Police Crime Scene Technician II

The Oro Valley Police Department (OVPD) is accepting applications for the position of Crime Scene Technician (I and/or II). There is only one open position.

Interested applicants must submit an online application no later than 5:00 p.m. on July 31, 2026.

Within five business days of submitting the application, applicants will receive an email from Guardian Alliance Technologies containing login credentials and instructions for creating a secure online account. This account will be used to complete and submit the required Personal History Questionnaire and supporting documentation. The Personal History Questionnaire must be completed and certified by 5:00 p.m. on August 5, 2026.

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be invited to participate in the selection process outlined in the Hiring Process section below.

If you have questions about the position or the hiring process, please contact Police Recruitment Specialist Mitch Olive at 520-229-4962 or by email at molive@orovalleyaz.gov.

Hiring Process

The selection process for the Crime Scene Technician (I and/or II) position includes completion of a Personal History Questionnaire, a written exam, practical examination, and an oral board interview. Candidates who successfully advance through the process will also be required to complete the following pre-employment evaluations:

• Polygraph Examination
• Drug Screening
• Psychological Evaluation
• Medical Examination
• All phases of the selection process—the written examination, practical examination, and oral board interview—require in-person attendance. No exceptions will be made.

Disqualification Standards

Applicants may be disqualified from consideration for any of the following reasons:

• Participation in any serious criminal activity or conduct that the Oro Valley Police Department (OVPD), at its sole discretion, determines to be serious, inappropriate, or incompatible with the position.
• Any misdemeanor conviction involving narcotics, controlled substances, or marijuana that OVPD, at its sole discretion, determines to be serious, excessive, or inappropriate.
• A conviction for a domestic violence offense occurring at age 18 or older.
• Illegal use of opiates, hallucinogens, or other dangerous drugs—including, but not limited to, LSD, PCP, peyote, mescaline, heroin, morphine, opium, psilocybin, cocaine, hashish, amphetamines, MDMA (Ecstasy), barbiturates, or similar substances—that OVPD, at its sole discretion, determines to be serious, excessive, or inappropriate.
• A pattern of traffic violations demonstrating a disregard for traffic laws or the safety of others.
• A history of failing to maintain financial responsibility.
• Failure to follow application or background investigation instructions, or failure to provide complete and accurate information during the hiring process.

• Performs the job functions detailed in the Police Crime Scene Technician I job description.
• Trains, monitors, and mentors staff designated Crime Scene Technician I and provides second level review and quality control of tasks.
• Performs 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 respond to critical crime scenes (homicides, serious injury assaults, etc.) to provide technical and forensic expertise relating to specialized processing methods and techniques.
• Independently respond to Pima Regional Critical Incident Team (PRCIT) activations to provide technical and forensic expertise relating to specialized processing methods and techniques.
• Independently process evidence in the laboratory utilizing fingerprint powders, alternate light sources, chemical reagents, specialized camera equipment, filters, and other forensic techniques.
Independently perform function testing and test-firing of impounded firearms and collect spent cartridge cases for entry into the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN).

• Performs the job functions detailed in the Police Crime Scene Technician I job description.
• Assist with inspections, audits, and quality assurance activities.
• Independently conduct Safekeeping and Found Property destruction processes.
• Coordinate and assist the CST Supervisor with Evidence Destruction Board preparation and documentation.
• Independently resolve complex evidence management issues involving chain of custody, legal disposition, statutory retention requirements, and interagency coordination.
• Assist with quality assurance reviews of evidence documentation and evidence management practices.
• Recommend improvements to evidence handling procedures and workflow efficiencies.
• Assist with development and revision of property and evidence procedures.

• Prepare detailed reports and complete all documentation associated with crime scene investigations and evidence handling.
• Enter and maintain accurate data within department records management systems.
• Provide testimony in court and other legal proceedings regarding crime scene processing, evidence collection, chain of custody, and evidence preservation.

• Performs the job functions detailed in the Police Crime Scene Technician I job description.
• Works independently and provides temporary supervision to Crime Scene staff in the absence of the CST Supervisor.
• Serve as the point of contact and coordinate crime scene or other responses during the CST Supervisor's absence.
Exercises considerable independent judgment while prioritizing assignments, coordinating multiple operational responsibilities, and resolving technical issues requiring specialized forensic knowledge.

• Performs the job functions detailed in the Police Crime Scene Technician I job description.
• Issue, receive, inspect, inventory, maintain, and document department-issued firearms, less-lethal weapons, body-worn cameras, personal protective equipment, uniforms, radios, specialty equipment, and operational supplies.
• Maintain accountability records for assigned department equipment.
• Conduct and coordinate inventories, inspections, and quality assurance reviews of specialized department equipment and operational inventories.
• Maintain operational readiness of department equipment.
• Assist department personnel regarding equipment issuance, accountability, and inventory procedures.
• Coordinate equipment, inventory, and operational support functions in the absence of the CST Supervisor.
• Review inventory discrepancies and assist with corrective actions.
• Recommend improvements to inventory control, accountability, and purchasing procedures.
• Assist with planning replacement schedules for specialized department equipment.
• Coordinate procurement, replacement, inventory accountability, lifecycle management, and vendor purchasing activities for specialized department equipment and operational supplies.

• 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.

• Work is performed in both indoor and outdoor environments.
• Perform duties under challenging and potentially hazardous conditions, including exposure to decomposing human or animal remains, insects, bloodborne pathogens, hazardous chemicals, arson scenes, offensive odors, emotionally charged situations, hostile individuals, and incidents involving child or animal victims.
• May be required to work in biohazard environments while utilizing appropriate personal protective equipment.
• Duties require moderate physical exertion, including frequent standing, walking, bending, kneeling, crouching, climbing, crawling, lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling objects weighing up to fifty (50) pounds.
• Must possess normal color vision sufficient to distinguish colors used in forensic examinations and evidence identification.
• Must be able to work outdoors for extended periods in varying weather conditions, including extreme heat, cold, rain, wind, and areas with heavy vehicular traffic.
• Participate in a rotating twenty-four-hour, seven-day on-call schedule.
• Regular and reliable attendance is an essential function of this position.