Forensic Examiner Job in Saint Louis, MO

Vacancy No. FE-0724 Department U.S. Courts
Salary $54,101.00 to $87,909.00 Grade 26 to 26
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 8/2/2024 Close Date 11/1/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Saint Louis, MO


Job Description (Please follow all instructions carefully)

Summary

The United States Probation Office, United States District Court, Eastern District of Missouri is accepting applications for the position of Forensic Examiner. The position(s) may be located in the St. Louis office with full responsibility to the divisional office as well. Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open until filled. A High-Sensitive Background Investigation is required.

Duties

  • Conducts forensic examinations of digital related evidence using established policies, procedures, and precedent techniques. Examination can include, but are not limited to: financial, terrorist, and sexually explicit material cases. Confers with the Supervisory Probation Officer about policies and procedures in relation to digital related evidence.
  • Responsible for training employees in this Court and across the nation on forensic related procedures. This includes the proper evidence collection, handling, and chain of custody methods either via video, teleconference, or in-person.
  • Receives evidence from other districts, checking items into custody, logging the items received, and initiating the case within the case management software. This would include data entry into SIRS and PACTS to ensure proper credit is received for each examination.
  • Collects and prepares digital evidence for forensic examination.
  • May be required to testify in legal proceedings as to the procedures and methods used to obtain data, as well as to the findings of the examination.
  • Develops, prepares, and presents reports of findings of forensic examinations.
  • Responsible for verification of forensics tools validation.
  • Coordinates the maintenance, security and troubleshooting on all hardware and software for forensic tools.
  • Identifies, diagnoses, and corrects errors and problems.
  • Assists in developing new procedures and policies for the forensic lab and the districts served.
  • Responsible for initial scan and installation of monitoring software on offender's electronic devices.
  • Prepare and maintain documentation and standard operating procedures and checklists for end users and other technicians.
  • Provide day-to-day systems backups and verify the validity of data.
  • Maintains the evidence tracking software, which includes the administration and backing up of the program, as well as keeping the program's software updated.
  • Conducts the semi-annual inventories on all evidence maintained in the forensic lab. Tracks evidence to determine if the forensic lab needs to maintain it for evidentiary reasons.
  • Responsible for the disposing of all evidence which is no longer needed for evidentiary reasons.
  • Responsible for ensuring the evidence is appropriately removed from the evidence tracking software.
  • Maintains contact with the forensic community for the purpose of keeping abreast of developments, techniques, and user programs.
  • Recommend hardware, equipment, and software updates.
  • Provide related duties, as assigned.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

All applicants considered for the position will be required to undergo a background investigation which includes an FBI fingerprint check, as the position involves handling of confidential or highly sensitive information. The selectee may be appointed provisionally, and retention will depend upon favorable suitability determination of the background investigation.

Qualifications

Thorough knowledge of the latest forensic examination information technology hardware and software tools and their design. Knowledge of telephone and wireless systems. Skilled with various digital technologies, including mobile phones, tablets, computers, digital storage devices, GPS, and gaming systems. Be able to perform basic routine disassembly of desktop and laptop computer, phones, and tablets. Ability to image digital equipment in a forensically sound manner. Able to document the steps of an examination and a detailed analysis of your findings.

Three years specialized experience, including at least one year equivalent to work at the CL-25 level.

Education

High school graduate or equivalent required. A year or more of Forensic Examiner experience required. Law Enforcement Forensic examiner experience preferred. A Master or Bachelor of Science in Computer Forensics or Information Technology is preferred. Certifications from the FBI CART, US Postal Service, National White-Collar Crimes, Secret Service is also preferred.

Additional information

Judiciary employees serve under excepted appointment (not civil service). The Federal benefits package includes:

  • Generous Paid Time Off Program Eleven Paid Holidays
  • Public Service Loan Forgiveness Group Health, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance
  • Defined Benefit Pension Plan Defined Contribution Plan (TSP) with Employer Match
  • Long-Term Care Insurance Health and Dependent Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Parking/Commuter Benefit Program Employee Assistance Program
  • Work Life Services Virtual Judiciary Online University

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Please read the "Next steps" section for more information.

Required Documents

Please read the "How to Apply" section.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

Applicants must be United States citizens or eligible to work in the United States. Appointment is contingent upon providing proof of United States citizenship or proof of authorization to work in the United States as required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Applicants selected for interviews must travel at their own expense and relocation expenses will not be reimbursed. Applicants may be asked to participate in proficiency tests.

Qualified persons are invited to submit:

Application materials may be submitted via mail to:

U.S. District Court
Eastern District of Missouri
Attn: Gina Hicks (FE-0724) Room 3.300
111 South 10th Street
St. Louis, MO 63102

Agency contact information

Gina Hicks
Address
US District Court, Eastern District of Missouri
111 South 10th Street
St. Louis, MO 63102
US
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Only the most qualified candidates will be contacted.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.