Civilian Identification Officer

Bureau of Criminal Identification

Position Summary

Primary responsibility of the Civilian Identification Officer will be fingerprinting and photographing all persons committed to the Somerset County Jail and Somerset County incarcerated persons committed to the Morris County Jail. The position also fingerprints and photographs employees in the Sheriff’s Office, The County of Somerset, NJ Judiciary (Somerset, Hunterdon, and Warren Counties), and children in various Somerset County school districts. The incumbent classifies and verifies all fingerprints of individuals entering the Somerset County Jail as well as individuals arrested by local police departments.

Essential Functions

• Incumbent will classify and verify all fingerprints of individuals entering the Somerset County Jail and incarcerated persons committed to the Morris County Jail, as well as individuals arrested by local police departments. Incumbent utilizes the Henry system, SCIC fingerprinting systems to classify, search, retrieve and verify fingerprint cards. Conduct fingerprint comparisons as requested by the Somerset County Prosecutors Office.
• Required to drive to the Morris County Jail, local law enforcement agencies and Sheriff’s Office events.
• Fingerprint and photograph new and current employees within the County, Sheriff’s Office, NJ Judiciary (Somerset, Hunterdon, and Warren Counties) and children in various Somerset County school districts as part of the National Child Identification Program.
• Incumbent will classify photographs in accordance with classification guidelines using proper identification record searches.
• Run queries on various criminal justice system databases for warrant information. Incumbent will be responsible for countywide compliance of the collection of DNA swab samples from individuals sentenced to 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th degree crimes, as well as certain disorderly offenses as mandated by the State of New Jersey. Post criminal charges and dispositions in applicable individual files.
• Enter wanted persons in the Crime Justice Information System (CJIS) in conjunction with the Sheriff’s Office Detective Bureau. Incumbent will conduct warrant checks on superior court dockets through specialized computer systems.
• Verify all defendants have been processed for crimes over the past twenty years as required by the Supreme Court.
Create photo lineups as requested by law enforcement agencies within Somerset County. Will be required, if subpoenaed, to testify in court for fingerprint identification and photo lineups.

Essential Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent (preferably an associate’s degree in the related field from a U.S. accredited college or university)
• Valid NJ Driver’s License
• Thorough knowledge of fingerprint principles, practices, methods, and techniques; working knowledge of the Henry Fingerprint System and ability to classify, search, retrieve, verify, and file fingerprint cards.
• Working knowledge of the methods involved in the use of a camera, to take digital photos or mug shots of person(s) for investigation and identification purposes.
• Must be at least 18 years of age; United States citizen. Incumbents are required to learn all state and federal computer systems and to pass a New Jersey State Policy written exam to operate them.
• Required to attend courses for basic and advanced fingerprint comparison within the first year of employment, or as soon as a course becomes available.
• Required to attend law enforcement courses for identification and investigation within the first year of employment, or as soon as a course becomes available.
• Ability to type with accuracy and speed. Strong computer skills are necessary in software programs such as Microsoft Office products to include Word, Outlook & Excel.
• Must have good listening, writing skills and the ability to focus in a fast-paced, high-pressure working environment.

**Incumbents will also be required to work overtime when needed on a rotational basis. Incumbent will also be required to be a rotating On-Call Schedule for nights, weekends, and certain Holidays. Afternoon shift hours may be required .

Salary: $$37,800/year (Probation Step), then, $42,000/year (Step 1)

Benefits include health coverage (medical, prescription, and dental), paid time off (vacation, holidays, and sick), a deferred compensation plan, and enrollment in the NJ State Pension System.