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Digital Forensics Specialist

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Digital Forensics Specialist

Salary

$82,805.32 - $100,650.68 Annually

Location

Carlsbad, CA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

001-2025

Department

Police

Opening Date

05/16/2025

Closing Date

6/6/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

+ Description

+ Benefits

+ Questions

The Position

For an inside look at the Carlsbad Police Department Click Here (http://youtu.be/vXFfn20Us4c?list=UUEpvrViEk8vH3AzLg5lEo8A)

The Position

The Digital Forensics Specialist is responsible for identifying, preserving, analyzing and presenting digital evidence from computers, mobile devices, networks, cloud platforms and video and surveillance systems to support investigations involving legal cases or criminal activity. This role requires deep technical expertise in forensic tools and methodologies, a keen understanding of legal standards, and the ability to prepare detailed documentation and expert testimony.

You Belong in Carlsbad

The City of Carlsbad embraces and recognizes the vital relationship of an inclusive, engaged work environment and innovative excellence. An equitable and inclusive work climate comprises personal experiences, values, and views shaped from differences of culture and circumstance. Our organization appreciates belonging, creativity, recognition and retention of its employees and is committed to hiring and developing motivated, productive and talented employees who provide services and enhance our quality of life. We work to embrace open and equitable access to opportunities for learning and development as our responsibility and goal.

Selection Process

+ Oral Panel Interview week of June 23, date TBD.

+ Background Appraisal Interview: Completion and review of detailed Personal History Statement.

+ Candidates meeting the basic criteria will continue with a background investigation.

+ Comprehensive Background Investigation: A detailed investigation of the candidate's personal history and suitability for employment within the law enforcement profession. This investigation includes a lie detection polygraph screening.

+ Captains' Interview: Personal interviews with the Captain of Field Operations and the Captain of Support Operations.

+ Final Steps: Psychological and medical evaluations before hire are required. The Chief of Police may select/appoint any individual who has successfully completed the process. Appointments are probationary for one year.

Key Responsibilities

The Digital Forensics Specialist advises the unit supervisor in planning, coordinating, and directing digital forensic activities.

Inventories, examines and performs complex technical analyses of computer-related evidence such as digital media, including hard drives, cell phones, optical disks, memory cards, and other electronic data storage media.

Locates, examines, and collects digital evidence that may exist on external “cloud” servers.

Prepares written findings, displays, or graphic representations for court presentation; testifies and interprets findings established by laboratory analyses and may serve as a qualified expert witness.

Conducts research into new methods and procedures of scientific criminal investigation; maintains awareness of new developments in digital forensics; and incorporates new developments as appropriate within policy guidelines.

Works with other law enforcement agencies to coordinate findings or seek alternative digital forensic analysis methods.

Participates in law enforcement working groups and/or task forces as directed. Participates in meetings or other related groups.

Provides local law enforcement agencies with forensic research, application, advanced casework, methodology development, and training.

Processes crime scenes and/or clandestine laboratory scenes for video evidence and physical evidence and reconstructs the events of the crime from the evidence.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Ability to:

+ Troubleshoot, repair, and optimize a variety of computer types, peripheral equipment, software, and networks.

+ Disassemble suspect computers.

+ Identify and analyze data available on computers taken in investigations.

+ Gather and preserve evidence.

+ Work as a team member.

+ Operate laboratory computer equipment and software.

+ Provide technical support to Police Investigators.

+ Give and follow oral and written instructions.

+ Maintain adequate record-keeping systems.

+ Write reports and correspondence.

+ Testify in court.

Knowledge of:

+ Principles, practices, and techniques used in computer systems criminal investigation.

+ Evidence collection.

+ Analysis and documentation of investigations.

+ Computer hardware, software, and networks.

+ Specialized forensic software.

+ Standard business and personal computer software and the internet.

+ Computer operating systems.

+ Departmental practices and procedures.

+ Applicable laws, rules and regulations such as California Penal Code, California Health & Safety Code, California Vehicle Code, California Evidence Code, Municipal Code and various training and information bulletins.

Experience & Education

Any combination equivalent to experience and education that could likely provide the required abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain these abilities would be:

Equivalent to an Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university in criminal justice, forensic science, or related field and a minimum of two years’ experience in criminal investigation and/or personal computer and network hardware and software.

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION

Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's license upon appointment; must pass an extensive background check.

The employee may be required to be on-call for crime scene investigations after normal working hours.

+ Medical Insurance

+ Dental Insurance

+ Vision Insurance

+ Flexible Spending Account

+ Life Insurance

+ Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance

+ Retirement under the CalPERS program, 2% @ 62 formula, Classic Members (those who are enrolled in CalPERS at another local agency) have the 2% @ 60 formula

+ Pension contribution limitations set by PEPRA are currently $151,549 for new members or $280,000 for classic members

+ Bilingual Pay

+ Holidays - 11 scheduled holidays

+ Paid vacation

+ Computer purchase loan

+ Tuition reimbursement

A detailed list of our benefits can be found here: Carlsbad Benefits (https://www.carlsbadca.gov/departments/human-resources/compensation/full-time-benefits)

01

Initial in the box below that you acknowledge "see application" and "see resume" are not valid responses to the questions below.

02

What is your highest level of education?

+ Attending High School

+ High School / GED

+ Associate's Degree

+ Bachelor's Degree

+ Master's Degree or Higher

+ None of the above

03

Regarding your education, please indicate your area(s) of study in the space below. If you answered "None of the above," type N/A in the space below.

04

How many years of experience do you have in criminal investigation and/or personal computer and network hardware and software?

+ None

+ Less than 1 year

+ 1 year but less than 3

+ 3 years but less than 5

+ 5 or more years

05

Please describe your experience in criminal investigation and/or personal computer and network hardware and software, and at which employer you gained this experience.

06

Please describe your experience in planning, coordinating and directing digital forensic activities.

07

Please describe your experience examining and performing complex technical analyses of computer related evidence such as digital media, including hard drives, cell phones, optical disks, memory cards, and other electronic data storage media.

08

Please describe your experience locating, examining and collecting digital evidence and/or conducting criminal investigations that may exist on external "cloud" servers.

09

Please describe your experience preparing written findings, displays or graphic representations for court presentations.

10

Please describe your experience providing forensic research, application, advanced casework, methodology development and training to local law enforcement agencies.

Required Question

Employer

Carlsbad, City of (CA)

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