Job Description

Posting number: 2026-00166

Department: Police

Division: Area I Criminal Investigations

Job classification: Police Evidence Specialist I

Posting type: Open

Categories: Forensics, Criminology

Summary

Assists in searching for, recovering, preserving, and marking physical evidence at crime scenes, assists in preparing evidence reports and exhibits for court presentation; assists in conducting tests and analyses within the police crime laboratory; and performs other related duties as required.

There is one (1) immediate permanent full-time vacancy with the Hawai'i Police Department - Criminal Investigations Section in Hilo.

This Police Evidence Specialist I position is a career ladder position. The permanent class of work is Police Evidence Specialist II, SR-20, $5,107/month. Persons hired into career ladder positions must meet minimum qualification requirements for the next level in the career ladder series, perform work at the higher level, and meet performance requirements to move to the next level in the career ladder series.

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

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.

Examples of duties

• Assists in searching for, recovering, preserving, and marking physical and trace evidence at crime scenes.
• Takes measurements and notes; prepares simple sketches and diagrams of crime scenes and major traffic accidents, including placement of physical evidence.
• Develops and recovers latent fingerprints at crime scenes and major traffic accidents.
• Assists in preparing casts of impressions found at crime scenes and major traffic accidents.
• Takes photographs of latent prints, evidence, and crime scenes; processes same as required.
• Assists in preparing evidence reports and in assembling evidence and exhibits for court presentation.
• Assists in conducting tests and analyses of recovered physical evidence to include processing of latent prints through various methods; screening for and collecting of biological fluids; preparing chemical reagents, etc.
• Receives on-the-job instruction on the more complex and sophisticated methods, procedures, and techniques of crime scene investigations.
• Attends in-service and other classes pertinent to the field; participates in the conduct of in-service training for uniformed personnel.
• As required, operates a mobile crime scene vehicle and the specialized equipment therein.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Training and Experience:

A combination of education and experience substantially equivalent to:

• graduation from an accredited college or university with a baccalaureate degree (scan and attach a copy of your official college transcript to your application), and
• one (1) year of laboratory, research, or analytical work experience involving the application of scientific principles and procedures in chemistry, biology, physics, forensic sciences, or related fields.

Qualification for Firearms:

• must be qualified to carry and/or possess firearm or ammunition in accordance with state and federal laws, e.g., no misdemeanor or felony domestic violence conviction.

License Requirement:

• possession of a valid State of Hawai‘i driver's license (Class 3) or any other valid comparable driver’s license at time of filing. (You will be required to submit your valid driver's license at time of hire).

Note: Foreign transcripts must be accompanied by an official transcript or credential evaluation to determine U.S. equivalency. (Scan and attach a copy of your official transcript or credential evaluation to your application.)

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: basic principles of the physical and biological sciences; standard laboratory procedures and equipment.

Ability to: learn crime scene characteristics and evidence recovery procedures; learn and apply the rules of evidence; learn and apply investigative methods and techniques; prepare reports of crime scene investigations; prepare sketches and detailed diagrams of crime scenes and major traffic accident scenes; use common laboratory instruments and equipment; assist with routine laboratory analyses and keep records of findings; establish effective working relationships with other employees; and follow oral and written instructions.

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

Benefits of County employment: The County of Hawai‘i offers a competitive compensation package. Your total compensation is comprised of your salary and a generous range of valuable benefits, subject to eligibility requirements.

• Flexible Working Arrangements: Options may include alternate work schedules (4-10) and flexible working hours. (Not all Departments/Agencies participate and not all positions are eligible.)
• Vacation: Start accruing paid vacation time immediately upon hire – up to 21 days per year.
• Sick Leave: Start accruing paid sick leave time immediately upon hire – up to 21 days per year.
• Holidays: The County provides 13 paid holidays per year (plus General Election Day when applicable).
• Training and Development: The County has a variety of training and development opportunities for employees.
• County Tuition Reimbursement Program: This scholarship program rewards employees who take the initiative to advance their education and learning.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program: You may be eligible for this federal program which forgives portions of federal student loans for individuals working in public service.
• Retirement Plan: The Employees’ Retirement System is a qualified defined benefit public pension plan that provides retirement, disability, survivor and other benefits to all eligible full-time and part-time county employees in the State of Hawaii as well as their beneficiaries.
• Deferred Compensation: Save additional money for retirement - this voluntary supplemental retirement savings plan allows for the investment of tax-deferred contributions.
• Flexible Spending Plan: Use pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified dependent care and/or medical expenses, as well as insurance premiums.
• Health Benefit Plans: The County of Hawai‘i offers a variety of health benefit plans for eligible employees.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): This voluntary assistance program provides employees and their family members with free professional and confidential assistance in overcoming personal and work-related problems.
• Group Life Insurance: Free life insurance policy for active employees.
• Credit Union Membership
• Other Leaves: You may be eligible for other leaves, including Family Leave, Funeral Leave, Leave Sharing, Military Leave, Donor Leave, Victims Protection Leave, as well as leave for Parent-Teacher Conferences, Disaster Relief, Blood Bank Donations, and Jury Duty.

All benefits are subject to eligibility requirements and change due to legislative actions and/or changes negotiated through collective bargaining. Please check out the benefits tab for additional information.

Supplemental information

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 mobile phone number 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 and text messages 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 info@governmentjobs.com 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.

APPLICATIONS MUST BE FILED ONLINE AT:

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/countyhawaii

E-mail: jobs@hawaiicounty.gov