Digital Forensic Examiner - City of Fort Myers, FL : Job Details

Salary: $32.58 - $49.28 HourlyLocation : Fort Myers, FLJob Type: Full-TimeJob Number: 24-1196Department: Police DepartmentOpening Date: 12/20/2024Closing Date: 1/5/2025 12:00 AM EasternFLSA: Non-ExemptDescriptionThe City of Fort Myers strives to be an employer of choice and most of our employees turn jobs into long term careers. The salary shown in the job description is the full range for this position from entry to later career. NEW EMPLOYEES ARE HIRED AT, OR NEAR THE ENTRY POINT SHOWN, DEPENDING ON QUALIFICATIONS AND RELEVANT EXPERIENCE.FLSA Status : Non-Exempt Safety Sensitive: Yes Level II Screening: YesUnder the general direction of a designated supervisor, the incumbent is responsible for conducting thorough forensic examinations on a wide range of electronic devices, including computers, smartphones, tablets, and digital storage media, using industry-leading tools and techniques. They will also assist with the collection, preservation, and documentation of digital evidence in accordance with established chain of custody procedures, ensuring its admissibility in legal proceedings. The digital forensics investigator will also employ advanced methods to recover data from damaged, encrypted, or otherwise inaccessible storage devices, maintaining the integrity and reliability of the evidence and analyze digital evidence to identify relevant information, patterns, and connections, and prepare detailed reports documenting findings, methodologies, and conclusions. This job has no supervisory responsibilities.Responsibilities and Reporting During an Emergency Situation:Essential Employees may be required to work during a declared emergency. Depending on the nature of the emergency, this may require working around the clock for several days on short notice.Non-Essential Employees will not be required to work during a declared emergency. The employee's Department Head will determine when the employee will be required to work.Perks and Benefits

• Free city-paid employee health coverage, additional for spouse or family
• 3 weeks Paid Time Off (sick & vacation)
• 13 paid holidays
• Pension plan & optional Deferred Compensation
• City-paid life insurance
• Optional Vision, Dental, and Disability Insurance
• Tuition reimbursement
• On-site Gym facility
• And much more!

Duties/Responsibilities

• This classification is distinguished from a Police Officer by the fact that the employee is not a sworn officer, does not carry a firearm, and does not make arrests.
• DFI will collaborate with law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and other stakeholders to support criminal investigations, providing expertise on digital evidence and cyber-related matters.
• Assist in the development and implementation of departmental policies and procedures related to digital forensics, evidence handling, and cybercrime investigations.
• Conduct comprehensive examinations of digital devices and electronic evidence, including computers, mobile phones, tablets, and storage media, using specialized forensic tools and techniques.
• Recover, extract, and analyze digital data from various sources, including deleted files, encrypted storage, and volatile memory, to identify relevant information and potential leads in criminal investigations.
• Create forensic images of storage media to preserve the integrity and originality of digital evidence, adhering to established protocols and chain of custody procedures.
• Identify and analyze malware infections, malicious software, and suspicious files to determine their impact, origin, and relevance to criminal activities, collaborating with cybersecurity experts as needed.
• Investigate network traffic, logs, and communication records to trace the origin and transmission of illicit activities, such as hacking, data breaches, or cyberattacks, and support cybercrime investigations.
• Prepare detailed forensic reports documenting examination findings, methodologies, and conclusions in a clear, concise, and objective manner, adhering to legal and professional standards.
• Provide expert testimony in court proceedings, presenting forensic findings, interpretations, and conclusions effectively to judges and juries, and assisting prosecutors in the preparation and presentation of digital evidence.
• Stay current with evolving technologies, forensic methodologies, and legal precedents through ongoing training, certification, and participation in professional organizations, ensuring proficiency and expertise in digital forensics examination.
• Collaborate with law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, forensic laboratories, and other stakeholders to support criminal investigations, share information, and contribute to the overall success of investigative efforts.
• Ensure adherence to departmental policies, procedures, and quality standards in conducting digital forensics examinations, maintaining accuracy, integrity, and confidentiality throughout the process.
• This position requires regular and reliable attendance and the employee's physical presence at the workplace.
• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Proficient in utilizing a variety of digital forensic tools and software, such as EnCase, FTK, X-Ways Forensics, Cellebrite, and open-source forensic utilities.
• Solid understanding of computer hardware, operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux), file systems, network protocols, and encryption technologies.
• Ability to perform forensic imaging, data carving, and keyword searching to extract and analyze digital evidence from various electronic devices.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to interpret complex data, identify patterns, and draw accurate conclusions during digital forensic examinations.
• Ability to recognize anomalies, discrepancies, and potential indicators of criminal activity within digital evidence and communicate findings effectively to investigative teams.
• Meticulous attention to detail in collecting, preserving, and documenting digital evidence in accordance with established protocols and chain of custody procedures.
• Ability to maintain accuracy and precision throughout the forensic examination process to ensure the integrity and admissibility of evidence in legal proceedings.
• Knowledge of relevant laws, regulations, and legal procedures governing digital evidence, cybercrime investigations, and the admissibility of digital evidence in court.
• Understanding of ethical standards, professional guidelines, and best practices in digital forensics to maintain integrity, confidentiality, and impartiality throughout the examination process.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to convey technical information, forensic findings, and investigative conclusions clearly and concisely to diverse audiences.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and other stakeholders, and provide expert testimony in court to support legal proceedings.
• Commitment to continuous learning and professional development to stay abreast of emerging technologies, forensic methodologies, and legal developments in the field of digital forensics.
• Willingness to pursue relevant certifications, attend training seminars, and participate in professional organizations to enhance skills and knowledge in digital forensics examination.
• Commitment to continuous learning and professional development to stay abreast of emerging technologies, forensic methodologies, and legal developments in the field of digital forensics.
• Willingness to pursue relevant certifications, attend training seminars, and participate in professional organizations to enhance skills and knowledge in digital forensics examination.

Minimum Requirements

• Associates's degree from an accredited college or university with an emphasis in computer science, forensic science, cybersecurity, criminal justice. Experience, and/or training that provides the required knowledge and abilities may be substituted for the degree.
• Minimum of five (5) years of sworn law enforcement experience with investigative experience and/ or equivalent non-sworn investigative experience.
• Minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in digital forensics examination, preferably in a law enforcement agency, government organization, or private sector firm specializing in cybersecurity or digital investigations.
• Must possess a valid Florida Driver's License with an acceptable driving record.
• Must submit to a complete background investigation including fingerprint check.
• Must meet restrictive drug standards.
• Mandatory drug and alcohol testing required.
• Must pass a polygraph examination.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting digital forensic examinations on a variety of electronic devices and storage media, utilizing forensic tools and techniques to recover, analyze, and interpret digital evidence.
• Proficiency in forensic software tools such as EnCase, FTK, X-Ways Forensics, Cellebrite, and open-source forensic utilities.
• Strong understanding of computer hardware, operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux), file systems, network protocols, and encryption technologies.
• Familiarity with legal and regulatory requirements governing digital evidence, cybercrime investigations, and the admissibility of digital evidence in court proceedings.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to interact professionally and empathetically with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Proficiency in computer applications and software relevant to investigative work, including database management and report writing.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and collaborate effectively within a team environment.
• Willingness to work irregular hours including evenings, weekends and holidays, to accommodate the demands of investigations.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelors Degree from an accredited college or university with an emphasis in computer science, forensic science, cybersecurity, criminal justice.
• Certification in digital forensics (e.g., EnCE, CFCE, CCE, ACE).
• 10 years of digital forensic experience with a law enforcement agency.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams of investigators, analysts, and legal professionals.

Physical Demands and Working ConditionsThis work typically requires the following physical activities to be performed.

• Balancing - maintain equilibrium to prevent falling while walking, standing, or crouching.
• Climbing - ascending, descending ladders, stairs, ramps, requires body agility.
• Reaching - extending hands or arms in any direction.
• Repetitive Motion - substantial movements of wrists, hands, fingers.
• Speaking - expressing ideas with spoken word, convey detailed, important instructions accurately, concisely.
• Standing - for sustained periods of time.
• Stooping - bending body downward, forward at waist, with full motion of lower extremities and back.
• Talking 1- expressing ideas by spoken word
• Crouching - bending body forward by bending leg, spine.
• Feeling - perceiving attributes of objects by touch with skin, fingertips.
• Fingering - picking, pinching, typing, working with fingers rather than hand.
• Grasping - applying pressure to object with fingers, palm.
• Handling - picking, holding, or working with whole hand.
• Hearing 1 - perceiving sounds at normal speaking levels, receive information.
• Hearing 2 - receive detailed information, make discrimination in sound.
• Kneeling - bending legs at knee to come to rest at knees.
• Lifting - raising objects from lower to higher position, moving objects side to side, using upper extremities, back.
• Visual Acuity 1 - prepare, analyze data, transcribing, computer terminal, extensive reading.
• Visual Acuity 2 - color, depth perception, field of vision.
• Visual Acuity 3 - determine accuracy, neatness, observe facilities/structures.
• Mental Acuity - ability to make rational decisions through sound logic, deductive reasoning.
• Walking - on foot to accomplish tasks, long distances, or site to site.

Work performed is primarily:

• Light work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force to move objects.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Potential for exposure to adverse conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, fumes and/or poor ventilation, wetness, humidity, rain, temperature, and noise extremes, machinery and/or moving vehicles, vibrations, electric currents, animals/wildlife, toxic/poisonous agents, gases or chemicals, oils or other cutting fluids, violence and/or disease, or pathogenic substances.
• Contact with internal and external customers, vendors, outside agencies and the general public.

Required to work hours other than the regular schedule including evening, weekend, holidays and during emergencies To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions described herein. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description. Full-time regular City employee benefits:

• Health Insurance ()
  • City paid employee coverage. HMO or PPO plans are available. Dependents can be added, Employee pays 30% of premium. Premium deductions are taken pre-tax.
• Basic Life Insurance ()
  • City paid. The benefit is equal to 1x the annual base pay, rounded to the nearest $1000.00.
• Optional Vision Insurance ()
  • Employee-paid insurance is available at group rates, and family plans are available to employees. Premium deductions are taken pre-tax.
• Optional Dental Insurance ()
  • Employee-paid insurance is available at group rates, and family plans are available to employees. Premium deductions are taken pre-tax.
• Supplemental Insurance
  • Employees may purchase various types of supplemental insurance (life, AFLAC) at group rates through payroll deduction.
• Pension Plan (General) Administered by
• Pension Plan (Police and Fire) administered by
• 401(a) ()
  • Certain management positions can opt out of the General Pension into a 401(a).
• Roth IRA ()
  • Offered through payroll deduction.
• Disability ()
  • Employee paid short & long-term disability insurance.
• Leave Time (Sick, Vacation)
• Paid Holidays
  • City recognizes 13 holidays which include: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving Day, Friday after Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and Floating Holiday.
• Leave Sharing
  • May elect to donate or request leave time. Used for emergency circumstances when all leave has been exhausted.
• Deferred Compensation Programs
  • Tax-deferred savings plan available for retirement purposes. Employee-only contributions.
• Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Employees can elect to use pre-tax dollars to cover un-reimbursed medical or dependent daycare expenses.
• Payroll Direct Deposit
  • Available to any banking institution or credit union. Suncoast Federal Schools Credit Union membership is available to City employees.
• Employee Assistance Program ()
  • City-paid availability to licensed professional counselors for non-work related personal issues with 100% confidentiality.

Please note: Benefits do not apply to On-Call, Temporary, or Seasonal positions. Benefits only apply to regular Full-time positions. 01 Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as a part of the application screening and selection process. The information you provide will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Incomplete responses, false statements, omissions, or partial information may result in disqualification from the selection process. Do you agree to answer each supplemental question truthfully and that your responses can be verified from information included within the application?

• Yes
• No

02 Do you currently possess a minimum of an Associate's degree from an accredited college or university with an emphasis in computer science, forensic science, cybersecurity, criminal justice AND a minimum of five (5) years of sworn law enforcement experience with investigative experience and/ or equivalent non-sworn investigative experience AND a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in digital forensics examination, preferably in a law enforcement agency, government organization, or private sector firm specializing in cybersecurity or digital investigations; OR equivalent experience, and/or training that provides the required knowledge and abilities?

• Yes
• No

03 If the answer is Yes to question #2, please explain. If you answered No please enter n/a . 04 Do you currently possess a valid Florida Driver's License with acceptable driving record, or the ability to obtain a Florida driver's license at time of hire?

• Yes
• No

05 Have you ever received a dishonorable discharge from any of the Armed Forces of the United States?

• Yes
• No

06 PLEASE READ IN ITS ENTIRETY:Because you are applying to a law enforcement agency, you understand that you MUST include information about any arrest, charge, conviction, or other criminal activity, even if the records are sealed or expunged (Section 943.13(7), F.S. Rule 11b-27.0022). 07 Have you been convicted of any felony crime?

• Yes
• No

08 Have you ever been convicted of any misdemeanor or felony, or any crime against the United States designated as a misdemeanor or felony, or any offense against any other state, territory, or country which would be a misdemeanor or felony if committed in this state at time of application that involves any of the following:a. Abuse or neglect of children, aged, or incompetentb. Perjury or falsification to include making false reports of crimes or falsification of official documentsc. Sexual offenses, including indecent exposure and prostitutiond. Any offense involving violations of the civil rights of any person under the Constitution or laws of the United States or any county

• Yes
• No

09 Have you ever been convicted of domestic violence?

• Yes
• No

10 Have you ever pled nolo contendere , guilty, or have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony involving domestic violence?

• Yes
• No

11 Have you ever used or possessed any Illegal drug at any time of employment while employed with a law enforcement agency, in a prosecutorial position, and/or employed in any position of responsibility of the public trust?

• Yes
• No

12 Do you currently have any visible tattoos on your face, neck, head, or hands?

• Yes
• No

13 If you answered YES to having tattoos, please list the location and describe the tattoo. 14 Have you ever been involved in the sale of illegal drugs?

• Yes
• No

15 Within the past year, have you tried, used, or experimented with marijuana?

• Yes
• No

16 Within the past 5 years, have you tried, used, or experimented with powder cocaine?

• Yes
• No

17 PREFERRED QUALIFICATION:Do you currently possess a certification in digital forensics (e.g., EnCE, CFCE, CCE, ACE)?

• Yes
• No

18 PRFERRED QUALIFICATION:Do you currently possess 10 years of digital forensic experience with a law enforcement agency?

• Yes
• No

19 PREFERRED QUALIFICATION:Do you currently possess excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams of investigators, analysts, and legal professionals?

• Yes
• No

Required Question