About the Department

Incumbent works under the direction of the Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Field Supervisor or designee, identifying, developing, documenting, collecting, and preserving physical evidence from crime scenes and motor vehicle accidents.

Position Duties

• Respond to Law Enforcement personnel requests to investigate crime scenes and motor vehicle accidents. 
• Establish and maintain effective work relationships with clients, supervisors, County employees, elected officials, attorneys, law enforcement, other agencies, and the public.
• Comply with Civil Service policies and regulations, collective bargaining agreements, County policies, department policies and laws to create a cooperative, safe, respectful, and quality work environment. 
• Locate, process, and preserve various evidence types (e.g. latent, biological, trace, fingerprint impression) utilizing advanced technical equipment and techniques. 
• Document scenes and associated evidence utilizing notes, digital video, and specialized photography techniques (e.g. oblique lighting, night photography).
• Administer breath tests on suspects arrested of Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) or other alcohol-related charges.
• Prepare photo lineups utilizing the investigative search computer database.
• Create comprehensive field and computer-generated diagrams of crime scenes and accident scenes suitable for court presentation.
• Collect, package, and protect evidence and associated reference samples (e.g. loss, destruction, contamination).
• Maintain proper chain of custody of all evidence.
• Attend and document autopsies and collect physical evidence assisting in the positive identification of deceased individuals and in criminal prosecution.
• Document and process victims, subjects, and/or suspects of violent crimes for potential physical evidence.
• Document and process collected evidence items at the Forensic Services Division (FSD).
• Preserve and store evidence items (e.g. electronic).
• Submit laboratory requests to the Latent Print Unit and/or Chemistry Unit.
• Prepare and maintain all case records, reports, correspondence, and documents.
• Participate in CSI Unit case file technical and administrative reviews. 
• Appear and testify in court as a subject matter expert witness.
• Assist the County Attorney’s Office, creating enlarged scene diagrams and other visual displays for court presentation.
• Clean and decontaminate the CSI Unit area of the FSD facilities and maintain equipment notifying the CSI Field Supervisor of damaged or missing equipment.
• Utilize personal protective equipment (PPE). 
• Participate in equipment and vehicle inspections.
• Provide training to DCSO and other law enforcement agencies, and assist in training and monitoring the work of the Crime Scene Investigator I.
• Maintain job knowledge and skills (e.g. research, webinars, seminars, conferences, continuing education).
• Complete assigned proficiency tests and periodic re-training of advanced CSI techniques.
• Propose, coordinate, and conduct research studies designed to improve the field of forensic science and present findings to peers and the forensic community.
• Provide technical advice and guidance to Crime Scene Investigator I’s.
• Conduct selected quality control checks and documentation according to Unit Technical Manuals.
• Participate in quality audits and validation studies.
• Assist in the investigation and remediation of technical problems.
• Provide input and propose corrections and improvements to the FSD quality system.
• Conduct and assist with training sessions (e.g. citizens’ academy, various schools, special interest groups, other agencies). 
• Safely operate a motor vehicle when required to travel on County business.
• Report to work with regular, consistent attendance. 
• Perform other duties as assigned and directed.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Forensic Science, Chemistry, Biology, Criminal Justice, Anthropology, Geology, Entomology, or Photography required.*
• Master’s degree in Forensic Science, Chemistry, Biology, Criminal Justice, Anthropology, Geology, Entomology, or Photography preferred. 
• Three years (3) of crime scene investigation experience required.* 
• Experience in a related forensic discipline (e.g. firearms examiner, latent print examiner, forensic anthropologist) may be considered in-lieu of the crime scene experience.
• International Association for Identification (IAI) Crime Scene Certification Level I upon hire and maintained throughout employment required.
• Maintain a Nebraska Title 177 Class B permit.
• Valid driver's license and own transportation upon hire and maintained throughout employment required.
• Completion of CSI structured training program, associated competency tests, and supervised casework within eighteen (18) months of hire required.
• Completion of a pre-employment criminal record check, physical assessment, and conditional offer drug screen required.
• *Equivalent combination of education and work experience may be substituted for requirements on a year-for-year basis.

Other Qualifications

• The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Work is generally performed indoors and outdoors, in various locations (e.g. investigation scenes, laboratory, autopsy facilities). Noise level is usually moderate. Work hours vary (e.g. days, shifts, weekends, overtime/extra hours, holidays, emergency call-in). Work involves potential exposure to the elements, mechanical/electrical hazards and biohazards (e.g. offensive odors, decomposing human corpses). Work requires safety measures for exposure to chemicals, exposure/handling of weapons in the process of gathering or processing evidence. Occasionally, work may be performed in confined areas. Work may be unpleasant and upsetting when dealing with evidence involving human remains, sexual assaults, child abuse or neglect and may be stressful when dealing with time constraints, multiple/changing priorities, limited resources and uncooperative/irate individuals.
• Work requires some physical activity including extended periods of sitting, standing, walking, frequent bending, reaching, lifting, and occasional balancing, climbing, crawling, crouching and kneeling. Incumbent must have the agility, balance and strength to maneuver over rough terrain, around various obstacles on foot. Work also requires the ability to frequently lift and/or carry objects weighing up to 50 pounds and occasionally up to 100 pounds.  
• Required sensory abilities include vision, hearing, and touch. Visual abilities, correctable to normal ranges, include close, distance, color and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Communication abilities include the ability to talk and hear within normal ranges. Incumbent must possess the hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate computers and other equipment