OPPORTUNITY

***This position is Open Until Filled***

The City of Santa Maria is hiring for a Digital Forensics Examiner to support our Police Department. The position: Under general direction, performs specialized forensic computer and digital device examinations; preserves original evidence and performs other related duties as required. Incumbents are expected to perform at an advanced level in the full range of investigative IT forensic work, exercising a high degree of independent judgement, providing project oversight, and performing the most complex assignments that require extensive knowledge and proficiency.

WHAT WE DO:
The Santa Maria Police Department strives to protect and serve all those who live, work, and/or visit Santa Maria. This is accomplished by working in cooperation with the community, promoting safety and enforcing the law. The Digital Forensics Examiner is an individual contributor role that provides critical support to police officers/detectives during investigations by using a variety of highly specialized software and technical skills to forensically analyze computers and other digital/data storage devices such as smart phones, tablets, social media platforms, and cloud computing systems and applications. The position works cooperatively with a variety of law enforcement and criminal prosecution professionals during all phases of any digital analysis and investigation process.

The ideal candidate will be familiar with cyber security fundamentals, have a technical background including experience using cutting edge technology to acquire and manage digital evidence for law enforcement agencies. They will display strong communication skills in order to support investigations at all levels including writing comprehensive reports for broad audiences, providing professional support to outside law enforcement agencies, and providing courtroom testimony.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

• Highly motivated and driven (self-starter)
• Team player
• Flexible and adapt well to changing work environment
• Maintain composure in difficult situations/work well under pressure
• Detail Oriented

DUTIES

These duties are a representative example; position assignments may vary depending on the business needs of the department and organization. This position:

• Conducts seizures and examinations of electronic devices including cell phones/smart phones, tablets, laptops, personal computers, and corresponding electronic data storage media to secure and recover data as evidence. seizure and examination may occur in laboratory or field settings.
• Produces images for analysis purposes; troubleshoots, repairs, assembles, and disassembles digital devices to access evidence and assists in court preparation of evidence and media used during prosecution. Testifies about digital evidence, the procedures used to obtain the evidence, and the findings of digital forensic examiners.
• Conducts primarily Internet-based and online investigations of unlawful activities and crimes, and may assist in other department investigations regarding such unlawful and criminal activities
• Create investigative reports documenting the findings of the forensic examination; provide expert testimony in court related to computer analysis. Performs other related duties, as assigned.
• Review case files to locate alleged violations, determine evidentiary needs, and extract case file information useful to the investigation.
• Prepare and maintain statistical and operational logs, records, and reports; maintain computerized databases related to the assigned investigative activities.
• Provide guidance, direction and review of investigative reports documenting the findings of the forensic examination; oversee the storage and maintenance of forensic evidence according to accepted protocols.
• Performs other related duties, as assigned, and may be required to work evenings, weekends, and holidays during investigation, including assisting other agencies.

Job Description: Digital Forensics Examiner

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Management Information Systems, or a closely related field; and/or
• Equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above; and
• Current technical/professional knowledge of complex principles, methods, standards, and techniques associated with the scope of work of a recognized profession in the digital forensics field, such as:
  • International Association of Computer Investigative Specialists certification
  • Cellebrite
  • Axiom,
  • Access Data FTK,
  • Encase,
  • AMP Five, or
  • Input Ace.

Individual Contributor:

Incumbents should have a solid foundation of the following core competencies identified by the organization to be essential and listed in order of importance (click the hyper link to see the full definition Individual Contributor Competencies):

• Team Player - Effective performers are team oriented, share resources, respond to requests, and support a spirit of cooperative effort.
• Customer Orientation - Effective performers are in touch with community needs and review the organization through the eyes of Santa Maria residents. They go out of their way to anticipate needs.
• Integrity - Effective performers think and act ethically and honestly, take responsibility for their actions and foster a work environment where integrity is rewarded.
• Composure - Effective performers maintain emotional control, even under ambiguous or stressful circumstances, and demonstrate emotions appropriate to the situation.
• Functional/Technical Expertise - Effective performers are knowledgeable and skilled in a functional specialty (e.g., finance, public works, planning, information technology, human resources, etc.), and remain current in their area of expertise.
• Problem Solving & Decision Making - Effective performers identify problems, solve them, act decisively, and show good judgment.
• Learning Agility - Effective performers continuously seek new knowledge, are curious, learn quickly, and use new information effectively.
• Drive/Energy - Effective performers have a high level of energy and are ambitious and passionate about their role. They have stamina and endurance to maintain a fast pace.

SELECTION PROCESS

Required Submittals: along with your Application and Supplemental Questions

• Resume
• Cover Letter

In addition to your completed application, a resume and cover letter are required as part of the application process. If your resume and cover letter are not attached, your application will be considered incomplete.

The most qualified candidates will be selected to appear before a panel for an oral interview (in person or virtual). Those applicants invited to interview will be notified electronically at the e-mail address provided by each candidate through the application process. Therefore, it is the applicant's responsibility to provide an accurate email address and to allow their inbox to receive emails in regard to this recruitment. A tentative oral board date has been scheduled for TBD. The oral board will recommend a limited number of candidates to the eligibility list from which the new Digital Forensics Examiner may be selected.
Prior to an offer of employment, applicants must pass a background investigation to the satisfaction of the City.

If you are experiencing any technical (computer related) difficulties or need help with attaching documents to your application, please call the NEOGOV help line for assistance at 1-855-524-5627.