Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:
- An Associate’s degree in Forensic Science, Criminal Justice, Biology, Chemistry, or another related field.
- An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, but a minimum of 24 credit hours must be in the area of Criminal Justice, Forensic Science, Chemistry, Biology, or other related course work as it applies to the Duties, Knowledge, and Skills of the job.
Position Summary
Under limited supervision, provide a variety of support tasks in the Office of the Medical Examiner. This includes but is not limited to receiving evidence from law enforcement agencies; inspecting evidence for proper labeling and packaging; recording evidence received into the Laboratory Information Management System; transferring evidence to Forensic Scientists for analysis; storage and return of evidence upon completion of analysis, quality assurance, and quality control audit; review and evaluation of open case assignments. Court appearance may be required to testify as to the procedures followed during handling of the evidence.
Position Duties
- Receives, documents, stores, and ensures proper custody and control of physical evidence/property in the custody of the Medical Examiner’s Office.
- Safeguards and maintains the integrity of all evidence and chain of custody as per the policies and procedures of the Medical Examiner’s Office.
- Coordinates activity between submitting agencies and the Medical Examiner’s Office in the receipt, return, and handling of evidence.
- Acts as an interface between the Laboratory and customers. Provides administrative support functions to assist Medical Examiner Office Team: both Morgue Operations and Laboratory Operations.
- Appears in court to testify as to the procedures followed during receipt, storage, and transfer of evidence throughout the Laboratory.
- Conducts inventories of all evidence and oversees the release, destruction, and subsequent paperwork of same.
- Archives, maintains, stores, and organizes case folders.
- Works with a variety of hazardous items including weapons, narcotics, drug paraphernalia, toxins, body fluids, flammable and explosive materials, and unsanitary materials.
- Maintains manual and computerized records including evidence custody documents, chain of custody documents, property receipts, property control files, and related reports.
- Performs other related duties as required or requested.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Knowledge of:
- Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
- Data entry.
- Laboratory information and management systems.
- Proper evidence handling, transport, and storage to limit loss, cross transfer, contamination or deleterious change.
Ability to:
- Utilize proficient verbal and written communicative, auditory, and visual skills.
- Establish effective working relationships with managers, co-workers (Scientists, Pathologists, Autopsy/Histology Technicians, Forensic Investigators), law enforcement agencies, and other members of the Criminal Justice System.
- Pass a criminal background check and drug screen.
- Pass a weightlifting test (50 lbs.).
- Use a personal computer (PC).
- Stand for a prolonged period of time and engage in frequent bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and reaching.
- Sit for prolonged periods of time and engage in typing, reading, reaching, talking, listening, and interacting with law enforcement.
- Walk for prolonged periods of time delivering evidentiary material.
- Lift and/or move evidence storage bins and file folder boxes with a weight of fifty (50) lbs. on to storage shelves that maybe overhead or require use of a step ladder.
- Work under adverse and extremely unpleasant conditions such as abnormal sights, sounds, and odors.
- Deal and work effectively with highly emotional situations and personnel.
- Maintain strict chain of custody in accordance with established protocol.
- Maintain proper storage of evidence and test items in accordance with established protocol.
Hiring Requirements
Background, Real Estate Tax, Drug and Medical
Allegheny County employment policy requires that in order to receive a final offer of employment, candidates must successfully pass a background check, which includes verification of Allegheny County Real Estate Tax status, along with a drug test and medical examination/s as required for the position. In cases pre-employment drug/medical screening is required, testing be completed within 48 hours of the acceptance of the conditional offer of employment.
Residency
New hires are required to become a resident of Allegheny County within one (1) year of appointment.
Veterans’ Preference
Will be awarded to eligible candidates where applicable.
ALLEGHENY COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER - M/F/V/D