Criminalist II – SR-22 Government Job Dept-Police Full Time

Performs the full range and variety of physical, chemical, instrumental, and microscopic analyses of evidences in connection with crime detection and law enforcement work; may supervise lower level criminalists; and performs other related duties as required.

One (1) immediate permanent full-time vacancy with the Hawai’i Police Department – Criminal Investigations Division in Hilo.

Special Working Conditions:  Irregular hours, shift work, and occasional exposure to obnoxious conditions.

The eligible list may be used for other permanent and temporary vacancies as they arise during the life of the list.  Temporary appointment may lead to conversion to permanent appointment.

• Conducts serological tests in analyzing blood and blood stains to determine origin, grouping, and chemistry.
• Performs analyses of materials and substances to determine nature and composition, identification, and origin.
• Examines and analyzes human exudates and excretions, e.g., urine, perspiration, saliva, vaginal, and seminal discharges, fingernail scraping, etc.
• Conducts microscopic examinations and comparisons of evidence samples.
• Examines and analyzes a wide variety of narcotics, drugs, and poisons.
• Conducts ballistic and other tests to determine and/or compare type and caliber of bullets, external markings of bullets and  casings, and distances from which a weapon was fired; test-fires firearms for operability.
• Advises police recruits and investigative personnel on current recovery techniques.
• Visits crime scenes to recover evidence and renders assistance to investigating officers.
• Takes impressions at crime scenes and makes casts of physical objects and human subjects.
• Photographs victims, crime scenes, accident scenes, etc.
• Processes photographs and prepares photographic evidence for presentation in court.
• Examines crime scene for evidence of prints.
• Examines, processes, collects and preserves evidence for latent prints.
• Processes obliterated writings, erasures, and serial numbers.
• Examines and compares automobile paint samples and glass fragments and other physical evidence involved in traffic investigations.
• Analyzes and compares hair to determine origin and identification of individuals.
• Measures and diagrams crime scene; compiles and records locations and descriptions of photographs taken of crime scenes or accidents and evidence or prints collected.
• Prepares detailed reports of investigations and analyses conducted, and maintains paper and electronic report files.
• Appears in court to testify as an expert witness regarding evidence processing.
• Prepares reagents and performs routine maintenance of laboratory equipment.
• Participates in in-service training programs; and in training other employees.
• May participate in the supervision of subordinates, as assigned.
• Keeps abreast of technical developments in the field of crime detection and criminalistics.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Training and Experience: 

A combination of education and experience substantially equivalent to:

• graduation from an accredited college or university with a baccalaureate degree in chemistry or a related field (scan and attach your official college transcript), and
• one (1) year of laboratory work experience involving a variety of chemical analyses, and
• one (1) year of work experience performing the full range and variety of physical, chemical, instrumental, and microscopic analyses of evidences in connection with crime detection, and 
• must be qualified to carry and/or possess firearm or ammunition on accordance with State and Federal laws, e.g., no misdemeanor or felony domestic violence conviction, and 
• possession of a valid State of Hawai’i driver license (Class 3) or any other valid comparable driver license at time of filing.  (You will be required to submit your valid driver’s license at time of hire).

Examination:  All applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements will be assigned a score of 70 points.  An education and experience evaluation will be conducted based on the applicant’s training, education and experience as presented in the application. 

Please read the minimum qualification requirements carefully.  Be certain to list all pertinent training and experience, as this may be important in determining your examination score.  It is essential that the applicant describe fully the duties and responsibilities of each position held, specify the date of each position held (from and to, month and year), and indicate the number of hours worked per week.  

Attach all required documentation (e.g. official transcript, professional license(s)/certification(s), DD-214, etc.) at the time of submitting your application. 
 
Note:  In-person interviews and/or further testing in Hawai’i County may be required at the discretion of the hiring department/agency.  If in-person interviews and/or further testing are required, applicants who are referred to the hiring department/agency must be available to participate in person and at their own expense at that phase of the selection process. 

Knowledge of:  the principles of general, inorganic, and analytical chemistry including quantitative and qualitative analyses; the principles, techniques, and terminology used in physical, chemical, and serological diagnoses of substances; various drugs, poisons, and narcotics; ballistics; police laboratory procedures, techniques, instruments, and equipment; applicable laws; General Orders and regulations of the Police Department; investigative techniques.

Ability to:  use and maintain police laboratory equipment and instruments; analyze and interpret results of examinations and comparisons; analyze a variety of substances including blood, blood stains, human exudates and excretions, drugs, and narcotics; process latent prints; take casts of impressions at the scene of a crime; conduct ballistic tests; prepare comprehensive and detailed reports; explain results of tests; and testify in court.

Physical Requirements:  Persons seeking appointment to positions in this class must meet the health and physical condition standards deemed necessary and proper to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.

Physical Effort Grouping:  Light

Please scan and attach these supporting documents to your on-line application, if required:

• an official college transcript,
• a valid driver’s license,
• a temporary assignment verification, 
• professional licenses, and/or
• certificates,

Veterans applying for veteran’s preference points shall also scan and attach their DD-214 form and as needed, their VA claim letter to the on-line application.

ELECTRONIC NOTIFICATION TO APPLICANTS:
Please ensure that the email address and contact information you provide is current, secure, and readily accessible to you.  We will not be responsible in any way if you do not receive our emails or fail to check your email box or NEOGOV account INBOX in a timely manner.  Checking your NEOGOV account INBOX daily is recommended and is the most secure method to check on notices sent to you.  This is a new feature created by our vendor, NEOGOV. 

Please add [email protected] to your contact list.  Open your NEOGOV account using your user name and password.  In the upper right hand corner of the account is your name, and under your name, click on INBOX to view all notices sent you.  The notices will appear here in the INBOX even in the event you don’t receive it on your cell phone, computer, or other electronic device.  This is the best way to check and view all notices sent to you. 

You will receive a confirmation email upon successfully submitting your application.  Failure to receive this confirmation email, indicates that your application was not submitted.