Crime Analyst - I

Job Description:

Crime Analyst - I

Description

Introduction

Placer County is comprised of over 1,400 square miles of beautiful and diverse geography, ranging from the residential and commercial areas of South Placer, through the historic foothill areas of Auburn, Foresthill, and Colfax, and to the County's jewel of the North Lake Tahoe basin. Placer is a great place to live, work, play, and learn! For more information about Placer County, please visit www.placer.ca.gov.

POSITION INFORMATION

Placer County is currently accepting applications for Crime Analyst - I and Crime Analyst - II. Each level in this job series has different minimum qualifications. To participate in the recruitment at the I level, the II level, or both levels, you must complete and submit separate applications and supplemental questionnaires for each recruitment.

The Placer County Sheriff's Office has a vacancy for Crime Analyst - I/II to support investigations. The ideal candidate will be an expert at collecting, analyzing, and communicating data and be detailed oriented. This position will work closely with all levels of staff within the organization and handle competing priorities on a daily basis. Additionally, the ideal candidate will have a solution-oriented mindset and the ability to think quickly to make determinations to support public safety efforts.

BENEFITS

Placer County offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees. The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change. Applicants should inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department.

Click here to view Placer Public Employees Organization (PPEO) benefits.

For more information regarding the benefits Placer County has to offer, please visit Placer County's Human Resources website.

DEFINITION

To analyze crime and intelligence data and conduct research; to monitor and identify trends or patterns in criminal activity within the County and disseminate this information to management; to develop and maintain intelligence databases; to perform complex data mining and data analysis.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the entry-level class in the Crime Analyst series. This class is distinguished from the journey level by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within this series. Employees at this level are not expected to perform with the same independence of direction and judgment on matters allocated to the journey level. Since this class is typically used as a training class, employees may have only limited or no directly related work experience. Employees work under immediate supervision progressing to general supervision while learning job tasks.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Incumbents work initially under immediate supervision from an assigned supervisor while learning job tasks, progressing to general supervision as the procedures and processes of the assigned areas of responsibilities are learned. Incumbents may exercise technical and functional supervision over technical and/or clerical staff as needed.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Collect, research, and analyze a variety of law enforcement, crime, and intelligence data using qualitative and quantitative methods; identify and interpret criminal activity, patterns, relationships, profiles, and trends.
  
• Monitor and identify trends in criminal activity; conduct complex data mining with multiple intelligence databases to assist with case development for investigations.
  
• Extract and analyze data and records and identify relevant information; prepare a variety of predictive and descriptive technical reports regarding crime patterns, individuals, associations, flow, operations, and threats based on distillation and synthesis of all available information.
  
• Participate in the selection of staff; provide or coordinate staff training; supervise, assign, and review the work of clerical and technical staff.
  
• Coordinate with sworn and non-sworn staff, staff from other agencies or jurisdictions, and others to identify requirements for intelligence/crime analysis products; maintain liaison with other jurisdictions and agencies.
  
• Review and analyze current/proposed legislation and advise management on the impact or potential impact; assist in analysis of federal and state statutes, codes, and regulations; develop required responses and/or proposals for various state departments and various statewide associations applicable to assigned work unit or department.
  
• Develop or assist in the development of statistical tracking systems, intelligence databases and management reports for identification of trends as identified; develop detailed maps using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software and analyses of spatially-referenced data, including crime reports, calls for service, parolees, sex or arson registrants, complaints, and other relevant data.
  
• Create charts, association matrices, link analyses, crime calendars, graphs, and exhibits to assist in investigations, tactical operations, and prosecution.
  
• Conduct briefings and/or presentations of crime and intelligence information for employees and outside agency staff; prepare a variety of bulletins and other time sensitive informational materials for dissemination of information.
  
• Recommend and assist in the implementation of goals and objectives; establish schedules and methods for administrative functions; assist in the development and implementation of policies and procedures.
  
• Design and recommend systems, procedures, forms, and instructions for internal use; apply conventional and computer-based modeling, logic and hypothesis testing algorithms and statistical analyses; prepare complex analytical and statistical reports.
  
• Evaluate investigative computer software tools and make recommendations for system enhancements; provide technical assistance on the functionality of job specific information systems; plan, collect, and analyze open-source information from the internet while staying attentive to new local media sources and trends.
  
• Prepare correspondence and reports; establish and maintain a variety of files, records, and statistics, including case files, activity logs, unit statistics, and crime data; ensure documentation, retention, and destruction of crime data complies with federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
  
• Produce and disseminate time-sensitive law enforcement bulletins, hot sheets, and other law enforcement related documents.
  
• May represent the work unit as required; may testify in court.
  
• Conduct special projects and staff training related to crime analysis and related computer system applications.
  
• Assist with research, analysis, and feedback on log-term projects such as beat redistribution studies, call volume, and statistical reports.
  
• Provide tactical and real-time intelligence for in-progress incidents and active cases.
  
• Perform related duties as required.
  

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed in both an indoor office environment with controlled temperature conditions and in the field requiring travel to various locations throughout the County in a variety of outdoor weather conditions. Incumbents may be exposed to a variety of environmental factors related to law enforcement field work.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

It is the responsibility of applicants to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below.

Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: One (1) year of increasingly responsible work experience conducting detailed analysis on information or data collected which requires the preparation and submission of findings, projections, or conclusions with recommendations. Experience working with crime or intelligence related data is preferred.

Training: Equivalent to a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in criminal justice, crime analysis, law enforcement/public safety, public administration, intelligence studies, homeland security, statistics and research methodology, computer science, geographic information systems, or a related field.

Required License or Certificate:

• Possession of a Crime and Intelligence Analysis certification or equivalent comparable certification within one year of appointment.
  
• May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position. Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.
  

Note: Relevant, equivalent experience (performing the same or similar job requiring similar knowledge, skills, and abilities) may be substituted for the required education as determined by the Human Resources Department.

Note: Applicants receiving their degree outside the United States must submit proof of accreditation by a recognized evaluation agency.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of law enforcement administration, organization, programs and functions
  
• Principles of criminology
  
• Statistical and logic methods and analysis used to solve crime problems and the use of statistics in reports
  
• Report preparation and presentation
  
• Research methods, tools, and techniques used to develop and present information
  
• Computer systems and software, including word processing, spreadsheet, logic/hypothesis testing, charting, and graphing, and database applications and software
  
• Office procedures, methods, and computer equipment
  
• English usage, spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
  

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; maintain awareness of safety; analyze work papers, reports, special projects, and relevant data; recall accounts given by witnesses; understand, interpret, recall, and explain rules, policies and procedures; explain and enforce evidentiary and other law enforcement procedures; focus on a single task for long periods of time; work with frequent interruptions; collect, evaluate, analyze, and interpret complex information and data; identify and interpret information from a variety of sources; work under time pressure and complete a high volume of tasks.
  
• On a continuous basis, sit at a desk or in meetings for long periods of time. Walk, stand, bend, twist, squat, and reach to access equipment and files in the office and field; perform simple and power grasping and fine manipulation; speak, use telephone, and write or use a keyboard to communicate; see with sufficient acuity to read characters and decipher colors on a computer screen and in the field; see, hear, and speak with sufficient acuity to examine, assess, and communicate in the field; lift light weight.
  
• Analyze problems quickly and objectively; determine proper course of action, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
  
• Perform moderately complex mathematical and statistical calculations accurately.
  
• Determine effective method of research; compile data and present in a form most likely to enhance understanding
  
• Use a variety of computer software applications including but not limited to mapping, graphing, charting, databases, and spreadsheets; design forms and draft procedures for approval.
  
• Obtain information through interview; handle multiple assignments; deal firmly and courteously with County staff and the public
  
• Maintain confidentiality of highly sensitive information.
  
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
  
• Provide tactical intelligence for in-progress incidents; provide real-time investigative support for active cases.
  
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
  

SELECTION PROCEDURE

Training & Experience Rating (100%)

Based upon responses to the supplemental questionnaire, the applicant’s education, training, and experience will be evaluated using a pre-determined formula. Scores from this evaluation will determine applicant ranking and placement on the eligible list.

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION

Length of Probation:

All permanent appointments to this classification shall serve a probationary period of twelve (12) calendar months or two thousand eighty (2,080) hours, whichever is more.

Bargaining Unit:

Professional

FLSA Status:

Non-Exempt

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT

Prior to the date of hire, applicants must undergo a fingerprint test by the Department of Justice, pass a medical examination (which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation), sign a constitutional oath, and submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S. For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background investigation (which may include a voice stress analysis and/or a polygraph), and/or be bonded. Additionally, positions in law enforcement classifications and those supporting law enforcement functions will be required to complete a conviction history questionnaire prior to or during the interview process. Applicants for positions with access to Medi-Cal billing software or who are licensed providers must clear the Federal Exclusion List, credentialing, and social security verification. Failure to clear these requirements may result in an employment offer being withdrawn.

SUBSTITUTE LISTS

The eligible list resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification. For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey level) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

EMPLOYEES OF OTHER PUBLIC AGENCIES

Placer County offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please click here.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment, discrimination, and retaliation are prohibited and that all employees, applicants, agents, contractors, and interns/volunteers shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, transfer, and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, race (including traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, ancestry, religion (including creed and belief), national origin, citizenship, physical disability (including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over), marital status, military and/or veteran status, sex (including parental status, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), reproductive health decision making, political orientation, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. Please contact the Human Resources Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.

Conclusion

For questions regarding this recruitment, please email PCHRDSRFRecruit@Placer.ca.gov.

Closing Date/Time: Open Until Filled

Salary:

$34.85 - $43.52/hour; $6,040.67 - $7,543.47/month; $72,488.00 - $90,521.60/year