Fingerprint Specialist Iii

Job Announcement

This position, located within the Cyber and Forensics Bureau, identifies persons related to crimes through fingerprint identification. Works with high-profile cases that involve capital crimes with the likelihood of court testimony to identify persons through the evaluation, comparison, and identification of complex latent fingerprints and palm prints aided by an automated fingerprint identification system (AFIS) which stores, retrieves, and compares fingerprints. May serve as a lead worker for lower-level identification technicians.

Illustrative Duties

(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position job description.)

• Searches and compares latent prints with fingerprints/palm prints of known suspects for the purpose of identification using manual and automated (when applicable) fingerprint identification technology;
  
• Compares complex, unidentified latent fingerprints to a computer-generated list of known persons utilizing automated fingerprint identification technology with interfaces to the Virginia State Police Automated Fingerprint Identification System (VAFIS), the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Automated Fingerprint Identification System (DCAFIS) and the Montgomery and Prince George's County system (RAFIS);
  
• Coordinates and/or conducts in-house job-related training for peers;
  
• Trains entry-level Fingerprint Specialist in skills consistent with their position classification level, and monitors and documents the employee's development;
  
• Provides guidance, mentoring, and assistance to employees of lesser skill and experience;
  
• Assists the section supervisor through the performance of long- and short-term operational and administrative projects/tasks in support of the mission;
  
• Enters fingerprints from ten-print cards into the automated files;
  
• Examines and evaluates latent print evidence for entry into the automated systems or manual comparison files;
  
• Prepares detailed charts, exhibits, and documents of fingerprint evidence for trial, and testifies in court as an expert in the field of fingerprint and palm print identification;
  
• Gives court testimony in high profile and capital crime cases;
  
• Provides limited oversight of employees in the absence of supervisory authority.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)

• Knowledge of training methods, supplemented by experience in the training of personnel in fingerprint identification skills and duties;
  
• Thorough knowledge of the rules of evidence involving fingerprint identification and legal procedures common to court cases;
  
• Knowledge of the use of LiveScan;
  
• Ability to prioritize and delegate work, and to manage a caseload efficiently under minimal supervision;
  
• Ability to accurately evaluate, search, and identify complex fingerprints;
  
• Ability to operate, analyze data from, and troubleshoot an automated fingerprint identification system;
  
• Ability to summarize facts and examination results clearly, concisely, and objectively, both orally and in writing;
  
• Ability to testify in court as an expert witness;
  
• Ability to maintain a high level of ethical standards;
  
• Ability to demonstrate a high level of integrity and be truthful at all times.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following: (Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to")
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree supplemented by successful completion of formal training or courses in basic fingerprint identification and advanced latent fingerprint identification from industry accepted schools and two years of latent fingerprint identification. Six years of fingerprint identification comparisons can be substituted for the degree.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Two years' experience in fingerprint identification and an Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS)
• Familiarity with LiveScan arrest booking system

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
Driver's license (required)

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, credit check, driving record check, and a polygraph examination to the satisfaction of the employer.
All newly hired employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (two weeks after the last required dose) as a condition of employment or obtain approval of a medical or religious exemption prior to their start date. Proof of an exemption or vaccination status will be required during the pre-employment onboarding process. New employees who obtain an exemption from the vaccine mandate for medical or sincerely held religious beliefs may be subject to a weekly testing requirement. Vaccinated employees and employees with a medical or religious exemption will complete the attestation online on their first day of employment or shortly thereafter.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Work requires the ability to sit for long periods of time, operate keyboard-driven equipment, and use magnifying eyepiece. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and may include exercise.

The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 39.8% of residents speak a language other than English at home ( Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and others ) and we encourage candidates bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply to this opportunity.
Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or status as a veteran in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.
Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov . EEO/AA/TTY.