Crime Scene Technician

Crime Scene Technician

Salary

$61,630.40 - $73,964.80 Annually

Location

Santa Fe, NM

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

202600390

Department

Sheriffs Office

Opening Date

09/28/2026

Closing Date

10/28/2026 5:00 PM Mountain

FLSA

Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit

NON-UNION

Department Contact Information

Rosa Vigil (505) 986-2428

Union Eligibility

Position is not covered by any Collective Bargaining Agreement in Santa Fe County

Budget Amount

Position is budgeted at $35.56 hourly, commensurate with related education and experience.

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Primary Purpose

Under the supervision of a law enforcement agency, this position is responsible for the processing of crime scenes, including photographic and physical collection of evidence, identification, and preservation of evidence in relation to criminal investigations and in accordance with modern investigative principles.

Essential Job Functions

• Under general supervision, processes crime scenes for purposes of identifying and collecting relevant evidence for use in criminal prosecution, utilizing one or all of the following techniques: digital photography, diagrams and sketches, fingerprint collection procedures, plaster casts, and assorted physical and/or chemical tests.
• Documents, packages, and preserves evidence; assesses evidence for further lab testing.
• Composes reports documenting relevant information and testifies in criminal proceedings.
• Performs bio-evidence collection and cellular phone forensics.
• Trains patrol officers and instructs the public at community events regarding crime scene protocols.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge/ Skills:

• Knowledge of digital photography and evidence collection and analysis.
• Ability to conduct specialized tests and evaluate situations.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates and the public.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle, digital camera, latent print kits, electrostatic dust print lifter, communication radios, ladders, hand tools, shovels, casting kits, and lighting equipment.
• Ability to operate various word-processing, spreadsheet, database, and other software programs.
• Ability to prepare accurate, complete and legible reports and to present detailed, accurate, and objective oral presentations and responses to questions.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associates Degree (minimum) in one or more of the following: Criminal Justice, Criminology, Forensic Science, Physical Science, Chemistry, Biology, or Physics; AND three (3) years of experience in crime scene processing, digital photography, and latent fingerprints; OR a minimum of five (5) years of experience in crime scene processing, digital photography, and latent fingerprints.
• Must obtain and maintain at least one nationally or internationally recognized crime scene investigator certification such as: International Association for Identification, American Board of Medical Legal Death Investigators, or International Association of Blood Spatter Analysis, within one (1) year of hire.

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions:

Work is performed frequently in an office environment and outdoors in varied weather conditions with exposure to dust, fumes, airborne particles and/or allergens. Work involves high risk or potentially dangerous situations, exposure to hazardous materials, excessive noise, hostile individuals, and work near hazardous/moving equipment or machinery. Work requires the use of protective clothing, equipment, devices or materials. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly is required to stand, walk, and sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands or arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel or crouch; and talk or hear. Ability to lift over 100 lbs. Clarity of vision at long distance and short distance is required. Evening, holiday, and weekend work is required.

Conditions of Employment:

Selected candidate must submit to and pass a County paid pre-employment physical and drug/alcohol screening. Additionally, selected candidate must submit to and pass a county paid criminal background screening. Selected candidate may not have any felony convictions. Selected candidate must possess and maintain a valid New Mexico Class D Driver's License as incumbent shall be appointed to drive a County vehicle during the performance of his/her duties. Candidate must obtain and/or maintain all certifications required.

Santa Fe County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

It is the policy of Santa Fe County to ensure equal employment opportunity to all persons regardless of race, color, age, physical or mental handicap, sex, national origin, ancestry, religion, serious medical condition, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or political affiliation.

Santa Fe County is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package to eligible, full-time and part-time employees who work 20 hours per week. You will receive plan booklets, which give you more detailed information about each of these programs.

BENEFITS OFFERED

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance
• Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance
• Voluntary Life and AD&D
• Short-Term Disability
• Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Gym Membership

To learn more details, visit our website:

• Health Benefits
• Leave and Retirement
• Additional Employee Benefits
• Employee Development Program

01

Do you have a valid drivers license?

• Yes
• No

02

Which statement below best describes the highest level of education in Criminal Justice, Criminology Forensic Science, Physical Science, Chemistry, Biology, or Physics you have completed?

• High school graduate, diploma or the equivalent (GED)
• Associates degree
• Bachelors degree
• Masters degree
• Doctorate degree

03

How many years of experience in crime scene processing, digital photography, latent fingerprinting or a closely related field do you have?

• No experience
• Less than 1 year of experience
• 1 to 2 years of experience
• 3 to 4 years of experience
• 5 or more years of experience

04

Applicant must obtain and maintain at least one nationally or internationally recognized crime scene investigator certification such as: International Association for Identification, American Board of Medical Legal Death Investigators, or International Association of Blood Spatter Analysis, within one (1) year of hire.

• Yes, I understand and agree
• Yes, I understand but do not agree
• No, I do understand or do not agree

Required Question

Employer Santa Fe County

Address 102 Grant Avenue

Santa Fe, New Mexico, 87501

Phone (505) 992-9880

Website https://www.santafecountynm.gov/human_resources