N/A.
08
Do you have experience working in law enforcement?
If you marked yes to having experience working in law enforcement, please briefly explain your work experience as it relates to forensic science (this information must be included on the job application to be considered). If you marked No, please indicate N/A.
10
Please indicate the number of years of experience you have in conducting investigations?
Please provide an explanation of any periods of unemployment that are 30 days or longer. Indicate N/A if you have not experienced any periods of unemployment.
12
This position requires the ability to work under extreme weather conditions year round. Are you able to work in these conditions?
The expected hiring salary range for this position is between $59,393.00-$68,302.00 annually. Are you willing to accept this salary range if selected for hire?
Do you possess a valid Driver's License?
As a Police employee in a non-sworn position, you may be required to report to work during periods of inclement weather. I acknowledge that i understand the requirement.
Are you a current or previous City of Norfolk employee?
If you were referred for this position by a current City of Norfolk employee, please provide the employee's full name, department, and job title. If not, please indicate by typing "N/A".
18
A conviction (felony or misdemeanor) does not necessarily eliminate you from employment consideration. A criminal background check is conducted on all new hires. Failure to disclose all criminal convictions may result in disqualification from employment consideration or may result in dismissal from City of Norfolk employment if you have been hired. The nature of the offense; the time that has passed since the offense, conduct and/or completion of the sentence; and the nature of the job sought may be taken into consideration.
If you answered, that you have been convicted of a felony and/or a misdemeanor, please provide an explanation including the city, state and date of the conviction. This excludes minor traffic violations such as speeding tickets.
20
Please indicate your veteran status. (A copy of your long form DD-214 may be required)
The City of Norfolk's Police Department is currently seeking a Forensic Specialist with a high degree of attention to detail and strong analytical skills to perform field and laboratory analysis for processing and comparing fingerprints, and processing crime scenes. Forensic Specialists will identify, recognize, document, collect, process and preserve physical evidence such as latent fingerprints, physical evidence, digital phones, and video footage.
The ideal candidate will be passionate about forensic science, crime scene investigations, and in working for a "World Class" police department committed to excellence. To be most successful in this position you must be willing to work as part of a team, exercising high energy, and taking accountability and initiative to support a small and cohesive forensic unit.
Essential Functions
- The departmental hiring salary range for this position is $59,393 - $68,302 annually***
- Identifies, collects, preserves, documents, and processes physical evidence from victims and suspects, complex crime scenes, digital phones, video footage, computers, mobile and other electronic devices.
- Collects/processes latent fingerprints, photographs, and sketches complex crime scenes. Maintains chain of evidence, processes and maintains digital images, transports evidence to and from the State laboratory.
- Processes evidence in the field and in the State laboratory. Interprets laboratory analysis reports and forensic findings, create forensic images of original data using a variety of validated imaging programs.
- Prepares detailed reports for including in formal case files, works with detectives, officers, the Commonwealth Attorney's office, and other agencies to develop and prepare cases, affidavits, court orders, and search warrants. Presents expert testimony and defends court testimony.
- Handles chemicals that in accordance with the material safety data sheets set forth by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA).
- Maintains technical proficiency and/or knowledge on current and further technology forensic methods, along with keeping up to date on all state, local, and federal laws.
- Performs related duties as assigned.
Work requires knowledge necessary to understand basic operational, technical, or office processes. Knowledge is normally acquired through two years of college resulting in an Associate's Degree or equivalent.
Two years of experience in evidence identification, preservation and collection or completion of the Virginia Department of Forensic Science Academy or its equivalent.
Other Requirements
Additional Information & Requirements
Must possess a valid Driver's License.
U.S. Citizen (born or naturalized).
Work Schedule
Must be able to work rotating shifts (days/evenings/midnights), including weekends and holidays. Must be available to work overtime when required to meet operational needs.
- Regular full-time and permanent part-time employees may receive paid holidays, vacation and sick leave, employer paid pension plan, basic life insurance, voluntary participation in medical and dental, Section 457 deferred compensation, long-term disability, optional life insurance for self, spouse and children, medical and dependent care reimbursement plans, access to membership in credit union and employer provided parking.
- Special project/grant employees are generally eligible for the same benefits of regular full-time employees; however, retirement, life insurance and participation in health plans vary depending upon funding and authorization.
- Temporary/seasonal and part-time employees are generally only eligible for employer provided parking and access to membership in credit union.
- Retirement
If you are hired January 1, 2022, or after to a position with Virginia Retirement System (VRS) benefits, you will be required to contribute five percent (5%) of your salary toward your retirement benefit. This will be a pre-tax payroll deduction.
- The Tuition Assistance Program is established to encourage employees toward continued self-development and education. Permanent full-time and permanent part-time classified, unclassified permanent, full-time special projects, and constitutional employees who have completed six months continuous service will be eligible to apply. The applicant’s school of enrollment must be an accredited institution.
The benefits described above are broad generalizations. The specific benefits that an employee may be eligible for are governed by City regulations, as applicable to job type.
Non-City
Positions listed with a job type designation of "Non-City" are not subject to the benefits descriptions above. Refer to the content of the job posting for information regarding these positions.
01
The following Supplemental Questions are specific to the position for which you have applied to assist the hiring manager in screening applications for specific experience being sought. Please be specific in answering these questions as they will be used to evaluate which applications will be given further consideration in the process. Do not answer "see resume" or "see application" as these are not valid answers. Please note that if you are invited to be interviewed by the department, your responses to the following questions may be subject to verification.
- I understand and will answer the following supplemental questions completely and thoroughly.
This position requires United States (U.S.) Citizenship. Please select one of the following:
- Yes
- No
Please select the highest level of education you have completed.
- High School Diploma/GED
- Some College (6 months or more)
- Vocational/Technical Degree
- Associate's Degree
- Bachelor's Degree
- Master's Degree or higher
Please indicate the number of years of experience you have working in forensic sciences.
- I have no experience
- I have less than 2 years of experience
- I have 2-4 years of experience
- I have 4-6 years of experience
- I have more than 6 years of experience
Please select the option that best reflects your level of experience or training in forensic science.
- I have no experience
- I have informal training while working in law enforcement
- I have formal training while working in law enforcement
- I have completed part of the Virginia Department of Forensic Science Academy or equivalent
- I have completed the Virginia Department of Forensic Science Academy or equivalent
Have you completed the Virginia Department of Forensic Science Academy or its equivalent?
- Yes
- No
If you answered yes to have completed the Virginia Department of Forensic Science Academy or equivalent, please provide the specific Forensic Academy below. If you marked no, please indicate N/A.
08
Do you have experience working in law enforcement?
- No
- Yes
If you marked yes to having experience working in law enforcement, please briefly explain your work experience as it relates to forensic science (this information must be included on the job application to be considered). If you marked No, please indicate N/A.
10
Please indicate the number of years of experience you have in conducting investigations?
- I have no experience
- I have less than 2 years of experience
- I have 2-4 years of experience
- I have 4-6 years of experience
- I have more than 6 years of experience
Please provide an explanation of any periods of unemployment that are 30 days or longer. Indicate N/A if you have not experienced any periods of unemployment.
12
This position requires the ability to work under extreme weather conditions year round. Are you able to work in these conditions?
- Yes
- No
The expected hiring salary range for this position is between $59,393.00-$68,302.00 annually. Are you willing to accept this salary range if selected for hire?
- Yes
- No
Do you possess a valid Driver's License?
- Yes
- No
As a Police employee in a non-sworn position, you may be required to report to work during periods of inclement weather. I acknowledge that i understand the requirement.
- Yes
- No
Are you a current or previous City of Norfolk employee?
- Yes - I am a current City of Norfolk employee
- Yes - I am a previous City of Norfolk employee
- No - I am not a current or previous City of Norfolk employee
If you were referred for this position by a current City of Norfolk employee, please provide the employee's full name, department, and job title. If not, please indicate by typing "N/A".
18
A conviction (felony or misdemeanor) does not necessarily eliminate you from employment consideration. A criminal background check is conducted on all new hires. Failure to disclose all criminal convictions may result in disqualification from employment consideration or may result in dismissal from City of Norfolk employment if you have been hired. The nature of the offense; the time that has passed since the offense, conduct and/or completion of the sentence; and the nature of the job sought may be taken into consideration.
- I have been convicted of a felony
- I have been convicted of a misdemeanor
- I have been convicted of a felony and a misdemeanor
- I have not been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor
If you answered, that you have been convicted of a felony and/or a misdemeanor, please provide an explanation including the city, state and date of the conviction. This excludes minor traffic violations such as speeding tickets.
20
Please indicate your veteran status. (A copy of your long form DD-214 may be required)
- I am not a Veteran
- I am a Veteran
- I am a Disabled Veteran
- Required Question
Salary : $59,393 - $68,302
