U.S. Probation Officer

Overview of the Position

The U.S. Probation Office U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Missouri is accepting applications for the position of U.S. Probation Officer as a Forensic Examiner working in the forensics lab. The position will be in the St. Louis office with full responsibility to the divisional office as well.

• 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 other examiners about policies and procedures in relation to digital-related evidence.
• Responsible for training officers and 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 paperwork. 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.
• 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
• Provides consultation to judges and attorneys concerning forensic laboratory program
• Assist and advise the Search Team Lead and members
• Serves as liaison in specialized areas to other court units and the public

Required Qualifications

Thorough knowledge of the latest forensic examination techniques, 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, IoT, 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.

Ability to conduct thorough investigations into possible criminal conduct and document findings. Able to document the steps of an examination and a detailed analysis of your findings.

Three years of specialized experience and completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a field of academic study, such as digital forensics, computer science and criminal justice, which provides evidence of the capacity to understand and apply the legal requirements and investigative skills involved in the position. Law Enforcement Forensic examiner experience preferred. A Master or Bachelor of Science in Digital Forensics is preferred.

Certifications from the FBI CART, US Postal Service, National White-Collar Crimes, Secret Service, SANS, IACIS is also preferred. Excellent professional references and computer abilities are required.

Conditions of Employment

All applicants considered for the position will…