Forensic Investigator

Summary

Based on expeience, our typical hrining range for this position is as follows:

Typical Hiring Range

$52,336.75 – $56,436.43 / Annual

$25.16 - $27.13 / Hourly

WORKING FOR THE CITY OF MCKINNEY

Working for the City of McKinney is more than just a job; it’s a chance to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others. Proudly recognized on the Top Workplaces USA list by USA TODAY in 2024, our team is dedicated to making McKinney one of the best places to work, live, and raise a family. Join us and start making a difference today.

OUR CORE VALUES

City of McKinney employees work hard and at a very fast pace. However, we also look after and support one another. All of us are guided by four employee-inspired values – Respect, Integrity, Service, and Excellence (RISE). We are also supported by servant-based leaders who foster and support a healthy, family-oriented culture. All new employees are expected to embrace and live by our core values and commit to helping us sustain our exceptional work environment as a high performance organization.

Summary Of Position

The Forensic Investigator will respond to crime scenes for the purpose of documentation, evidence collection, preservation, and packaging. The Forensic Investigator is responsible for performing basic chemical, physical, and optical scientific techniques to locate physical evidence and to recover, compare, and identify latent fingerprints left at a crime scene. The Forensic Investigator will analyze evidence in the Crime Laboratory using various chemical and optical techniques to recover additional physical evidence.

Essential Functions/Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

GENERAL EXPECTATIONS FOR ALL EMPLOYEES

In order for us to continue to achieve our primary function of making McKinney a better place to live, work, and raise a family, we hold these expectations for all employees.

• Learn and demonstrate an understanding of how team, department, and City goals are interconnected.
• Contribute to a positive work culture.
• Maintain regular and reliable attendance.
• Ability to assess his/her work performance or the work performance of the team.
• Contribute to the development of others and/or the working unit or overall organization.
• Ability and willingness to work as part of a team, to demonstrate team skills, and to perform a fair share of team responsibilities.
• Ability to continuously learn and develop through a mix of internal and external training opportunities, and if applicable, encourage subordinates to do the same.
  
  

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Respond to calls for forensic services from department personnel.
• Photograph items, persons, and scenes as needed or requested.
• Process crime scenes for evidence.
• Collect evidence discovered during the investigative process.
• Preserve evidence and maintain the chain-of-custody according to current best practices and standards.
• Examine and determine techniques and procedures to be used in the development of latent prints on diverse items of physical evidence by using physical, chemical, optical, or any combination of techniques appropriate for the item being examined.
• Preserve and/or photograph latent print evidence, and makes necessary comparisons with known inked impressions.
• Write supplement reports that accurately describe their activities, involvement and observations in crime scene investigations.
• Complete forms and other paperwork as needed or required.
• Testify and present evidence in court when requested.
• Safely operate FIU vehicles in accordance with governing laws and policies.
• Transports property, evidence, or other materials as required.
• Adhere to all laws, policies, procedures and rules applicable to the FIU.
• Maintain a clean and safe work environment.
• Follow all firearms, hazardous materials and general safety protocols.
• Attend training sessions and seminars as required to improve job performance and to stay current with changing policies, procedures, codes, and criminal/civil case law.
• Adhere to assigned work schedules as outlined in City and department attendance policies and procedures.
• Work extra hours or irregular shifts, including days, evening, nights, weekends and Holidays when required.
• Operate a personal computer, general office equipment, or other equipment as necessary to complete essential functions, to include the use of word processing, spreadsheet, database, mobile data computer (MDC), e-mail, internet, or other computer programs.
• Maintain manuals, policies/procedures, bulletins, logs, and other materials for reference and/or review.
• Communicate with supervisors, officers, co-workers, dispatchers, emergency/medical, fire, and jail personnel, court officials, attorneys, victims, other agencies, and other individuals as needed to obtain information, coordinate activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.
• Create and maintain positive public relations with the general public.
  
  

Other Job Functions

• Perform other duties as assigned or directed.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, And Behaviors

• Ability to embrace and embody the City's core values of Respect, Integrity, Service, and Excellence (R.I.S.E.).
• Ability to communicate effectively with peers, supervisors, subordinates, and people to whom service is provided.
• Ability to produce desired work outcomes, including quality, quantity, and timeliness.
• Ability to plan and organize work, time, and resources, and if applicable, that of subordinates.
• The ability to review, classify, categorize, prioritize, and/or analyze data.
• The ability to coordinate activities, projects, and programs.
• The ability to operate and use equipment or power tools to perform essential job functions.
• The ability to perform basic mathematics, calculate decimals, fractions and percentages, and to interpret graphs.
• The ability to interpret verbal and/or written instructions, and to exercise reasonable judgment to adopt or modify methods and procedures to meet variations in assigned objectives.
• The ability to perform semi-skilled coordinated movements, such as those required to operate motor vehicles.
• The ability to work in a team environment; contribute as a team member and treat co-workers, subordinates and others with respect.
• Build professional relationships with internal staff and customers.
• Offer flexibility and adaptability, especially during times of change.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
  
  

Required Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree in forensic science, biology, chemistry, or other natural science related field, supplemented by formal training in crime scene investigation, latent print processing and identification, crime scene photography and/or any other specialized technique related to crime scene investigation.

Any work related experience resulting in acceptable proficiency levels in the above Minimum Qualifications is an acceptable substitute for the above specified education and experience requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

Two (2) years or more full-time experience processing crime scenes.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Must pass a psychological evaluation, polygraph exam, drug screen, driving record, and background check.
• Must have Class C Texas Driver's License
  
  

SELECTION PROCESS

Submitted applications will be reviewed with emphasis placed on an individual's qualifications and overall experience in the areas directly related to the job functions. The applicants who possess the potential to meet our needs will be invited for an interview. The selected candidate will be subject to a background investigation, psychological evaluation, polygraph exam, and drug screening.

Expected Duration – Upon closing of the job posting, the process to fill the position will begin immediately and is expected to take approximately six weeks.

Reapplication Process – All applicants who are not notified of a permanent disqualification may immediately re-apply for this position when posted by the City of McKinney.

Physical Demands/Supplemental

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Tasks involve regular and, at times, sustained performance of moderately physically demanding work, typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling, and may involve the lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of moderately heavy objects and materials (20-50 pounds). Regular tasks also involve hearing, seeing, smelling and talking. Some tasks may require the ability to lift or exert force up to one-hundred plus (100+) pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Dynamic environment that requires one to be sensitive to change and responsive to changing goals, priorities, and needs. Perform outdoor job functions and tasks in all weather conditions.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed as of the date of preparation and approval. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of the position. Employees holding this position will be required to perform any other job-related duties as requested by management. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee, and all requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

The City of McKinney is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) committed to an alcohol / drug free workplace and to providing equal opportunities regardless of age, race, color, gender, religion, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.