2022 Salary Range: $69,266.01 – $96,972.41 Annually

2023 Salary Range: $72,900 - $102,100 Annually

*The above salary range will be in effect as of January 1, 2023*

Job Summary:

The Digital Media Criminalist performs highly specialized professional forensic examinations of digital/computer/video/audio evidence. This person will perform various tasks and analysis on digital/video evidence. The criminalist will execute search warrants, write analytical reports and give expert testimony in court. The criminalist will be assigned to the Northern Colorado Regional Forensic Crime Lab. This person will work with/alongside other digital criminalists from other agencies.

Experience, Knowledge, Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in a science or computer science related field from an accredited college or university.
• Minimum 3-5 years’ experience doing case work in digital/video forensic analysis.
• International Association of Computer Investigative Specialist (IACIS) certification.
• Qualified as an expert in testimony in the area of digital media/video analysis.
• Perform job functions using paperless Laboratory Information Management System in an ANSI National Accredited Board (ANAB) accredited laboratory.
• Operation, maintenance and instrumentation to include the following: collection, preservation and analysis of digital data.
• Knowledge and use of specialized software platforms to include the following: digital forensic software, Encase, FTK, Winhex, Cellebrite, Amped and Adobe Premier Suite for analysis.

Essential Functions:

• Experience handling and maintaining chain of custody and integrity of the evidence.
• Examination of items of evidence to discover, preserve identity and collect digital/video evidence.
• Interpretation of data using appropriate software programs.
• Compilation of complete and accurate written reports of findings.
• Technical review of analytical work and reports generated by other qualified analysts.
• Court preparation and expert witness testimony.
• Communication with law enforcement personnel of confidential information regarding on-going criminal investigations.
• Communication with attorneys and other judiciary personnel of confidential information regarding on-going criminal investigations and court proceedings.
• Providing trainings and community outreach to public groups, school groups, classes etc. regarding digital evidence i.e., computers, cell phones, and video forensic analysis.
• Think critically and independently.
• Trouble shoot problems that arise during the scientific analysis process.
• Prioritize own casework.
• Participate in validation studies and/or research projects.
• Participate in training of other analysts and/or research projects.
• Participate in training of other analysts and/or law enforcement personnel.
• Maintain continuing education requirements to meet IACIS standards.
• Adequately prepare for effective presentation of findings in a court setting.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements:

• Work is primarily performed indoors and with minimal exposure to the elements.
• Work is performed at a fixed workstation.
• Possible exposure to blood-borne pathogens.
• Possible exposure to electrical shock while dealing with computer-based evidence.
• Assisting with the execution of search warrants at locations away from the lab.
• Ability to lift light to moderate weighing evidence packages from one location to another.
• Communication skills enough to hear and convey information to/from public via phone and in person.
• Operate standard office equipment requiring repetitive hand/arm movements.
• Vision enough to interpret computer screens and documents to assist the public and computer work assignments.
• Specific vision requirements require close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• Manual dexterity enough to accurately input, retrieve, and verify work assignments.
• Extensive work performed on a computer with repetitive data entry and retrieval.

Conditions of Employment: Candidates must successfully complete all pre-employment screenings and employment eligibility verification. Pre-employment screenings include a drug test, a background and national sex offender search, a motor vehicle record search, and for some positions, a physical demands evaluation. For more information about City policies and practices during the recruitment process, including but not limited to EOE, Reasonable Accommodation, and pre-employment screenings, please visit our career page HERE .