CIVILIAN CRIME SCENE TECHNICIAN I in Thomasville, Georgia at City of Thomasville

The Civilian Crime Scene Technician (Non-Certified) is a non-sworn, entry-level technical position that supports criminal investigations by objectively documenting crime scenes and recognizing, collecting, packaging, preserving, and transporting physical and digital evidence. The employee performs duties within established policies, procedures, completed training, and demonstrated proficiency. This position has no authority to arrest or other police powers and does not independently conduct criminal investigations. The position receives direct supervision from the Detective Sergeant and indirect supervision from the Criminal Investigation Division Commander.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (examples, not all inclusive)

• Responds to crime scenes only after the scene has been secured or entry has been authorized by sworn personnel; conducts a systematic and objective examination within the scope of assigned duties.
• Photographs and digitally images scenes and evidence from multiple perspectives and prepares accurate notes, measurements, sketches, diagrams, and other visual documentation.
• Recognizes, collects, packages, labels, seals, preserves, and transports physical evidence while maintaining evidence integrity and a complete chain of custody.
• Processes latent fingerprints, impression evidence, trace evidence, biological evidence, and other evidentiary materials using approved methods and only within the scope of completed training and demonstrated proficiency.
• Assists with documenting bloodstain patterns, shooting scenes, and scene reconstruction under the direction of qualified personnel and when trained and authorized.
• Documents, collects, packages, and preserves digital devices and digital evidence; performs basic processing only when trained, legally authorized, and assigned.
• Prepares clear and accurate crime scene reports, evidence logs, laboratory submission forms, property documentation, exhibits, and other case records.
• Maintains crime scene equipment, cameras, evidence-processing supplies, vehicles, and work areas in a clean, secure, organized, and serviceable condition.
• Coordinates with sworn investigators, prosecutors, court personnel, crime laboratories, medical examiners, and other agencies regarding evidence collection, transfer, examination, and presentation.
• Prepares evidence and findings for legal proceedings and provides factual testimony regarding scene documentation, evidence handling, methods used, and chain of custody.
• Provides technical assistance on scene protection and preliminary evidence handling. As a civilian employee, does not make arrests, conduct custodial interviews or interrogations, apply for or execute warrants, perform suspect searches, or exercise other police powers.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

• Must possess an associate's or bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in forensic science, biology, chemistry, criminal justice with a forensic emphasis, or a closely related field. An equivalent combination of relevant education, specialized training, certifications, and progressively responsible experience in crime-scene processing, forensic services, evidence collection, or a closely related field may be considered in lieu of the degree requirement.
• This is a civilian, non-certified position; GPSTC/POST Crime Scene Technician certification is not required at the time of appointment.
• Must successfully complete department orientation, field training, safety instruction, and required competency or proficiency assessments before independently performing assigned crime scene techniques.
• To pursue GPSTC Crime Scene Technician certification, the employee must first obtain at least one year of qualifying experience as a crime scene technician, consistent with current program eligibility requirements.
• Must obtain GPSTC/POST Crime Scene Technician certification if eligible under then-current GPSTC and POST requirements and directed by the department. If not eligible, must complete equivalent department-approved training and proficiency requirements within the timeframe established by the department.
• Must possess or be able to obtain a valid Georgia driver's license and maintain an acceptable driving record.
• Must maintain confidentiality, integrity, impartiality, and professional conduct on and off duty and avoid conduct that brings discredit to the Police Department or the City.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to exercise meticulous attention to detail and follow a consistent, methodical process when examining scenes, handling evidence, and preparing documentation.
• Ability to observe and document conditions analytically, objectively, accurately, and completely without interpreting motive or drawing investigative conclusions beyond the assigned technical role.
• Knowledge of crime scene protection, contamination prevention, evidence recognition, collection, packaging, sealing, preservation, transportation, and chain-of-custody procedures.
• Knowledge of, or ability to develop proficiency in, crime scene photography, digital imaging, measurements, sketching, mapping, and visual documentation.
• Knowledge of, or ability to develop proficiency in, latent print development, fingerprint classification, friction ridge comparison, impression evidence, trace evidence, biological evidence, and bloodstain documentation.
• Knowledge of occupational safety practices, personal protective equipment, and procedures for working around biological hazards, chemicals, controlled substances, sharp objects, firearms, and other scene hazards.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including the ability to prepare detailed reports and provide clear, factual, and professional courtroom testimony.
• Ability to use computers, cameras, digital evidence systems, records-management systems, and other technical equipment while maintaining confidentiality and data security.
• Ability to work independently within established authority and collaboratively with sworn personnel and partner agencies while remaining calm and professional in stressful, sensitive, or disturbing environments.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL DEMANDS

This position requires work at secured crime scenes in indoor and outdoor environments, including extreme heat, cold, rain, wind, confined spaces, elevated locations, and other unusual settings. The employee may be exposed to blood and bodily fluids, controlled substances, hazardous chemicals and fumes, firearms, sharp objects, biological hazards, and disturbing scenes. Duties require frequent standing, walking, bending, stooping, kneeling, climbing stairs, lifting and carrying evidence and equipment, fine-motor manipulation, close visual examination, photography, and extensive typing and report preparation. Appropriate personal protective equipment and established safety procedures must be used. As a civilian employee, the incumbent is not expected to pursue, restrain, arrest, or physically control suspects or enter a scene that has not been secured by sworn personnel.

LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMERS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees.

Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.

Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Continued employment remains on an “at-will” basis.