Digital Evidence Technician

 PG 13, $62,548  

 This is a career ladder position

This full performance level position supports aspects of the digital video recordings from the patrol cameras, body worn cameras,  as well as other digital evidence collected from other areas of the Division.  It is intended that all such digital evidence, regardless of its origin, will be stored and maintained through one back-end management tool.  The scope of support this position’s duties involves training users, system monitoring, operation and maintenance involved in the administration of the digital evidence system, end user assistance, and system maintenance through technical diagnostics and repair working with vendor engineers when necessary.  The position also involves evidence maintenance, evidence distribution, and possible court testimony related to the camera system in use by the Division. In addition, this position will require liaison with outside agencies, the manufacturer of the systems used to collect digital evidence and the Information Technology Section to keep the system in working order and find solutions to issues that arise related to new case law and/or the hardware and software related to the digital evidence system.

The position requires:

• An understanding and knowledge of the handling of and procedures for the continuity and the chain of custody of evidence in general but in particular for courtroom presentation.
• The creation and maintenance of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) including procedures for submitting requests from the field for digital evidence and filling those requests within the evidence guidelines.
• Ensuring the policies and procedures pertaining to such digital evidence conform to the proper evidentiary submission accepted in the state and federal courts and must liaison with the Attorney General’s Office to keep abreast of case law and court rulings that affect digital evidence.
• Recommending procedures for improvement of digital evidence handling and present sound proposals for consideration to management.
• The ability to use the evidence management system user-interface to manage electronic video, photos, documents, etc. which includes the administration of case folders that electronic evidence are appended to.
• The need to search, find, retrieve, and burn video evidence to a media that can be distributed to the Attorney General’s Office, members of the division, and any approved outside parties entitled to such evidence either by divisional policy or the rules of evidence.  Should any event, expected to be in evidence, not be retrievable for any reason, the incumbent must have the ability to identify the reason the evidence is not retrievable and be able to sufficiently explain the reason why both verbally and in writing and if necessary, provide testimony of any such condition in any state or federal courtroom where such evidence is being considered. 
• Be responsible for training field users including troop administrators in how to use the digital evidence system to submit, find, retrieve, burn to disc, and review video per the guidelines.
• Provide customer service to resolve or ensure resolution of problem diagnosis/assessment and repair.
• Perform routine audits of the system to ensure the system is working properly and all evidence that is coded to auto-burn actually performed this function
• Advise and train users on the operation and capabilities of hardware and application software related to digital evidence.
• Work with the Information Technology Section to plan, schedule, install and test software updates and hardware upgrades.
• Conduct needs analysis of equipment, software, training and equipment resources to plan and recommend system changes in ways that meet program goals
• Demonstrate the ability to coordinate system expansion with management, agency technical staff, consultants, and contractual vendors.
• Provide system administration independently e.g., evaluates system performance, troubleshoot operating systems; coordinate installation and conduct testing to assure system is operating properly.
• Coordinate with vendors and Information Technology technicians to resolve issues.
• Communicate effectively with management and instruct users on the steps to follow to correct a problem with the operation of equipment.  
• Any other additional related duties as assigned.

• Knowledge of evidence handling procedures for the continuity and chain of custody of evidence.
• Knowledge of both state and federal courts and the rules of evidence that apply to them.
• Knowledge of the rules for discovery requests and how digital evidence is affected by those rules.
• Ability to use digital evidence management system interface to manage electronic video, photos, documents, etc which includes administration of case folders that electronic evidence is appended to.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to provide understandable instructions to civilian and sworn personnel on the use of the existing digital evidence system.
• Ability to use sound judgment and reach reasonable and logical conclusions when encountering issues requiring the involvement of the incumbent.
• Ability to identify and analyze problems, additional requirements, or user issues and assess their impact and make recommendations related to them
• Ability to provide guidance and direction to a variety of people pertaining to applicable laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of people.

• Experience in evidence handling procedures for the continuity and chain of custody of evidence.
• Understanding of court procedures and testimony in state and federal courts.
• Experience in the rules of evidence as they apply to digital evidence.
• Experience in operating computer systems, to include but not limited to: in-car video systems, bodycams and interview rooms.
• Experience in serving as a liaison between internal and external agencies
• Must have the ability to manage case folders and organize the information for distribution
• Ability to search, find, retrieve, and burn digital evidence
• Ability communicate effectively both orally and writing
• Ability to instruct on the system in use for digital evidence
• Must have a valid driver’s license

Direct deposit of paychecks is required as a condition of employment.   Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. The State of Delaware Executive Branch participates in the Federal E-Verify system where the State will provide the federal government with each new hires Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. For more information refer to our job seeker resources.

 A satisfactory criminal background check is required as a condition of employment.  

This position is a classification organized under an exclusive bargaining representative (labor organization) that has been elected by  employees as their representative for collective bargaining and other applicable terms and conditions of employment, in accordance with Title 29, Chapter 59 and Title 19, Chapter 13 and 16.  This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement based on its individual terms. 

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities in all phases of the application and employment process.  

TDD users may request an auxiliary aid or service by calling 1-800-232-5470 or by visiting https://delawarerelay.com/

You may also call (302)739-5458 or email DHR_ADAConcerns@delaware.gov for additional applicant services support.

To learn more about the comprehensive benefit package visit https://dhr.delaware.gov/benefits/

NOTE:  The Division of State Police is a non-merit system agency.