The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

Identifies, examines, collects, documents, preserves, and transports print evidence at crime scenes; searches for latent impressions and other physical evidence; prepares evidence lists for collected property and evidence.

Obtains major case prints from suspects, victims, and witnesses.

Attends medical legal autopsies at the Medical Examiner's Office to collect known fingerprint evidence.

Dusts and lifts prints; develops prints using laser and chemical enhancements; classifies, identifies, and examines prints; compares latent prints to inked prints; evaluates latent prints to determine quality, integrity, and identity; maintains records of examinations.

Processes evidence items for blood, latent prints, and other impression evidence.

Determines if latent prints recovered from crime scenes are usable for comparison to known prints of individuals and/or for entry into AFIS and/or NGI/ULW; requests known prints of possible suspects for comparison from local, state, and federal departments via associated databases, email, and telephone.

Prepares, enters, and compares prints in the Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS) and related systems.

Processes and prepares photographs, charts, and other materials for demonstration of evidence in court; offers testimony in court as an expert witness in all phases of latent print examination; consults with prosecutors on various methods of presenting evidence; provides expert testimony in court.

Communicates with attorneys and other law enforcement officials and agencies regarding collected evidence and results.

Writes reports on latent print identification findings and print processing.

Trains and directs the work of full-time, part-time and volunteer personnel.

Researches and evaluates new technical developments in latent print development, crime scene processing, handling, and analysis of evidence; assists in developing and creating forensic procedures and techniques.

Serves as resource person and technical expert for the Forensic Service Unit.

Previews and approves completed unit casework reports.

Coordinates requests for services from various divisions; provides information to interdepartmental representatives and/or law enforcement agencies.

Provides technical assistance at major crime scenes.

Attends meetings.

Works evenings, weekends or holidays and responds to emergency calls as needed.

Performs related work as required.

Provides vacation and temporary relief as needed.

Education/Training:
Associate of Arts or Science degree from an accredited college in administration of justice, evidence technology, biology, chemistry, or related field.

Experience:
One year (full-time equivalent) of experience performing police-related duties, including some experience with crime scene investigations, evidence technology and print analysis and identification.  Additional years of experience may be substituted for education requirement on a year-for-year basis.
Previous experience as a latent print examiner is highly desirable.

License or Certificate:
Must possess a valid California Driver's License.
Latent Print Certification through the International Association for Identification is highly desirable.

Must be willing to work overtime and variable hours including night, weekend and holiday work as required.  Must be willing to be called back for crime scene investigations after normal working hours. 

NOTE:  For a complete listing of job duties and qualifications, please refer to the corresponding job description, which can be obtained from the Human Resources Department or downloaded from the City's web site.  The City of Escondido is committed to a drug and alcohol free workplace.  All applicants will be subject to fingerprint investigation before a conditional offer of employment is extended.  A medical examination, along with a DRUG SCREEN will be conducted following a conditional offer of employment.  Positions subject to the Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations will be subject to DOT pre-employment drug testing and random drug and alcohol testing. 


SELECTION PROCEDURE
Applications will be screened and the most qualified candidates will be invited to appear for testing. All positions require the ability to read, write and speak English. Types of tests may include written and/or oral examination, physical agility, practical exam or other appropriate job-related selection process.  When testing is completed, candidates will be ranked on an eligibility list in the order of their test score. Selection for appointments is made from names certified on the eligibility list.
All appointments are subject to the successful completion of background investigation including LIVESCAN fingerprinting, and will be required to submit verification of the legal right to work in the United States.  Qualification by a medical examination will be required at the time of appointment. After appointment, classified employees must satisfactorily complete a probationary period to be eligible for regular status.  In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, all new employees must produce proof of eligibility to work in the United States within the first three days of their employment.  The City of Escondido participates in E-Verify®.
The Loyalty Oath will be administered to all new employees on their first day of hire.  New employees hired into positions that require a driver's license must provide proof of a valid California Driver's License of the appropriate class level on their first day of employment. 
Additional information regarding the essential functions and physical, environmental and communication demands of the position may be obtained from the Human Resources Department. If you require reasonable accommodation in the testing process, such as an alternate means of testing, you must contact the Human Resources Department by the final filing date to complete a Request for Reasonable Accommodation form.  The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an express or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.

Note: Pursuant to California Civil Code section 1786.53, the City of Escondido shall provide to all job candidates a copy of any records of arrest, indictment, conviction, civil judicial action, tax lien or outstanding judgment which was obtained in the course of conducting an evaluation for employment, assignment, and/or promotion. A copy of this information, if received by the City, will be given to candidates within seven days of the City's receipt.
 
VETERANS' PREFERENCE
Eligible individuals are those who meet the following criteria:

• Served in the U.S. armed forces
• Received an honorable discharge
• Did not retire from military service
• Seeking employment with the City of Escondido for the first time.